LEAD FREE SHOT, for pigs??

[LAKEMASTER]

I need help with something. I need to make some lead free buck shot loads for feral pigs. I assume they aren't monsters yet. 120 looks like the biggest documented.

Would it be better to use steel shot, or the zinc wheel weight material I've been saving?

Also, what size is ideal for going through hog fat/shield?

I have a few weeks before I need to put them to use. So I can either buy store bought stuff or make my own.

Thank you all!!

[Texas by God]

Are you heading West to hunt pigs- or does Arizona have lead free regs? As sorry as steel shot is versus lead shot on waterfowl- I'd put max range for steel buckshot at 20 yards maybe? Perhaps cast some buckshot from lead free solder?

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[LAKEMASTER]

I'm going to hunt a place that requires non toxic shot.

In Arizona

[megasupermagnum]

There's no way in any universe I would ever shoot a pig with steel shot. T is the largest you can safely shoot in a 12 gauge, and that isn't even that great on a canada goose. I would have to be starving before I ever try zinc. I really wouldn't be happy about it, but bismuth tin alloy is the very lightest alternative I would ever consider. I certainly wouldn't mess with small sizes.

Are you absolutely sure you are required to use non toxic shot? Even things like Federally owned waterfowl production areas have exceptions for varmints like coyote where you can still use lead.

[Milky Duck]

find some goose loads...some #BB steel and get in close.....as in under 20 yards.... because you are going steel...go fast...and if a semiauto gun..as fast as you can get....
watching videos of guys shooting hogs from helicoptors it is surprising that this type of load isnt being used on the smaller stuff....would save a LOT of rounds. Ive shot wallabies up to 30kgs/70lb with lead #3s lead #2s and lead #BBs having used a lot of steel shot in last 10 years I would happily use steel in #BB or #2 for the same job...I have shot rabbits out to 40yards with steel #4s no trouble at all,and they werent particularly good loads either.
if you cant drop a canada goose at 40 yards with steel #2s its not the load at fault.....either your pattern sucks or you poked holes in the sky.
animals on the ground gives a 2d TARGET Vs a 3d bird in sky...if centred in pattern it gets the full impact of front and tail of the shot string... not that steel is much of a string as its pretty close together .

once you get above #BBs you start to get a thinning pattern. we tried #00 and found it hopeless past 15 yards..the #7 buck has 30ish .22 calibre balls...its better but hard to find and again pattern thins quickly.
there is all copper buckshot around...DOC use it over here.

[GregLaROCHE]

If you have. Some zinc at hand, I would try that.

[stubshaft]

Those steel or even bismuth loads with #BB's or T shot are NOT going to be effective on a hog! I've plucked out #4 and even #0 lead buckshot out of the shield of hogs that were hit at 15 yards and didn't penetrate the vitals. I would plan on taking slugs or plan on wounding some hogs.

[LAKEMASTER]

Yes, visiting a wildlife refuge that's on the Colorado River. The couple near me all require non toxic shot

[RickinTN]

If they require lead free ask what their clients have been using that is successful. Steel doesn't sound very good to me.
Rick

[725]

I have to agree with the above. Ask what is being used and, if you really have to, go with that. I've shot a wide variety of stuff and nothing is effective as lead. Considering those pigs can bite back, I'd be very leary. Wouldn't expect any good effect unless it were just about a contact shot. Good luck and carry a big knife.

[BLAHUT]

If you can use a rifle there is all copper bulets out if you need a shotgun i would use bismouth in 00 buck at very close range i have seen a .38 bounce off a pigs head from inches away

[BLAHUT]

If useing a shot gun use a paterne board to see what you have for pattern size and denesety then chose your choke for best size modifyed or imp-cylender ?? To tight will blow pattern fine out where the center of shot pattern is?
Or if you have a big hole in the center of shot pattern ?? CAST SOME SHOTGUN SLUGS IN ZINK OR BUY COPPER SLUGS ?

[Geezer in NH]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=T31tJR6c&id=DEC239A0ABB59BE3A4002AEE41114AC54D4638E6&thid=OIP.T31tJR6cLE6u0VTSKz24EQHaDN&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.federalpremium.com%2fon %2fdemandware.static%2f-%2fSites-vista-master-catalog%2fdefault%2fdw312a1547%2fimages%2flarge%2f PHD15900_12gaHighDensityLeadFreeBuckshot_Combo_R.j pg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.4f7 d6d251e9c2c4eaed154d22b3db811%3frik%3d5jhGTcVKEUHu Kg%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=869&expw=2000&q=tungsten+buckshot+shells&simid=608009593922803018&FORM=IRPRST&ck=1D5875B46533FE2AC64112E160B605B2&selectedIndex=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0

Good luck finding some it is supposed to be buckshot. Lead free I would use a rifle with copper rounds.

