Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***
You are not logged in. [Login] Main Index · Search · Active Topics
New user · Who's Online · FAQ · Calendar

Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Shotguns
Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Pages: 1
Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3813
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Make Your Own Bismuth Shot
      #393446 - 16/09/25 09:27 PM

I've been promising this article for a while now, finally prompted to upload it by recent discussions on non-toxic shot for Australian waterfowl hunting in these forums.

Initially published in Guns & Game Magazine, now long gone so I assume Briel Jackson would have no objection to its reappearance here!



One major change since publishing: while the layer of diesel floating on the cooling water certainly works, it is difficult to manage and a bit messy in cleanup. Dave Lindner has discovered that a 25% solution of ethylene glycol works just as well, can be reused indefinitely, and is far easier to clean up!

There's an interesting back-story concerning bismuth patents and the Petersen Publishing Company, but that's all water under the bridge...
Another day, perhaps.

Meanwhile, I hope this is of some interest.
Enjoy!













--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Claydog
.400 member


Reged: 17/08/12
Posts: 1267
Loc: Katherine, Northern Territory ...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: Marrakai]
      #393465 - 18/09/25 07:11 AM

That's awesome. I remember that article from some younger days. Well worth reading again.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27999
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: Claydog]
      #393468 - 18/09/25 07:42 AM

Good article. Thanks.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Waidmannsheil
.416 member


Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2555
Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: DarylS]
      #393472 - 18/09/25 08:35 PM

Good article, thanks for posting Tony.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3813
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #394258 - 09/11/25 04:05 PM

Just posted on commercial availability of bismuth #4 shot in Australia, on the "Game Birds Vic" thread HERE for those interested.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 41002
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: Marrakai]
      #394260 - 09/11/25 05:10 PM

I'd like to make some Bismuth shot for myb12 bores but especially for my 16-bore Jeffery game gun.

I'd like to use it on quail, maybe 8 shot, or 7.5.

I always thought pheasant would be similar, 8s. But maybe 6s are more appropriate. 4s of course.

I need 16-bore reloading equipment.Maybe upgrade my 12-bore setup as well.

16-bore loaded ammunition, lead only and rather limited shot size choice. And exprnsive. So reloading absolutely needed. For lead and bismuth shot loaded shells.

12-bore, lead shot loads readily available. Bismuth in local gunshops, Ammunition or Shot completely unavailable.

I need to be able to reload non 2 3/4" 12-bores as well. Danba single shot shell reliadervtakev12-bore, different lengths shells? And other bore sizes? With different dies or something?

I have a Shotmaster somewhere. I never mastered making round shot. Mine came out tear shaped. Have to master it, maybe get advice from the experts here. Especially with expensive bismuth.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Edited by NitroX (09/11/25 05:44 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 41002
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: NitroX]
      #394261 - 09/11/25 05:53 PM


Quote:

These days I alloy bismuth from my hoard of ingots with 5% tin from plumbers' sticks to drop the #2 shot pellets, but can't do anything smaller.



Where does one get bismuth ingots from? Plumbers supplies?

What was the reason for being unable to make smaller than 2 shot only? Does the lead shotmaster bolts/screws for lead egb4s, also work for bismuth, same size?

I'm desperate enough to buy some super expensive bismuth shot 4s as ammo is unavailable and I need it for ducks next year.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3813
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: NitroX]
      #394263 - 09/11/25 08:11 PM

John:
Most of the answers are in the article posted above.
Consolidated Alloys is now CAGroup, but an internet search should locate a metal merchant in SA.

Quote:

...but can't do anything smaller.


I would have to make a pair of 50 thou nipples for the Shot Master in order to drop #4 pellets.
Currently I am set up for bismuth twos.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 41002
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: Marrakai]
      #394265 - 09/11/25 09:17 PM

Thanks.

Can't you use the shotmaster nipples designed for no.4 lead shot? For bismuth no.4s?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4596
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: NitroX]
      #394278 - 10/11/25 08:30 AM

John, can this article be saved electronically here in the e-files as a future reference?
Yes I'd love to give this a crack, when the good wife decides to lessen the work load now that I'm retired!
Tony,
thanks for the bismuth update, if you find any non plated shot post it again here!
Otherwise its not quite as expensive as powder - but we use a lot more per cartridge!

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 41002
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: 93x64mm]
      #394284 - 10/11/25 03:09 PM

Quote:

John, can this article be saved electronically here in the e-files as a future reference?
Yes I'd love to give this a crack, when the good wife decides to lessen the work load now that I'm retired!
Tony,
thanks for the bismuth update, if you find any non plated shot post it again here!
Otherwise its not quite as expensive as powder - but we use a lot more per cartridge!



I'll copy it to the ezine articles forum and my server. For future reference, Though Marakai does have an extensive library himself.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3813
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: NitroX]
      #394286 - 10/11/25 07:27 PM

Quote:

Can't you use the shotmaster nipples designed for no.4 lead shot? For bismuth no.4s?


No. Read the article.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 41002
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Make Your Own Bismuth Shot [Re: Marrakai]
      #394290 - 11/11/25 12:23 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Can't you use the shotmaster nipples designed for no.4 lead shot? For bismuth no.4s?


No. Read the article.



Tony, thsnks for adding the article to NE.

***

I did read it,. The article says:

"Dependent on the fitting of redesigned shot nipples". Followed by a discussion of different metals.

It doesn't actually explain why the standard nipples won't work. It implied such but not explained. . Wrong metal? Tupe diameter wrong size?

I had a look to see if Shotmasters are still being sold. As suspected, it seems from Google searches the Shotmasters are only available second hand. Hopefully mine is still usable and works. It didn't look too flash when I last saw it a a decade ago. Somewhere in my farm truck shed.

If I could buy readymade bismuth shot in 4s and/or 6s. Maybe 7.5s. A bottle would last me well enough for my public wetlands waterfowling. The 7.5s would only be needed for some special pheasant shoot. . Otherwise purchased lead shot still works for me, The whole nontoxic non lead shot restrictions are bumkin science.

Shotshell reloading in general, with lead shot, but also ball and slugs is something I have to reacquaint myself with. For other reasons.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1


Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
0 registered and 10 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:  NitroX 

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 859

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved