HEVI-Bismuth No. 5 load update

[Joe Hunter]

12 GA 2 ¾” HEVI-Bismuth No. 5 load (Replacement shells)
After dissecting and patterning the HEVI-Bismuth shells I originally purchased from Hevi-Shot, I contacted them about my unusual results and findings. See my previous post about the HEVI-Bismuth load.

Hevi-Shot wanted my left-over shells for inspection and agreed to send me a “replacement” box of the same load. After receiving the replacement shells, I proceeded to dissect and pattern these shells just as I had done with the original shells I purchased. Here are my dissection findings and pattering results from the replacement shells.

12 GA 2 ¾" HEVI-Bismuth load
1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (232 pellets) @ 1400 fps
PELLET COUNT / WEIGHT (grains) (1 ¼ ounce = 546.9 gr)
237 / 547.7 gr
235 / 545.7 gr
234 / 541.5 gr
228 / 533.7 gr
228 / 531.8 gr
Aver. 232.4 / 540.08 gr + flax seeds 13.92 gr

PELLET SIZE (25 pellets, 5 pellets/shell, #5 pellet dia. = .120”)
.128”, .127”, .126”, .126”, .123”, .123”, .122”, .122”, .122”, .121”, .121”, .120”, .119”, .119”, .119”, .118”, .118”, .116”, .115”, .115”, .115”, .113”, .112”, .112”, .109”
Aver. .11924” dia.

POWDER / SHELL (grains)
35.7 gr
35.6 gr
35.4 gr
34.9 gr
34.7 gr
Aver. 35.26 gr

PATTERNING RESULTS
The patterns were shot at 40 yards with a Remington 870 Special Purpose 12-gauge using a 28-inch Rem-choke barrel and factory flush Modified Rem-choke, .018-inch constriction from a bore gauge. The 40-yard (muzzle to target) pattern data is the result of pellet hits registered in a 30-inch post-shot inscribed circle from five separate pattern shots.

HEVI-Bismuth load
12ga 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (228 pellets)
40 Yards / Modified Rem-choke
Pattern counts 121, 118, 116, 114, 103
Aver. 114.0 (49.05%)

So… How did the “Replacement” shells that Hevi-Shot sent me measure up and perform compared to the “Original” shells I purchased? Well, here are the patterning results and component highlights for comparison.

Five-shot average from 40-yard patterns shot through a Mod. choke (.018” const.)
HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (228 pellets) / pattern 85 (37%) “Original” shells
HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (232 pellets) / pattern 114 (49%) “Replacement” shells

Measurable / Original shells / Replacement shells / Difference (+/-)
Pellet counts / 228 / 232 / +4 pellets in replacement shells

Pellet size / .11532” / .11924” / +.00392” in replacement shells

Payload weight / 485 gr / 540 gr / +55 gr in replacement shells

Powder weight / 33.56 gr / 35.26 gr / +1.70 gr in replacement shells

Pattern % from Mod. choke (.018”) @ 40 yards / 37% / 49% / +12% in replacement shells

As you can see, I did find the pellet size and payload weight in the replacement shells to be much closer to what is expected in the load. I don’t know if that means they loaded those just for me or if it was just another box off the shelf. Since I haven’t been able to talk to anyone at the company, I must wonder why the two loadings of the same load would be so different.

There were 1.7 grains more powder in the replacement shells than the original shells and the replacement shells patterned a little better than the originals (+12%), but the replacement shells still registered a lower pattern percentage (49%) for a modified choke at 40 yards than all of the other five bismuth loads I tested. See below for the patterning results.

I would have liked to discuss some of these load and pattern performance differences with Hevi-Shot personnel but following several phone calls, voice messages, and emails; I’ve still not been contacted by them or been able to talk to anyone at the headquarters.

Short of any explanation from Hevi-Shot about their load’s performance, you’re free to be the judge of my findings!