[baogongmeo]

Ballistics Products has tungsten, bismuth and Hevi-shot in #B size shot.

[megasupermagnum]

Ballistics Products has tungsten, bismuth and Hevi-shot in #B size shot.

Bismuth B is acceptable on canada geese. It wouldn't penetrate into a pig beyond spear range. Hevishot B, maybe you would get 15 effective yards, just guessing.

The only non-lead shot I see commercially available that I would be willing to try on pigs would be TSS BB size. On paper TSS size BB should have penetration about like a lead 2 buck or 1 buck. It is insanely expensive stuff, but it does work.

For comparison, bismuth 00 buck size on paper should be about the same as TSS size BB, or 2 buck/1 buck. The caveat would be you would want to up the tin in the alloy to something like 12% for a larger shot. Buckshot molds are available from Marty's Arms, but for that cost you might as well just buy the TSS.

Zinc is even worse than I realized. No way would I ever shoot that at anything. Even zinc casted as a 00 size, here is what KYP ballistic predicts.

Lead 1 buck at 1200 fps, 7" penetration at 54.4 yards

Zinc 00 buck at 1200 fps, 7" penetration at 1.8 yards. Not 18, 1.8 yards!

Also steel shot, I gave it the best chance I possibly could. T is the largest safe in a 12 gauge.

Steel T shot at 1800 fps (7/8 oz load), 4.78" penetration at 20 yards. I definitely wouldn't shoot this in a gun I cared about, but it might work on coyote to about 30 yards. For pigs you might as well just use a spear.

[lar45]

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Green-Slug-12ga-729-375gr-15_box/productinfo/7000005/

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/images/7000005m.jpg

[MarkP]

what about a single 0.690 zinc ball or 000 zinc

[45workhorse]

Best bet, mount you a pig sticker on the end of that shotgun.

[versa-06]

I've shot several hogs with both shotgun & rifle & quickly learned that shotguns leave a lot of them still running for quite some time, with a quick drop now & then. I don't like to be close to an injured hog in brushy areas. Me personally would only use a rifle, even a good .30-30 will put them down right now.

[Geezer in NH]

Ballitic product tx 00 buck non-toxic expensive

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/ITX-Original-10-Shot-00-buck-325-bag_7-lbs/productinfo/TX00BK/

[GregLaROCHE]

When shooting a wild animal there’s always an unknown factor. I’ve seen bears run off after being shot several times with .30 caliber rifles. A friend had a black bear in a tree next to his cabin. He shot it in the backside with birdshot. Three minutes later it fell down dead. You can never know what it will take to kill an animal. That’s why, in my opinion, it’s best to have more power then you would think. Too bad about all the restrictions now and coming.

[Digital Dan]

Perspective based on years of shooting rifles, pistols and shotguns. Have never used “non-toxic” shot of any style, but have put down a lot of critters over the years. On point of shooting hogs I pass this along for what it’s worth.

1993-1995 in Georgia: 77 dead hogs shots of 20 ga #3 buckshot. 9 of those were taken with 3 shots. Range varied from 10-40 yards. Weight ranged from ~40-250+ pounds.

From 2007-2015 I killed over 150 hogs with a TC Contender Carbine using CB shorts. One required a second shot. On one occasion 5 were killed without taking a step. Two mature at ~250# and 3 at 60 pounds. CB’s are quiet. Hogs aren’t the brightest creatures.

Placement is important, but with a shotgun it’s a general theory.

[Milky Duck]

Those steel or even bismuth loads with #BB's or T shot are NOT going to be effective on a hog! I've plucked out #4 and even #0 lead buckshot out of the shield of hogs that were hit at 15 yards and didn't penetrate the vitals. I would plan on taking slugs or plan on wounding some hogs.

OP has said biggest is 120lb.......you fellas tell me 20lb is a piglet.....120lb boar over here had a thin shield..sows none at all and smaller than 80lb nothing does,so stand by my comments.

