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Joined: Feb 2003
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,208 |
I'm seeing sellers describing Eagle Magnum shot as having 4.5-5% antimony these days. I thought it was softer than Lawrence/West coast brand in the past. Have they improved their shot in the last few years? My main objective here is #5 Magnum shot for wild public land pheasants and the Eagle is more available than the Lawrence/West Coast brand without shipping long distances.. I "tested" a couple pellets of Precision Reloading nickle plated #5 against some older Eagle magnum #5 using a pair of needle nose pliers. The plated #5 smashed easier and flatter than the Eagle. The plating also flaked off easily. I'm out of both anyways.
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 788
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 788 |
Eagle magnum (Peru) is very soft in the target sizes. AFAIK, same stuff that used to be marketed as AllStar decades ago when dinosaurs like moi roamed the earth. Moreover, I used to load that AllStar in #6 as a spreader load for scratch birds. It was distinctly softer and inferior to even promotional #6 loads.
But......the crush test is a useful basis for comparing shot hardness. If you were happy using the nickel plated PR stuff, the Eagle will likely kill stuff as well.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,756
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
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I believe Ballistic Products advertises Eagle shots as having 2% antimony & Lawrence 5%.
NRA Patron
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Joined: Jan 2017
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I've allways heard Eagle was soft too..mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,208
Campfire Tracker
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OP
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Just checked and Brownells and Scheels both list Eagle Magnum at 4.5-5%
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 788
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 788 |
shot hardness threadThis thread has a good chart. Also, requisite hardness is a function of shot size. 4% antimony is very poor for #9, but great for #6. Finally, besides crush testing you can assess by comparing density (assuming same size pellets). Hard shot always throws less weight for a given shot bushing. Eagle target shot sizes throw just about exactly nominal MEC bar stamping.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,208
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,208 |
Well, that chart brings up the question, has Eagle changed their formula or are the sellers hyping the content?
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 788
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 788 |
Density is a physical principle, ie., doesn't lie. Crush testing is similarly reliable, assuming no operator bias.
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