Smoothbore Choke results with ecotungsten

[roundball]

Scroll down and see the targets showing the choke test findings when using ecotungsten...surprising results...a step less choke may be best...or conversely...if someone is concerned that they don't have enough choke for waterfowl, it appears that ecotungsten improves the pattern density enough as if another choke step had been used. (double click each target to enlarge)
[url] http://www.niceshotinc.com[/url]/

 

[paulvallandigham]

I also went back to the " Ecotungsten " site, through the link show on this site, and NOW, the day after Christmas, they are showing they have #2 and BB shot available, but not #4 shot. I think it would be worth while calling them to see when #4 will be available. Two days ago, #2 and BB were not available, but they listed #4 as being so. If this is a daily thing, they may just take your order for a " KILO " of the stuff, and fill it by the time your order is ready to be processed.

I have an old, cold roll steel DB 12 Breechloader, that I would love to use on Geese and ducks again. However, until this Ecotungsten comes on the market so I can reload shells for it( I am using Brass casings to give the old gun a bit more protection from pressures) I can't do it. So, thank you for finding this, and bringing it to our attention. Maybe things are going to look better. I am concerned because tungsten is a much more expensive metal, and I don't know how most people are going to be able to afford to practice to learn to shoot a shotgun well if lead is banned. Tungsten is also not as commonly found in the USA as lead is, which leaves us dependent on foreign trade, and subject to executive orders controlling imports that could shut down the source of ammunition for the guns we shoot.

 

[oneeye]

I am concerned because tungsten is a much more expensive metal, and I don't know how most people are going to be able to afford to practice to learn to shoot a shotgun well if lead is banned. Tungsten is also not as commonly found in the USA as lead is, which leaves us dependent on foreign trade, and subject to executive orders controlling imports that could shut down the source of ammunition for the guns we shoot.

Thanks for sharing. I am even more concerned by this incremental approach towards banning guns/shooting altogether. If you cannot afford or cannot get "legal" ammunition, then shooting will pretty much be done.

Dan

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Paul, your concerns are valid because those who would ban lead dont give a darn about shotgunners being able to shoot enough to be proficient. My son who is a national champion has shot as many as 15 to 20 thousand rounds of modern in a year.

 

[Britsmoothy]

do you guys get checked every time you shoot at game? If your hand is being forced just use the good ole stuff. It's been used on ducks for hundred of years- they don't seem to be doing to bad for it.I can just imagine your/my forefathers looking at us with a complete vacant stare and then spitting out his chew and saying "to hell with that" :rotf:

 

[Rebel]

Yea, the time is fast approaching when a person will Have to Break the Law in order to do Anything. Sorry state of affairs in our country at this time. :cursing:

 

[Britsmoothy]

Don't worry Reb we are all criminals in Britain now-oh hang on sorry yes I think we can still breathe, breed and go sleep. Thats it though :shake:

 

[ryoung14]

Those whose mission in life is to tell the stumbling masses what to do will never rest. Their liberal education, political activism and "good" intentions outweigh any archaic "rights" you might have. The fact that bad things still happen is, to them, proof that their guidance is badly needed by the rest of us.

The blowback Will Smith is getting for remarking that Hitler probably thought he was doing the right thing, speaks volumes about the liberal mindset.

But, look on the bright side. Once we're ALL criminals then....ANYTHING becomes possible. There's little to lose.

Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.
Bob

 

[pmwest]

I’ve seen several post referring to Ecotungsten but has anyone shot it out of their gun? How does it pattern from a tradition wad column and how does it perform in the field from a traditional gun?

If their info is accurate then this stuff should be safe to shoot in any gun capable of using lead. They also claim it is better than Tungsten-matrix, has anyone confirmed that?

 

[roundball]

I’ve seen several post referring to Ecotungsten but has anyone shot it out of their gun? How does it pattern from a tradition wad column and how does it perform in the field from a traditional gun?

If their info is accurate then this stuff should be safe to shoot in any gun capable of using lead. They also claim it is better than Tungsten-matrix, has anyone confirmed that?

