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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,107 Likes: 78
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,107 Likes: 78 |
The driving factor behind the cost of bagged lead shot and a partial reason for the ridiculous cost of high quality shotshells is the cost of the base metals used in shot manufacture. To a lesser extent, the cost of transportation plays a role.
Lead hovers around $1 a pound and has done so for quite some time.
Antimony, used to harden the alloy, is currently at an all time high. The primary source is China.
Depending on grade and location, antimony can cost between $10 and $50 a POUND.
The Shanghai metals market shows as of today $22,522 per metric ton (2205 pounds) for 99.65% Sb ingot.
A bag of 6% antimony shot would have roughly $15 of this now precious metal along with about $24 of lead.
Add to this the cost of processing, transport, honest profit and scalping and we have the situation we're in today.
Don't expect this to get anything but worse.
A partial answer would be to switch to chilled shot which SHOULD be dramatically cheaper on the market right now than 'magnum' shot but of course isn't, at least yet.
The skeet shooter and 16 yard trap shooter would be doing business as usual, but of course the handicap trap shooter and those who thrive on 40 yard crossing SC targets would be, well, handicapped.
As a general rule promo loads are loaded with softer, and thus cheaper, shot. As mentioned in another thread, the Federal Top Gun is currently an exception measuring very high antimony for the price. This can't continue.
It's a sad state of affairs. Add to that the fact that apparently the prime source of nitrocelluose is (drum roll)... also China.
"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,718 Likes: 1355
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,718 Likes: 1355 |
The reason China is the source for those three items is because they were regulated out of the US. There is lead here, there were smelters here, nitro cellulose is available and can be produced. The same with antimony, it is found in Canada, the United States, Bolivia, and a few other places besides China, where production is actually falling.
The endless parade of stupid that is the green movement bears much responsibility for this “sad state of affairs”. You are free to believe this is an unfortunate accident, but, not for a minute do I believe the same.
Best,
Ted
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4 members like this:
canvasback, dirty harry, Stanton Hillis, Hammergun |
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,007 Likes: 1817
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,007 Likes: 1817 |
Using your numbers chilled shot should cost $11.25 per bag less than Magnum. Remember, chilled shot is not devoid of antimony, today it contains 1 1/2 to 2 percent. Using the lower number of 1 1/2% antimony there would be a savings on it of $11.25 per bag. There are 355.5 loads in a bag of shot, at a 1 1/8 oz. payload. That's $.03/round savings, or $.75 per box of 25. if the chilled shot in question actually contained 2% the savings would be even less.
Hardly a "drastic" savings.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,718 Likes: 1355
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,718 Likes: 1355 |
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