Non-toxic shot question

[Gearhead Jim]

Steel shot is widely available but can damage some guns, especially older doubles. My understandings:
Some of the new heavy substitutes for steel should produce better ballistics but still run the risk of barrel damage.
Someone is making bismuth shot in factory shells, but ballistic performance is not great.
Kent is making some kind of polymer-tungsten shot in factory shells, not as good as lead but probably the best available.

Please correct and/or expand on my "information". Thanks.

[Dave McCracken]

More than 40 years ago I killed a fair amount of Canada Geese with lead 2s and 3s. The last few years I used Hevishot 2s and found them at least as effective.

And rather more effective than steel BBB loads, though those do OK inside 30 yards or so.

Alas, the Bismuth Cartridge Company has gone under. Bismuth was expensive but safe and effective in older guns.

The Kent loads have a good following. No personal experience.

HTH....