Latest on Hevi-Shot, Bismuth etc.?

[Ufatz]

There was a lot of talk about Hevi-Shot causing barrel damage etc. I guess I missed the latest on it-what was or is the final opinion? How about Bismuth? All I have used for past five years or so is Bismuth or Hevi-Shot, since I shoot older doubles. Sorta lost touch on the "best" replacement for the abominable steel.

[jiggin' fool]

If you shoot older double-barreled shotguns, and you need a non-toxic to shoot through it.., your choice is Bismuth or Bismuth.

Hevi-shot is only "hevi" in the sense that it is heavier then steel, (nearly the density of lead).., but it is STILL VERY HARD SHOT!!!! It is not soft like lead, and that was the problem with barrel-scoring!!!!!!

Kent Cartridge Co. makes a load they call "Matrix" that is softer then steel, but I am not too sure I would shoot that in older firearms either.

To assure you don't damage your fine guns when hunting waterfowl, (or pheasants in a "non-toxic only" area), you need to shoot Bismuth.

Hope this helps.

[Huntin&Fishin]

at Cabelas "Matrix" is 52.99. That is outragous for 10 shells!

[mamohr686]

For tightchoked guns the only 2 options for non-toxic shot are bismuth and tungsten-matrix (not to be confused with tungsten-iron which is not safe). But with the prices of metals going through the roof the prices on shotshells are all going up 15% this year. Another blow to the vintage shooters is that the owner of bismuth shot passed away recently. The company is currently out of production and up for sale. Finding bismuth shells this year will be a big problem and tungsten matrix is going to be about 4 bucks a pop. Anyone check out the prices for a bag of lead shot? they were around $18 last year and now they are over $36 in my area. I've heard some rumors about something called ecoshot but I think it's only available for reloading at this time. I wouldn't shoot factory loads in either bismuth or TM due to the the pressures that they build up, are hard on older gunstocks and barrels. I think your best bet is to buy a cheap gun for steel or black cloud shells on non-tox areas and save the vintage guns for upland in areas where it's ok to shoot lead.