PATTERNS / 40 YARDS / Modified Rem-Choke (.018” constriction)
Boss Unmuzzled Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #4 Bi (192 pellets) / pattern 126 (66%)
Boss Unmuzzled Bismuth 3” 1 3/8 oz #5 Bi (267 pellets) / pattern 143 (54%)
Boss Unmuzzled Bismuth 3” 1 ½ oz #3/#5 Bi duplex (226 pellets) / pattern 121 (54%)

Kent Upland Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (197 pellets) / pattern 119 (60%)
Kent Waterfowl Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #4 Bi (212 pellets) / pattern 126 (59%)

HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (228 pellets) / pattern 85 (37%) “Original” shells
HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (232 pellets) / pattern 114 (49%) “Replacement” shells
HEVI-Hammer Upland 3” 1 3/8 oz #3 Bi/#3 Steel duplex (181 pellets) / pattern 101 (56%)

Fed. Speed-Shok 3" 1 1/4 oz #3 steel (186 pellets) / pattern 128 (69%)
Rem. Sportsman 3" 1 1/4 oz #3 steel (193 pellets) / pattern 146 (76%)
Win. Xpert 3" 1 1/4 oz #3 steel (195 pellets) / pattern 131 (67%)

Fed. Speed-Shok 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (154 pellets) / pattern 115 (75%)
Rem. Sportsman 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (152 pellets) / pattern 110 (72%)
Win. Xpert 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (146 pellets) / pattern 106 (73%)

 

[Ravenanme]

Thanks Joe , no wonder I've stayed with my Roto Metal #4's and loaded them myself !
At Least , my pattern percentage is 35 % greater than those Hevi-Bismuth shells they provided you !
No Wonder my birds DIA , 70 % 0f the time ,too!

 

[Dr Swane]

12 GA 2 ¾” HEVI-Bismuth No. 5 load (Replacement shells)
After dissecting and patterning the HEVI-Bismuth shells I originally purchased from Hevi-Shot, I contacted them about my unusual results and findings. See my previous post about the HEVI-Bismuth load.

Hevi-Shot wanted my left-over shells for inspection and agreed to send me a “replacement” box of the same load. After receiving the replacement shells, I proceeded to dissect and pattern these shells just as I had done with the original shells I purchased. Here are my dissection findings and pattering results from the replacement shells.

12 GA 2 ¾" HEVI-Bismuth load
1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (232 pellets) @ 1400 fps
PELLET COUNT / WEIGHT (grains) (1 ¼ ounce = 546.9 gr)
237 / 547.7 gr
235 / 545.7 gr
234 / 541.5 gr
228 / 533.7 gr
228 / 531.8 gr
Aver. 232.4 / 540.08 gr + flax seeds 13.92 gr

PELLET SIZE (25 pellets, 5 pellets/shell, #5 pellet dia. = .120”)
.128”, .127”, .126”, .126”, .123”, .123”, .122”, .122”, .122”, .121”, .121”, .120”, .119”, .119”, .119”, .118”, .118”, .116”, .115”, .115”, .115”, .113”, .112”, .112”, .109”
Aver. .11924” dia.

POWDER / SHELL (grains)
35.7 gr
35.6 gr
35.4 gr
34.9 gr
34.7 gr
Aver. 35.26 gr

PATTERNING RESULTS
The patterns were shot at 40 yards with a Remington 870 Special Purpose 12-gauge using a 28-inch Rem-choke barrel and factory flush Modified Rem-choke, .018-inch constriction from a bore gauge. The 40-yard (muzzle to target) pattern data is the result of pellet hits registered in a 30-inch post-shot inscribed circle from five separate pattern shots.

HEVI-Bismuth load
12ga 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (228 pellets)
40 Yards / Modified Rem-choke
Pattern counts 121, 118, 116, 114, 103
Aver. 114.0 (49.05%)

So… How did the “Replacement” shells that Hevi-Shot sent me measure up and perform compared to the “Original” shells I purchased? Well, here are the patterning results and component highlights for comparison.

Five-shot average from 40-yard patterns shot through a Mod. choke (.018” const.)
HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (228 pellets) / pattern 85 (37%) “Original” shells
HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (232 pellets) / pattern 114 (49%) “Replacement” shells

Measurable / Original shells / Replacement shells / Difference (+/-)
Pellet counts / 228 / 232 / +4 pellets in replacement shells

Pellet size / .11532” / .11924” / +.00392” in replacement shells

Payload weight / 485 gr / 540 gr / +55 gr in replacement shells

Powder weight / 33.56 gr / 35.26 gr / +1.70 gr in replacement shells

Pattern % from Mod. choke (.018”) @ 40 yards / 37% / 49% / +12% in replacement shells

As you can see, I did find the pellet size and payload weight in the replacement shells to be much closer to what is expected in the load. I don’t know if that means they loaded those just for me or if it was just another box off the shelf. Since I haven’t been able to talk to anyone at the company, I must wonder why the two loadings of the same load would be so different.

There were 1.7 grains more powder in the replacement shells than the original shells and the replacement shells patterned a little better than the originals (+12%), but the replacement shells still registered a lower pattern percentage (49%) for a modified choke at 40 yards than all of the other five bismuth loads I tested. See below for the patterning results.

