What Is Lead Shot?

Lead shot and bullet scrap consists of spent or unused lead pellets and projectiles recovered from shooting ranges, hunting grounds, and manufacturing overruns. Predominantly alloyed with antimony (1–6%), these spherical pellets offer high lead content and are recycled to recover lead and antimony for industrial reuse.

Composition and Characteristics

• Minimum 94–97% lead content, alloyed with antimony (1–6%) for hardness

• Spherical shape, 1–9 mm diameter commonly used in shotguns

• May include mixed sizes and coatings (zinc, steel) requiring separation

• Non-metallic wads and plastic residues often present

ISRI Specifications and Codes

• ISRI Code: NA (no specific code; treated as Range Lead Bullets under general lead scrap categories)

• Classification: Grouped under “Range Lead” or “Mixed Hard/Soft Lead” for pricing and processing

Lead Shot Current Market Pricing

Regional Price Variations

Factors Affecting Pricing

• Global LME lead price (near $2,000/MT) drives base value

• Antimony recovery potential adds premium to high-antimony shot

• Clean separation of non-metallics and steel shot increases bid by 5–10%

• Bulk quantities and consistency enable contract pricing

Where to Find Lead Shot & Bullet Scrap

• Shooting ranges and gun clubs (spent shot traps)

• Ammunition manufacturers and reloaders (overruns)

• Outdoor ranges and law enforcement training facilities

• ScrapMonster’s “Find Local Ranges” map via Scrap Yard Finder

Preparation for Maximum Value

• Use sifting and water separation to remove wads and plastic

• Employ magnetic separators to remove steel shot

• Dry and air-cool pellets to prevent oxidation

• Store in sealed containers to avoid contamination

Source : ScrapMonster

Please visit our Lead Scrap Prices section to know about detailed lead scrap export prices.

For the latest price of Lead Shot in various scrap yards, please visit our Scrap Yard Pricessection.

Where can we sell Lead Shot?

One must be extremely careful while getting involved in reclamation activities of lead shots and bullets as they contain leachable lead. Some state EPAs classify them as toxic hazardous waste, thereby requiring scrap yards to adhere to hazardous waste regulations. Prolonged exposure to lead may cause health problems, if proper precautions are not taken. Dumping these scrap may lead to emission of lead particles, which in turn may cause soil and air contamination.

In addition to scrap yards, lead shots/bullet scrap can also be sold to merchants who often post huge requirement of the same for casting bullets or fishing weights.

The following are some of the scrap yards in the US that accept Lead Shot.

1. Cliff Berry Inc., Lauderdale, Florida
2. AKS Recycling, Inc., Fitchburg, Massachusetts
3. Atlas Iron and Metal Company Inc., Los Angeles, California
4. Western Metals Recycling LLC, Sandy, Utah

You may use our ‘Scrap Yard Finder’ to search and find more scrap yards close to your location.

On our US Scrap Yard Directory, we provide a list of scrap yards in the US.

Similarly, the list of scrap yards in Canada is easily available in Scrap Yards in Canada.

Are you having large quantities of Lead Shot?

Shooting ranges and clubs are main sources from where bulk quantities of spent lead shots can be recovered for recycling. Reclamation companies often arranges for bulk pickup of these scrap materials. The collected materials are then sold to smelters, where they are processed to be used in making wide range of products including radiation-shielding equipment, car batteries etc.,

The Scrap Monster Scrap Marketplace is an advanced trading platform where materials are traded daily by many of our members.

Post and/or search the latest “Sell Offers” for Lead scrap.
 
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