Bismuth shotgun load data

[David LaPell]

Recently our illustrious legislature has introduced legislation to ban lead ammo for hunting and this time there's a good chance it will pass. Since most of my hunting is will small game, these days I use a shotgun and since most of my guns are older, steel shot is out. I have some bismuth shot on hand, right now #6 and I plan on getting some #7, but going through my loading data for shotgun ammo, everything I have is for lead. I have a hard time finding load info for bismuth, is it that much different than loading for lead?

[Rfeustel]

Hi, it’s less dense then lead. So more volume for the same weight of pellets. You need different recipes. I’ve had a lot of great luck with Ballistic Products loads (check out the load of the week section). But Bismuth is popular enough now you can find recipes on the Hodgdon’s site for Rem (and I think) Win hulls.

It no different than loading for lead. I use the same tools. It’s just a different recipe. Bushings won’t work quite the same. You’ll want to validate with a scale.

[megasupermagnum]

I've found that one size larger of bismuth vs lead works pretty well. I would not use #7 except for maybe dove, or other very tiny animal. #5 bismuth would be the appropriate size for anything you would hunt with #6 lead.

The Lyman shotshell manual has quite a bit of bismuth specific data in it, and the online Hodgdon data has a fair amount.

[RMc]

I suggest Tom Roster's Advanced Lead and Bismuth Shot Handloading Manual . Available from Precision Reloading and Rotometals.

This manual contains pressure tested load data for 28 gauge through 10 gauge. Includes loads with common target hulls and wads as well as 3" and 3.5" hulls. Roster also provides information on assemby of each load with or without buffer and which primers and hulls can be interchanged with the data.

Well written, to the point and well worth the modest tariff.

[Blood Trail]

The density of bismuth is 9.8. Lead is 10.6, which is very similar.

I started reloading bismuth for duck hunting last year and I don’t plan on switching to steel anytime soon.

I settled on the following:

-2.75” new Fiocchi hull
-30 grs of Longshot
-Federal 12S4 wads
-1 oz of #4 bismuth
-flax seeds as a buffer
-1450+ fps
-pressure is under 10kpsi

Hits like the hammer of God.







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[6pt-sika]

My 10 gauge 2 7/8” bismuth differentiate from my lead loads very little other than not needing a nitro wad in the bottom of the shot cup as both are supposed to be 1 1/4 ounce the lead by volume and the bismuth by actual scale weight . I loaded #1 , #2 and #4 in the 10 none so far in the 12 but #4 in the 16 , 20 and 28 . I was also recently given two boxes of factory 28 gauge #7 bismuth loads , if I ever get invited on an early teal deal that just might be what I use .

[DKG]

The density of bismuth is 9.8. Lead is 10.6, which is very similar.

I started reloading bismuth for duck hunting last year and I don’t plan on switching to steel anytime soon.

I settled on the following:

-2.75” new Fiocchi hull
-30 grs of Longshot
-Federal 12S4 wads
-1 oz of #4 bismuth
-flax seeds as a buffer
-1450+ fps
-pressure is under 10kpsi

Hits like the hammer of God.







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How much flax seed do you put in?

[Blood Trail]

How much flax seed do you put in?

2cc dipper.


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