[Milky Duck]

heck back in the bad old days ,my father would pinch my older brithers glass marbles,tip the birdshot out of a shell and poke in a marble and refold crimp..he shot bailed pigs with them...Ive personally shot pigs with #4 lead birdshot..bailed by dogs under 5 yards,the shotcup/wad was found inside skin of boars neck...would have been more than 120lbs or dogs would have held it to be stuck. get in as close as you can then 5 yards closer.

[Johnch]

OK I know of a Non Toxic shot you can use
Hevi-Shot makes and loads "T" and OO Buck shot made out of Hevi Shot
Not cheap , as my 1 3/8 oz loads of #2 Hevi shot is $2+ per shell for the shot alone
But it is heavier than lead and a lot harder
I did a quick search and found the T and OO Buckshot loaded shells
I have not bought any Hevi Shot to load in a while , so I am not sure who sells the large pellets
To load Hevi Shot is not hard
BUT it takes steel shot wads , 3" hulls and normally "Steel" Powder
The Steel Powder is a PITA as it dose not like to go through a powder measure
So I weigh ever charge of powder
Also Steel Powder need a LOT of wad pressure , like 80 lb min , for my long range goose and turkey loads
I use 100 lb or a bit more of wad pressure
Also Hevi Shot dose NOT like much choke
For geese I use a Mod or Light Mod choke tube for 60+ yard shots
My long range turkey load out of a Extra Full choke tube
Has a 12" pattern at 40 yards , so I use a red dot sight on that shotgun
But I have killed turkeys at 60+ yards cleanly with 1 shot with Hevi shot

John

[baogongmeo]

Hevi-shot sells a Dead Coyote load with a tungsten blend OO 3" 12ga. load. Says lethal on coyotes out to 70 yards. Expensive though.

[Earl54]

Shot several 100ish pound pigs at 10 to 20 yards with #2 heavy shot. Found I got around 10 to 15 inches of penetration in just meat no bones or shield. I try to pick shots from the rear quarter and aim at the last rib, so I miss the heavy bones and impact the lungs.They never go very far after the shot.Savage 24, 30/30 over 20 gauge. Shoot 1 standing with the shotgun barrel, then if I can get a standing headshot I use the rifle, no lost animals.

[poppy42]

Perspective based on years of shooting rifles, pistols and shotguns. Have never used “non-toxic” shot of any style, but have put down a lot of critters over the years. On point of shooting hogs I pass this along for what it’s worth.

1993-1995 in Georgia: 77 dead hogs shots of 20 ga #3 buckshot. 9 of those were taken with 3 shots. Range varied from 10-40 yards. Weight ranged from ~40-250+ pounds.

From 2007-2015 I killed over 150 hogs with a TC Contender Carbine using CB shorts. One required a second shot. On one occasion 5 were killed without taking a step. Two mature at ~250# and 3 at 60 pounds. CB’s are quiet. Hogs aren’t the brightest creatures.

Placement is important, but with a shotgun it’s a general theory.

i totally agree with this post! I was going to post that in my opinion the op would be better off with a 22 long rifle and a shotgun. But I was afraid that the topic would get loaded up with a plethora of people stating how hard it is to kill a hog.

[poppy42]

Best bet, mount you a pig sticker on the end of that shotgun.

One of them antique boar spears!

[Digital Dan]

https://imgur.com/NBAj3RL

https://imgur.com/lw7duvS

https://imgur.com/45NsJo9

https://imgur.com/CzbgttY

[versa-06]

I think I'll stick to a rifle, 30-30, 308, 44, 45. You see what I mean. At any range other than close I've seen very poor results with a shotgun.

[Milky Duck]

even lyman themselves in loading manuals have solids and buckshot for very short range....

[M-Tecs]

I'm going to hunt a place that requires non toxic shot.

In Arizona

Arizona recommends non-toxic but it is not required except for waterfowl. Page 83
https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2022-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_220616.pdf

https://www.raptorresource.org/learning-tools/hunt-and-fish-lead-free/toxic-and-non-toxic-shot-regulation-federal-and-state-by-state/#:~:text=Arizona%3A%20No%20ban%20Non-toxic%20shot%20is%20required%20for,and%20gut%20pil e%20removal%20in%20Arizona%E2%80%99s%20condor%20ra nge.

Arizona: No ban
Non-toxic shot is required for waterfowling per federal law, but Arizona has no additional bans in place. The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages the use of non-lead ammunition and gut pile removal in Arizona’s condor range. The AGFD offers free non-lead ammunition to hunters drawn for hunts in the north Kaibab National Forest and the Arizona Strip. Hunters who use lead ammo and pick up gut piles are entered into a prize raffle.

