Fixed Choke side by side

[Arzola22]

I sold my bird gun to a good buddy of mine earlier this year, and I'm definitely not in the place to buy a better one just yet. I do have an old 20" side by side that's been sitting in my safe for a while now; however, it says to use lead shot only. After talking to some of my other buddy's they said I can shoot bismuth out of it? Would that be okay to do considering it's a fixed choke?

 

[Arzola22]

I sold my bird gun to a good buddy of mine earlier this year, and I'm definitely not in the place to buy a better one just yet. I do have an old 20" side by side that's been sitting in my safe for a while now; however, it says to use lead shot only. After talking to some of my other buddy's they said I can shoot bismuth out of it? Would that be okay to do considering it's a fixed choke?

On a side note, I also hunt in California, so I can't use lead.

 

[DavidReed]

What make and model is the double gun for starters? Do you know the choke equivalents or constriction?

Yes, bismuth shot is likely safe in that gun and has kept many guns in the field where lead is a no no. But be aware that bismuth patterns different than lead (disperses faster in my experience) and you'll get slightly less effective range owing to bismuth being less dense than lead.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I shot a lot of steel shot outta a fixed full choke back before I knew any better..........

 

[Macintosh]

What is the gun, and what are the chokes? It matters.

Bismuth is fine. Steel a definite maybe including some definite caveats.