16ga.com ~ View topic

Of the people who have reloaded Bismuth shot recently what brand of shot have you had good luck with? I want to load up some #4 loads and I have no idea whose shot to use.

Thanks,

James

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 1844 Location: Central ND

IMHO, they are all about the same. I wouldn't use brand name as the deciding factor.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3178 Location: NCWa

The copper plated bismuth looks very pretty & the sellers claim it is better but I haven't shot enough of either plated or unplated to have statistically significant results

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

I prefer Ballistic Products Inc. bismuth due it's much more consistent size & sphericity when compared to RotoMetals = more consistent loads/loading/stack height and long range reach. If cost is a factor (and long range and consistent loading isn't) RM edges out BPI to a small degree when you figure out how to take advantage of all their the different sale offerings. Can't speak to Boss' re-loadable pellets since I couldn't find a way to purchase them directly and frankly don't care since BPI' pellets work so well for me.

As far as I can tell, Precision Reloading has given up on Bismuth altogether.

Thanks for all the responses. BPI has 2 grades of Bismuth. Any thoughts on the different grades. Good loads are the priority but not spending money on hype/ marketing BS is also important.

Thanks,

James

Jeez , Mike . Me and Nick jumped on Roto Metals when they really 1st became visable , thought the shot was great ... We both loaded up ! The sales of late are usually (best case) 159 or 169 for 10 # 6 shot , and free shipping over 149 bucks ...Stick with vol/vol subbing for lead as long as it's within 1/8oz . Happy ! RM is also beeen a GREAT co to deal with . 1st order , they sent #1 instead of #7 , called and didn't expect much and they sent the correct size and I still have the #1 . Other things have come up and they've been top notch fixing them !

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

Whoops, seems I wrote something a bit strongly, all good, nothing against RM, they run a tight ship no doubt. I've purchased some ingot metals from them and nothing but accolades.

The smaller sized drop/dripped inconsistent shot seems OK out to "in the dekes" range for some. But IMO at those ranges steel works just fine. By and large I'm loading for those tough late season Divers that buzz the outside of the spread and pass shooting >45y with the larger shot for smart late season Honkers and find the consistent sized round shot...loads, patterns and works best for me at those longish ranges with more often than not complete pass through. Knocked 3 Honkers down (Ohio) over this past weekend, lovin' the energy those pellets carry.

Again nothing against RM, I simply want/need the basically perfectly round (assuming cast) pellets that BPI offers.

no worries Mike ... The ranges I usually shoot , < 35yds probably wouldn't notice anything ... Nick still sez anything inside of maybe 60 is a goner , so if there was a "THING ", I would think he'da said so - hasn't !!

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 2126 Location: Hudson,Wy

With bismuth shot, the important factor is alloy content. 6% tin seems to keep it from fracturing upon firing, 4% is known to be insufficient.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

Agreed, at least 6% which I understand as baseline today from BP & RotoMetals. After seeing some fracturing evidence (BB, BBB & T) on the pattern paper with the larger modern Bis pellets. Did some research online focused on highest strength Bismuth bullet casting. The non-tox rifle guys are using as much as >10% Tin often more and even messing with adding some Antimony.

Acquired some old Bis BB's from a retired Goose hunter. Determined they were of the 3-4% Tin vintage. Compared them to the 6% modern BB's from BP & RM by applying some unscientific testing, a #1 pound ball peen dropped from ~1', the 3% shattered not unlike ice w/very small fragments, the 6% pellets did better w/ bigger chunks and some not shattered but cracked. The T pellets I'm casting are in the ~10% range and after the hammer drop test don't shatter to pieces but look similar to Packman video game creatures, flattened round w/a small crack but never shatter. Mission accomplished.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI