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Non-lead Shot
- Thread starter Erik550c
- Start date
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AZbpBurner
54 Cal.
Years ago I got a load of surplus ammo crates that were tin lined. I've got a lot of sheet tin, and melted down metal from lids and odd corners. As a result, I have a lot of tin ingots to use in the future to make pewter for casting nosecaps, tomahawh handle bands and such. Meanwhile, I cast up a bunch of tin balls to try as PRB's. They work OK, but have much more drop out at 100 yards than pure lead. I suppose tin would work fine for buckshot-type loads in a smoothbore.
MC One Shot
40 Cal
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Bismuth..... back in the late 90's I went north into BC managing hazmat clean up for two years at a smelter called Cominco. They had tons and tons of Bismuth each day. Had I known back then what I know today I would have gone home with lots and I'd be rich today. 
Instead I went home with lots of lead.
Instead I went home with lots of lead.
jrmflintlock
45 Cal.
You can also try Ecotungsten.com
Its not cheep at $80 a Kilo (2.2 lbs)
Its supposed to perform nicely I was going to get some but have not taken the plunge.
Considering heavy shot sells for $35+ for a box of 10 shells, 2 lbs should last you a bit.
Good Luck!
Its not cheep at $80 a Kilo (2.2 lbs)
Its supposed to perform nicely I was going to get some but have not taken the plunge.
Considering heavy shot sells for $35+ for a box of 10 shells, 2 lbs should last you a bit.
Good Luck!
Last edited by a moderator:
The Rotometals offering is $15 per pound. The density appears to be about 70% of lead. That is roughly the difference between lead and steel shot, density wise.
http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/leadfreebulletalloy.htm
I have no idea how it casts and the final diameter after shrinkage.
It may work with a bullet. For instance a 30 cal cast bullet that normally weighs 220 grains would come up at 154 grains. That would work. A 500 grain 45-70 ends up at 350 grains, seems usable. With load development it may shoot very well due to increased bearing surface (length).
With cast bullets in cartridge guns you need to match the hardness to the load. Light loads get soft bullets, hot loads get hard bullets. If you get this wrong in either direction you get leading. I have no idea how hard the Rotometals alloy is.
Unfortunately your 50 cal ball casts at only 122 grains. That is not OK for deer hunting. It is like firing a ping-pong ball. My solution would be to use a long cast bullet with a sabot and a fast twist barrel.
IMHO, and it is a well studied and informed opinion, is that going to such extremes over a scientifically invalid issue stinks. I would never mess with non lead projectiles unless it was absolutely necessary. Lead is superior to everything else in every way.
http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/leadfreebulletalloy.htm
I have no idea how it casts and the final diameter after shrinkage.
It may work with a bullet. For instance a 30 cal cast bullet that normally weighs 220 grains would come up at 154 grains. That would work. A 500 grain 45-70 ends up at 350 grains, seems usable. With load development it may shoot very well due to increased bearing surface (length).
With cast bullets in cartridge guns you need to match the hardness to the load. Light loads get soft bullets, hot loads get hard bullets. If you get this wrong in either direction you get leading. I have no idea how hard the Rotometals alloy is.
Unfortunately your 50 cal ball casts at only 122 grains. That is not OK for deer hunting. It is like firing a ping-pong ball. My solution would be to use a long cast bullet with a sabot and a fast twist barrel.
IMHO, and it is a well studied and informed opinion, is that going to such extremes over a scientifically invalid issue stinks. I would never mess with non lead projectiles unless it was absolutely necessary. Lead is superior to everything else in every way.
Last edited by a moderator:
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