Littleton shot maker

ammo308

I am considering buying a Littleton shot maker. Has anyone used this or know how well this works?

HandgunHTR52

Post over on the GD forum. Classic095 has one and can tell you all about it.

vdms55

hi bud, for what it's worth don't subject yourself to the fumes of melting lead. i made shot for several years and have no doubt that it was a major contributor to my memory problems. no mater how well you ventilate your work area it still gets into your body. for what my time was worth and the costs surrounding running down the lead (i used wheel weights collected from tire sales shops) i found i could buy shot by the pallet for next to the same cost.

jonk

A lot of bullet casters would take exception to that. Lead can be a danger, yes. But the casual and careful caster need not worry. Lead only starts to give off fumes and vaporize if you overheat the mix to around 800 degrees+. Set up a good ventilation system, or do it outside. Wear gloves when handling filthy old wheel weights. Don't spend too much time in indoor ranges breathing lead fumes. Result? The last time I had bloodwork done, my lead content was no different than anyone elses, which is to say negligible. Heck, my dad has been casting for 40 years and back in the day didn't know much about lead and its nasty effects, and HE doesn't have any contamination either. That said- don't handle bullets and lick your fingers before thoroughly washing. Don't overheat your mix. Don't breathe the vapors when you flux- that's what ventilation is for. Etc.

Regarding the Littleton machine, I don't have one, but if I shot much trap or skeet, I'd surely look in to it. I shoot about 25 pounds of shot every 5 years- even at $40 a bag, it's still not worth my time. (Compared to cast rifle and pistol bullets, which I shoot thousands of a year) I've heard fairly good reviews. It ain't perfect (what is?) but produces decent, if sometimes slightly out-of-round shot.