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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 342
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 342 |
Anyone have any experience reloading ITX, Tungsten-Iron, Heavy shot and/or Bismuth? If so, please discuss the pros and cons of each and your preference.
Jim
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213 |
I use bismuth and have a guy close to me that makes it. It works fine for waterfowl out of my old 10s. I am sure it work work fine for upland as well. I only load about 1200 fps so as not to break up the patterns. Mosly use 5s.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 342
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 342 |
Thanks Dwight. I don't have a source for Bismuth and can't find one online.
Jim
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213 |
Lund Specialty Product. He takes orders and is really a good guy but usually requires up front money. He has to order the materials which are expensive. If interested give him a call, Phil Lund, 507-228-8972. I just ordered some 5s from him last week.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 123
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 123 |
I have reloaded and shot all that you mention. My preference is Ecotungsten or Nice Shot hands down. It is very close to lead and as a result you can use standard lead reloading recipes. Caution: pressures will be slightly higher because it is a little harder than lead, but safe to use in classic doubles.
The simple, yet highly scientific, "pliers test" shows that when squeezed Bismuth will crumble, ITX shot will crumble, while lead and Nice Shot will deform as a unit, spreading out like a bullet. 5s kills medium and small ducks real well, 4s for big ducks.
Hope this helps
David
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213 |
I put a squeeze to a number 5 bismuth and it just flattened out with no crumple. I can see the pliers marks in the result. I read at one time the bismuth used to break up but the stuff Mr Lund makes seems to be of very good quality.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1 |
Early bismuth shot had the reputation of being brittle. Improvements in the addition of tin helped resolved this issue. The pliers test on newer made bismuth will usually result in a simple flattened pellet. Larger diameter pellets may show some cracks around the edges when crushed, but the pellets will not crumble to dust as some had claimed in the past. Bismuth is the only no-tox I shoot anymore, and I have tried about all of them. I load the exact same way as I would lead (per weight, not by volume compared to lead) Which includes loading the shot "naked" with card wads in damascus barrels. I don't care for ITX or Nice Shot anymore. ITX is hard (in comparison) and requires thick wads. Nice Shot is extremely expensive, but many shooters love it. Bismuth is commercially available again through Precision Reloading. If you are shooting modern barrels or can use thick wads, the benefit of the tungsten based shot is that it is heavier than bismuth. Experiment a bit, and find what works best for you. http://www.precisionreloading.com/mm5/me...de=BISMUTH_SHOTGood luck
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