Non-tox/non-steel loads for a 16?

[Jay Gardner]

Looking for recommendations for non-tox/non-steel 16-ga duck loads.

Thanks,

JDG

[Rich Anderson]

I would look at RST.

[Jay Gardner]

Thanks Rich. Hoping to find an option less than $75/box. Yikes.

[Marc Retallack]

JDG,

Unless you handload, $2.50-$4.00 a shell is what 16ga non-steel no-tox is going to cost you. Kent TM can occasionally be found for $25/box of 10. Hevishot Classic Doubles averages $35-$40/box of 10. Aside from RST's Nice Shot loads that Rich mentioned, I'm not aware of any other currently available vintage barrel safe 16ga loads.

Do you reload or do you know anyone who does? Bismuth is on sale ($154 per 6.6lb bottle) at Precision Reloading. That works out to $1.45 per ounce. Not cheap but better than $3.00.

Cheers,
Marcus

[charlie cleveland]

i know you said no steel loads...but what is youre choke size in the 16 ga..is this gun just a shooter in good shape....i shoot steel shot in some of my parkers with no problems...buts thats me ..i too can not afford the high cost duck shells so i buy steel shot i ve reloaded countless 8 ga 10 ga 12 ga with steel shot and no streaking of the barrels and one gun the 12 ga is full choke..i ve never shot ducks with steel shot but ive shot a lot of squirls with steel shot and it does a good job even at long range...just use a coupla shots bigger in steel than you do with lead... charlie

[Jay Gardner]

Marcus,

You make a compelling justification of the cost. In terms of firearms that I will use it in, thinking Parker VH choked IC/Mod, a circa 1943 M12 choked Mod, and a Belgim made Sweet Sixteen, choked IC.

Thanks,

JDG

[John Dallas]

IMHO, so long as you shoot shot no bigger than #6, I think those guns would do fine with modern steel shells.

OK. Let the flaming begin!

[Mills Morrison]

The 10 gauge RST Nice Shot is the best performing waterfowl load I have used. Not sure how their 16 gauge shells work, but I bet they work better than steel.

[Jay Gardner]

That reminds me: I have several boxes (10/box) of RST 10-ga ammo that I would be happy to trade (or sell) for some 16-ga non-tox.

[charlie cleveland]

the non tox loads will perform better but cost wise there not near as cheap as steel shot..but steel will kill at long range out to 60 yards if useing no 2 or bigger shot size..i would shoot the non tox loads like bismuth and nice shot if they were of equal cost with steel but they are not...and if your no better shot than i amyour gonna shoot up several shells at them ducks... thus i got to go with steel.. charlie

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I'd never fire a steel shot shell in a Parker, no matter the chokes, but that's me.

The Kent TM is a little cheaper than RST but it's getting hard to find in 16 gauge as they dropped it from the line a couple years ago.


Destry

[Mills Morrison]

My philosophy is to pay more for RST and then pick my shots carefully. Again, that is just me.

[Peter Clark]

Jay,
I recommend loading your own. I load Nice shot with good results in the 16. Fine for a
M12, Parker, Smith, Fox, whatever. Can provide my recipe if you like.
-plc-
ps - not a huge investment if you buy a MEC 600Jr. I don't load a ton of 16 or .410 so for those I use the 600Jr, 12, 20 or 28 I like the 650. Let me know if you want help.

[MARK KIRCHER]

is the 10 ga - non tox? If so I may be willing to part with some of my 16 ga Kent TM #5