I bought 50 rounds of Kent Bismuth 16 gauge and 50 rounds 28 gauge about five years ago, to use in my SxS guns at the local military base for the special sharptail grouse hunt every year. I just used some on Saturday, and it works very well. I paid close to $3 per round back then.
Where to find Bismuth or Tungsten Matrix?
- Thread starter BigUglyMan
- Start date
Most of what I had was bought by the case, direct from Kent in the aughts and I paid on average about $.70 per shells. I had about 2 1/2 cases when I moved away from Winnipeg and my duck hunting plummeted in frequency, for a variety of reasons. Should have kept them all!
I'm buying Kent bismuth 16ga #6 for 48.99 a box and 20ga #6 for 56.99 a box of 25 locally. The 12ga loads for 2.75" were only slightly higher than the 20ga price.
For places I use a 16 or 20ga #6 bismuth does just fine
For places I use a 16 or 20ga #6 bismuth does just fine
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I ended up sourcing some powder (at a shockingly reasonable price) and all the goodies needed to handload myself some #2 Bismuth which should work perfectly on October geese in Saskatchewan. The only decision now is do I want to go 1¼oz or 1⅜oz.
LoL, dude you are going to go bat schitz crazy worrying about that payload
I do look forward to your adventure come October and the results of your choice....split your choice and go with a 1-1/2 oz load.
I am sure what ever you choose the Honkers will fall and fall hard.
Rob
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Turns out that the bushing that I had made by a machinist buddy drops exactly 1.2oz of #2 bismuth. So that's the plan. Loaded the first 93 shells the other night. Now all I need to do is find some empty shell boxes so I keep the airline happy with me!LoL, dude you are going to go bat schitz crazy worrying about that payload
I do look forward to your adventure come October and the results of your choice....split your choice and go with a 1-1/2 oz load.
I am sure what ever you choose the Honkers will fall and fall hard.
Rob
My Kent TM supply is dropping. Years ago I bought a supply of the 12 gauge 3 1/2" 2 1/8 oz shells to tear down for reloading. I'd add to it if I found some at a good price. They would go in 1 oz 12 or 1 1/4 oz short ten loads. It brought the price down to close to $1.50 per round, and I could reduce the powder charge, cut down the hull, and load a light target or hunting lead load with the remainder. I like TM much better than bismuth. Down to 14 boxes of the 3 1/2" as well as a half dozen boxes of the 2 3/4" 1 1/4 oz that I shoot as is in a few of my heavier vintage 12s. 
While in the St. Paul, Alberta area last week, I stopped in to what used to be a small shop. Their firearms and ammunition selections have expanded dramatically!!
I was looking for 20 ga specifically, so I didn't see what other gauges may have been in stock, but I was surprised to see Bismuth in 20 ga (#5 shot) for $99.00 a box.
I was looking for 20 ga specifically, so I didn't see what other gauges may have been in stock, but I was surprised to see Bismuth in 20 ga (#5 shot) for $99.00 a box.
