Bismuth shot questions

[JJohnson2023]

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?

 

[Newly O’Brian]

#4 for all waterfowl, remember to use buffer too.

 

[x_count]

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]

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.

what is your typical load for geese if you hunt them?

 

[x_count]

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]

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.

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.

 

[The Baron]

#4 bismuth works great for geese over decoys. I did several hunts using 80gr. 3F and 1 1/4oz. shot using a volume measure. No shot buffer used.

 

[Rató:rats]

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

 

[Nuthatch]

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.

 

[jarentz]

Take this advice with a grain of salt! But most of the turkey hunters use 7,8,or9
shot with Bismuth. I read where using Bismuth you could drop two or three sizes
and have the same penetration.

 

[JJohnson2023]

Take this advice with a grain of salt! But most of the turkey hunters use 7,8,or9
shot with Bismuth. I read where using Bismuth you could drop two or three sizes
and have the same penetration.

I think you may be confusing bismuth and TSS (Tungsten super shot)

 

[Blackpowderart]

^^^^ most definitely

 

[jarentz]

I think you may be confusing bismuth and TSS (Tungsten super shot)

Thank you ,your are correct.

 

[JJohnson2023]

Thank you ,your are correct.

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.

 

[Sparkitoff]

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]

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.

So you're using an equal volume of bismuth shot and powder that I assume is 2f?

 

[Sparkitoff]

So you're using an equal volume of bismuth shot and powder that I assume is 2f?

It’s 3F but yes equal volume

 

[Rifleman1776]

. It's also crazy expensive,

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.

 

[TNGhost]

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

 

[JJohnson2023]

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

what is your typical/heavy load for a bismuth goose load in the CVA?