doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Buffer material with bismuth or ITX

Just curious if anyone uses buffer with bismuth or ITX shooting black powder duck loads?

I never have with BP loads, Matt, but have with nitro-for-black loads, 7625 specifically. I used the little plastic ball buffer that is sold by Precision Reloading, if I remember correctly (PB ?). I used a Mylar wrap inside the hull and and a Tyvek disc on top of the shot to prevent leakage of the buffer out of the crimp. Are you wondering if the black powder might melt the buffer somehow?

SRH

Thanks Stan,
I'm not worried about melting the buffer. Just wondering if it improved patterns by protecting the shot from fracturing (bismuth) upon firing.
I have never used ITX so I'm looking for experiences of those who have used it.

I got some mighty nice patterns with my loads. It was a recipe that was originally developed and tested by Sherman Bell, and was for the 2 7/8" ten gauge. I used it in my big L.C. Smith 10. To be honest, tho', I never patterned the load without the buffer so I can't really say how much it improved it. I shoot hand loaded bismuth 4s, in non buffered loads now, and get very good results on ducks. I just built a 4' X 4' steel patterning plate, and one of my projects is to test buffered against unbuffered loads of bismuth on it, before next duck season.

Never used ITX either.

SRH

I also have used Sherman Bell's NFB loads in the past but since my supply of 7625 has been exhausted for some time now I have been using BP with good results in unbuffered loads.
Just trying to see if I can reduce pellet fracturing and keep those pellets in the usable pattern.

I've shot a lot of bismuth at ducks and geese, and never had any fracturing issues. I have 40 lbs. of it currently, ranging from BB'S to #7's. Mostly shoot #5's and #2's. I would load and pattern your recipe (mine is for a sixteen), count holes in the paper v.s number of holes you should have. I use 7625, 800x and unique.

I believe I read sometime ago that the fracturing problems with bismuth was addressed early on and that all the later production was okay. Seems like they said the problems were more prevalent in either the smaller sizes or the larger or sizes of shot, but I can't remember which. Maybe someone else can remember that more accurately.

Last year I bought about 18 # of bismuth at a ridiculously low price off an auction in sizes 5,6 & 7. It was in 3 bottles marked ASARCO LINE SAMPLES, and were evidently samples pulled from production for quality testing. They withstand the pliers test just fine, but I haven't used any of it yet. I figured it should be fine for teal and close in woodies.

Kinda anxious to do a pellet count on one of the loads I had last week in Arkansas and shoot it at the p. plate, to check for a reduced number due to fracturing. I killed probably 12 ducks with it with no problems, but I know that is not a very scientific test. My current load uses Longshot powder.

SRH

The bismuth I have is some of the early production #4 shot.
I'm down to about 5 lbs of it and will be restocking my supply shortly.
Good to hear that the newer production shot is working well.

If you do pattern, also count for extra holes. The ones made by the fractured pieces. I've patterned number #2's a few times and all the holes were there that should have been.