BBK Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 I've got 40lbs of lead shot (5's to be exact), will this work to make jig heads? I really have no use for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 I've got 40lbs of lead shot (5's to be exact), will this work to make jig heads? I really have no use for it. You could sell it to me! Yes you can use shot, if I am correct I do believe lead shot is very soft. So go for it. I have yet to find any lead I can not pour. Some is more troublesome than others but if you know what lead works with what molds you will have no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Thank you! My production pot, mold, paint, and hooks will be here tomorrow, I cant wait! I finally have a use for this 20 year old lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Grump Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 BBK I would give your ability to use your shot for pouring a qualified yes. It could be made of soft lead, but my guess is that it has hardener's in it - making it closer to hard lead - ie wheel weights. It all depends on how old that shot really is... #5 shot is 'bird shot' - for upland game - ie pheasants, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, etc. Soft lead shot deforms when passing thru a shotgun barrel and the guns choke - the tighter the choke - ie a full choke, the more chance there is of deformed pellets - and deformed pellets are typically flyers, which don't pattern. Shot shell manufacturers/gun manufacturers found that the way to keep pellets in a pattern is to keep them round, and to keep them round was to make them harder - as in using hard lead, in addition to other tricks like thicker wads, etc. I'm not saying you won't be able to pour your jigs - but it may depend on the molds you bought and the size(s). There are numerous posts here on TU where folks talk about pouring the Ultra minnow - and in nearly every thread, there is the caveat - you need to use soft lead. You may find you need to add some soft lead to your shot - ie a 50-50 mix, etc. Try it - its the only way you will know for certain. Best of luck UG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 BBK I would give your ability to use your shot for pouring a qualified yes. It could be made of soft lead, but my guess is that it has hardener's in it - making it closer to hard lead - ie wheel weights. It all depends on how old that shot really is... #5 shot is 'bird shot' - for upland game - ie pheasants, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, etc. Soft lead shot deforms when passing thru a shotgun barrel and the guns choke - the tighter the choke - ie a full choke, the more chance there is of deformed pellets - and deformed pellets are typically flyers, which don't pattern. Shot shell manufacturers/gun manufacturers found that the way to keep pellets in a pattern is to keep them round, and to keep them round was to make them harder - as in using hard lead, in addition to other tricks like thicker wads, etc. I'm not saying you won't be able to pour your jigs - but it may depend on the molds you bought and the size(s). There are numerous posts here on TU where folks talk about pouring the Ultra minnow - and in nearly every thread, there is the caveat - you need to use soft lead. You may find you need to add some soft lead to your shot - ie a 50-50 mix, etc. Try it - its the only way you will know for certain. Best of luck UG UG, Thanks for the lesson, as you see I'm not a hunter. Good info. BBK, sorry for misleading you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 UG, Thanks for the lesson, as you see I'm not a hunter. Good info. BBK, sorry for misleading you. I've got a basic round lead head with collar, 1/32-1/2. Going to try it here in a few minutes, I'll let you know how it turns out. Cant see myself reloading shells anymore so it would be nice to use the lead for something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 You can use it but I'd make sure of some really good ventalation!!!!!! I'd melt it down and clean it in a WELL VENTILATTED area. I go to Cast Bullits.com and some of the folks there have talked about using the older shot, but that some brands had been coated with a powder or chemical. Good to use and shouldn't take long to start melting but like I said good ventallation, flux it and clean it then you won't have any worries. Have fun and be safe!!! Fatman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 You can use it but I'd make sure of some really good ventalation!!!!!! I'd melt it down and clean it in a WELL VENTILATTED area. I go to Cast Bullits.com and some of the folks there have talked about using the older shot, but that some brands had been coated with a powder or chemical. Good to use and shouldn't take long to start melting but like I said good ventallation, flux it and clean it then you won't have any worries. Have fun and be safe!!! Fatman I'm not too sure on fluxing or cleaning but I melted down some of it a few minutes ago. It had some powder on it but I just scooped it off the top. I made 50 nice jigs and they poured perfect after I warmed the mold up. I do have a question though, how do you know if the lead is getting too hot without a thermometer? I noticed that it started to turn gold so I turned it down to the lowest setting and poured from there. The lead was circulating really slow throughout the pot, is this where I want to be at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtn lures Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 You could sell it to me! Yes you can use shot, if I am correct I do believe lead shot is very soft. So go for it. I have yet to find any lead I can not pour. Some is more troublesome than others but if you know what lead works with what molds you will have no problems [/quote I had a buddy give me some shot. Looked to be #5's. I was really old but I melted it down and poured several types of jigs with no problems. Some with double collars. I did not try any spinnerbait molds though. Seemed to be pretty good lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 What kind of melter are you using??? If you have a bottom pour I keep mine between 600-700 degrees. If you're just using a hot pot or pot with propane burner, I'd say get a RCBS thermometer, the guys ovr at Cast Bullits recommend this one. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=357906 If you don't want the expense of a thermometer stick with only pure lead and leave the tire weights alone. Unless you're buying straight PURE lead, if you manage to get some tire weights you have to watch for Zinc ones. They can really mess up a load of lead. Without the thermometer I'd say make sure the sheen on the melted lead stays a purpleish color, on my Lee Pro Pot IV that's between 600-700 degrees. Fatman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUBAR Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Glad I saw this post, I used to shoot trap and skeet and loaded my own shells. I have around 200 lbs of shot laying around..........guess I won't be buying lead anytime soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
