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Non-Toxic shot for older shotguns

pfm41
I have several Browning Double Autos that I use for upland hunting and informal clay bird fun; Great Guns! I know that steel shot should not be used but are there any of the other "Non-Toxic" concoctions that act more like lead and can be used in such shotguns?
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • charliemeyer007
    I have shot a double auto since the 70's. I'm not sure they are designed for short magnum loads.

    Bismuth loads should be OK as far as the barrel goes.

    http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/gun-nuts/2013/10/non-toxic-shot-bismuth-back
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  • pfm41
    Thanks, I thought that bismuth might be the answer. I have all three weights of the Double Auto and to my understanding 2 3/4" magnum loads are alright for the steel frame and Lightweight (Twelvette) but not the Twentyweight. I don't think that I would want to shoot anything heavier than 1 1/8 oz in a Twentyweight. I would only use the steel frame version for water fowl anyway.
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  • asphalt cowboy
    If you reload Ballistic Products has ITX shot.
    http://www.ballisticproducts.com/ITX-Non-Toxic-Shot/departments/511/

    Far superior to Bismuth as the pellets don't fracture and break during initial firing setback.

    If you look they have, IIRC, one pound trial size that are more affordable.
    http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Original-10-Shot/products/730/
    there it is. At the top.
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  • diver-rig
    http://www.mackspw.com/ItemList--HeviShot--m-1279

    Hevi shot is supposed to be safe in older guns.

    For geese, it packs a heck of a wollup at 50 yds, something steel shot won't do.

    http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-ENVCLASS12

    Edit here is the classic double
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  • slumlord44
    Bismith will be fine but costly.
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  • pfm41
    quote:Originally posted by diver-rig
    http://www.mackspw.com/ItemList--HeviShot--m-1279

    Hevi shot is supposed to be safe in older guns.

    For geese, it packs a heck of a wollup at 50 yds, something steel shot won't do.




    I looked at the link but didn't see anything about using Hevi shot in older guns other than your comment. Is it safe?
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  • laxcoach
    Look under "Classic Doubles" on the Hevi-shot site
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  • dakotashooter2
    I still have my suspicions that it IS OK to use steel loads in older guns. The quality of early steel loads was terrible. The wads did not do a good job of protecting the barrel and pressures were inconsistent. The quality of steel shot loads has changed a lot. It's really pressure that is the issue in older guns. That is basically what Hevi shot classic doubles addresses as a low pressure round. I doubt that medium to low pressure light steel loads would harm such guns, but they are not mine to test out that idea.
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  • discusdad
    dakota is correct. current production steel loads will not scratch the barrels because of advanced wad technology. the old type wads allowed such, and couple that with lets say, not quite as good steel/chrome lining of the barrel, and there was damage done on some old shotguns.
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  • tsr1965
    For using steel, the quality of the loads are not in question as much as the constriction of the chokes. If those are full choke guns, do NOT use STEEL.

    The only suitable answer here is the Bismuth. The HEAVY shot, and the Tungsten/Poly matrix shot are as dense as lead, but also as hard as the steel. While the Bismuth is a little less dense than the lead, it is also a softer metal, than an alloy of tungsten.

    Best
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