Glad to see the thread is no longer hi-jacked and we can get back to discussing the techincal aspects.
:thumbsup:
Actually, EcoTungsten is a company name I think...partnered up with Nice-Shot...and I didn't notice that the article claimed NiceShot was better than Tungsten-Matrix...may have missed it so help me out.

The only thing I saw was a 'hardness comparison chart' comparing categories of metals...accompanied by in their own words "an exaggerated graphic"...they may have inferred NiceShot was better than Tungsten-Matrix by referencing a Tungsten Polymer category into which I think Tungsten-Matrix would fall.

But frankly, without any statistical or quantifiable gradiants on the bar chart, even at that there's no way to tell what the significance is...ie: depending on the scale, the difference might only be a fraction of 1%, etc...remember this is a marketing AD :wink:

Bottom line is my goal simply is to find/use an approved non-toxic waterfowl shot in a bare .62cal bore that doesn't require a protective shot cup...so far that means Bismuth which is impossible to find anymore and I think is out of production...and Tungsten-Matrix or this Nice-Shot.

One benefit of Nice-Shot is that it can be bought in just 2 pound quantities...they're currently out of #4's...when they get it back on the shelves I'll but some and see how it does so I can be ready for next season if I get a chance on a goose, etc.

Here's a link to specs about Tungsten-Matrix:[url] http://www.kentgamebore.com/main/press.asp[/url]

 

[pmwest]

The only thing I saw was a 'hardness comparison chart' comparing categories of metals...accompanied by in their own words "an exaggerated graphic"...they may have inferred NiceShot was better than Tungsten-Matrix by referencing a Tungsten Polymer category into which I think Tungsten-Matrix would fall.

Here is the link to the marketing claims by the maker:
[url] http://www.ecotungsten.com/shots.html[/url]

I would say that Ecotungsten and Nice-Shot are one in the same. Ecotungsten is a name brand on fishing sinkers and weights and it looks like Nice-Shot is a subdivision of them.

The marketing hype is that they are better than tungsten-poly shot which is true for our case because the Tungsten-Matrix is currently not available in bulk packaging. Without some in hand, it would be impossible to say for sure but I would estimate that Nice-Shot is no harder than a copper plated lead. This could revive the sport of traditional waterfowling if we can accept dumping a modern metallurgical concoction down the bore. I guess that we can claim Big Brother made us do it.

I did a lot of experimenting with steel shot, both on paper and on birds. I came to the opinion that steel shot could not be driven to reliable killing velocities except at very close range. This takes some reverse logic compared to working with lead. I found that the best loads were worked up by using a max charge of powder and minimum shot loads that gave effective patterns. Killed a lot of dove and ducks using steel by limiting shots to 25-30 yards or less but could never get close enough to a goose to get one. I never could buy in to Bismuth so I abandoned traditional waterfowling and went modern using Hevi-shot. I actually have not hunted waterfowl for a few seasons. Why go if you can’t go black?

If this shot proves suitable for traditional guns then I would have to say that this company would be a prime target for forum sponsorship. We are not a big segment of the market but we could certainly boost their bottom line.

 

[roundball]

The only thing I saw was a 'hardness comparison chart' comparing categories of metals...accompanied by in their own words "an exaggerated graphic"...they may have inferred NiceShot was better than Tungsten-Matrix by referencing a Tungsten Polymer category into which I think Tungsten-Matrix would fall.

Here is the link to the marketing claims by the maker:
[url] http://www.ecotungsten.com/shots.html[/url]

Right...that's where the comparison charts are that I referred to...it's the hot link off the Nice-Shot site to the parent company EcoTungsten.

If the Nice-Shot is similar to copper plated lead in terms of being OK for bare bore walls, and still outperforming magnum lead, then it should be a good choice.

The Tungsten-Matrix info is at the other link I provided.

What needs to happen is for 4-5 companies to get on the Tungesten band wagon and get competition going to drive prices down some...$25 / pound is a little steep...although the good news is for my Flintlock waterfowl needs a 2 pound bag would give me 18-20 shots...a couple year supply :wink: