doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com nontoxic shot in vintage doubles

Is there a source for reasonably priced nontoxic shotshells or bulk shot that can safely be used in older doubles? I have heard lots of different things about using steel. It runs the gambit from "never do it", "It's okay as long as it is choked no tighter than mod.make sure." "It's okay if you don't use any shot bigger than 3." and so on. I have some LC Smiths that are in very good condition but not collectors that I would like to use more often.
Any thoughts would be very helpful.

Reasonably priced, No. But what is reasonable? I consider the tungsten matrix shells brutally priced but they kill better than lead so I don't shoot until I can see, "The whites of their eyes."

Rio bismuth is the most economical of the "old gun safe" non-tox shells around right now. Still about $3 per shot. Works OK for me...Geo

What is a reasonable price to you?

RIO Bismuth can be bought for under $2/shell.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/rio-bismuth-12-gauge-shotshells-025828278p--1

I load a light load of ITX shot 7/8 oz of #6 for my 12's and it does great work on ducks and geese, but I tend to wait for good shots. I'd rather shoot a few ducks with my old hammer double that have to hunt with a modern pump or SA. It just makes a hunt that much more enjoyable.

My ITX loads run about $1.35/round

Kudos to Rio!
Now all you need to stoke an old double with non-tox is velocity and chamber pressures within original design parameters.

32 gram at 1350 fps may make a Lindner quake a bit.

Don't know about a light Lindner, but Rio works fine for me in some of my heavier old doubles with 2.75" chambers. Gotta use good sense about these things...Geo

The Rio bismuth is 2.75" and in the heavier load is a little much for composite barrels imho, but there is a 2.5" shell I think called classic with nice shot (or something like that)that I have shot with good results. It is not as economical as Rio...Geo

<http://www.rstshells.com/store/c/18-12-Gauge.aspx>

The only problem with Nice shot is that it has been nearly impossible to get for the past couple of years, even the Nice shot dedicated thread at SW is gone. RST has none in stock.

For just the cost of a roll crimper and a scale you can load ITX, Bismuth or American "E" shot in new hulls for way less than store bought and you can tailor them to your gun. You don't even need a reloading press.

With new hulls you can insert the wads with your fingers, I have the press here for some once fires I'm reloading.



2.5" cut down once fired RIO target hulls loaded with ITX.

those Rio bismuth are just the medicine in my old HD Winchester model 12......2 3/4 or the 3in.....or the 20ga loads in my 20ga model 12 for when I hunt along creeks where I can jump ducks or pheasant....they are to strong for my Elsies and I have lighter loads for them and my Fox guns, even though I think the Fox guns could handle these heavier loads.......wish they had some 16s for the price of those 20ga loads.....but for that price you cant go wrong with those 12 or 20ga loads if you have older guns that can handle them...

I shoot mainly M12's in 12 gauge for waterfowl- agree 100% with you on Rio- I also have a 12 Ideal Smith LongRange with 3" chambers- use 2&3/4" Rio's in that- no problems- (except for the deceased webfeets) that is.