We've all heard that the last lead smelter in the US closed down last month. A friend came by earlier with a buy of "Spartan" brand shot that's now starting to show up here in PA. At least I've never seen the brand here before. It's supposedly made in Spain and is put up in 25 pound net flat bags with a poly inner liner which should allow long storage without oxidizing. Marked hard shot and I confirmed with a simple plier test that it has about the same "squash" as West Coast Magnum. Yeah I know that's subjective. About 3 bucks a bag less expensive than WCM. Also, a bonus at least for me .... simple average of 25 pellets from a bag marked 7-1/2 shows it's nearer to US size 7 that was favored by many for pigeons. I'm thinking late season grouse and far off clays.
