Producing Lead Shot
 

Does anyone make their own lead shot for reloading? Is there a machine for producing lead shot that you can buy? I was thinking of ways to make it but I am have trouble figuring out how they get it round and to the right shot size.
Any tips or advice.

shotmaker
 

www.littletonshotmaker.com

I have one, works great.

Can't be of much help with your actual question, but having contracted severe lead poisoning can not stress enough , make sure you take all the proper precautions working with it.
Things I never thought of, like changing your clothes and footwear where you are working with it, keeps lead contamination out of your house, laundry, car etc.
We had to replace all of these to get rid of as much as possible and the bill from the clean up of my garage was not small either.
Respirators are not for sissys I learned.
6 years after being poisoned I am still suffering from the effects, lead is just a plain nasty substance.

My advice if you proceed is build a dedicated garden shed for working with the lead, and be careful about contact and air flow. If you start to get a constant headache for more than a few days get to the doctor.

If the shot maker would hold enough heat I would only be doing it outside where there is ample fresh air, thanks for the warning ATR.
Kens where does the shot drop into a bucket or a glycol bath? Is there different alloys of lead that it must have to work, or can it use any lead that is found in a back stop or tire weights etc.

See top right hand corner of their website. Drips from the heads of what look like bolts on the front of the pan. Droplets bounce of the lip and into the coolant, I use brake fluid.

I've melted down wheel weights, (outside) skimmed the molten lead and then poured it into muffin tins to cool. These ignots then go into the pan on the shot maker. I have made shot in my shop but its 32 x 48 with a 14 ft ceiling.

You also need to be careful about the emissions given off by your operation.I do know one individual that received a huge fine because of the emissions given off into the atmosphere while he was making lead shot.

Absolutely true. Keeping a low profile operation is probably a wise idea

at the temps lead melts, there are no vapours gassed off

if there are complaints, it is probably about cleaning/smelting wheelweights.

there is ample gunk in them that gives off stink.

but clean lead melted gives off little to worry about.

I know of several casters who cast in their basements, and do get tested. Nothing of concern there

Most Lead poisoning or the greatest contributor to it....is a result of ingestion not inhalation.
Just make sure you wash your hands and avoid eating drinking or smoking while smelting.