non-toxic, non-steel shell recommendations and where to find it?

[dwils233]

I'm actually asking for a hunting buddy who is using an older gun. I tried calling some local shops and checked online but was coming up empty handed. One store had me on the phone for 5 minutes while they looked around and asked a co-worker.

Anyone shooting an older gun using some of the uncommon non-toxic loads? If so, what do you recommend and where can you find it? cheaper the better please!

[BigGoonTuna]

cheapest i've seen is rio bismuth, cabelas seems to carry it sporadically.  seems to run around $20 for a box of 10.  expensive, but half as much as hevi shot.

[NW-GSP]

He might be better off spending the money and buying a cheap pump shotgun. Due to the cost of the shells to run through the older gun.

[Carl]

He might be better off spending the money and buying a cheap pump shotgun. Due to the cost of the shells to run through the older gun.

That's what I am thinking, too.

[AWS]

Sometimes it is a pleasurable hunt to hunt with treasured heirloom than a modern firearm.  I hunt with an old hammer sxs with 2.5" chambers and load my own soft toxics in shortened shells, it is well worth the effort.

[NW-GSP]

Sometimes it is a pleasurable hunt to hunt with treasured heirloom than a modern firearm.  I hunt with an old hammer sxs with 2.5" chambers and load my own soft toxics in shortened shells, it is well worth the effort.

I have been wanting a hammer sxs for a while.

[AWS]

For soft non-toxic shells for older shotguns Kent makes their Tungsten Matrix(powdered tungsten in a polimer/plastic binder), Classic Doubles waterfowl loads(the same type shot as Kent TM) and Rio Bismuth a Bismuth/Tin shot, and RST loaded Nice shot(I don't remember the exact make up of the shot) but they have been having a hard time getting the shot and their loaded ammo is in short supply.

Loose shot for reloading ,  American E Shot from Bucks Run early batches had problems with fracturing,  ITX shot from Ballistic Products a tungsten bases soft shot that I use, Nice shot and Bismuth from Precision Re!lading.

I load very light loads, 7/8 oz of ITX 6's in my old 12ga but it kills with authority if you learn to take shots where you KNOW you can kill the bird not HOPE you can kill the bird.

[AWS]

7/8 oz ITX 6's







hunting with the oldtimers can make the hunt interesting.

[T-Bone]

www.ableammo.com carries Rio Bismuth, Hevishot Classic Doubles (regular Hevishot is NOT safe in older guns) and I think Kent Tungten Matrix. Cabela's, Macks Prarie Wings, Rogers Sporting Goods and several others are sources, too. You neglected to mention the gauge of the gun. Availability in (my favorite) 16 Ga. can be tight.

You can mail order ammo like a pair of shoes. Finding any of it in a retail store can be nearly impossible. Kent Tungten Matrix is my personal favorite.

Tom