Hornady lead balls

[model14]

I would like your opinion on Hornady lead balls. Searching the internet they seem to be the least expensive swaged balls. I have found them for $12.99/100, with free shipping if I purchase $99 worth (PA Gun Mall). If you know of a less expensive option, please let me know.
Thanks, Richard

 

[D Sanders]

That seems to be the going rate for swaged balls but have you thought of casting your own? the initial investment will be a bit steep but if you shoot a lot it will pay for itself in the long run.

HH 60

 

[Semisane]

Check into the $4.95 flat rate shipping at Graft & Son.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3406

 

[BrownBear]

Hornady is the only swaged ball available locally, so I've shot a bunch of them along with Speers I dredge up from other sources. No difference that I can see between the two, and in fact both are expensive. As soon as I have a clear view of what a gun wants from shooting swaged, I buy an RB mold in that diameter. If it's available from LEE, that's only a $20 bite. Call if a lifetime of balls you make yourself for the cost of only 2 boxes of commercial. Cool deal. And almost always, I find home cast to be more accurate than commercial swaged.

 

[sidelock]

If you lived close by I would give a couple of boxes full. I was given several unopened boxes a few
years ago by a widow whose hubby had no more use for them. (may he RIP) My cast RB shoot much better ( don't know why for sure) so I never shoot the store bought ones.

 

[George]

I would like your opinion on Hornady lead balls.

I've shot a lot of .395 and .530 -.535 Hornady swaged lead balls and have never had a complaint.

Spence

 

[ebiggs1]

I shoot them exclusively. Mostly because they are available and easy to get,plus they work very well.

 

[roundball]

I would like your opinion on Hornady lead balls.

They've been my 'go-to' standard for almost 20 years...excellent accuracy and performance on game. Then in the past 5 years I learned about a commercial cast ball maker (Eddie May in Chatsworth, GA) from MLF member Birddog6, because Hornady doesn't make anything larger than a .58cal and I needed some .62cal(.600") balls.
Tried a few hundred from Eddie, found them to also be outstanding, and have since used a couple thousand of his .600's and .395s all together.

In addition, his prices are great with a comparable box of 100 balls only 1/2 - 2/3 the price of a comparable box of Hornadys...if you don't shoot a lot, it may not matter, but if you shoot hundreds per year, saving several bucks a box adds up quickly, particulary when much of my weekend shooting is just informal plinking at the range.

As an example, TOW sells 100 .600's for about $16.00/100...Eddie sells his for $11.00/100.
As I gradually deplete my supply of Hornady's in other calibers I'm replacing them with 100% pure cast balls from Eddie May.

 

[model14]

Thanks to all for the very useful responses.
Richard :bow:

 

[Zonie]

The price per box is pretty typical of things now but the idea of buying $100 worth to save on shipping sounds a little extreme.

I say this because as most folks know the Post Office has this new "if it fits in the box it only costs..." program and for weights under 60 pounds it's pretty reasonable.

If your not set up or you can't cast your own balls I guess you'll end up paying the piper but as the others have mentioned you can buy a Lee bullet mold, steal one of your wifes STEEL sauce pans and a big spoon and cast your own for less than $30 plus the cost of any lead you can find at a metal scrap yard.

 

[rancher]

I've shot about 70 of them so far. I've been pretty happy with their performance thus far. Just bought another box couple months ago for $14.99 per 100. I'm shooting the .530's in my .54 flint by the way.