Been lurking a while and finally decided to post. I have some questions about alloying lead for shot making. I think i have most of the details worked out but would like some input from those more experienced and knowledgeable than I.
Stopped by the local scrap yard and they have about 300 pounds of soft roofing lead. I got 50 pounds at 80 cents a pound. It's pretty clean and looks almost new. I picked up about 20 pounds of wheel weights from a tire shop, the majority of which appear to be lead. I am in the process of building a shot dripper. I have all the machines and tools necessary to build the ladle and will use propane to fire it. I build jet burners capable of over a million BTU's so heat source is not a problem! I plan to buy the double dripper bolts. I may try to make my own bolts later.
Here is where I'm chasing my tail. I would like to drip some #4 or #5 shot for squirrel hunting with .410 and 28 gauge, and some 7-7.5 for trap and skeet. I understand that larger shot can be more difficult to get round. COWW have antimony and tin in them. If i understand correctly, alloyed lead is more difficult to drop round than non allowed because the alloy makes the lead flow better to fill out a mold. Alloyed shot is harder than pure lead shot and will resist deformation in the wad or choke when fired. So, here is where I need some advice..
A) How hard is it to successfully drip #4 or 5 shot from wheel weights?
b) how bad will deformation be of the soft lead and will it make a difference through a full choke?
c) It is my understanding that larger shot needs less alloy. Is this correct?
d) what would the ideal ratio be for wheel weight to pure lead to drip for #7-7.5 and #4 shot?
e) would it be better to smelt the pure soft lead into ingots and use it for trading? For shot making, is it worth buying? Is soft lead worth buying to use for trading later?