QUESTION..

[Angel Cruz]

My go to load for upland hunting consist of a Cheddite hull with Cheddite 209 primer, 18.5 grains of IMR SR 7625, pushing 7/8 oz. of lead shot in a SG16 wad. I use 7-1/2 and 8 size shot.
I would like to substitute the lead shot with bismuth for duck season. I would be using # 7 shot.
Is this safe to do?? Do I need to change the amount of powder? Does bismuth load the same as lead? Do I need a buffer to load bismuth? Looking for advice.. I can probably get a book from Ballistic products but I figure this is way more fun.
16 ga... 2-1/2 inch shells

[Paul Harm]

I loads differently - Mark will chime in - he loads all that hunting stuff.

[Mark Garrett]

Your load is a low presure load ( guessing 7000 psi or below ) Bismuth will give you a taller shot column and more pressure . Using Bismuth in that load shouldn't give pressures above 11500 psi . Probably a lot less , but estimating what the actual pressure would be is just a guess without getting it tested .

That same load would work with niceshot .

[Rick Losey]

personally Angel- I'd pop for a book

why risk it

i know that nice shot says to use a lead load and plan on 1500PSI increase

I am not sure I have seen a formula for the difference with bismuth

or at least- pick a low pressure lead load - make a few up and send them out to be tested

[Mark Garrett]

The only load that I could find for reference use a different wad and a 2 3/4" hull .

Win poly hull (same as Ched ) Win 209 - 22gr 7625 -Z16 wad - 7/8 oz bismuth 1264 fps - 7400 psi - Precision reloading

I find the z-16 wad will usually give lower pressure for the same load using the Sg16 wad

[Angel Cruz]

Thanks a bunch guys. That gives me something to think about. I guess I better see if Ballistic has a book with some recipes.
I guess going from 2-3/4 to 2-1/2 would increase the pressure? Can I go with 3/4 oz of shot instead of 7/8?

[Steve Havener]

Angel you can use 2 3/4 inch reloading data in 2 1/2 (preferably 2 9/16th inch) shells if you want to go to the trouble of roll crimping as the 2 9/16th roll crimp shell has the same interior volume as a 2 3/4 inch folded crimp shell.

[Angel Cruz]

Thanks Steve...

[Angel Cruz]

Hoe does IMR SR-7625 compare to Green Dot and Unique?

[wayne goerres]

Angel as I understand it they are doing away with SR7625. If I were going to develop new loads I would try powders that aren't going to be obsolete. JMHO

[Angel Cruz]

I know but I still have a few pounds of the stuff.

[Mark Garrett]

Hoe does IMR SR-7625 compare to Green Dot and Unique?

Unique is alot closer to 7625 ( Universal is probably closer yet ) than Green Dot . GD is a fairly fast powder

[Mark Garrett]

Deleted double post

[Angel Cruz]

Thanks for the info Mark!!

[Angel Cruz]

Mark where can I send a few shells for testing?

[Mark Garrett]

Tom Armbrust
1108 West May Ave.
McHenry, IL.
60050-8918
815-385-0037

Give him a call he will tell you what he wants . He will also make suggestions for your load if you need it . Super guy.

[Angel Cruz]

Thank you Mark!!

[Eric Grims]

Angel - I have 2 bismuth 16 ga loads listed on a spread sheet that I look at seriously but have yet to try them - both use Longshot and give low pressure. If you wish I will PM them to you. Again I have not tried them and can make no recommendation as to effectiveness or safe pressures.
Given the serious shortage of low pressure non tox for our older guns I also look to this thread to shed some light on options.
Eric

[Eric Grims]

For those who do load bismuth do you drop the shot according to the charge bar weight indicated? For example if the recipe calls for 1oz. of shot do you use the 1oz. bar or must you add or subtract shot according to weight?
Thanks

[Angel Cruz]

Eric. please do, thanks a bunch!!!
I got the reloading bismuth book from PR and they advice to weight out the shot. The 1 oz bar will not give you an oz of bismuth. The same thing if you have a loader that uses bushings. It has to do with the density of the shot, I think...

[Mark Garrett]

Eric. please do, thanks a bunch!!!
I got the reloading bismuth book from PR and they advice to weight out the shot. The 1 oz bar will not give you an oz of bismuth. The same thing if you have a loader that uses bushings. It has to do with the density of the shot, I think...

Yes Bismuth is lighter than lead , most shot bars drop light any way so it will be even lighter with Biz . You could try using the next up size shot bar but I suspect it will still dop light with Biz I always weight all my Nontox and most of my lead hunting loads .

If you have niceshot I have a tested 16ga 2 9/16" 7/8oz low pressure load if anyone is interested . I think I have posted it here before .