Best source (and size) for lead shot?

[Little Dalton]

Hope y'all aren't gettin' tired of all my questions.  Looking to start loading some brass BP 20 gauge. Where's the best source for shot?

So far, this looks pretty good: https://www.rotometals.com/eagle-magnum-shot-lead-2-25-bags-50-lbs-size-4-9-mix-and-match-freight-included/

I might consider something cheaper like reclaimed shot, but I want decent quality for hunting as well. For CAS, is there an ideal or preferred size? I was thinking of picking up one bag of #6 or #7.5, and one bag of #4 or #5. I like the larger shot for hunting most critters.

[Roscoe]

Our area clubs require shot of 7 1/2 or smaller. I use #8 chilled shot rather than magnum because it is softer and I think less likely to ricochet fragments back at the crowd at close range. So far though magnum shot is what I find locally so I have to order and pay shipping for 25 pounds for chilled shot. Ballistic Products seems to have what I need for my shotshell reloading. The greater challenge is what shells to buy and reload. There are less expensive alternatives to the ubiquitous Win AA Low Recoil Low Noise Target. However, some hulls shuck easier than others. Win AA works well. I was cautioned about ribbed shells, but my Fiocchis shuck easily.

[Little Dalton]

Our area clubs require shot of 7 1/2 or smaller. I use #8 chilled shot rather than magnum because it is softer and I think less likely to ricochet fragments back at the crowd at close range. So far though magnum shot is what I find locally so I have to order and pay shipping for 25 pounds for chilled shot. Ballistic Products seems to have what I need for my shotshell reloading. The greater challenge is what shells so buy and reload. There are less expensive alternatives to the ubiquitous Win AA Low Recoil Low Noise Target. However, some hulls shuck easier than others. Win AA works well. I was cautioned about ribbed shells, but my Fiocchis shuck easily.

Thanks Roscoe! That is helpful. I will look for chilled #7-1/2s for my small shot.

I intend to reload with brass hulls and black powder exclusively for now.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Thanks Roscoe! That is helpful. I will look for chilled #7-1/2s for my small shot.

I intend to reload with brass hulls and black powder exclusively for now.

Have a look at The Darksider's Den, and the child board THE DARK ARTS.

[Little Dalton]

Have a look at The Darksider's Den, and the child board THE DARK ARTS.

I have read through everything I can find in there on BP brass shotshells, and am really looking forward to loading some. Excellent info in The Dark Arts. Just looking for shot now- when I'm ready, I think I'll order brass and wads from BACO, as they have all that in one place.

[Roscoe]

I know BACO as Winchester Firearms but don't find anything about buying shotshell reloading components from them. What other BACO might you be referring to? I didn't find any hints in a cursory search.

[wildman1]

www.buffaloarms.com
wM1

[Little Dalton]

I know BACO as Winchester Firearms but don't find anything about buying shotshell reloading components from them. What other BACO might you be referring to. I didn't find any hints in a cursory search.

WM got it. Sorry for the confusion. Buffalo Arms Co. has Magtech 20-gauge brass hulls, as well as a full lineup of the proper Circle Fly wads.

[Baltimore Ed]

I've always used #9 shot in my reloads. My thinking is being while 7/8 oz of any size shot is the same is weight, the more pellets that you can put down range the better. You can put more pellets of a smaller size in a shot wad than of a larger size. NC CAS sg targets are usually pretty easy to knock over. The only time this plan failed me was at the Wyoming state match in Cody years ago. Their sg targets were impossible to knock down. The wind out there blows so hard all the time that they had to use very heavy duty targets to buck the wind. On the second day I had store bought field loads and didn't have any problems.