HEVI-Bismuth Waterfowl Loads

Bismuth shotshells sit at 9.6 g/cc, denser than steel at 7.8 g/cc, which means more retained energy per pellet and cleaner kills at the ranges where steel runs out of steam. That density also means you can run one shot size smaller than steel and still match or exceed the downrange performance. For hunters shooting mallards, divers, or geese past 35 yards, the pattern density difference shows up clearly on birds. Beyond performance, bismuth is the only nontoxic material safe for older fixed-choke guns and vintage doubles that cannot run steel. If you shoot a classic side-by-side or any gun with a full choke not rated for steel, bismuth duck loads are not a workaround–they are your best option.

It depends on where you hunt and how hard you push range. If you are decoying birds at 25 yards all season, bismuth waterfowl loads may be more than you need. But if you target open water, pass-shoot geese in fields, or hunt late-season situations where birds work the edge of your spread, bismuth shells earn their price. The cost comparison also looks different when you factor in that bismuth is safe through the chokes most hunters already have, which eliminates the need to buy aftermarket chokes required for tungsten. HEVI-Bismuth is built for the hunter who wants a real step up from steel without moving to a full tungsten setup.

HEVI-Bismuth waterfowl loads are available across 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, and 28 gauge configurations, one of the broadest offerings in any bismuth waterfowl lineup. The 12 gauge runs from 2 ¾ inch through 3 ½ inch in shot sizes #1 through #6 at 1,450 fps. The 10 gauge pushes 1 ¾-ounce payloads at 1,350 fps for geese and late-season applications. The 16-gauge and 28-gauge options make HEVI-Bismuth one of the only sources of effective nontoxic loads for hunters running those platforms.

Bismuth is safe through any standard choke constriction, including full choke, which is the primary advantage it holds over steel and tungsten. You do not need to buy new equipment to run bismuth duck loads through a gun you already own. For most shooters running HEVI-Bismuth, modified to improved-modified constriction produces the tightest, most consistent patterns at 35 to 45 yards. Full choke works and will not damage your barrel, but tighter than full in a ported aftermarket choke is rarely necessary with bismuth and can open patterns rather than tighten them.

Nontoxic shotgun ammo breaks into three practical tiers for waterfowl. Steel is the entry point, widely available and affordable, but limited at distance. Bismuth sits in the middle, running at 9.6 g/cc versus steel at 7.8 g/cc, and is the only option safe for older fixed-choke guns. Tungsten sits at the top of the density scale, from roughly 10.5 g/cc in standard tungsten alloys up to 18 g/cc in TSS, with corresponding price increases. HEVI-Bismuth is purpose built for the hunter who has outgrown steel performance but does not need the maximum density of a full tungsten load for the distances and species they typically hunt. It is the right step for most serious duck hunters making the move away from steel.

Yes. Bismuth is the only commercially produced nontoxic waterfowl shot material that is safe for vintage guns, Damascus barrels with a clean bill of health from a gunsmith, and any fixed full choke barrel not rated for steel. The material is soft enough that it will not damage barrel steel or chokes the way steel and tungsten can in guns not designed for hard shot. That makes HEVI-Bismuth the load of choice for hunters running heirloom guns who still want nontoxic performance in the field. Always have a vintage gun, particularly any gun with a Damascus barrel, inspected by a qualified gunsmith before running any modern load.