??? about non-toxic shot

[Gearhead Jim]

Besides steel, the other non-toxic shot materials that I can find are
tungsten-iron (Federal), and
tungsten-nickel-iron (Remington Hevi-shot), and
bismuth

The Remington and Federal offerings seem to perform similarily, with a slight edge to the Rem because of its greater density. As I understand it; both need to be used in barrels that are approved for steel shot and both should not be used through chokes tighter than modified.

Bismuth, I can't find any current information about. Is it still available?

There's got to be a lot more to this story than I know. Anyone care to chime in? Thanks.

 

[mete]

I never understood bismuth being sold as "non-toxic" when it is toxic , to people anyway.

 

[JohnBT]

It's been 30 years since I took a chemistry class, but isn't bismuth the only heavy metal that isn't toxic? It's used in Pepto-Bismol and cosmetics and last I heard the EPA and OSHA had not set any exposure limit for it.

I like Hevi-Shot a lot, except for the price.

John

 

[Dave McCracken]

I think Kent still makes Bismuth loads, don't hear much about them. Hevi shot is getting the ink, little is heard about other non tox loads.

Supposedly, once our war against the Jehadin winds down, some depleted Uranium loads will be test marketed. A little denser than lead or Hevi shot. Not cheap, and it doesn't glow in the dark.