--> PICTURE OF BOTH SHOTMAKER MODELS 60 AND 130, SHOWN WITH LEAD INGOTS

LITTLETON'S SHOTMAKER

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


How does hard shot differ from soft shot?

How do I control the hardness of the shot I make?

Is the shot I make as uniform as factory shot?

Is their really a market for homemade shot verse factory shot?

Where can I find waste lead?

What comes with the machine and what else will I need before I can start making shot?

How long will the machine last?

How do I convert shot size into metric units?

Where do I get water soluble cutting oil?

Where do I get powered graphite?

How does hard shot differ from soft shot?

The difference between hard shot and soft is the amount of deformity that occurs during the time the pellets are shot out of the shotgun barrel. The harder the shot the truer the flight of the pellet which appeals to trap shooters, while skeet shooters and quail hunters might prefer softer shot that spreads out quicker.

How do I control the hardness of the shot I make?

The hardness of the shot has to do with the amount of antimony in the melted lead. The greater percentage of antimony in the lead the harder the shot. For hard shot, use lead from used wheel weights or linotype; soft shot can be made from lead pipe or lead sheeting. Mixing different types of waste lead will yield the desired hardness.

Is the shot I make as uniform as factory shot?

People using my shotmakers have told me over and over how uniform each pellet is, I guarantee that if you buy a machine set-up to make #7½ then each dripper will spit out exactly #7½.

Is there really a market for homemade shot verse factory shot?

Yes. As stated earlier the hardness of shot can be custom made for the shooters in your area, more importantly is the price of shot. With the large quantity of waste lead all over the world you can produce shot for you're own use or for sale much cheaper than purchasing factory made shot.

Where can I find waste lead?

One of the easiest ways is to purchase your lead from recycle shops or junkyards. An alternative is to actively seek out waste lead at the source such as tire shops, print shops or electric dealers. Once the word is out that you'll buy waste lead sellers will come to you.

What comes with the machine and what else will I need before I can start making shot?

You get the shotmaker and easy to follow instructions. What you'll need is: Safety equipment such as safety glasses for eye protection, a face shield (such as used for metal grinding or woodcutting) leather gloves and cheap disposable fume masks. A small working platform, cooling liquid (a mixture of water and water-soluble cutting oil), buckets to catch the shot and hold the cooling liquid, powder graphite and storage containers or bags for the shot.

How long will the machines last?

I know of many shotmakers that have made tons of shot over 15 years without a problem. And they paid for themselves in the first week. I provide a one-year warranty with each machine I'll either repair or replace (at my option) any machine that fails within that period.

How do I convert shot size into metric units?

Here's a chart that may help:

SHOT CONVERSION CHART
LEAD SHOT # DIAMETER IN INCHES METRIC EQUIVALENT
BB .18"  
#2 .15"  
#4 .13"  
#5 .15"  
#6
.11">

2.794mm

#7½

.095"

2.413mm

#8

.09"

2.286mm

#8½

.085"

2.159mm

#9

.08"

2.032mm

Where do I get water soluble cutting oil?

We will soon market this product.

Where do I get powered graphite?

We will soon market this product.

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