The north Kaibab Forest borders the north rim of the Grand Canyon and is contiguous with the Arizona strip, which lies north of the Kaibab. Both areas are condor habitat.

[Milsurp Junkie]

anyone make copper buckshot?

[megasupermagnum]

anyone make copper buckshot?

Possibly, but it isn't dense enough to be worth anything.

[LAKEMASTER]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Settled on 00 steel per the guys who have been doing it. Might try 3/8 shot one day.

[megasupermagnum]

What?! You aren't honestly going to shoot a 00 sized steel bearing! What moron told you they did that?[smilie=b:

[Milky Duck]

steel shot is NOT a steel ball bearing.... but all the same for crying out loud DO NOT use any choke at all....

[megasupermagnum]

steel shot is NOT a steel ball bearing.... but all the same for crying out loud DO NOT use any choke at all....

Then where is he going to find 00 size steelshot? That's .330". I've never seen it, or even heard of it. I can't imagine why it would exist. Enough guns were wrecked with F size steel shot due to bridging that there has been warnings not to use it in 12 gauges or smaller for decades. And now the guy is going to shoot 00 buck size, which won't even stack inside a wad, and shoot it? Nobody would ever think that is a good idea.

[lar45]

BPI has slugs ready to go.

[Tripplebeards]

Hevi-shot sells a Dead Coyote load with a tungsten blend OO 3" 12ga. load. Says lethal on coyotes out to 70 yards. Expensive though.

I'm sure that stuff is nasty. I shot a coyote 4 years ago at 109 yards with a Remington HD BB 3" 12 gauge load. Misjudged the distance or I would not have taken the shot. Broke its front leg, rear leg, and back with the shot. I aimed about a foot or so above its head when I pulled the trigger. I had to walk up and finish it off...but it wasn't going anywhere. I was calling when it ran up and made me.. locked up the brakes and would come any closer so I took a hail marry shot at it. I ranged the shot afterwards. My calling partner that was.fscing the opposite way with a rifle still can't believe I connected on it. sure TSS double 00 would penatrate really well. Ive shot coyotes at 20 yards and had pass throughs with some of the HD BB loads. Very expensive and long discontinued....about 25 years ago. Still have some in BB,BBB, and T. I don't know if I'd want to try buckshot on pigs but if I had to it would be with TSS shot. To expensive imo for a multiple hog hunt when you can cast boolits that cost zero dollars if you get free lead like me.

[Digital Dan]

Number 3 buck, 2-3/4", 20 ga......works on hogs just fine.

https://imgur.com/NBAj3RL

[farmbif]

I mentioned this before. I did a whole bunch of research into steel shot loading after I came across a 5 gallon bucket of copper plated bb's at the scrap yard.
steel used in bb's is much, much harder material than steel or tungsten shot that is sold for reloading shot shells. both Remington and mossberg said DO NOT DO IT.
could not get ballistic products folks to give me any ANY load data for any gauge. ball bearings are probably much much harder than bb's.
sure there are all kinds of videos on the internet of people shooting all sorts of stuff out of shotguns. but if you value your gun and your eyes and limbs and life. its advisable to stick with the products made available at places like ballistic products.

[lar45]

^^+1

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Green-Slug-12ga-729-375gr-15_box/productinfo/7000005/

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/images/7000005m.jpg

Oops, looks like they are out of stock.

[lar45]

303536

[Geezer in NH]

:brokenima

303825

[35 Rem]

Based on what some are saying here, loading your own non-lead ammo is one acceptable means of getting legal ammo for the pig hunt. Now if you think about that, how is a Game warden going to know if your buckshot is made from lead free solder or lead? I understand that you can't use factory lead buckshot ammo because the shell markings will betray it. But load your own and they will never know. All these lead free laws do nothing for the environment so I have zero problem disobeying them.

[kbstenberg]

35 Rem All a warden has to have is a magnet and a reloaded shell.

[BLAHUT]

Bismuth or copper in a rifle only if you can ??

[Ernest]

www.tungstensupershot.online/TSS_18_00_Buck_Shot_Dia_838_mm_(0330_)/p5470590_18457170.
any way having seen what the #9 tss does to turkeys I believe this stuff would be Hell on wheels on hogs.