Glad I still have a lead stockpile!

[mcgruff1533]

Like the title says, I sure am glad that I have a sizable stockpile of lead Turkey loads stashed away.    I've been dabbling with the HTL stuff, but the recent price spikes of Tungsten will likely prevent me from continuing my experiments.    I understand that you only use one shell per bird which is the cheapest part of the entire hunt.    Problem is, I can't leave things well enough alone.   I like to tinker with different chokes and loads which makes pattern testing a VERY expensive proposition... especially with HTL loads at 5+ dollars each.

HTL is fine for field birds, but I'm going to stick with lead for hunting in tight quarters once the leaves appear this Spring.

Anybody else planning on doing the same?

[Philippe]

Check out all the other posts, you aint the only one bud. And it isnt going to get any better any time soon. There already was a run at several local shops on lead shells because of it. I also noticed the price of most reloading components went up in the last several days as well.

[mcgruff1533]

My LGS is selling chilled lead shot for $59 per 25 pound bag... I remember when you could buy that same bag of shot for around $18-$20.

[Thegobblergetter]

I  , too, am glad that I have a stockpile of lead.  The  HTL shot was great, but at the price they want for it now, well, they have priced themselves right out of a market.  I am going back to lead and do not see myself shooting anything else.  Lead loads shot great for us before and will continue to do so.  Just a lot more tinkering with lead loads now!!  The turkeys won't know the difference.  John

[devin4484]

Ya they are too rich for my blood.  Cant justify spending 20+ on 5 shells of 3.5 no6 h13 when you can buy a box of 10 hv win 3.5's for 12 at walmart.  It makes no since to me!

[WildTigerTrout]

Ya they are too rich for my blood.  Cant justify spending 20+ on 5 shells of 3.5 no6 h13 when you can buy a box of 10 hv win 3.5's for 12 at walmart.  It makes no since to me!

Win. Supreme 12 ga. 3.5" HV 2oz. #6 are my favorite load. I killed one turkey with the "old" Rem Hevi-shot 3.5" HV 1 7/8 oz. of #4. It killed him alright but no better than lead IMO. I'm sticking with lead!

[mnbirdbuster]

I understand your qualms and too fall into the same category! I guess i really dont understand the beef though? If you have a gun/choke/load combo thatll put 200 pellets into a 10" circle at 40yds why mingle into such a costly endeavor to find a load that gets 20 more pellets? Stick with what you know and try and get em close, thats the name of the game still right? Or has something changed and nobody told me? The only justification i could see otherwise would be how one day i believe that all public land may reguire non toxic shot! I believe that California already outlaws lead in any load be it for birds or big game!!!

[Kylongspur88]

I could be on an episode of hoarders, turkey shell addition.

[dlquinn]

I believe that California already outlaws lead in any load be it for birds or big game!!!

Not the whole state, its just banned in part of it...in areas designated as the California condor range.

[surehuntsalot]

Ya they are too rich for my blood.  Cant justify spending 20+ on 5 shells of 3.5 no6 h13 when you can buy a box of 10 hv win 3.5's for 12 at walmart.  It makes no since to me!

I have some HTL,but I still got a good stockpile of lead
the high price of HTL makes no sense to me either,you certainly don't have to have it to kill a bird