lead alternative waterfowl loads for old mossberg
- Thread starter .Ben
- Start date
If you can find it Bismuth is probably the best bet. Hevi-shot or Remingtons new knock off will be ok too. Kent's Tungston/polymer "Impact" will be safe too. The only problem is these shells are bloody expensive. I think they average around $30 for 10 shots. 
Coincidentally, Remington is running a rebate program right now. $15 back per box of Wingmaster HD purchased. At Cabela's, a box is on sale for $24.99 so with the $15 discount works out to $10 per box of 10.
Still expensive, but likely the cheapest alternative. Bismuth is a good choice too. I once picked up a few boxes for reasonably cheap when they were clearing out the less popular gauges (16ga).
How old is the shotgun and how did you find out it wasn't safe for steel?
Still expensive, but likely the cheapest alternative. Bismuth is a good choice too. I once picked up a few boxes for reasonably cheap when they were clearing out the less popular gauges (16ga).
How old is the shotgun and how did you find out it wasn't safe for steel?
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you can find it Bismuth is probably the best bet. Hevi-shot or Remingtons new knock off will be ok too. Kent's Tungston/polymer "Impact" will be safe too. The only problem is these shells are bloody expensive. I think they average around $30 for 10 shots.
Hevi-Shot is HARDER than steel, NOT ok for old guns. Remington never "knocked it off" either, they were the maker who picked it up to market it large scale.
Whoops my bad. They market different stuff for different densities. 
http://www.hevishot.com/products_doubles.html
http://www.hevishot.com/products_doubles.html
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Kent tungsten matrix will be safe in your gun. Its a direct lead substitute.
it would almost be cheeper to buy a barrell with screw in chkes thy are pretty cheep for mossbergs and can be found almost every were this is what i did .i bought a rifeled slug barrel and a 28 inch with screw ins for steel great combo for an older gun that still works well DUTCH
Not so much the barrels "wearing out" but the damage that large steel shot can do at the choke and to the forcing cone. The barrel may get scored some from the steel shot, but that's much less of an issue. A ring bulge can develop just ahead of the choke. It can cause the barrel to burst. It doesn't happen often, and most guns can handle at least an occassional hunt using small steel shot, and I'd bet your Mossberg barrel is fairly stout. That all being said, only Mossberg could really answer your question for sure.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Whoops my bad. They market different stuff for different densities.
http://www.hevishot.com/products_doubles.html
Yes, original hevi shot is harder than steel, nasty on old barrels. They have a new soft "Old Doubles" brand, but I haven't seen it at retailers in Canada yet.
I have been using Kent Tungsten Matrix in a fixed choke double. Bismuth is almost impossible to find right now but apparently there is going to be some new production soon.
It is NOT going to be cheap. Bismuth metal alone is about $12 to $16 per POUND. Say $1.50 just for the metal in a 1 1/2 oz load.
Expect shells to retail for about $4 each.
In short, unless you are only going to fire a few shells a year, get another barrel and use steel.
It is NOT going to be cheap. Bismuth metal alone is about $12 to $16 per POUND. Say $1.50 just for the metal in a 1 1/2 oz load.
Expect shells to retail for about $4 each.
In short, unless you are only going to fire a few shells a year, get another barrel and use steel.
the shotgun is a mossberg 200 K A with a c-lect adjustable choke.
it was manufactured i belive in the early 50's
i think ill just get some bismith if i can find it ive never hunted ducks before so i dont think ill be doing much of it at first ill prolly just buy 40 shells or so what shot size does everyone use with the bismith??
You are 100%. Hevi-Shot is an alternative to steel in a steel proof gun, but not for bores designed for lead.
Hevi-Shot is good stuff!
Remington markets the stuff as follows:
"Softer pellets are easier on your barrel and more responsive to chokes"
They go on to say its "16% softer than Premier Hevi-Shot which makes it easier on your barrel. And it’s more responsive to chokes, allowing you to open up the pattern for close-range hunting or stretch shotgun range to its farthest reaches."
Ben, since you have a selectable choke and given the gun is a 50's era Mossberg, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot any lead alternative from it provided its in good condition.
Keep in mind, I shoot steel through my full choke 50's era Winchester. I'm not saying 'if I do it, so should you', but just so you know, someone else out there is doing it with no ill-effects.
I am doing the same as Dave t73 , shooting 3" steel out a older remmington.
No problems yet still has a uniform pattern and is working just fine. I thought
i would shoot this barrel to see if there would be any issues. I figuired there was no sense storing a barrel that wouldn't be used otherwise. If it F--ked
up i would get a new barrel any way.
No problems yet still has a uniform pattern and is working just fine. I thought
i would shoot this barrel to see if there would be any issues. I figuired there was no sense storing a barrel that wouldn't be used otherwise. If it F--ked
up i would get a new barrel any way.
