JJohnson2023
40 Cal
I'm thinking of ordering some bismuth shot from roto metals for goose and duck hunting with my ML. Any recommendations on shot size or info from your experiences?
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Bismuth shot questions
- Thread starter JJohnson2023
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#4 for all waterfowl, remember to use buffer too.
I also use #4 for most of my typical waterfowl hunting, although I do use BB for tundra swan. Check Ballistic Products for the shot also, sometimes they are a bit cheaper.
JJohnson2023
40 Cal
what is your typical load for geese if you hunt them?
I still use#4 bismuth over decoys. I found my 10 gauge SxS likes 100gr of 1f Swiss and patterned best with a dry over powder card followed by a greased over powder card, 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 ounce of shot, topped with another over powder card. My 62 cal HATES this load sequence regardless of powder size or charge. It did much better with just 3 over shot cards on top of the powder and another single card over the shot.
JJohnson2023
40 Cal
Thank you @x_count I ended up ordering some #3 bismuth to play around with. I went with the larger size because my muzzleloader has a shorter barrel than most and I figured I could bank on lower velocities.
I’ve found with bismuth you need to go a size up from lead to get the same performance
Example I hunt rabbits and hares with #6 lead or #5 bismuth where non-toxic is required
Example I hunt rabbits and hares with #6 lead or #5 bismuth where non-toxic is required
I've taken some coots with #6 bismuth and a couple of turkeys as well. I use cornmeal as a buffer & that has helped the patterns. I've been told that Bi will shoot the same as lead but I've not found that to be the case. Bi shot is brittle. My patterns are much wider with Bi than with Pb. I think the Bi shatters on its way out the barrel, sending shot in odd directions. Using cornmeal and a thick fiber cushion wad has seemed to help me. I got even better results going to a choked 12 ga instead of a cylinder 20.
JJohnson2023
40 Cal
I think you may be confusing bismuth and TSS (Tungsten super shot)
^^^^ most definitely
Thank you ,your are correct.
JJohnson2023
40 Cal
There's some guys who do use TSS in their muzzleloaders. I think bismuth is better because it isn't as hard as steel so it wont damage the barrel, vs tungsten which is harder and needs to have a protective wad. It's also crazy expensive, but the performance is supposed to be second to none.
I shout a lot of assorted geese and cranes with #5 Bismuth but I went to 4 bismuth this year. Cleaning the birds, I thought my son’s #4 shot seemed to penetrate a bit more. Loading 1 1/4 oz scoop of powder and shot using just a bunch of card wads.
JJohnson2023
40 Cal
So you're using an equal volume of bismuth shot and powder that I assume is 2f?
It’s 3F but yes equal volume
Sadly, everything in the shooting sports is getting/has gotten crazy expensive. Might be going a bit off track here. But, I see this as a form of gun control. The middle and lower income folks just cannot afford the high priced stuff, whether ml or modern and just do not enter the game.
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I have used #4 with success on geese, in my CVA 12-gauge SXS, although there are times that #3 would perhaps give me an advantage. As others have said, don't forget the buffer.
Here's a couple other sources:
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Bismuth/products/810/
https://www.midwayusa.com/reloading-supplies/br?cid=9315&searchTerm=bismuth shot
Here's a couple other sources:
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Bismuth/products/810/
https://www.midwayusa.com/reloading-supplies/br?cid=9315&searchTerm=bismuth shot
JJohnson2023
40 Cal
what is your typical/heavy load for a bismuth goose load in the CVA?
