The new Kent Bismuth has worked great for me in my old 12 and 16 ga sxs's. When Cabela's or Rodgers has it on sale, I don't think you could load it for that.

 

RotoMetals Bismuth Non Toxic alternative to lead

 

Loaded up some ITX in .410 to help out a friend with a young son. We only shoot decoying birds and watching that youngster drop ducks made the price of the shot worth the admission to the show. After seeing his performance, I took some of the same shells out for a small gauge shoot with a Model 42 at a local duck club. I caught a lot of flack at breakfast for bringing a .410 but the story changed at lunch when I was limited out. Thankfully, the birds cooperated that day, 25-30 yd. shots, but that ITX shot surely performs. I've been threatening to load up some 2 3/4" 12 ga. or 16ga. ammo for some old SxS's but haven't had the time. Hopefully this summer I can get some loads ready for fall because it really reminds me of how effective lead shotshells used to be. I know it's probably the most expensive option, but it's the closest thing to lead I've found, maybe better.

 

Thanks for the comments. I want to run heavier shot than steel because I want all my clay loads and hunting loads to run at approximately the same speed, and a slower speed is going to demand more mass. My experience tells me that the window between 1200 to 1300 FPS, and inside of 30 yards isn't a significant delta to worry about. But going from 1200 to 1550 or higher, ends up crapping up my shooting at the beginning of waterfowl season. Reloading seems to be the very best way to get all my shell exactly where I want them to be, with little variance on leads for birds or clays.

Years ago, through the grapevine, I heard that Bismuth wasn't a good goose load, because of the inherent brittleness made some of the shot shatter or powder a bit, making the load less efficient, and that with a larger bird, less efficiency might lead to an uptick in cripples. I'm hoping (if true) that problem has been overcome.

Thanks again!

 

I load and shoot ITX shot for waterfowl exclusively for my 20ga. LOVE IT!!! I shoot a 1oz and 1-1/8th in 3" in 4's and back up with 2's. Foldsem like a dinner napkin!!!