the condor zone does not exclude lead shot . Only lead bullets .
There are a number of low temp alloys you can buy that will allow you to cast your own projectiles .
Some of those I have found , I have listed in the ‘What you goanna do thread on this forum “
Cowpox
Here is a link to the foundry I purchased to do my own castings for the rifles I build . It works very well and will melt most everything with a melting point lower the cast iron
http://www.foundry101.com/search.htmas to the subject at hand
The problem with most common non toxic shot is really 2 fold .
1) its heavier so you end up with higher barrel pressures
2) its most times hard .
Muzzleloading barrels in many cases “ not all “ are not designed for this shot . . Over time it wears the barrels just as with shooting a center fire that’s not made for steel shot .
That being said , the problem is in loading lose shot .
If you use a plastic cup and work up a load for comparable weights IE steel compared to lead weight. Then place that steal in a plastic or nylon shot cup . You wont have to worry about the shot damaging your bore . Now that’s unless you have a choked bore .
With choked bores you also have to take into consideration that steel doesn’t conform as easily as lead when going through the choke . So keep that in mind
But in my cylinder bores I have had very good success doing the above .
Another thing to consider is buying Tungsten loaded waterfowl shells and carefully removing the shot to use in your muzzleloader . if you know of someone that reloads , they often may buy the primed casings and powder form you .
Another option is an historical base . Its not as good as round formed shot but it does work .
See lead wasn’t the only thing used for fowling . When lead was used , it wasn’t early on anything like the lead shot we use today . It came in a lot of different shapes , even cut shot which was simple small square pieces of lead cut off of a lead strip . When lead wasn’t available other things were used .
Some time ago when I first got into research into period fowling loads , I tried many of these old descriptions . To include small fine river gravel , Seeds and such . Both worked but not as well as shot .
Also with river gravel , you need a cup to hold it or it will tear up your Bore , that’s a given LOL .
The key with these is CLOSE range
But I did find that Alf alpha seed worked great for grouse at close range with low charges .
When I was playing with the seed experiments , I actually went down to the local farm seed store with some lead shot in #6-8 sizes . The guy thought I was nuts but they helped me find seeds that were of the general sizes .
As part of that I also have taken blue grouse with Corn LOL , ya it worked LMAO .
But again NOT as good as Lead shot
I also tried glass seed beads . You know the cheep kind found at craft stores . . These also worked well for doves at closer ranges , with reduced loads
Again my point is that there are options . One must use you ingenuity to find them
