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Bismuth Handload
Hey all,
I am relatively new to shot shell reloading, and to this point I have only handloaded target loads. But, was debating coming up with a decent bismuth load for ducks with my Parker Trojan..... 12ga 1926 gun with 30" M/F barrels. So anything special about loading Bismuth? I was thinking something along a 1 1/8 oz load of #5's. Hulls, Cups, powders, etc? What/where is the best place to buy Bismuth? I just want to load up 4 or 5 boxes for now. I do have some 16mm brass once fired federal hulls.... |
FROM THE HODGDON RELOADING SITE
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Thanks!!
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I loaded and shot ducks last fall with the first load from hodgdon site that is listed above and had excellent results.I would even drop the powder charge down to 30 grains.A little less velocity and pressure.1350 is plenty fast for bismuth as it acts more like lead than steel.I have loaded some down to 29 grains with the same components for older doubles.
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You are shooting a gun that is nearing 100 years old. I would not punish the gun or my shoulder with any of the loads listed above. Take a look through the Hodgdon online reloading center, you can find more appropriate/ period correct loads. For instance; AA hull, win209 primer, 26.4 gr of Longshot, RP12 wad, 1 1/4 ounce of bismuth, 1250 fps, 7500 psi. This load will kill ducks out to 40 yards with the proper choke and shot size.
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Thanks for all the responses. I have over 40 years in metalic cartridge handloads, but just started with shot shells last year when I picked up a friend of mine's MEC Sizemaster. So far I have only loaded #8 1 1/8 oz target loads. And still get frustrated trying to figure out how to get the perfect crimp......:banghead: |
I was looking around yesterday, and ran across these. They say they are safe for classic guns, but I dunno.... Sure seems pretty hot for a SxS that is almost 100 yrs old.... Says on side of box, for Modern or Classic guns.... I might shoot them out of my model 12, which is a 1946 gun..... But I'd think they have a pretty solid thump to them.
SPECS Gauge: 12 Shell Length: 2 3/4" Shot Weight: 1 1/4 oz Muzzle Velocity: 1400 FPS https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/...oz-Case-of-250 |
I dont have as many years experience as J.B.but I think you would have good results with the #5s at the distance you described.I have had some testing done by Tom Armbrust,and by his recomendation and as stated above,1200 fps is a good velocity as it may produce a better pattern than faster loads.I like using cheddite hulls as per the hodgdon site they usually produce less pressure than most other hulls.They usually require a little more powder as they have a greater case capacity than most other hulls.The loads listed on Hodgdons site are plenty fast with this hull.I visited with Tom a couple nights ago and he is coming to my place for a visit in a month or so,and I talked him into bringing his pressure barrel along.We plan on testing some 10 and 12 gauge bismuth loads.With Toms permission I can post some of them on here.There are many good loads posted by the powder companys,but most are a little hotter than I want to shoot through my older guns.No sense beating them up.There are several sources for bismuth.I have purchased some from Roto Metals and thought it looked good.They sometimes put it on sale.If you want to get any shells tested,I have Toms number and address.Precision reloading in Mitchell S.D.also does testing.
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Problem right now.... Finding things in stock...
I see Ballistic Products has #5 shot in 7# bag. And, Cheddite 12ga 2-3/4 16mm brass, primed & skived hulls. So, skived is a new term to me, what is that? |
Skived is the mouth of the hull is internally ground a little to provide a slight taper for wad insertion and possibly easier crimping.
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I may just order 7lbs of shot, and 100 hulls... That'd give me a start. Now, if I can just find some longshot powder. There is a graf's here in town, may have to slide over there. |
Looks like with those hulls... This would be a good load, and could even back off the powder a bit? Since I already have the WAA12R wads.
Hodgdon Longshot Ched. 209 WAA12R 31.4 7,200 PSI 1,350 |
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I am sure my Parker could handle those loads, but will enjoy making my own.... I can't remember the last time I killed a deer with a factory load, I don't have to do it that way, but I enjoy it.... |
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[QUOTE=Jerry Harlow;302853]
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It may seem counter- intuitive but the 100 fps gain does not carry downrange at that increase but at 40 yds. is negligible. |
[QUOTE=Jerry Harlow;302853]
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http://www.huntamerica.com/recoil_calculator/ An ounce and quarter at 1350 to 1450 is way too stiff for my tastes and too stiff for old classic doubles as far as I am concerned. You definitely do not need that kind of velocity to kill waterfowl with the right size bismuth shot, even at 40 yards. Have you patterned them at 40 yards to see what they are doing? |
[QUOTE=Daniel Carter;302863]
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This one: https://www.shotgunlife.com/shotguns...peed-kill.html |
There is also an article he did that focuses on recoil when velocity and/or charge weight are increased. Made a light charge weight / slow guy out of me for clays with no change in my abysmal scores.
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When in doubt, go lighter. The gun...and your body, will thank you.
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[QUOTE=Jerry Harlow;302903]
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