12 Gauge Shot

[WingNut]

Question.....

I have quite a few boxes of 12 gauge shot, Game Loads, All Purpose..... How does one tell if it is Lead or Non-Toxic load?

[MACHINIST]

Magnet maybe??

[pistolp71]

Yes. Also, most all purpose game loads are lead

[Doc]

Question.....

I have quite a few boxes of 12 gauge shot, Game Loads, All Purpose..... How does one tell if it is Lead or Non-Toxic load?

Eat a few handfuls of them.

 

Sorry, but I really don't know. The magnet suggestion would work well for steel shot.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I actually just grabbed a 100 box a couple months ago and Gander of low brass game loads and thyme were steel.

 

Is there any writing on the shells at all?

[Pygmy]

I have never seen a box of non-lead shot loads that did not say ON THE BOX that they were steel or other non-lead shot.

 

No markings otherwise I would assume they are lead.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I have never seen a box of non-lead shot loads that did not say ON THE BOX that they were steel or other non-lead shot.

 

No markings otherwise I would assume they are lead.

My boxes were clearly marked. I don't know why, but reading the P I an envisioning a bag of loose shells

[Pygmy]

He said he had "quite a few BOXES" of shells...

[Lawdwaz]

Question.....

I have quite a few boxes of 12 gauge shot, Game Loads, All Purpose..... How does one tell if it is Lead or Non-Toxic load?

 

I doubt it is steel but either way if they are in the original boxes it MUST say on them.

 

I'm not much of a shotgun shooter anymore so am not up on all the latest stuff but usually non toxic stuff is more expensive and (I wouldn't think) it would be marked "all purpose game load".  (are they from California?) 

 

I've been wrong a fair amount lately (odd I know) so don't take this to the bank...........

[Culvercreek hunt club]

To me just shoot it...lol. Unless you are going onto a lead restricted area, then if you can't prove it, go buy new.

[WingNut]

Well I looked over everything I have, 5 boxes of "All Purpose", 2 Boxes of "Game Load" and 1 Box of "Target".  I'm pretty sure all are lead.  I'm not so much concerned about where I can use it, but more if I can use it.  I converted my 870 to a turkey and deer gun.  I have an older Savage model 720 that can't handle steel or other non-toxic loads.

 

Either way, I'm confident that non-toxic loads would be marked as such.

Thanks for the input all....

[ants]

Well I looked over everything I have, 5 boxes of "All Purpose", 2 Boxes of "Game Load" and 1 Box of "Target".  I'm pretty sure all are lead.  I'm not so much concerned about where I can use it, but more if I can use it.  I converted my 870 to a turkey and deer gun.  I have an older Savage model 720 that can't handle steel or other non-toxic loads.

 

Either way, I'm confident that non-toxic loads would be marked as such.

Thanks for the input all....

If the boxes don't say "Steel"  or "None toxic" then they are lead.

[stubby68]

cut the end off one and dump the shot out. However if it doesnt say non toxic copper or steel on bow then it's lead.

[wildcat junkie]

I would think that non-toxic shot would be maked on the hull too.

[Pygmy]

 

I would think that non-toxic shot would be maked on the hull too.

All the steel shells that I have are marked STEEL.. 

[jjb4900]

I've been checked by DEC while duck hunting.................they usually use a magnet to check. I think if you have numerous older boxes this should work. I'm not sure how the newer non-toxic shot reacts to a magnet.

Edited December 21, 2014 by jjb4900

[WingNut]

Thanks everybody!

 

Thanks for all the positive input.