Question on lead shot pricing

[Silvers]

Just wondering what lead shot is going for in different parts of the country. I am specifically asking about HARD shot such as Lawrence Magnum, West Coast Magnum, etc.

I am not too interested in pricing on Eagle, Star, etc softer shot. Thanks in advance for your inputs. Silvers

[bamboozler]

$35/bag in Northcentral Wisconsin, but it's Eagle brand.

[fullchoke16]

Frank, West Coast Magnum is $39.99 in Butler, PA., Fred

[mike campbell]

About 6 months ago in Rochester, NY, I bought some West Coast magnum for $37. About 2 months ago I bought some Eagle magnum for $33. The Eagle supplier had Lawrence magnum for $37 and I passed. I would have passed were it $34.

FWIW, things that make you say hmmmmmm......

A few winters ago when shot prices took off I started stocking up 30-40 bags of Lawrence at a time until the price hit $26 and I quit buying. I managed to dodge the whole $40+ saga. But when my stash became low and I needed to buy again, I found Lawrence supplies spotty and Eagle invariably $2-3 bag cheaper. So I did some empirical hardness testing. While I stand by my methods, data and analysis it is afterall mostly one tiny sample taken from a single shell. It doesn't say anything about lot to lot variation or how things change year on year. However, I periodically retest the bagged stuff when I know it's from newer lots and nothing has shaken up the top 2 spots.

With respect to hardness alone, Eagle ranks at the top. Only slightly behind the gold standard, Lawrence magnum. And, like Lawrence, it is harder than the shot typically found in premium target loads. I can't speak to roundness, trueness to nominal size or uniformity of size but in the occasional patterning and shooting 30-40 bags per year I can't distinguish between Eagle, Lawrence and West Coast.

#7.5 shot / Relative Hardness

Lawrence Magnum Target ..........100 ( 4tests in 3 years)
Eagle Magnum .........................97 (4 tests)
Federal Premium Flyer..............95
West Coast Magnum .................94 (2 tests)
B&P F2 Mach ..........................92
Remington Nitro 27's.................91
Federal Gold Medal Paper...........91
Lawrence Magnum Copper..........87
Winchester SuperSport ..............84
Federal Premium Field Copper......77
Fiocchi Nickel Little Rhino...........74
Remington Nitro Express.............73
Winchester Black Diamond Nickel...70
Gamebore White Gold Nickel........68
Remington Game Load 16ga.........68
Fiocchi (Italy) HV Field...............68

I just found it very interesting that bagged shot available to reloaders is every bit as hard, and usually harder, than that found in premium factory ammo. That's not to say the factories use "soft" shot and nobody doubts their "premium" quality. It's more to say we reloaders don't give anything up in shot quality. As somebody who will likely never buy another box of factory ammo, that's comforting to know.

Also, for many years I've heard the conventional wisdom that "plated" shot is actually softer than magnum target grade. My testing affirms that for me. Compare the Lawrence Target & Copper, for instance. But in a recent magazine article titled "Shiny Shot" John M. Taylor asserts...

"The amount of antimony ranges from 1.5% in promotional loads to about 6% in the high-end target and premium loads, and it is these hard, high-antimony pellets that are plated."

I hope I'm not off base with my lengthy post, but I did stay on topic for the first sentence.

[Big Friend Ten]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the shot hardness table!!! I like to use soft shot in my tightly choked 10 gauges when shooting most clays courses. Those shot flyers make for good spreaders. Now it will be easier to select it.

Mark

[mike campbell]

You're welcome, Mark. Just be sure to take it with a tablespoon of salt!

Do you handload for the 10? Maybe chilled shot would be good or, better yet, some spreaders?

Which raises an interesting point....Lawrence chilled shot used to be available to me for $1-2 less but when prices were <$20/bag I never bought any. Now I'd like to find some chilled #7.5 to include.

[Silvers]

Thanks all for your replies. Mike, I much appreciate your hard work and posting this information.

Interesting, I've been told by the shot distributor that West Coast in Carson City is the only commercial drop tower still in the western US, and they make shot for Lawrence as well as marketing it under their West Coast brand name. Both bags look the same except for the printing on them. Distributor is currently quoting $34.95/bag for West Coast Magnum for 10 or more. Silvers

[mike campbell]

Frank,

I don't think I've heard of a better price lately. The point about WC and Lawrence being made by the same company is usually raised when I share my data. I'm at a loss to explain it, except that I solicited the sample of WC shot. As I mentioned, I bought 20 bags of WC (my first ever purchase) this year. Occurs to me I haven't tested it and I will do so. In fact, I have fresh lots of all 3 and I'll retest them all and post back.

[mc15426378]

Wish I could find shot for $34.95 down he'ah. Only one place to buy locally (30 minute drive one way) and shot is $50.00 a bag including sales tax. Ouch!!!!!!!

Mike

[mike campbell]

That hurts Mike! But I've always said I'll still be reloading when I have to pay $50/bag.

Well, I used up my last Lawrence and don't have any to test. No matter, I've tested it 4 times over the years and it's never been threatened as the hardest lead shot of all.

I just tested some Eagle magnum for the 4th time and once again it rates 97 to Lawrence's 100. Despite all the caveats, my confidence is growing that Lawrence & Eagle will consistently be the hardest.

I tested West Coast magnum for the second time and , while it improved to a 95 rating, it still lags the other 2. OTOH, I can now say that based on my experience, bagged magnum shot is generally as hard or harder than the shot in any factory load. I've amended my table to reflect repeat tests.

[Silvers]

Thanks again Mike. JFI to readers, I live fairly close to RST Classic Shotshell Co. and am friends with the folks there. Been out to the factory many times. RST exclusively uses Lawrence and West Coast Magnum for all their loads. I've seen pallet after pallet of both brands while visiting. Frank