I recall when Bismuth was first introduced it was quite brittle and often broke earning a bad reputation. I see RIO is now loading Bismuth. Is it an alloy of different proportions? I'd like to try some as I can purchase 25rnd boxes for the same price as 10rnd boxes of Hevi-shot.

Anyone have experience with Rio bismuth?

Thanks

Andy B

It has changed and it is not as brittle as it used to be.

OK. Thanks.

I'm gonna try some on Teal.

In addition, Rio shells, now manufactured in Marshall, TEXAS actively support Delta Waterfowl, one of my favorite hunting organizations, of which I am proud to be a life member.

RIOs didn't arrive in time for my Monday morning hunt, so I had to throw Hevi-Shot from my 16ga Citori at the Teal. I was very happy with the performance of my shooting, my choice of chokes and the 1-1/4oz #6. Five of us got our limit of 6 birds each in 1 hour! It was amazing. I am going back on Friday to do it again. My RIO should be here by then....They are 28ga.

Andy B

Andy, teal with a 28 really sounds like the bees' knees! Go get 'em!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Andy, teal with a 28 really sounds like the bees' knees! Go get 'em!

Bill,

I sure hope so. Shots were all pretty close on Monday. The birds will have had almost a week to "rest" without being hunted. It will be opening day for Texas south zone doves and I'll be hunting them in the afternoon. I don't think Bismuth is hard enough to warrant different tubes and I was going to use the same chokes for the Teal I normally use for doves. However, I wonder if I should create denser patterns for the larger birds? The only RIO Bismuth I could get is #7? Lt-Mod bottom and Imp-Mod top?

I might even get adventurous and try 28ga on Sandhill cranes. The ones I shot in January were not more than 10yds away. A couple of them much closer. I might use more constrictive chokes than usual. When I dove hunt, I like IC bottom, Lt-Mod top with lead shot. To produce similar patterns with Hevi-shot, when shooting larger bore shotguns, I go to Skeet bottom and IC top. 3/4oz Crane loads with the 28ga, I'll likely shoot Hevi-shot with Lt-Mod bottom and Imp-Mod top.

I just about had a nervous breakdown a few years ago playing the choke-tube game with all the loads I had for all the shotguns that have interchangeable choke tubes. I discovered more often than not, less choke is usually more than sufficient. I also like the in-between constrictions: Skeet, Lt-Mod, and Imp-Mod. I think I am doing it again..........

Andy B

quote:

RIOs didn't arrive in time for my Monday morning hunt, so I had to throw Hevi-Shot from my 16ga Citori at the Teal

Hevi shot kills like wild fire if one can afford it.

What does RIO Bismuth cost now days.

Hevi=$35/10rnds. Bismuth=$35/25rnds.
I like Hevi. That stuff needs little choke to turn in impressive patterns. But damnit man is it expensive.

Ammo has arrived! I can't wait to go smash Teal with a 28ga!

Maybe NV Guide will chime in with some advice on 28ga. I know he likes them a bunch.

Andy B

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Andy, teal with a 28 really sounds like the bees' knees! Go get 'em!

It was! The RIO #7 Bismuth didn't even phase them. The Hevi Duck load-3/4oz #6 @1300 was like lightening. Two Blue-Winged Teal with one pill each. My new ducks over deeks shooting iron is a 28ga Cynergy Sporting!

Andy B