Bismuth and Tungsten Price Availability

[eamyrick]

In the past 5 years I had completely switched over to Bismuth for waterfowl and TSS for turkey. I have a fair amount stocked up but just noticed yesterday the crazy price increases of TSS (though livable for a box of shells for Turkey) and that bismuth is pretty much gone. Anyone going back to 3 inch 12 gauge steel and lead dude to the changes tariff prices have caused?

 

[Nickziegler]

Same. I have a full box of apex turkey ninja for my 410 turkey gun that I looked yesterday to buy another since my daughter is going to start hunting this year. They want $114 for a box of 10 410 shells. Just insane. I ended up buying a box of verdict for 50. Looks like she is going to do her practicing with target 2 1/2 inch shells

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[Mtndawger]

Damn, I wasn’t aware that bismuth is drying up. It was my go too, worth the price for its killing ability over steel which completely sucks in my opinion. How many steel shot shells have you burned up trying to kill a cripple on the water?

 

[Kurts86]

This year is definitely worse with tariff disruptions to the supply chain but the niche non toxic loads are always incredibly seasonal in their availability.

Bismuth seems to be hit harder on availability than TSS or Hevi shot. Bismuth also sits in a weird place because it’s the value performer of the denser non toxic loads. It has worse density and patterning than TSS or Hevishot so a little price increase can make it less economically viable quickly.

For what it’s worth my dad has been shooting the Boss copper ammo this fall and he is impressed with it as a bismuth alternative.

 

[Macintosh]

I hate to say I told you so, but I predicted this a while back. Not “you”, but “you all”, anyway. Tungsten and bismuth are both in-demand heavy metals that come almost exclusively from China. Not only are the tariffs driving prices up, but all the other industries using these metals are also driving the price up. It wont get cheaper, thats for darn sure. I see zero reason to move to a subgauge gun that relies on heavier than steel shot for waterfowl hunting. Love me some steel and my 12ga.

Never tried copper. Found an article with mass of copper vs other shot, which indicates:
TSS (18.1 g/cc)
lead (11.34 g/cc),
bismuth (9.8 g/cc),
copper (8.8 g/cc)
steel (7.84 g/cc)
Based on this the copper is better than steel, but really sits squarely between steel and bismuth. Even bismuth is 2 steps worse than regular old lead shot as far as retaining velocity and penetration at distance.

For turkeys I only shoot a shell or three per season, so while TSS is stupid expensive it is easier to justify. But if I had to go back to lead shot it wouldnt really be that big of a deal.

 

[ORwaterfowler]

After shooting 1 1/4 oz bismuth #4s @1350 for the past 5 seasons for ducks, I'm dropping bismuth next year unless something changes and prices come down. Had planned to stop this year but had enough to get through the season. It's been an incredibly effective load out of mod/full fixed chokes but the price vs difference doesn't make sense any longer.

Starting to shop for a new sxs with more open chokes to go back to shooting steel #2s for ducks

 

[KurtR]

3” inch black cloud number 2 for both ducks and geese

 

[willtim]

Three inch 3's with a wad restricting choke. Almost as good as lead.

 

[MallardSX2]

I guess I’m the only person shooting the Winchester expert hv 3.5” #3’s still?

 

[OneGunTex]

I guess I’m the only person shooting the Winchester expert hv 3.5” #3’s still?

Yes

 

[OneGunTex]

I too am shopping for a new shotshell after Boss went to copper and raised the price. I don't blame them, it's just not worth it to me anymore.

Trying some of the TSS duplex loads and not really impressed.

Might start rolling my own, have some ideas.

 

[hillbillyfab]

Yes, we’re still shooting steel. The price hasn’t affected us directly yet. That’s because our duck season hasn’t been much to talk about as of yet.

 

[cubdriver84d]

Stocked up on bismuth for upland and waterfowl in anticipation of this (as well as DRT terminal shock bullets). Tried TSS from salt creek this year on pheasants in my wide choked sxs and was impressed (unfortunately). That's just one trip a year though, so cost isn't a big deal.

 

[Afhunter1]

When trump got elected I bought 25# #9 shot to reload for turkeys. I should be set for life I hope. I figured prices on Chinese crap were gonna blow up. Glad I did now.

 

[dtrkyman]

I have a few lbs of 9s left for turkey, looked at a supplier I have used in the past where I paid 40ish bux a lb, they are at 75$ now, ouch!

 

[bigbassin]

Used 3” No. 4 steels for my duck hunting so far. None of the ducks seemed to know the difference.

GF used 3” No. 6 teal steel out of a 20 gauge yesterday and took out decoying ringnecks no issue.