Lead smelter closure

[Dphar]

From Sierra Bullets

Sierra Responds: How Will the Closure of the Lead Smelting Plant Affect Sierra Bullets?
Posted on November 1, 2013 by Sierra Bullets

We asked Sierra Bullets Plant Engineer Darren Leskiw, “How will the closure of the lead smelting plant affect Sierra Bullets?”


We have had many customers contact us about the closing of the last primary lead smelting facility in the USA. This facility is operated by Doe Run and is located in Herculaneum, MO and is just about a 3 hour drive from our facility in Sedalia, MO.

The main question asked is “Will this shut down your supply of lead?” The answer to that is no. First, Sierra buys lead from several different vendors to maintain constant supply. Second, this facility only smelts primary lead or lead ore. This is lead ore that has just been brought out of the earth. Sierra uses no primary lead at all and never has, so we use nothing directly from this facility. The lead we buy from Doe Run comes from their recycling facility in Boss, MO that is about 90 miles away from the smelter that is closing.

The facility we buy from is still going strong and delivering to us as scheduled. The lead from this facility is from recycled lead, mostly coming from car batteries. This is a continuing “in and out” cycle for them and the smelter closing will not affect this facility.

Our supply should not be in jeopardy and we do not anticipate any changes in our supply chain at this time. Could the lack of primary lead create a little more demand for recycled lead? Sure, but how much is unknown. Could this increase in demand also create an increase in price? Sure, but again, by how much is unknown at this time.

There are many other primary lead smelters in the world and so the flow of primary lead will not be shut off. Where there is a need for primary lead, I am sure there will be a salesman more than happy to pick up the business.

In short, we do not see any reason for alarm. We expect our supply to continue and keep feeding our production lines which are still running 24 hours per day to return our inventory levels to where they should be.

 

[VEARL]

Been stocking up on lead for awhile now. Will probably have some left over after I pass on into better hunting grounds.
:wink:

 

[Many Klatch]

Thanks Dan, that is good info to use the next time someone panics about the lead supply.

 

[Zonie]

Thanks for posting their response to the lead issue.

It's nice to have comments from the people in the trench instead of just hearing from "The Sky's Falling" people. :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

It's nice to have comments from the people in the trench instead of just hearing from "The Sky's Falling" people.

Amen. There's been so much sky falling talk in recent years, the ground oughta be littered with the stuff by now. :rotf:

 

[Rat Trapper]

The price of lead shot sure has gone up these last few years. Was told recently he expects another 5-7 dollar increase per bag soon. This is going to really hurt the gun clubs. People can no longer afford to shoot.

 

[Idaho Ron]

The price of virgin pure lead has also gone up over the last 5 years. After the plant closed I saw the price of a 55 pound pig of pure lead go from under 100 dollars to 115 dollars. I have seen the price in the last month go up 4 dollars. Bullet makers that are making jacketed bullets probably have some leniency with their lead and they might be able to use recycled lead. For us needing a source of pure lead I don't think this will do us any favors. I bought another 50 pounds about a month ago before the last increase. I think I have enough pure now to last me. Ron

 

[Dphar]

The price of virgin pure lead has also gone up over the last 5 years. After the plant closed I saw the price of a 55 pound pig of pure lead go from under 100 dollars to 115 dollars. I have seen the price in the last month go up 4 dollars. Bullet makers that are making jacketed bullets probably have some leniency with their lead and they might be able to use recycled lead. For us needing a source of pure lead I don't think this will do us any favors. I bought another 50 pounds about a month ago before the last increase. I think I have enough pure now to last me. Ron

Mill cutters and lathe bits have gone up in the last 3 to 5 years 50 to 100%. Everything costs more due to fuel costs. Everything moves on Diesel fuel and the heavier it is the more it costs to move it.

Dan

 

[Idaho Ron]

That is true. Ron

 

[ChrisLJ]

I just this weekend ordered 20# of virgin lead for $40 and 20# of wheel weights for $35 in clean ingots off of eBay, with shipping included in the price. I've never ordered it that way before, only in ball or bullet form.

 

[Idaho Ron]

I ordered pure lead from ebay. Pure lead is 5 BHN. The stuff I got was 18 BHN. I found out it was melted down car battery lead. I paid 1 dollar a pound but it was 1 dollar a pound more than I should have paid. I don't but from ebay on lead. I either buy from Rotometal or I test it with my tester before I hand over the cash. Ron

 

[Rick Son]

And health care will be much cheaper,just order from our website :blah:

 

[ChrisLJ]

Well that's a real bummer. The seller of the pure stuff said it could be scratched with a fingernail, and they had a good rating. I'll test it when it gets here and if it's not dead soft it won't work for my intentions. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Idaho Ron]

That is what they told me that they could scratch it. Ya I could scratch it but it was super hard. I can still use it for my 45 auto or other pistols but it is worthless for my ML. Ron

 

[Dickydalton]

So Prius power is polluting our venison? :rotf:

 

[Idaho Ron]

Correct! :rotf: :rotf:

 

[bpd303]

Hurricane Sandy left a lot of totaled sailboats in the N.E. There is a lot of keel lead being recycled from there. I bought some off eBay and it tests as dead soft 5-bhn. Think I paid 1.25 per pound.