doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Non-Toxic

I don't recall any recent posts on the subject, so here goes:

It seems that bismuth shot for reloading has disappeared from the scene altogether.

A quick search of BP website lists "ITX" shot with supposed better properties (as far as breaking up during acceleration etc.),and no harm to classic double guns.

I have had good success hunting with bismuth for close-in shots on waterfowl with the cost at approx. $1.00 per round (2yrs ago cost).

The ITX shot loads for 1.125oz will cost an amazing $ 1.54 per load, not including shipping or other components.

Any comments on what happened to bismuth?

Perly88

As pointed out bismuth is still readily available, although it just went through another substantial price jump.

Yowser! I hadn't kept up with Bismuth and was not aware of how much it costs now. Anybody know why the larger size shot costs so much more?

Mergus

Demand. Who needs Bismuth small shot anyway?...Geo

Me.
The big pellets are harder to form without flaws/cracks. Lower yield from their processes.

If you shot ducks over decoys with #6s growing up, it works the same way.

On occasion I pass shoot geese with a vintage fowler. I expect it to be a $50.00 morning when that mood strikes. I would not leave a Fox HE in the cabinet for anxiety over $50.00 worth of shells.

You really pick your shots, and you really wish you practiced more in the off season.

I know this is Canada and we have a crappy dollar these days but exchange issues aside, I have a fairly substantial stock of Kent Tungsten Matrix, along with a chunk of the original Bismuth Cartridge Co shells, for my waterfowling needs in both 16 and 12 gauge. All of it was acquired at less than $2.00 a shell. Bismuth is long gone from the market place as we all know and replacement cost of my Tungsten Matrix is now over $5 per shell.

As CZ indicated, a morning in the marsh is a much more careful affair than it used to be. LOL

KTM is the best non-tox pellet (wait, non-lead, sorry :)) ever devised.
It's a shame I couldn't trust their cartridges to a vintage fowler. I bought 30 KTM's in 12 ga duck loads, and 20 in 20ga, and broke 2 stocks.

I'm so used to shooting steel within my comfort zone, that KTM is over kill for me now.

I ordered several boxes of RIO 12-23/4 #5 when Cabelas had them on sale they have been back ordered until the end of November.
Still the price was not much different than premium waterfowl loads. Although since I don't have them yet, who knows.

I have loaded bismuth shot with good results and have found that it is easier on my teeth. However it became hard to get and expensive. I also have had some quality issues with shot I purchased.

As a lifelong reloader I believe it is a requirement that I happily spend a bundle on shotguns, dogs and putting gas in my truck, then fret and complain about the cost of ammo and components.

I talked about ITX with a person from this site, and got interested. Since then I have been loading ITX shot and doing a lot of patterning on paper and field testing on ducks, geese and pheasants.

So far I am amazed at the results. I am mostly loading #4 (which actually mics 4.5)ITX 10 and my partners and I have found it to be very lethal. I am now only loading 7/8's and 1oz, 2 3/4 loads.
They pattern the best for me and when I do my job clobber ducks and geese.
I am very interested in hearing from anyone that has had experience with ITX 10. Inparticular about pattern in doubles with lengthened forcing cones. Pressure spikes with certain loads or anything else. Thanks

I load 7/8 oz of ITX 6's in a 2.5" 12ga, a very mild load 7600 psi and 1170 fps, it flattens geese and ducks pretty good but I do have to say while I hunt public lands I do wait for them to be pretty close.

My Husky 51 that I take out on the salt water.





An late model MF Robust same shells, same results.