Non-lead Load for old SxS's
- Thread starter VictoryXC
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Kent Impact Tungsten Matrix. I bought some a few years ago to get the Old Man's Model 21 back in the field. They should have smaller shot sizes though, beware, it's terrifyingly expensive!
Redsoilreaper
CGN Regular
Great stuff, but yes terrifyingly expensive!!
Your local kent dealer would probably be your best prices, but basspro, cabelas(maybe) I'm not sure what retailers are near you but most that specialize in fireams should be able to bring it in for you.
Other shot options are Hevishot classic doubles, Rio Bismuth and Fiochi tundra and if rolling your own ITX and Nice shot are options. It can be expensive but very rewarding to get those older shotguns back into the fields where they belong.
Doves are under the migratory game bird umbrella. Unfortunately for Ontario when it was finally decided that they had numbers that would support a hunt the powers that be didn't allow lead shot to be used.
It's important to note that in addition to wanting to not harm your barrels with steel, you must also watch the pressure levels of whatever commercial loads of lead substitutes you buy. Last I looked Kent Tungsten Matrix comes in relatively few options as far as loads go and the pressures cannot be considered "low".
Target loads are often the loads with the highest pressures, heavy shot loads do not always have the highest pressures.
Really good post here, if you are wanting to take it easy on an old gun look up the pressure generated by the load as just as big a concern as what payload goes out the barrel.
Very good point regarding the pressure and I should have mentioned that in my original post. The DoubleGunShop forum has some great information, and debates, on pressure levels. I suppose also asking for 2 1/2" is completely out of the question.
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It is precisely this issue that has held me back from pursuing dove hunting here. While I have a fairly large supply of Tungsten Matrix and Bismuth shells for both 16 and 12, they are all 2 3/4" and all more than 1 oz loads and all with pressure levels above 8000 psi. This means I have relatively few guns I'll shoot them out of and at around $4 a shell replacement for Kent, I tend to save them for my waterfowl forays.
To get seriously into dove hunting with old guns, IMHO, that means reloading non toxic with low pressure recipes. It wouldn't be about saving money so much as protecting the gun and my hands.
To get seriously into dove hunting with old guns, IMHO, that means reloading non toxic with low pressure recipes. It wouldn't be about saving money so much as protecting the gun and my hands.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
EXACTAMUNDO My good friend!
It's more about hunting with a particular type and style of fire arm for me, so I hand load most of my ammo for pheasants and waterfowl as well.
For migratory birds I use Bismuth Nice shot, and ITX , quite often with brass cases with either low pressure smo0keless or black powder.
Cat
ninepointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
I've never accepted why doves in Ontario are not given the same treatment as woodcock. Woodcock are exempted from the Federal non-toxic shot requirement for migratory game birds.
Well, since I will not be setup for reloading for this dove season and there is no commercial shell readily available, I guess I will be using an over/under and steel shot. Even though I will only get out a half dozen times or so and most days I don't take a single shot, I don't want to pass up the opportunity to go for a walk in the fields. I am completely in agreement with ninepointer and think it is quite a shame that I can't use lead shot and a vintage side by side.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
This also confuses me as they may be migratory but they are hardly classes as waterfowl!
Cat
It's not confusing. It's part of the long term effort to eliminate hunting entirely by all means necessary. The antis are incrementalists. One baby step at a time.
When the species is subject to the N A Migratory Bird Convention non-toxic shot is mandated, as I understand it.
It is not just waterfowl.
Similarly, on all Federal lands in Canada, non-toxic shot or non-toxic fishing lures are required by law.
It is not just waterfowl.
Similarly, on all Federal lands in Canada, non-toxic shot or non-toxic fishing lures are required by law.
The government didn't have to introduce a dove season in the first place. It doesn't make sense to open a new season on one hand then try to eliminate hunting on the other. It's more likely an example of Safety Nazis, which seem so prevalent these days.
HaHaHa! Even my 10 year old is tired of those guys.
