Bismuth. Superior Shotshells for Superior Shooters What is Bismuth? Bismuth is an elemental metal that lies next to lead on the periodic table. It's very similar to lead in density, making it a heavier alternative to steel shot. Bismuth is found in deposits with tin, copper, tungsten, gold, silver, and lead, and is separated during the refining process. What Comprises Bismuth Shot? Bismuth shot is formed from an alloy composed of 97% bismuth and 3% tin. Is Bismuth Shot Non-Toxic? Yes. Bismuth is the only market proven "heavy" metal which is not toxic and non-carcinogenic. Is Bismuth Shot Legal For Hunting Migratory Waterfowl? YES! Bismuth was granted full approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in January of 1997. Bismuth is also endorsed by Ducks Unlimited®, the leaders in wetland conservation. Bismuth and Your Gun Bismuth shot is the only non-toxic shot which is recommended by two of England's best gun makers, Purdey & Sonsand Holland & Holland. With Bismuth shotshells, sportsmen are free to shoot their favorite shotguns in chokes ranging from cylinder bore to as tight as extra full. Bismuth shot may be used in shotguns with adjustable choke tubes or older thinner barrelled shotguns unlike steel or tungsten shot*. Does Bismuth Shot Perform Like Lead? Yes. Bismuth shot's performance is very similar to lead. Learning to shoot a moving target is a process of memorization of "sight pictures". Since Bismuth's performance is so similar to lead, it allows you to use your normal sight pictures for a more natural and accurate shooting experience. Performance Comparison The difference in ballistics between lead and Bismuth shot are imperceptible. Therefore, all of the sight pictures learned using lead are directly transferable to Bismuth shot. Performance of Bismuth vs. Steel The foundation of ballistic performance is material density. Because a Bismuth pellet is significantly heavier than a steel pellet, its performance is different. The Bismuth pellet, being more dense, has better velocity and energy retention, resulting in better performance at all ranges. Additionally, the higher density of the Bismuth shot permits heavier payloads. All these characteristics result in Bismuth loads which perform almost identically to your favorite old lead waterfowl loads. Lead vs. Steel vs. Bismuth Shot Comparison

Category	Lead	Steel	Bismuth	Bismuth's % Improvement Over Steel
Nominal pellet size Pellet diameter (inches)	5 .120	5 0.12	5 .115-.120
Average pellet weight Grains Compared to lead (%)	2.43 -	1.83 75.3	2.19 90.1	19.67%
Material Density Grams per cubic centimeter Compared to lead (%)	11 -	7.86 74.3	9.7 91.2	24%
Number of pages broken* (50 Yards) Maximum penetration by single pellet Average (50 percent) Average compared to lead (%)	560 446 -	337 300 67.2	463 404 90.5	37.39% 34.67%
* Penetration through .002-inch wood pulp paper, with 100 percent water saturation
NOTE: Data shown is for five shots of each material from a 30-inch full choke M-21 Lead and Bismuth loads: 1 1/8 ounces shot, at 1,200 fps: steel load 1 1/8 ounces at 1,325 fps.

Patterning of Bismuth Shot The addition of tin makes Bismuth shot more malleable and reduces its frangibility. Tests by an independent ballistics research firm have indicated that loss due to all causes, (deformation, flyers, breakage, etc) is less than 2%. This 2% pellet loss is also encountered with lead shot die to flyers (deformed shot pellets which result in erratic flight). Since Bismuth shotshells are loaded by weight, any given Bismuth load will contain more pellets than the comparable (by weight) then load. For those hunters seeking a tighter pattern, Bismuth shotshells are also available in buffered loads. Bismuth Cartridge Company and Winchester Ammunition Bismuth loads are further complemented by Bismuth Cartridge Company's technological alliance with Winchester® Ammunition, the leader in shotshell manufacturing for over 125 years. By utilizing Winchester's advanced shotshell components and production processes, Bismuth customers are assured the highest shotshell quality available. Energy Comparison of 12 Gauge, 3" Bismuth and Steel Shotshells

LOAD	VELOCITY @ 3 ft	PELLETS IN LOAD	PELLET DIAMETER	PELLET ENERGY (ft. lbs.)			PAYLOAD ENERGY (ft/ lbs.)
				@ 3 ft	@ 40 yd	@ 60 yd	@ 3 ft	@ 40 yd	@ 60 yd
1 3/8 oz BB Steel	1265	99	0.18	21.6	6.2	5.1	2140	811	509
1 1/4 oz BB Steel	1375	90	0.18	25.5	9	5.7	2295	813	510
1 5/8 oz BB Bismuth	1250	82	0.188	29.5	12.5	8.4	2466	1042	703
1 3/8 oz #2 Steel	1265	171	0.15	12.5	4	2.4	2140	689	406
1 1/4 ox #2 Steel	1375	156	0.15	14.7	4.4	2.6	2295	690	404
1 5/8 oz #2 Bismuth	1250	138	0.159	17.9	6.7	4.3	2466	925	591

