most likely casting individual round balls in cast iron would be prohibitively expensive

I had great results with Bismuth handloads on roosters this year. I intend to load some large shot loads for geese next year. Chances for doubles on geese are much much better than on roosters, grouse or woodcock. I want one of the doubles pins.

Thanks to all for the replies. My 10s are choked .035 in both barrels so a fair amount of constriction.

I'm going to go back to the 3.5" guns if I keep crippling birds at close range. I guess Hevi-shot has spoiled me. I'm use to them falling stone dead up to 50 yards. The soft stuff reminds me of steel too much.

I'm too old to get in foot races with wounded geese as I did in my younger days. No dog and Saturday I took two young kids hunting (shooting steel); we had three cripples running like turkeys in every direction. I try to shoot as few times as possible so it does not sound like a war to the residential neighborhood and we try to run down cripples. It already cost me my hunting permit on one of the best farms I had, when the city-dwelling neighbors complained. The landowners back down from them instead of telling them to go to H___.

I've got Bismuth in 4s and the American E in 4s for reloading. Not enough punch for late season geese I'm afraid, probably the equivalent of lead 5s by weight. Where can you find Bismuth in 2s or bigger, just the shot? I'm not seeing it.

I have had good results with Nice Shot and Kent Tungsten Matrix. Of course, it is all subjective and I still remember how bad steel shot was.

Jerry,

Here you go!

http://www.ecotungsten.com/online-store.html

The BB size is not available but the #2 is. Order the 6 pound box so it is not so expensive per shot.

I have great success with #2 Nice Shot. Oh, loading is as simple as allowing for an additional 1500 PSI.

Mark

Jerry,

Precision Reloading has Bismuth BBs and 1s if you don't go the Nice Shot route
http://www.precisionreloading.com/mm...e=BISMUTH_SHOT

Marcus