12 GA HERCO and 1/38 oz of bismuth

[bigdog454]

In the good old days I used 1/38 oz of lead but no it has to be non toxic shot. My old shot manuals list a load for 1 3/8 lead using herco. is this still reliable info? I can't seem to find any info on line about using herco and heavy loads for shotgun.
BD

[Johnch]

It should be close
But IMO the load will need adjusted

As Bismuth shot takes up more room in the wad than Lead shot dose

For 2 3/4" hulls and Bismuth shot
I normally use 1 1/4 oz of shot

A load that has been around for years
2¾" Cheddite Plastic shell
Cheddite 209 primer
32.8 grains Longshot powder
WAA12R wad
1¼ ounce Bismuth shot

I also use Blue Dot and Remington RP wads , but I don't have that load data handy

John

[bigdog454]

do you weigh your shot load or use a measure?
BD

[Johnch]

I have some adjustable bars for my MEC presses
So I weigh my shot to get the bar to drop what I want

But I only load bismuth every couple years
As I have lots of hulls
So I load enough of a load to last several seasons

I try a load
If it patterns well , I load a bunch

That way I only have to set everything up for that load every 2 or 3 years

John

[6pt-sika]

Right or wrong I weigh my bismuth on a scale and don’t use the charge for anything other than the powder . I rarely load more than a box or two at a sitting .