Reloading shotgun shells with non-toxic shot

[Perplexed]

More and more, I'm getting into shotguns for plinking - while it's still fun to watch a steel silhouette at 500 yards fall over with a round from my M1 Garand, I find it's more gratifying to shoot up plastic QT cups with a shotgun at 25 yards. Not to mention it's easier to do the latter as my eyes get older!

However - and please, no dismissive comments about tree-huggers - I'm just not comfortable scattering hundreds of toxic lead pellets with each pull of the shotgun trigger, so I'm looking to get into reloading with non-toxic shot. I've been doing research on the hows of shot shell reloading, so I think I'm covered there.

My question is, where in the Tulsa area have you folks been finding the best deals on steel and other non-toxic shot, especially in the larger sizes like 00 to #4 buckshot? Or is it cheaper to order online even with the shipping costs? I realize it's going to be significantly more expensive than reloading with lead shot, but I'm OK with that especially if I can tailor my loads and use shot sizes in steel that might be difficult or impossible to find in factory loads.

 

[aviator41]

Nothing wrong with going with a non-lead substitute. It has its advantages.

I've bought bismuth shot from Precision reloading. They have #4 that you're looking for. Live everywhere, it's at a premium to what you pay for lead.

Have you thought about creating a berm where you shoot so you can recover shot? That would allow you to shoot lead with a clearer conscience.

 

[dennishoddy]

Go to walmart and buy bulk packs of bb's.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Don't shoot steel with steel.

 

[Perplexed]

This is out at Red Castle, and their plinking range takes a heck of a beating. I'd just like to do my part in reducing the addition of lead to the dirt in the backstop, as they don't have a formal reclamation procedure in place. Just people going out with buckets to pick through the dirt, but I can't imagine they'd want tiny shotgun pellets unless they could dig into the slope.

DH, what BB's are you talking about? Are these bulk packs in the ammo aisle, or are you talking about automotive BB's? I'm wondering if those wouldn't be too hard on a shotgun barrel?

OB, no worries - I may be perplexed, but I know better than to shoot steel silhouettes at 25 yards

 

[Okie4570]

This is out at Red Castle, and their plinking range takes a heck of a beating. I'd just like to do my part in reducing the addition of lead to the dirt in the backstop, as they don't have a formal reclamation procedure in place. Just people going out with buckets to pick through the dirt, but I can't imagine they'd want tiny shotgun pellets unless they could dig into the slope.

DH, what BB's are you talking about? Are these bulk packs in the ammo aisle, or are you talking about automotive BB's? I'm wondering if those wouldn't be too hard on a shotgun barrel?

OB, no worries - I may be perplexed, but I know better than to shoot steel silhouettes at 25 yards

BB's as in BB gun BB's, that's what I'll be shooting at ducks this year over decoys with ML shotgun.

 

[Perplexed]

BB's as in BB gun BB's, that's what I'll be shooting at ducks this year over decoys with ML shotgun.

Ok, thanks. That's .177 caliber, right? I'm looking for at least No. 4 buckshot, which is .24 caliber. But the BB idea is intriguing.

 

[358norma]

Be careful shooting BB's for a BB gun, they are harder than steel shot for a shotgun. Just depends on how much you like your gun I guess. The biggest you can get steel shot (at least commercially for reloading) is .220, which is size F . Check out Ballistics Products for supplies. Make sure you read up on STEEL shot reloading, it is a lot different animal than loading lead. The biggest difference is heavier/ tougher/ more expensive wads, and generally slower powders. Check out the "Status of Steel" manual by Ballistic Products, one of the better steel manuals out there. The last Bismuth I bought was around $140.00 for 7 pounds (Ouch!!) and is near impossible to find now. Most of the other non toxic stuff is at least this much or more ITX is $153.90 / 7#'s on BP's site. Steel is the best value right now. Here's the BP web-site.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/default.asp.

I've been playing with the stuff for a while (waterfowl addict). PM me if you have any questions

I have to ask one question though, where did that lead come from that you are scattering? Just sayin, it came from the ground, just in a different spot. If I didn't have to shoot the crap at waterfowl, I wouldn't do it on my own.

Back to your question, Bill's in Claremore has always handled a bunch of steel shot supplies.

 

[Okie4570]

Be careful shooting BB's for a BB gun, they are harder than steel shot for a shotgun. Just depends on how much you like your gun I guess. The biggest you can get steel shot (at least commercially for reloading) is .220, which is size F . Check out Ballistics Products for supplies. Make sure you read up on STEEL shot reloading, it is a lot different animal than loading lead. The biggest difference is heavier/ tougher/ more expensive wads, and generally slower powders. Check out the "Status of Steel" manual by Ballistic Products, one of the better steel manuals out there. The last Bismuth I bought was around $140.00 for 7 pounds (Ouch!!) and is near impossible to find now. Most of the other non toxic stuff is at least this much or more ITX is $153.90 / 7#'s on BP's site. Steel is the best value right now. Here's the BP web-site.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/default.asp.

I've been playing with the stuff for a while (waterfowl addict). PM me if you have any questions

I have to ask one question though, where did that lead come from that you are scattering? Just sayin, it came from the ground, just in a different spot. If I didn't have to shoot the crap at waterfowl, I wouldn't do it on my own.

Back to your question, Bill's in Claremore has always handled a bunch of steel shot supplies.

When it's in a steel shot wad, how would it come in contact with the barrel?

 

[Perplexed]

Be careful shooting BB's for a BB gun, they are harder than steel shot for a shotgun. Just depends on how much you like your gun I guess. The biggest you can get steel shot (at least commercially for reloading) is .220, which is size F . Check out Ballistics Products for supplies. Make sure you read up on STEEL shot reloading, it is a lot different animal than loading lead. The biggest difference is heavier/ tougher/ more expensive wads, and generally slower powders. Check out the "Status of Steel" manual by Ballistic Products, one of the better steel manuals out there. The last Bismuth I bought was around $140.00 for 7 pounds (Ouch!!) and is near impossible to find now. Most of the other non toxic stuff is at least this much or more ITX is $153.90 / 7#'s on BP's site. Steel is the best value right now. Here's the BP web-site.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/default.asp.

I've been playing with the stuff for a while (waterfowl addict). PM me if you have any questions

I have to ask one question though, where did that lead come from that you are scattering? Just sayin, it came from the ground, just in a different spot. If I didn't have to shoot the crap at waterfowl, I wouldn't do it on my own.

Back to your question, Bill's in Claremore has always handled a bunch of steel shot supplies.

The bolded part is why I'd like to get away from lead shot if possible; the material was once locked deep down beneath the earth's surface, and shooting shotgun shells releases it into the environment in a much more accessible form. It's no accident that shooting ranges are some of the most contaminated locations in the country where lead is concerned.

But thanks for the tips regarding steel shot and reloading of the same! I'll pick up a copy of that manual and go from there.