Bismuth?

T

Todd H

Active member
Just stopped by a local gunshop to pick up a few things and noticed that they were clearing out some left over Bismuth shotshells. Most of it is MBHV 123-5, Magnum Buffered High-Velocity Shotshells - 12ga., 3", MAX Dram equiv, 1 3/8 oz., #5 shot. The cost is $16 per box of 10. Is this a good deal? I've never shot Bismuth before. How does it compare to Hevi-shot? They also had some 12ga. 3" 1 1/2oz. #6 shot, but not as much as the #5's.

Any input is appreciated!

Best Regards,

Todd
 
thats a great deal. buy as much as you can haul. I use it in my 16ga Mod 12 and it pretty much shots like lead shot.
 
If you have an older gun that can't shoot steel, you might want to buy a bunch of it. But if you can shoot steel, I don't see any reason to spend $1.60 per shell. That would be like spending $40 for a box of 25 steel shot shells. Hardly a bargain.

However, you might want to pick up a couple of boxes of #6 for swatting cripples.

Rick
 
I agree with Rick. Bismuth is good stuff and is alot like lead in weight and shock impact. But I would save it for that classic non-steel gun and use steel for your modern gun.
 
Well, Bismuth is not Hevi-Shot and never will be. It has it's place and does a good job and at $16/10 not a terrible price but not a great deal either. Remember that shot density and velocity rule.

Steel shot has a density of about 7.0
Bismuth and ITX around 9.0
Lead 10.8
Hevi-shot 12
 
I shoot Bismuth when hunting with my grandfathers Model 12 heavy duck. It is marked full but measures .038 so the choke close to extra-full. The #5's work great on large ducks out to long range for me, about 40 yards. To heavy and tight for small birds.

That price is lower than what I have ever found. If you have a gun that you can't/do not want to shoot steel through this is a great option.
 
I have had great luck with bismuth in the past, I had a few boxes of the 3" #4 duck loads and they were lethal. I'm too young to have grown up in the lead shot days but shooting the bismuth was pretty much what I imagine shooting lead would have been like. For a while Eley was making paper-hulled #6 Eco-bismuth loads that had fiber wads and no shot cup, I used them for grouse, pheasant and chukar with great success. I would personally have a hard time passing that deal up.
 
Todd - Around here, thats a decent deal...usually around $20-24/box

Like the guys said before me, its a great fit for an older Model 12, Ithaca 37, Browning squareback or even an old Wingmaster.

Is this place far from my house? ;-)
 
Fiocchi Tundra™ – Superior Weight to Bismuth Shotshells Saw Cabelas had this in 20ga on sale, has anyone tried it? What is it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top