Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

In So Cal, they phased out lead wheel weights. Now they are zinc. Wheel weights were cast from an inferior grade of lead that made them bad for firearms reloads. The lead used to smear in the barrels making gun cleaning more difficult. Anything that the green weenies do out here to screw things up usually goes nationwide sooner or later. Get ready, it's on its way.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

I bought shot from these guys. I couldn't believe that shipping was free, but when it came I understood.

http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/...eclaim_bag.htm

It was shipped by regular post office in their fixed rate priority boxes where it didn't make any difference how much it weighed, as long as it fit in the box. My mailman wasn't too happy about it, but it was a great deal and perfect for ballast bars!!! BTW, it only took two days from my order, all the way across the country.....

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

Like Mark said, I went to my friendly local tire store and they gave me a bucket of discarded wheel weights (about 80 lbs.). They were happy to get rid of them.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

If the tire shops does not pan out, try your local scrap metal yard or a
battery manufacture.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

I had a local sporting goods store that sells guns order my #10 lead shot, was cheaper than a gun shore that I checked, but still very expensive. If you get these, be careful when you handle it, do not breath the dust while you are pouring them into the bars and wash hands afterwards.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

A friend did the wheel weight thing. He melted the weights down and seperated the steel clips then poured the molten lead into steel 2x3 tubing. Stinkin' things are HEAVY too !!!

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

Along time ago (1980's) I made my own lead weights for the
weight box. Got scrap lead from my brother-in-law (my former
boss @ scrap metal yard) and melted it in a cast iron frying pan
over a propane camp stove and poured into molds I had made.
Probably not the safest way to do it in hinsight.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

I went to one of my lift truck battery suppliers and they have a heater for lead that they use in the making and repairing of batteries. They filled a bar up for me. Much safer.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

I buy buckets full of weight from a local tire store for $25.00. I cut the ends of the longer weights and drop them into square tubing with a cap welded on one end. I then use a torch to heat the tube. As the weights melt I drop more in until the bar is full. Finally I weld another cap on the top to enclose the lead.

Re: Lead shot for ballast bars
 

we have purchased lead from a roofing company...they use it for flashing. melts easy and makes good bars.