12 ga. bismuth data

[Dave Erickson]

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.

[Rick Losey]

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

[Dave Erickson]

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.

[Rick Losey]

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

[Dave Erickson]

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.

[Keith Doty]

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.

[Dave Erickson]

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.

[Dave Erickson]

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.

[Daryl Corona]

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?

[Dave Erickson]

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.

[Dave Erickson]

The launchpad is a Browning BSS. After shooting this BSS at sporting clays and 5-stand for a month I must say I'm impressed with the gun. It won't raise a vintage eyebrow, but it's a superb shooting SxS.

[Mark Garrett]

Dave that sounds like nice gun .

[Dave Erickson]

Dave that sounds like nice gun .

Thanks, Mark. It truly is a good shotgun. I knew they were well made, but the nice balance and shooting characteristics surprised me. Perfect duck/clays gun, and now my 16's feel like toothpicks.

I'll start on the load above in the next week and see how they come out.

[Dave Erickson]

Quick followup on this recipe. The stack height is low and despite press adjustments the very concave crimps are a no-go for me.

No emergency here, I have plenty of suitable ammo. I'll eventually get what I want wumped-up. :)

[Rick Losey]

Quick followup on this recipe. The stack height is low and despite press adjustments the very concave crimps are a no-go for me.

No emergency here, I have plenty of suitable ammo. I'll eventually get what I want wumped-up. :)


stack height is adjustable by adding fiber/cardboard wads in the shot cup before the shot

I don't have a 10ga non tox load that doesn't need them - i load a 1 1/8 target load that needs 3

[Dave Erickson]

stack height is adjustable by adding fiber/cardboard wads in the shot cup before the shot

I don't have a 10ga non tox load that doesn't need them - i load a 1 1/8 target load that needs 3

As a lifelong reloader I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't think of that. I see Ballistic Products has some felt spacers that look like they would work. I guess I'd need a size that would fit inside a RP12 wad.

[Rick Losey]

I use 16's in a 10 - so I'd guess 20's in a 12

[Dave Erickson]

I'll ask the "Curmudgeon." ;)

[Keith Doty]

20's in a 12 works just fine.

[allen newell]

Is bismuth safe to shoot in our vintage parkers? Barrel wear?

[scott kittredge]

Is bismuth safe to shoot in our vintage parkers? Barrel wear?

Yes ,won't hurt barrels

[Keith Doty]

Dave, you can load my load as a 2 3/4". Simply use the same wad in a taller model. Won't be a dimes worth of difference. In my opinion and experience you could also use the same wad and stack a cork wad on top, simply filler for the crimp. They weigh nothing and should make very little if any difference in pressure. This is a mild load anyway
I grew up as a lead 6's guy for ducks but went to 5's in bismuth. It's good but actually is slightly less dense. The load above has been very good for me.