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Dan recently commented on using depleted uranium as counterweights.  Indeed

weight savings can be realized if you use something with a specific gravity

above that of lead (about 10, as I recall).  Both tungsten and depleted

U-238 have a specific gravity of about 19, and thus would be useful.

Tungsten is very hard to drill out, however, and you must be careful not to

overbalance TOO much (DL Simmons and I speak from experience) with it.

Similarly, U-238 should not be drilled, as it can can have some ugly

properties if heated.  I have used three 1# slugs of U-238 in my rudder,

embedded in a Tungsten block, and think I perhaps saved 5#.  Up to you

whether or not you think the effort is worth it.  Doug Johnson (I deal with

radioactivity every day, and just couldn't pass up the chance to use some of

this material).