chilled vs. magnum shot

[Darto]

All my life I purchased chilled shot when available instead of magnum. On the hunch it was easier on the barrel of muzzle loaders as the lead alloy was softer with less antimony.

Is this really true, in a practical sense?

 

[Idaho Ron]

All my life I purchased chilled shot when available instead of magnum. On the hunch it was easier on the barrel of muzzle loaders as the lead alloy was softer with less antimony.

Is this really true, in a practical sense?

Yes it is softer but you will never see a difference on the barrel. Magnum shot will pattern better out of open chokes because it doesn't deform as much. In my opinion either one would be fin for your gun. Which one is best for the patterns can only be figured out by shooting.

 

[Len Graves]

Whenever I have purchased shot it was chilled shot. I didn't know there was a magnum shot. What is the difference? I thought chilled shot was chilled to make it a little harder. I hope this wasn't too stupid a question.

 

[galamb]

Hunting in Canada, it's all chilled shot :rotf:

More seriously, chilled shot has less antimony then magnum shot, so chilled is a little "softer".

So while it might be a little less "harsh" on the barrel (or choke tube) it does deform more easily which can result in more fliers. I'm thinking (but don't know for sure) that it would leave a little more lead in the barrel (which may or may not matter to you).

 

[Khufu]

I used to make shot with an old lee lead ,elted that the thermostst burned out in. drilled a hole in the bottom of it and tapped it for 1/4" npt screwed in a brass needle valve and and added a cap with an .040 hole drilled in it. took it up on the roof over the eve and when the lead melted I opened the valve and let the lead drip out and into an old blueing tank filled with water because my roof wasn't high enough to cool it enough to drop it into sand. my buddies called it chilled shot. I used pure lead for soft shot and wheel weights for magnum shot worked pretty good, made a mix of #6 and #7.5. I didn't screen it, but I guess I could have. when it was empty I closed the valve with needlenosed pliers and melted another 4 lbs. I hunt geese now and have to shoot bismuth shot which is harder than magnum and my barrel still seems fine, but at $60 a pound shooting is kept to a minimum. I am looking into "nice shot" another "non toxic" alternative to steel thats only $40 a pound.

 

[BigBoreBLR]

Some shot is a tally plated. The plating reduces friction when it goes through the choke.

Many time when I see magnum shot it is often tin plated over copper on the lead shot.

 

[nhmoose]

All shot hard or soft is much softer than steel or iron. plated or not will not be easier or harder on the barrel.

However harder will pattern better than soft on average. I like bigger shot in my FL fowler and use #5 copper plate for years with no problem with the barrel.