November 23, 2002, 10:30 AM | #1 |
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Lead shot maker?
Has anyone had any luck constructing their own lead shot maker? I know Littleton makes one for $379.00, but that’s a bit pricey. I cast my own bullets and am interested in making lead shot if the apparatus is affordable.
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November 24, 2002, 11:32 AM | #2 |
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A buddy and I are working on a home made shot maker but we are still messing with the nozzles to get round shot. This has been the hardest part so far.
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November 24, 2002, 01:35 PM | #3 |
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Is this something just for fun or do you intend to save some money, or are you looking for better quality? I guess I am just curious why someone would undertake making their own shot.
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November 24, 2002, 07:44 PM | #4 |
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Hey folks,
I would also have to admit to wanting to make my own shot. Why? For some of the same reasons I have been casting my own bullets for nearly forty years: to save bucks and just for the fun of it. As far as better quality goes, I generally would not compare cast bullets to good jacketed bullet for most modern rifles. However, I do consider my cast bullets to be better than those available commercially. As far as the quality of home made shot goes, I would not expect to produce shot of better quality than commercial shot. However, if I could produce shot of equal quality for less cost (materials only), I would be happy to do it. I have considered the Littleton Shotmaker for the past ten years, but I have never seen it work, and I am reluctant to spend that much on something I have not seen the final product. Now, please don't tell me it is not worth my time to make shot. If I had to consider the value of my time in terms of dollars, I would quit all reloading right away. I consider my time spent working on reloading projects as quality time. Some folks enjoy golf, and others enjoy fly fishing. To tell the truth, I suppose I enjoy the time I spend at my reloading bench more than the time I spend shooting. Usually, after shooting the latest whatever I have concocted, I am in a big hurry to get back to the bench and try something else. Making your own shot is just more of the same attitude and values. If anyone has good first-hand information on the Littleton Shotmaker, I would be interested in hearing about it. Goodluck Rugerfan. You are not alone. Best wishes, Dave Wile |
November 25, 2002, 02:03 AM | #5 |
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I am posting the set up diagram and instructions for a shotmaker that I bought at a gunshow about 5years ago it had never been used and I haven't got around to using it yet. The drip holes are very small. And the only concern I would have ,would be molten lead near water, a splash of water into the lead could be a tragedy. Becareful and good luck.
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November 25, 2002, 02:08 AM | #6 |
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SORRY I can't seem to get my file to post but I'll keep trying. I am new at this.
Last edited by BEARMAN; November 25, 2002 at 03:06 AM. |
November 25, 2002, 02:17 AM | #7 |
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SHOTMAKER 2ND TRY!
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November 25, 2002, 02:48 AM | #8 |
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3rd try !
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November 25, 2002, 02:50 AM | #9 |
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Still haven't figured it out yet. I'll do a little research and try to get back later.
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November 25, 2002, 08:50 PM | #10 |
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Bearman,
If you can't get the file to post, I would be glad to get it via e-mail. You can send it to: [email protected] Thanks!!! Hsmith, I'm not trying to improve on quality, just mostly to save money and for fun. I also just enjoy making things myself. David Wile pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject as well.
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November 25, 2002, 11:03 PM | #11 |
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I didnt make the shotmaker, but play around with different size orifices. Dont know the brand of it, bought it used. An inclined shelf with internal element, big enough to hold a couple ingots, brass orifices like for furnaces in the front to drip. Made an inclined shelf which I chalk, with cold bowl of recycled vac pump oil underneath to catch the shot and cool it before it hits the bottom and deforms. The trick is to have the oil cold enough, the lead at just the right temp, and the inclined shelf long enough to round out the shot nice, especially for the larger sizes shot.
Orifice blanks are cheap and can be twist drilled to whatever size you want. Orifice blanks at your local Johnstones Heating supply, and powdered chalk thats used for chalk lines. Wash the oil off the shot, spread thin outside to dry. Lightly chalk if desired. |
November 26, 2002, 01:20 AM | #12 |
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Hey Edward,
While I have never seen a real live one, what you are describing sure sounds like a Littleton Shotmaker to the "T." I have seen pictures of the Littleton, but never a real live one. If you have information to share on it, I, too would like if you could contact me via E-Mail. My address is [email protected]. Please tell us more of how it works for you. If I were sure it would produce good shot between #5 and #9 sizes, I would buy one in a hearbeat. Best wishes, Dave Wile |
November 26, 2002, 07:56 PM | #13 |
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It came with #71/2's, #8's, and #9 orifices, makes em all well. I can make #6's too now but bigger remains to be done. When you get to a certain point in size, it likes to take off in a stream of lead instead of a drip. Maybe further experimenting with temps will yield better results sometime when time permits.
Thats about all the info I got on it, wish I had a pic to post of it but no digi cam. Its about 8 or 10 inches tall, green body with some white ceramic spacers above the body but under the tray, wired to a T-stat and mounted to a board. Got a link to the littleton so I can see if thats it? |
November 26, 2002, 08:48 PM | #14 |
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November 26, 2002, 09:26 PM | #15 |
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Bearman sent me the shotmaker files and I will attempt to post them. There are 4 total so I will do so in 4 different posts.
Bearman- I think the problem you ran into was that the .BMPs were way to large to post. I will post the same files as .JPGs to save space. Thanks for providing the files!
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November 26, 2002, 09:29 PM | #16 |
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Here is #2
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November 26, 2002, 09:31 PM | #17 |
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Here is #3
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November 26, 2002, 09:34 PM | #18 |
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And #4
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November 26, 2002, 09:40 PM | #19 |
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Note:
If you download the .JPGs I posted, after opening them you may need to "zoom" to 100% to be able to read the text. .JPGs often open up at 50% which would make these files hard to read.
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November 27, 2002, 12:57 AM | #20 |
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Hey Rugerfan,
I checked out the Littleton website you posted, and it seems to me that Littleton has changed his shotmaker somewhat from what it was about ten years ago. I still wish I knew someone near me who owned one and would allow me to watch the process. Best wishes, Dave Wile |
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