DIY Slinky Weights - What's up with buck shot?

[jrodell27]

Hey Guys,

I want to try and make slinkies using paracord and buckshot. I've done some initial research and I want to grab .240-.270 caliber buckshot and some paracord that will match.

My issue is no one seems to carry straight buckshot jars for this purpose. I've been to Sportco and a couple of other places (like Big5) and I can't seem to find any buckshot. Does anyone have a source or know where I can buy this locally? If I must I would purchase online (a place in Oregon dubbed, Fishermansshack.net has some but only can pay via paypal) but I'd rather just swing by and grab it locally.

For what it's worth - I have been using pencil lead since I started drifting a year or so ago and I simply want to test out slinky's. I just don't want to shell out $20 for just a few premade slinkies at Sportco in different weight sizes rather spend $20 and have as much as I can make in the foreseeable future.

Any tips would be appreciated and thanks for any advice.

[Larry3215]

I bought some bags of buckshot a while back from a shooting range in Gig Harbor. Check with local gun ranges and gun stores.

[Smokeploe]

Jrodel27
Pm sent

[fish vacuum]

Partially crimp pencil lead about every 3/8-1/2 of an inch. Then slide it into your paracord. Once it's in the paracord you just bend it a little to break the crimps.

[riverhunter]

Outdoor emporium in seattle

[branweeds]

Midwayusa.com stocks different size buckshot loads, at fair prices

[riverhunter]

Partially crimp pencil lead about every 3/8-1/2 of an inch. Then slide it into your paracord. Once it's in the paracord you just bend it a little to break the crimps.

That is a great idea and have never thought about. Pretty original if you ask me

[Onmygame]

Partially crimp pencil lead about every 3/8-1/2 of an inch. Then slide it into your paracord. Once it's in the paracord you just bend it a little to break the crimps.

That is a great idea and have never thought about. Pretty original if you ask me

About as original as it gets - though it may be possible to both crimp AND cut the pencil lead within the parachute chord if it is genuine stuff.

Just guessin'

onmygame

[G-Man]

Once you go to slinkies, you'll never go back to straight pencil lead. Sometimes I miss the tap, tap, tap but I don't miss breaking off lead 10 times a day.

[jonb]

Once you remove adding weight to your line all-together youll never go back. Weighted lures FTW lol.....

[jrodell27]

@Onmygame - I really like that idea and will try this shortly - I'll post my work if I find it works good! Thanks again for the awesome tip.

@Riverhunter - I actually saw some forum posts about that as well and since I work in Seattle I went over there last week and they no longer carry reloading items such as buck shot and the like. They even checked at their Fife location and there they only carry the small shot in BB sizes.

Thank you all for the tips and advice. I will take this into account and if I find any good reliable places I will be sure to re-post here for future reference & others who may have the same issues.

[Bodofish]

Not to change up too much, I've been using the curved weights with the wire poking out the bottom that the bass guys use, well at least they come from the warm water section at the sports store. They seem to hang up a lot less than pencil lead and the slinkies for me. Something about the curve and that little wire sticking out the bottom..... not sure what it does. I just wish they had more sizes so I could be a little more granular with the weight. The slinkies are easy to make with the pencil lead just pinch the lead almost through and then once in the sleeve break them apart. no need to pinch anything through the sleeve. You can buy the sleeve stuff at most sports stores, I've got it from OE and Cabelas and I'm sure they had it at Sportco. I'd bet a sportsman's warehouse too. they even have it in packs at Freddy's and little packs of non-split shot. At OE they had a giant roll of the stuff and sold it by the foot or yard.

[countryboy87]

They had the buck shot at bass pro and cabelas

[ChromeSlayer]

Midwayusa.com would be my first choice.