Bismuth/Tungsten Reloading

[7mmager]

Looking for some information on getting started reloading a 3 inch shell for an older gun.

BB for goose and size 4 shot for ducks.

If I can get my hands on a reloading press, what am I looking at for the cost of supplies, what do you recommend getting in the way of supplies and what sort of savings may I get?

Also is there an advantage in tragectory or energy to reload tungsten or bismuth shot over shooting steel shot?

Went duck hunting today and I think I'm hooked--

Thanks

 

[ben hunchak]

Note: not all tungsten can be used in older guns with fixed chokes....tungsten matrix from kent can be because it is some tungsten/polymer mix....tungsten itself is very hard!! I am not aware of any type of tungsten being avail. for reloading except for heavy shot, which again is not suitable for old guns with fixed full chokes. That really only leaves bismuth which preforms similar to lead!! Which means much improved preformance over steel, you can even use regular shotshell components!! The only problem with bismuth is cost....about $92.00 U.S. for 7lbs.....so this improvement in performance will cost you more than triple what steel shells sell for!!

 

[SandRoad]

For Bismuth you might a well just buy the shells because of the cost of bismuth shot. If you can find it you will pay about $150 to $170CAD for 7 pounds. It is around $95 US for 7 pounds in the US. That is enough for 70 - 1 5/8 oz reloads. It hardly pays to reload it.

Other components are the same as reloading regular shotgun shells, nominal cost.

I believe that Kent shot shells has a tungsten polymer matrix that is safe to shoot in older fixed choke guns. I may try some of these in my older guns.

 

[sgtrock]

Try reloading specialties inc, 1 507 356 8500,the will give you a canadian suppliers address. They (rsi) have loads and wads for bismuth( it will cost a minimum $1.00 an ounce before the cost of powder,wads,primers,hulls ect.)
Factory loads may work out less expesive per shell(Kent and other brands.)You indicated that you went duck hunting today and realy enjoyed it,another duck hunter is good news! Were you using the "older" shotgun and how did the steel shot work in it ,any problems or signs that it did not like steel shot.
sgt rock