Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums  

Go Back   Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums Parker Forums General Parker Discussions

Notices

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
What size bismuth shot to purchase for ducks...
Unread 07-03-2020, 11:08 AM   #1
Member
Copper John
PGCA Member
 
John Nagel's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 491
Thanks: 152
Thanked 323 Times in 93 Posts

Default What size bismuth shot to purchase for ducks...

Hi All,

I am about to place an order for bismuth shot for my Trojan 12 gauge. Its choked Mod and Imp Mod. I will mostly be jump shooting ducks from the front of a canoe. I cannot decide what size shot I would be best off with.. 4, 5, or 6.

Almost entirely wood duck and mallards.

Thanks!
__________________
“The difference between mere killing and a glorious sport is the manner in which you do it – over thrilling dogs, in magnificent country and with a near-reverence for the game. - George Bird Evans
John Nagel is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-03-2020, 12:00 PM   #2
Member
charlie cleveland
Forum Associate

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,986
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7,806 Times in 3,970 Posts

Default

I would go with no 5 shot enough shot for the woodducks and teal and big enough to bring a big mallard down...charlie
charlie cleveland is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to charlie cleveland For Your Post:
Unread 07-03-2020, 12:33 PM   #3
Member
Keith Doty
PGCA Member
 
Keith Doty's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 635
Thanks: 712
Thanked 827 Times in 336 Posts

Default

"Back in the day" lead 6s was my choice for ducks over decoys and passing shots. With my fine older guns I have gone to, by modern standards, low velocity (1150 - 1200 fps) Bismuth 5s. Still a good shot count, nice patterns, and dependable knock down. Get your best "dove lead" out, throw it out in front of 'em and let'em run into it. I have found this is actually a better success rate for me than the high velocity steel we're shooting today.
Keith Doty is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Keith Doty For Your Post:
Unread 07-03-2020, 01:30 PM   #4
Member
Craig Larter
PGCA Lifetime
Member
 
Craig Larter's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,799
Thanks: 3,410
Thanked 11,907 Times in 1,866 Posts

Default

I have shot #5 bismuth for many years with great results in vintage Parkers and Foxes, 1 1/8oz 1125fps handloads. However for late season hunting hunting for big feathered up Mallards and Blacks I use 1 1/4oz #3 Kent TM in a 3 farme 12ga Parker or a Super Fox.
Craig Larter is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Craig Larter For Your Post:
Unread 07-03-2020, 02:02 PM   #5
Member
Ken Hill
PGCA Member
 
Ken Hill's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 784
Thanks: 1,050
Thanked 833 Times in 411 Posts

Default

Are you loading your own 1200 fps bismuth loads?

Ken
Ken Hill is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-03-2020, 02:46 PM   #6
Member
mobirdhunter
PGCA Lifetime
Member
 
Garry L Gordon's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,575
Thanks: 15,767
Thanked 12,106 Times in 3,745 Posts

Default

Ken's question is a good one. Also, what are the typical ranges at which you'll generally be shooting? Early season or later (I assume early to mid-season if you are jump shooting from a canoe)?

Early and close, I'd go with the 5s also. Later and/or with greater distance, I'd opt for number 4 shot.

Center 'em and close range and any of the sizes will do it.
__________________
"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )

"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
Garry L Gordon is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-03-2020, 02:47 PM   #7
Member
Keith Doty
PGCA Member
 
Keith Doty's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 635
Thanks: 712
Thanked 827 Times in 336 Posts

Default

Ken, I just had some tested at Precision, 16 ga. and 12 ga. hand load bismuth.
12 ga.
20 gr. Int'l 1 oz. #5 bismuth Cheditte 2 1/2" Cheditte 209 comp spcl short wad
avg 1265 fps avg 7692 psi
Just a bit faster than I anticipated but happy pressures. I may back off 1 gr.
16 ga.
15.7 gr. Int'l 7/8 oz. bismuth Cheditte 2 1/2" Cheditte 209 sporting 16 wad
avg 1229 fps avg 8733 psi
Same 16 ga. load w/Fioche 616 and lead #7 Avg 1211 fps avg 8433 psi
Shooting in Parkers with steel barrels.
Keith Doty is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Keith Doty For Your Post:
Unread 07-03-2020, 05:48 PM   #8
Member
10 bore
PGCA Member
 
scott kittredge's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,962
Thanks: 7,865
Thanked 2,657 Times in 856 Posts

Default

Here in nh we shoot a lot of wood ducks and for the most of my shooting is 7/8 th oz bismuth 6 s out of a 20 ga, so out of a 12 ga 6 s or 5 s should work just fine.
Scott
__________________
No man laid on his death bed and said,"I wished I would have worked more"
scott kittredge is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to scott kittredge For Your Post:
test data
Unread 07-05-2020, 12:21 PM   #9
Member
Keavin Nelson
PGCA Lifetime
Member
 
keavin nelson's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,015
Thanks: 6,747
Thanked 1,468 Times in 529 Posts

Default test data

Ken, thanks for sharing the test data on the loads.
__________________
Keavin Nelson
keavin nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-08-2020, 09:14 PM   #10
Member
MarketHunter
Forum Associate
 
Destry L. Hoffard's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,297
Thanks: 646
Thanked 4,413 Times in 1,234 Posts

Default

For jump shooting on open streams I wouldn't use anything but #4. The chances for 40 yard plus shots are going to be high.
__________________
I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that I borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. Falstaff - Henry IV
Destry L. Hoffard is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Destry L. Hoffard For Your Post:
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:05 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2025, Parkerguns.org
Copyright © 2004 Design par Megatekno
- 2008 style update 3.7 avec l'autorisation de son auteur par Stradfred.