$4 a shell? Holy cow!

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

Well-known member
Supporter
This season has about burned through my stockpile of bismuth duck loads, which are no longer available from BOSS and don't appear to be coming back. The FB bots must have been tagging my searches, because they've sent me several ads for Black River shells in recent days. Always been intrigued by TSS, and love the idea of biodegradable instead of plastic wads. But $89.99 for a box of 15 shells? Anybody use this, or have another commercial source for TSS shells (or word that bismuth may be back for next season?) https://lightsoutammo.com/green-hea...zMRHmPLOPd9Wwre2g_aem_MNh9iVv_TQbp4t_3FZm3Hw#
 
I'm disappointed with the cancelation of the Boss bismuth too! I've been shooting it for a few years, and it's been working out great. When I do my part, it kills them dead dead dead!
I've decided not to go with TSS, too expensive and I'll need to go back to an open choke. ( I'm shooting the Carlson cremator long range all the time now)
I'm either going back and using up my hoard of steel, and hoping for the return of bismuth. I just shoot too much to waste $5 a pop.
 
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I too am very disappointed at the cancellation of BOSS bismuth. It's been all I've shot for a number of seasons.

Apex makes a TSS duck load. I've tried a few shells and it's amazing stuff. Markedly better even than Bismuth. However, at $6/shot I cannot even remotely afford to like it. I do swear by Apex TSS for turkeys, but a few shells a season is a lot different than duck hunting.
 
Bismuth is easy to reload and will cut your shell cost in half. I reload it for my 20,s & 28. Ballistic Products has all the reload data as well as components. Roto Metals occasionally has sales on Bismuth shot. A Mec 600 and a good digital scale and your in business. I don,t reload it in 12 simply because i,m completely satisfied with 3" steel.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Why did Boss drop their bismuth line? Seems odd since that's what made them a market leader.
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I,m sure it was in reaction to the initial trump tariffs on metals from China and their subsequent stoppage of exports. That has since changed and although Bismuth costs more now its not the exorbitant price that was being charged for a short time period. That and TSS availability dried up quickly initially on reloading mkt. Thats changed. Boss,s attempt at no longer relying on Chinese exports turned them to copper which there is U.S. suppliers for. It may have bit them in the butt!
 
Roy

Thanks. I have no idea if they are moving copper loads but I don't think I've seen anyone in our blind pull out a box of Boss shells this season. I guess I'm going to have to be stingy with my few remaining boxes of Boss bismuth and save them for old doubles. I do think getting hunters to buy into all copper shot, and not just plated, will be a tough sell out of the gate. Familiarity is important and since lead went away it's been steel, tungsten, and bismuth. Throwing copper into the mix might take some time for hunters to latch onto. Then again folks do reach for new just for the fact it's new. I don't know...

It's a shame lead is so nasty. Shopping for shells used to be easy. Hand me that box of #4s... There are so many types of ammo and new stuff all the time. I take a lot of it with a grain of marketing salt and have settled in to steel 3s.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Why did Boss drop their bismuth line? Seems odd since that's what made them a market leader.
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The Chinese enacted export controls on several metals early last year. Bi was one of those, and most large quantity Bi supply comes from them. The Bismuth spot went from under $6 to roughly $25/pound. Boss claimed price and supply challenges. Chances are the market will stabilize and Bi will be back.
 
Why copper as a replacement, other than US supply? I have gone to using copper rifle bullets, but it's only slightly denser than steel. Probably softer than steel--maybe better for old barrels?
 
Eric Patterson said:
Why did Boss drop their bismuth line? Seems odd since that's what made them a market leader.
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Eric,
Check out their website or just give them a call. You are correct, no more Bismuth however they have developed what looks like a copper replacement with increased velocity and penetration. It's really quite interesting what they have accomplished. I'm with you on steel, for the price I will shoot my Kent in 2, 3 and BB. I really give this small company credit for surviving the bismuth shortage and developing new alternatives. It seems the big boys are now chasing their technology. It's fun to watch their progress and they seem to have a very dedicated following of customers.

RVZ
 
I was a loyal customer, I really liked their products. Now that they totally changed their product, all copper shot, I'm not interested in it at this time.
I did buy 14lbs of #4: bismuth from Ballistic Products, and I have all the other components to load up some shells. I guess I'll be working on that in the office season.
 
A few years ago I bought a couple of cases of Winchester Expert #2's when Walmart had them on sale. I didn't shoot a duck this year and only 2 last year. At this rate I'm never going to run out of shells!😆
 
Why is everyone so against steel shot? Admittedly it was pretty bad in the beginning but the last four years I have been pretty impressed by it. The last case of Fiocchi Flyway Steel #2 cost only $150, so definitely not premium. Over decoys in Saskatchewan I used #3 shot and have yet to recover a pellet, so good penetration. Same with pheasants, who are pretty tough customers, steel shot has worked well. Having said that, I love tss for turkey hunting Merriams out west when the additional 20 yards may determine whether or not you punch your tag. RM
 
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I hope i never need to fire another steel shot shell. Not the least bit interested in copper either. I have a couple of cases of Boss Bismuth, which should last another year. With luck the Bismuth situation will be straightened out by then. Otherwise ill pay whatever I need to in order to buy ammo that I want. With the amount of money we hunters invest in equipment, ill suck it up to pay for the best ammo.
 
Don't purchase quite yet. This blurb was on the bottom of the Boss Copper web page:

Corrosion-Inhibited Copper shot was deemed non-toxic in 2013 by the USFWS. Once our Mark III tester is approved by the USFWS we anticipate an updated formal approval to be added to the USFWS Approved Shot List.

RM
 
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