- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,758
In a lot of ways, I really hate steel shot and I think non tox regulations for waterfowl are dumb. That said, gotta follow the rules and steel is affordable so that is what I have used. I am however coming to the end of my BB 3" 12 gauge stash. I can either go out and pay up to buy more, or move to something else.
So has anyone used bismuth shot on geese? I ask because I shot a big greater canadian yesterday morning with name brand BB shot and made a real solid hit on a pass shoot. I saw the goose fall out of the air and hit the river with a big splash and figured it was dead. A moment later I watched it climb onto the river bank and disappear. I crossed and ended up tracking this thing at least half a mile before finding it and wrapping things up with a headshot close up. When I cleaned the goose, I realized I broke a wing up good, but the 2 or 3 pellets that hit the breast and were placed perfectly to hit the vitals did not penetrate enough. I found two pellets that went all the way to the ribcage and stopped against the ribs.
Looking around for alternatives, I suppose I could try to find 3.5" BBB shells in steel, bismuth, or tungsten. The last one is out simply due to cost. I'd really rather not move up shell size with steel simply to avoid recoil, plus steel sucks. So that leaves me looking at bismuth. I have a lee load all that would let me experiment with low volume shells and I might pick up a box of (rather expensive) commercial shells to try it out. I was thinking #1 or B size bismuth shot might offer better down rane penetration and energy on geese. Since our goose hunting is generally pass shooting, I think an alternative like this might be worth the extra effort and expense.
So has anyone used bismuth shot on geese? I ask because I shot a big greater canadian yesterday morning with name brand BB shot and made a real solid hit on a pass shoot. I saw the goose fall out of the air and hit the river with a big splash and figured it was dead. A moment later I watched it climb onto the river bank and disappear. I crossed and ended up tracking this thing at least half a mile before finding it and wrapping things up with a headshot close up. When I cleaned the goose, I realized I broke a wing up good, but the 2 or 3 pellets that hit the breast and were placed perfectly to hit the vitals did not penetrate enough. I found two pellets that went all the way to the ribcage and stopped against the ribs.
Looking around for alternatives, I suppose I could try to find 3.5" BBB shells in steel, bismuth, or tungsten. The last one is out simply due to cost. I'd really rather not move up shell size with steel simply to avoid recoil, plus steel sucks. So that leaves me looking at bismuth. I have a lee load all that would let me experiment with low volume shells and I might pick up a box of (rather expensive) commercial shells to try it out. I was thinking #1 or B size bismuth shot might offer better down rane penetration and energy on geese. Since our goose hunting is generally pass shooting, I think an alternative like this might be worth the extra effort and expense.