Reclaimed shot vs. new
 

Has anybody tried Rotometal's reclaimed shot? The air cleaned looks pretty dirty. Wonder about washing it yourself??? The washed and graphited is about the same price as new. I wonder about patterning, might be fine for "informal" clay shooting. $48 vs. $71 per bag, free shipping on 2 bags. New has gone up $7 per bag since I last ordered 2 weeks ago! I have not seen any locally in a good while.

I have used their reclaimed shot for a number of years. I always paid the extra for washed and graphited. A lot cleaner and have never noticed a difference between the reclaimed and new. I have not purchased any for the last two years because I make my own shot.

For SKEET I’ve used new , reclaimed and homemade shot . They all break skeet targets if you do your part .

How in the name of God does one make their own shot? Do you build a tower in the yard to drop it?

Making shot isn't that difficult. I think they just melt lead and pour it into a vessel with holes in the bottom that lets it fall into water. I have a neighbor who makes his own; his setup isn't that complicated. I've never seen his product, but would imagine it's not all nice round shot. Just guessing on that.

Look up “youtube making lead shot” for several instructional videos.





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Interesting. I would just buy the machine if I was going to make it because what usually happens is I spend all my free time making something to save me money and when all is said and done, I save a lot less than I thought I would. I built a home brew electronic controller and built a mash/boil/hot liquor kettle with all fittings and cart. Cost me six months and $4800. I could have bought a turn key system for $5500 :banghead:

A friend i shot with made his own and i copied it. Yes it makes usable shot but the time it takes to get it right and sort, size and lube is considerable. Another was given a Littleton shotmaker and the time spent learning it's idiosyncrasies is long and involved. It is not worth it as long as shot is available at $40.00 to 50 a bag, over that it will come out again.

Andy, I have a shot dripper made by John Stewart. 220v electric hot plate and seven dripper nozzles. There is a 110v model made by Littleton.

Daniel, It is not that involved. After I rinse the shot that I make I have a sieve that has the correct size holes for 7 1/2. I just dump it in move it around with a gloved hand. The excess, which is usually minimal, I melt down again. The good stuff I put it in a case tumbler, add a little graphite and run the tumbler for about 10 or 15 minutes and done.