Substituting bismuth for lead.

For 1 1/4oz of bismuth no 4 shots, I load 25,7gr of Longshot in a Cheddite hull (2 3/4") with an MG-42 wad and around 12-14gr of buffer. That load is around 1330 f/s over my chrono. I use a Gaep BN2 finishing crimp. Do it at your own risks as I've not sent the load for testing. Remember to use a .690" choke for best results at long range. For sure it way better than steel shot.
 
ghis7593 said:
For 1 1/4oz of bismuth no 4 shots, I load 25,7gr of Longshot in a Cheddite hull (2 3/4") with an MG-42 wad and around 12-14gr of buffer. That load is around 1330 f/s over my chrono. I use a Gaep BN2 finishing crimp. Do it at your own risks as I've not sent the load for testing. Remember to use a .690" choke for best results at long range. For sure it way better than steel shot.
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.690 is about full choke. I have 1 choke it’s adjustable it’s pressed onto the barrel permanently. And no I wouldn’t use that data if it was not from a published source I don’t play games with shotshell and nobody should theirs really no signs of over pressure until it’s too late.
 
antiqueguy said:
.690 is about full choke. I have 1 choke it’s adjustable it’s pressed onto the barrel permanently. And no I wouldn’t use that data if it was not from a published source I don’t play games with shotshell and nobody should theirs really no signs of over pressure until it’s too late.
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I really know what you mean, and this is the best advice for sure. I took that load from another source (I reduced the charge and use a Gaep crimp), and remember that the starting load of Longshot is 31.4gr for 1 1/4 oz of Bi in that shell with a pressure of 7700 psi (Hodgdon Reloading Data Center) and it goes up to 35,7gr. There's no way you can raise the pressure over the limit while reducing the charge by 10 gr and changing wad and add buffer. But, you're absolutly right about guessing with shotgun reloading. We have to keep in mind that adding buffer can rise pressure from 500 to over 2000psi and using a Gaep finishing crimp can also add some pressure.
 
antiqueguy said:
It’s an adjustable choke don’t wanna screw it up since it patterns so well. Have been temped but the thought of wrecking it forever puts a stop to it. I have a box of the original federal black cloud 2 3/4 inch and bought it to put it to the patterning board but never did. Lately Remington has been temping in steel because their shells are lower velocity. I know all the testing and have tested it myself that steel shot is more like iron by giving it the wack test it’s almost like hitting a hot piece of steel.
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An adjustable choke.

Black Cloud.

OK.
 
bluelynx said:
No. Just trying to help.

Good Lord!!!
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Well what’s the thought here good to go or no?

Remington says after 1957 shotguns should be good to go with nothing tighter then mod I think but my gun is a old stevens bolt 2 3/4 chamber with the savage adjustable choke.

What I don’t wanna wreck on my gun is the choke as it will put a 1 1/8oz load into a dinner plate sized pattern at 25 yards set at full turns any field load into a turkey load.
 
I doubt you would damage the choke with steel shot if:

- you shoot with an open choke (eg less than IC)
- shot size smaller than #2
- modest velocity (eg 1400 fps or less)
 
cosmic said:
I doubt you would damage the choke with steel shot if:

- you shoot with an open choke (eg less than IC)
- shot size smaller than #2
- modest velocity (eg 1400 fps or less)
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No commercial loads anywhere near under 1400fps these days. Remingtons come close but theirs a small window as far as I know for killing potential and safe velocity.
 
A quick search shows both Remington and Winchester make 2 3/4 steel shells rated at 1400 fps. I use 1400 fps 3 in shells, #2 shot size - it works very well out to about 35 yards, pass shooting ducks. The larger shot size compensates for the lower velocity, due to a better surface area (drag) to volume (mass) relationship.
Anyway, this thread is about bismuth loads, so carry on...
 
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