Thread: Non toxic subgauge ammo

Originally Posted by Kiwi-Hunter

Don't mean to jack the main thought of the post.
I've been a fan of the classic browning in 20g! wanted to get hold of one at one point.
But ended up with the benelli M1 which is okay now that I have it! because of the 3" factor.
Post a picture of it or email me with a picture please. Year's ago there was one in 16g on tm, one of the should of.
KH

I have one that’s a light 20 so 2 3/4 and a Magnum 20 in 3”

Originally Posted by Perazzimx8

Gunworks have Bismuth for sale I have some on the way to try for a couple of old Belgium Browning A5 20ga I have.

I have seen a couple over the years but they were 2 1/2 inch chambers so have let them go.

Originally Posted by Got-ya

I have seen a couple over the years but they were 2 1/2 inch chambers so have let them go.

has falcon come up with that bismuth load yet??

We do have some bismuth coming our way quite soon. For reloading it can be ordered via Gunworks in Christchurch or any other reseller of reloading gear you could approach depending where you are. Looks like it’s being sold for $55.00 a kilo at retail which is a pretty fair price considering what it costs. It’s just one size #4 at this stage we will have available and it will be tin plated bismuth shot. We are considering a 12 gauge bismuth waterfowl cartridge of around 34-36 grams a bit like our SP 36 lead load equivalent but things are still being worked on so nothing finalised right at the moment. It has a different density to lead of course so we have to start with the basics and learn a bit about it. It will be more expensive but that’s the nature of the cost of bismuth which I think everyone already knows. It will be a Falcon brand cartridge loaded by us in Timaru. No idea at the moment when the first production will be run but things might happen quite quickly before opening day

Originally Posted by gsp follower

has falcon come up with that bismuth load yet??

Will be good when they do. Hopefully it’s a bit less than the Eley I got from H&F at $99. Would be nice to shoot my Grandfather’s old A5 a bit more. At $55 a kg for the shot I don’t think loading anything more than 7/8oz 20ga would be viable from what I can work out.

Well I've just got current prices for Non toxic,
ITX #4 7lbs is CAD $292.41
Bismuth #6 7lbs shot is 246.98,
Nickel plated lead shot #6 $94.98
lead shot #9 25lbs is $75

Ouch, last time I bought the CAD, was higher than the US dollar, now 30c less, brutal.

I've got #4 Itx and #6 bismuth as well as the nickel ordered, last of the supplies in Canada, supplier not sure if/when any more coming given the USA gun buying spree,
He said last order was 40% of requested items.
debating on a bag of #2 ITX for geese, almost work out cheaper to by a new 12ga, and shoot steel instead.

Well I still have a few wads for reloading if a good alternative can be had.
Or just 12g steel and I don't like the thought of the shoulders being abused.
Rock and a hard place for me, or move away from the ducks.
KH

.12ga steel isnt all bad and loads of 30-32grms do kill ducks ok.....falcon and winchester both put out good loads in that weight.the winchester is better for me.....
taken more than a few big canadas with steel now too,#2s work well for just about anything,smaller shot sizes might have denser pattern...but #3s are a good option for us...jump or lake shooting...tried lots of different steel #4s and cant say Im a fan.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck;1124351[B

].12ga steel isnt all bad and loads of 30-32grms do kill ducks ok.....[/B]falcon and winchester both put out good loads in that weight.the winchester is better for me.....
taken more than a few big canadas with steel now too,#2s work well for just about anything,smaller shot sizes might have denser pattern...but #3s are a good option for us...jump or lake shooting...tried lots of different steel #4s and cant say Im a fan.

No just mostly bad, and "OK" is hardly a ringing endorsement. Density always wins.

This is the Bismuth shot I got, I’m no expert but not sure on the plating.

Originally Posted by Perazzimx8

This is the Bismuth shot I got, I’m no expert but not sure on the plating.Attachment 160903

the only bismuth ive seen was much darker
so fingers crossed thats the plated stuff

At that price you should be making jewelry out of it not shotgun loads. Be interesting to see how it patterns.

if we were economists instead of bird hunters waterfowling/upland bird hunting would have died long ago

Originally Posted by gsp follower

the only bismuth ive seen was much darker
so fingers crossed thats the plated stuff

if we were economists instead of bird hunters waterfowling/upland bird hunting would have died long ago

True, if I was stupid enough to price up what my roast duck actually cost me............

Originally Posted by Got-ya

True, if I was stupid enough to price up what my roast duck actually cost me............

was a change of undies called for

Originally Posted by gsp follower

was a change of undies called for

Lets just say a Tegal chicken looked bloody cheep.

At that price you should be making jewelry out of it not shotgun loads. Be interesting to see how it patterns.

Yip which is why I still do it. Shot my first duck at 10 years old and now nearly 40 years later I have never missed an Opening. Numbers up here are nothing what they used to be though. the lower Waikato used to be called the duck factory of NZ, that has not been the case since the late ninety's.
Which reminds me, time to go spray the pond.