ITX/Nice Shot Updates?

[BrownBear]

After the first of the year I'm finally getting back into ML waterfowl hunting after a nearly 20-year break.

Anyone have recent experience on hunts? I'm interested in ITX/Nice Shot loads and shot size for 12 gauge.

I'm also interested in reports on bismuth, ranging from sources to hunting results- 12 gauge shot size and loads as well. I've murdered a mountain of ducks and quite a few pheasants with it in cartridge guns, but loose shot wasn't available when I parted with my 12 SxS once they outlawed steel up here.

Thanks for any firsthand hunting reports!

 

[rabjr]

Outlawed Steel shot up there?

 

[BrownBear]

Me? Typo? Stumble on my tongue? Nah. :rotf:

"...when they outlawed LEAD SHOT up here."

Thanks! :wink:

 

[rabjr]

Kinda figured dat. :haha:

 

[Richard McCullough]

I shoot ITX exclusively for waterfowl and upland in my Cabelas (Pedersoli) 12 SxS. I am shooting 85grains 2F Goex, and 1 1/4oz of ITX. using 2, 1/8" lubed wool/felt over the powder and one over the shot.

 

[BrownBear]

Excellent Richard! That's essentially the load I was using in the days of lead. Are you shooting #4 or #6 shot? And what are you using for lube?

Thanks!

 

[Richard McCullough]

Hello,
I am using both shot sizes, #6 for upland and #4 for waterfowl. I am using T/C Natural Lube on the wads.

 

[BrownBear]

That's good to know. It confirms my impression from the days of lead, but your actual hunting experience with ITX is invaluable.

I never shoot much over 30 yards and used lead #5 for both ducks or rabbits, but always found #6 a little too small for either. ITX isn't available in #5 that I can find, and we can still use lead for small game. I'll be using lead in #5 for rabbits and #7 1/2 for ptarmigan. With duck season running October-January, ptarmigan August-April and no closed season on snowshoes, there's going to be a lot of shot flying- just like the good old days!

 

[hawk]

Me? Typo? Stumble on my tongue? Nah. :rotf:

"...when they outlawed LEAD SHOT up here."

Thanks! :wink:

the way they make and pass laws these days I never even questioned it ...they musta found rusty shot in a condors gut!

 

[BrownBear]

...they musta found rusty shot in a condors gut!

Ooooooh!!!!! Wash your mouth out with soap. I don't even THINK things like that, afraid of giving them ideas! :rotf:

 

[Richard McCullough]

With the ITX load listed, only diff is last year I was using 70 grains T7, sometimes 60, but with Goex and 85 grains using this year the pattern is much tighter to 40 yards with both #4 and #6 ITX. I have to date shot pheasant, chukar, quail, and teal with the #6 ITX, with the #4 ITX, ducks, 1 Swan,and Canada Geese.

 

[BrownBear]

I have to date shot pheasant, chukar, quail, and teal with the #6 ITX, with the #4 ITX, ducks, 1 Swan,and Canada Geese.

That's priceless to me, and I really appreciate it. About 90% of my shooting is mallards, with gadwall, widgeon and a few teal thrown in. In lead the #6 were slightly small for my tastes, and from your experience I infer the same for ITX.

Periodically I get a hankering for a sea duck hunt, and for those I'll gladly use #4. In cartridge guns I used #2 lead because surf skoters are so goshdarned tough. I'll just keep my shots close, and all should be well.

You've made my day! Thanks again.

 

[Jason Lewis]

i shoot pheasants and ducks with 1 1/4 oz bismuth #4s. they drop dead and it doesn't seem to pull many feathers into the meat.

 

[BrownBear]

Good to know! I use a lot of bismuth in older cartridge doubles with similar results, but a little pulling. Extra velocity maybe? :idunno:

Where do you get your bismuth?

 

[Jason Lewis]

i get mine from precision reloading. it's about 150$ for 6.5lbs or so. it patterns great for wing shooting, very even dispersal in the pattern. i tried nice shot and didn't think it patterned as well for birds. the nice shot tended to have a denser center in the pattern.

as for velocity, out of a 20ga 42" bore, the 1 1/4oz load over 80grn 2F swiss chonographed at just under 1100 fps. one of the best attributes from my experience with bismuth is that i directly substiute it for my lead loads with little if any change in pattern.

 

[BrownBear]

That's great, and thanks! I'm more of a smooth pattern kind of hunter, rather than dense core. If that extends to cartridges, it may explain why I like them so well.

Thanks for the feedback! I've got two cases of bismuth loads, and I just might break some down rather than waiting for shipping.

 

[Jason Lewis]

no problem, good luck!

 

[123.DieselBenz]

i get mine from precision reloading. it's about 150$ for 6.5lbs or so.

Is that right?

That's kinda pricey . . . $1.80 per 1.25oz shot! Plus powder and primer and wads . . . that's over $2 per trigger pull, not counting your time to reload.

 

[BrownBear]

In my mind that's in the realm of what guys are paying for premium shotshells these days. It's painful, but I doubt I'll manage more than 100 shots a year unless I get back into sea ducks. I think the most shots I ever fired at ducks with a muzzleloader back when was 13, and 3-5 was more typical. I set the decoys at 15-20 yards and pick my shots. In truth, with the wide patterns of a muzzleloader it's more like duck slaughter than duck shooting! :rotf:

 

[Jason Lewis]

i get mine from precision reloading. it's about 150$ for 6.5lbs or so.

Is that right?

That's kinda pricey . . . $1.80 per 1.25oz shot! Plus powder and primer and wads . . . that's over $2 per trigger pull, not counting your time to reload.

yep, that's the right price. it's not as painful as you think, you don't get that many shots off with a muzzleloader during a hunt.