12 ga. bismuth data
 

Hello Parker friends, I'm searching for a 12 gauge bismuth recipe that launches 1 1/8 oz. at roughly 1150 fps. I'd appreciate any help you can provide.

that is fairly slow for bismuth

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ has some for Federal and Winchester hulls that are around 1225

i'll see if i can find the Precision products bismuth booklet - I think there are some low pressure ones in there

https://www.precisionreloading.com/c...#!l=BS&i=BK999
or
https://www.precisionreloading.com/c...!l=TMTR&i=M111

Thanks. I'm old enough to have had 20 years of duck hunting in the lead shot era and I always did fine with 1 oz of 6's at 1150 fps, so I can't imagine a 1 1/8 oz load of bismuth 4's not being enough. 1200 fps would be OK.

I bought that Precision manual (Blanks to Supersonics) when it first came out and unfortunately the useful loads all call for either PB or 7625 which have both been discontinued.

i didn't have the Precision data handy, it may have discontinued powders- I fortunately will never run out of 7625 :)

I know one of my books (maybe Lyman) has a light bismuth load for AA hulls I have fit into hulls cut to 2 1/2 - I am guessing it used longshot - and one for 2 1/2 chedittes

if I find it I will post it

BTW - why 1150fps? the Hogdon data has low pressure loads under 8k but at 1350fps

Less recoil. I simply do my job better with less recoil. I also believe that 1150-1200 is plenty with #4 bismuth.

Just tested by Precision for me.

12 ga. 2 1/2" Cheditte
Cheditte 209 primer
20 gr. International
BPI Competition Special Short
1 Oz. #5 bismuth

Avg vel. 1265 Avg press. 7692 PSI
Shot it all duck season last year. Wasn't a very good season but when we had ducks this worked well out 45+. Recoil isn't objectionable either, might be a bit starchy for a heavy day of clays. I shoot the same load with 1 oz. #7 or #8 lead for doves.

Keith, that looks like a good load. Thanks for sharing. I have a short kit for my 16 gauge Sizemaster, but I'm not so versatile with my 12 gauge reloading and am limited to 2 3/4" with my Grabber. Ironically I have some nice 1 oz. 16 gauge bismuth loads, but I wanted to bump up to the bigger bore to shoot 4's.

I finally stumbled on a load with good potential in the Precision manual. It's using Green Dot, 1 1/8 oz at 1200 fps. Just waiting for some RP12 wads to arrive. Also waiting for Rotometals to get their #4 shot back in production. I have some Rotometals bismuth 5's for starters.

Care to share?

You bet.

This is directly from Precision Reloading's Blanks to Supersonics manual. (p. 136)

1 1/8 oz. bismuth
Win. AA hull
Win. 209
Green Dot 19.5
Rem. RP12 wad
1205 fps
10,700 psi

I'll most likely back down to an even 19.0 grains for starters and see what the chronograph says.