I would have liked to discuss some of these load and pattern performance differences with Hevi-Shot personnel but following several phone calls, voice messages, and emails; I’ve still not been contacted by them or been able to talk to anyone at the headquarters.

Short of any explanation from Hevi-Shot about their load’s performance, you’re free to be the judge of my findings!

PATTERNS / 40 YARDS / Modified Rem-Choke (.018” constriction)
Boss Unmuzzled Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #4 Bi (192 pellets) / pattern 126 (66%)
Boss Unmuzzled Bismuth 3” 1 3/8 oz #5 Bi (267 pellets) / pattern 143 (54%)
Boss Unmuzzled Bismuth 3” 1 ½ oz #3/#5 Bi duplex (226 pellets) / pattern 121 (54%)

Kent Upland Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (197 pellets) / pattern 119 (60%)
Kent Waterfowl Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #4 Bi (212 pellets) / pattern 126 (59%)

HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (228 pellets) / pattern 85 (37%) “Original” shells
HEVI-Bismuth 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #5 Bi (232 pellets) / pattern 114 (49%) “Replacement” shells
HEVI-Hammer Upland 3” 1 3/8 oz #3 Bi/#3 Steel duplex (181 pellets) / pattern 101 (56%)

Fed. Speed-Shok 3" 1 1/4 oz #3 steel (186 pellets) / pattern 128 (69%)
Rem. Sportsman 3" 1 1/4 oz #3 steel (193 pellets) / pattern 146 (76%)
Win. Xpert 3" 1 1/4 oz #3 steel (195 pellets) / pattern 131 (67%)

Fed. Speed-Shok 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (154 pellets) / pattern 115 (75%)
Rem. Sportsman 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (152 pellets) / pattern 110 (72%)
Win. Xpert 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (146 pellets) / pattern 106 (73%)

Great data

Supports the “load your own to know for certain” side of cost to reload vs value discussions.

Same lot numbers on the boxes? This is old hevi compared to federal buying hevi?

 

[cd2]

Man, maybe I am just anal, but if I loaded 5 shells and the powder charge was subject to vary by 1.0 grains I wouldn't think highly of myself as a shotshell loader.

A differentiation of 1.0 grain can be a pretty big difference in pressure and velocity depending on the load

You could take any 5 shells off of my shelf that I loaded and all would be within 0.1 grains of eachother. Majority of other people that load their own would tell you the same

 

[Billy hill]

Im not in the majority, i let the collet do its job. Too much time involved to weigh every one

 

[Ravenanme]

Not Me , I'm very anal about loading exactly to the recipe so , I weigh each drop of powder and payload as I prefer to even Gaep finish my loads !
I strive for consistency in my loads and whether it's a benefit to my success , well ,it is to me !
The factory loads are acceptable to some but most of us reloaders , do our best to improve them ! Patterning tells the story !

 

[Joe Hunter]

Same lot numbers on the boxes? This is old hevi compared to federal buying hevi?

I don't think so since... 1) I couldn't read the numbers on either box, 2) they had the first box picked up by UPS and then they shipped another box of the "same" load to me the next week, 3) all this took several weeks to complete from the original purchase, 4) since the load's components were different and closer to specs I must assume that they loaded those for me since (I think) they knew I would probably open, measure the components, and pattern them!

Sorry for being blunt but since they haven't been able to find the time to at least have someone contact me and answered some of my questions, I'm left to draw my own conclusions on these questions.

Anyway, now you can be the judge!

 

[bird junkie]

I will stick with the win expert #2s

 

[CA Birdman]

My question is if shooting a pattern at 40 yards and bismuth is like shooting lead, why are you shooting a modified chock and not a full choke. From my youth when I got my Model 1200 with winchokes - the manual said IC 15-25, mod 25-35 and full 35+. Back then that is all they offered.

So if getting 50% with modified, shoot Full or XFull constriction. Until you try that which I haven't seen that you have done, how can you criticize the 50% in the circle. On patterning board, supposed to try and maximize results with other chokes if the first one doesn't get you what you want.

I doubt Raven is shooting a modified choke to get 70%+

 

[Ravenanme]

I won't say you can't kill birds at 40 yds with a Mod choke and bismuth but , my way of hunting requires a hotter core at 40 yds !
With most shooters successfully killing inside 35 yds , mod might be all they need as , we all know , the bloom of the pattern at these
distances would be more beneficial to most hunters ! I believe pellet size is more of a concern after 35 yds but , that's Me !