Bismuth Shot Impact Energies?

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by William Parks

I've been shooting and researching Boss shells for a 3 years now, but just acquired my first Parker - a 12ga DH 30" Damascus. Boss sells their "stinger" shells that were referenced above, and I've requested some technical specifications from Brandon Cerecke who is the owner. I'll post here once he sends it over.

Basically their stinger shells are a low compression, 1oz load that has a better shot pattern than some of their larger magnum shells. They do run around 1375 fps, but everything I have read up on them compares more or less directly with the RST bismuth shells, which claim to be safe for Damascus barrels.

I got two different 10 ga loads at the moment both 1 1/4 oz one is 1100 fps other is 1250 fps the slow one shoots extremely dirty . The 1250 fps is a bismuth load it burns much cleaner I suppose because its a higher pressure load . Both RST loads I think the medium ground is trying to find a load that is easy on the old guns but also doesnt look like youve been shooting black powder . Those 1100 fps ones leave clumps of unburnt powder in the bores of my 10 gauges . If one was so inclined you can load tungsten matrix for damascus barrels also but from ive read its only slightly better than bismuth but I have no first hand experience with TM .