doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com ITX shot

I am going to purchase ITX I think bb for my 10 gauge Damascus gun.....Is ITX the same as bismuth??? I just told the guy I wanted it but I need to be sure I can use it.

no it is not the same as bismuth

you will need specific load recipes for it

Flintfan pointed out on a recent thread that the tungsten in ITX is abrasive and long term use might damage older barrels.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...4197#Post454197

I just ordered me some more 3" 12 ga. Kent Bismuth from Cabelas...I've been shooting factory 3" Bismuth ammo out of my 10ga. with chamber/gauge mates with no signs of ill effects.

I might add that mine has massive 32" Damascus barrels with a 4 ton nitro proof.

With the current quality of wads and use of mylar wraps, the likelihood of scratching a barrel these days is remote.

Thanks for the help I think I'll stick with lead and Bismuth.

ITX s made up of almost tungsten dust and a polymer or nylon matrix. I doubt there is a piece of tungsten large enough to scratch the bore. I load it in a lead wad that keeps the whole charge in the cup I believe it is a 1 1/4 wad with 7/8 oz of ITX 6 's roll crimped in a 2 1/2" 12ga CHEDDITE hull. I've been shooting it for all my waterfowling for a number of years and bores remain mirror like. It works just fine on ducks and geese over decoys.

I'm stopping in Pine Island next week and hope to pick up some American E-SHOT and test it this season.

Yes, as everyone has pointed out ITX is not the same as bismuth. And as Oskar also pointed out, ITX is like most other non-toxic shot these days, in that it contains powdered tungsten. This will be abrasive to your barrel if not properly contained within a plastic shotcup. The type of abrasion encountered is not what some have experienced with other types of hard shot (i.e. steel shot).

The damage caused will not be visible scratches running down your barrel. Think of it more like spraying ultra fine sandblaster grit down your barrels. Visually, it would be almost impossible to tell without measuring changes in dimensions, especially at the chokes.

Again, all of this is a moot point if you simply use plastic shot cups to protect your barrel. In a previous thread the OP asked about using simple card wads and black powder with ITX shot. This should be avoided if you plan on putting a lot of rounds though the gun.

Joe, do the shell extract okay. I was told I need to use compression formed shells to extract because of the split liner of the 12 to 10 ga chamber mate golds

I have been using its a few years. I am cheap and load lighter faster loads that factory bismuth. It is a hair heavier and supposedly that band is to help. Both wok good, my bismuith shells are old can't weight to try kent

They lift right out of mine...but I grinded about a 1/4" of the rim away on each side of the split (where you can easily lift the hull out with your fingernail) I also spring them a little where they fit tighter in the chamber and I keep them clean and lubed...and honestly I really can't tell they are in there.

Only problem I've ever experienced shooting 12 in a 10 was some foreign made shells have soft primers and you'll notice a little soot where the firing pin pierced the soft primer.