* Energy data in table above generated from S.A.A.M.I. Exterior Ballistics Program Comparison of Bismuth and Tungsten Shotshells Federal® Cartridge Company has recently introduced Tungsten loads as a non-toxic alternative to steel. However, it should be noted that these loads only contain about 40% Tungsten, with Iron making up the other 60%. In order to assess the relative effectiveness of the new Tungsten loads, we will compare it directly to Bismuth Cartridge Company's most similar shotshell. Bismuth Cartridge Company, Product code: MBGL123-BB and Federal Cartridge Company, Product code: PWT181.

Statistical Data	Bismuth MBGL123-BB	Federal PWT181
Pellet Density (gm/cc)	9.7	10.4
Shot Charge (ounces)	1 5/8 oz.	1 1/8 oz.
Velocity @ 3 feet (ft/sec)	1,250	1,400
Total Shot Energy (ft. lbs.) @ 3 feet from muzzle	2,467	2,141
Total Shot Energy (ft. lbs.) @ 40 yards from muzzle	969	733
Total Pellets in Load	82	60
Pellet Diameter (in.)	.188	.181
Hardness (Brinnell)	18	260
Wound Channel Volume in 30' circle @ 40 yards (in3)	6.60	5.53

* 40 yard energy data based on the following test loads: 696 gr. Bismuth BB @ 1,299 fps; 478 gr. Iron-Tungsten BB @ 1,405 fps. While the Tungsten alloy shot is slightly more dense than Bismuth shot, Bismuth Cartridge Company is loading a full 1/2 ounce more shot into its 3" Magnum shotshell than Federal. Even though Federal's velocity is greater than Bismuth's (the high velocity of the Federal shotgun is largely due to its light payload), the payload gain combined with the velocity of the Bismuth cartridge results in significantly greater Total Shot Energy, 326 ft. lbs., a 15% advantage for the Bismuth shotshell at the muzzle, and 236 ft. lbs., a 32% greater energy advantage at forty yards. More Knockdown Power The pellet per payload comparison clearly shows Bismuth as the superior shotshell, 82 BB pellets vs. 60BB pellets - an advantage of 37% more shot pellets. Due to the sheer number of pellets per shotshell, Bismuth cartridges will be more effective because of their ability to put more shot on game. Bismuth can pattern at over 83% at 50 yards, and patterns at over 90% at 40 yards! Again, putting pellets (total number and concentration) where the game is, results in greater effectiveness. With the increased number of pellets arriving in a specific area, the wound channel volume created in the target is significantly greater than that which is created by Tungsten shotshells. The Wound Channel Volume created by the Bismuth shotshell is 19% greater than that which is caused by the Tungsten load. Compatibility With Older Firearms Compatibility in older or fine firearms is not possible with the new Tungsten alloy shotshells. On the Brinnell Scale of hardness, Tungsten alloy shot measures 260, while Bismuth shot measures 18 and High Antimony Lead Shot measures 12. The Tungsten alloy is more than ten times (10X) harder than the shot used in Bismuth Cartridge Company's shotshells and significantly harder than the steel used to manufacture shotgun barrels. Thus, Bismuth can be used in all firearms capable of chambering modern cartridges, whereas Tungsten shotshells can only be used in shotguns approved for use with steel shot. With Tungsten shot, chokes are limited to only improved cylinder or modified as the tightest possible constriction. With Bismuth shotshells, sportsmen are free to shoot their favorite shotguns in chokes ranging from cylinder bore to as tight as extra-full. Bismuth Product Selection Bismuth Cartridge Company offers 41 different loadings in six different shot sizes in six different gauges from 2 1/2" .410 cartridges through 3 1/2" 10 gauge shotshells, as well as the new 12 gauge 3 1/2" shotgun cartridge. Tungsten alloy shotgun cartridges are available in 12 gauge 2 3/4" and 3", BB's and 2's only. As of August 1, 1997, Bismuth Cartridge Company shotshells are the only fully approved, non-toxic alternative to steel shot available to today's modern waterfowl hunter in both the United States and Canada. * Not for use in shotguns with Damascus or twist steel barrels. Winchester is a registered trademark of Winchester/Olin Corporation. Federal is a registered trademark of Federal Cartridge Company. Ducks Unlimited is a registered trademark of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.© Bismuth Cartridge Co., Dallas, TX 1-800-759-3333 www.bismuth-notox.com Back to Activities