Bismuth Duck Loads

[Kirk Mckinney]

No. No filler in the wad just bismuth. Not sure if you mean like a card or something but no nothing. In fact it's a tight fit. I hand measured and loaded all six of the string. I think I may go up about 2 tenths on the powder. I'm going to call Keith tomorrow and see what he thinks... 1200 solid is what I was shooting for. We just guessed and tried to downsize the hodgdon load listed earlier in this thread.

[Kirk Mckinney]

Rick on the variance I gave you the majority. I got a 1136,1159,1174,1185,1185 and a 1192 fps. I figure I messed up on that real slow one. But I thought even factory loads will vary. Is that right ?? But I'm going to see about kicking it up about a half a grain. The variation on fps is 21 fps except the real slow one its 56. On pressure it's 5380 on that slow one and 6200 on the high one. And the high one wasn't even the fastest it was second. But they were all within 300psi except that real slow one. I must have mis read my scales. I need to figure out why the one is so far off. Any ideals anyone ??

[Mark Garrett]

TUWZ2M16GA is this the wad you are using ?

[Kirk Mckinney]

No it's 12 gauge

[Kirk Mckinney]

My bad it's Tuwz2m15. That's precision reloading a part number. If anyone has or gets any ballistic data on a 1 oz load with Longshot. Please share with me. Thanks

[Kirk Mckinney]

Gentlemen. I went to the range today and tried the 1 1/8 bismuth load. Shot 2 rounds of skeet. I wanted something to compare the recoil and blast to. So I took 2 boxes of my 24 gram lead shot skeet load. I took 2 holland and holland 2 1/2 inch light 12 gauge. I believe they are 15/16 oz shot with fiber wads and 2 of the bismuth loads. I shot about 10 rounds of 24dram. Then 2 h&h loads. The h&h have quite a bit more kick than my skeet loads. Same sharp Krispy kick for both. then shot about 20 more of the 24 gram skeet loads then 2 of the 1 1/8 longshot loads. It felt different. It was more of a push on my shoulder that a kick. It would compare to the h&h loads except not sharp maybe a little more. I was at the center station on the skeet range. It did a good job on the skeet as well. First time I heard my sterlingworth roar. Lol. That what it sounded like . I am hooked I going to make it work on a 1 oz load as soon as I get back from fishing. If any of you develop one before me share with me. I did. See you in the field

[Eric Johanen]

Kirk, so the final load spec's are: Cheddite 2.5 hull, Cheddite primer, Precision Tuwz2m15 wad, 25.0 grains of Long Shot, 1&1/8th oz. of Bismuth shot, no buffer for average 1180 fps @ 6200 psi? Is this with a roll or fold crimp? Sounds like a very useful load for vintage short chamber guns. Thank's for the work up and having it tested.

[Kirk Mckinney]

Yes. That's it Eric. The average velocity is 1171 and pressure is 5880. But that one that I guess I under charged brought the pressure down a bit. I spoke to Keith at precision. He said it worked well that he wouldn't hesitate to shoot that load He told me if I wanted to bump it up to a solid 1200 fps to go up 1/2 a grain. He said it should only up the pressure about 300 psi. I only shot 2 rounds because it's expensive to shoot at skeet, just so you will know the pressures registered where 5380 for that slow one. 5700,5750,6120,6130 and 6200. I loaded 2 boxes last night. I put them anywhere from 25gn to 25.3. They were six star crimp. I guess that's how you say it. Anyway hope this works well for all. Let me know how you liked it.

[Cold Spring]

Are you sure you're loading 1-1/8 ounce of bismuth in that 2-1/2" hull? Bismuth is only about 80% as dense as lead, so a 1-1/8 ounce lead charge bar will drop about 7/8 ounce bismuth by weight.

Also that 1200 fps muzzle velocity with bismuth will slow down much more rapidly than lead shot at that muzzle speed (with the same diameter pellets). Thus the bismuth penetration and killing power will be comparatively less at any distance beyond just a few feet from the muzzle.

[Kirk Mckinney]

Yes it's 1 1/8 oz. I hand weighted the powder and shot. It fits perfect. It took me a couple hrs to load a couple boxes Lat night. I put #4 shot in them. It's a good fit with those wads.