Bismuth Shot:

I will start with the bismuth reloading data because bismuth pellets are ballistically similar to lead. Reloading lead shotshells for waterfowling was very well developed, and load data included all configurations offered in factory loads plus many, many more. Although bismuth reloading is rather recent, and sources of data are limited, I would expect duplicating factory loads to be fairly easy. I have 3 sources of bismuth reloading data: the "Hodgdon Powder Shotshell Data Manual", Precision Reloading's (PR) "Bismuth Reloading Manual", and Ballistic Product's (BP) "Handloading Bismuth", and indeed, almost all factory load configurations and plenty more are available.

In 10-gauge, all 3 publications offer 1 7/8 ounce loads with velocities from 1180 to 1275 fps, including some with buffered shot charges. Hodgdon and BP offer loads with a full 2 ounces of shot at up to 1200 fps, and BP gives data for lighter loads down to 1 ½ ounce. In the 3 ½ and 3-inch 12-gauge bismuth reloading data, there are loads matching the factory configurations listed above, but none with heavier shot charges. Many loads are published for 1 1/4, 1 3/8, and 1 ½ ounce shot charges at velocities exceeding 1300 fps. For the 2 3/4 inch 12-gauge data in these manuals, the buffered 1 3/8 ounce and the non-buffered 1 1/4 ounce reloads do not quite do 1280 and 1330 fps respectively like the factory loads. However, Hodgdon lists some non-buffered 1 3/8 and 1 ½ ounce loads in Federal field hulls at 1300 fps. In addition, BP provides a wide variety of 1 1/8 ounce loads at velocities from 1206 to 1325 fps.

In the smaller gauges, reloading data is available that exceeds factory shot-charges and/or velocities, except in the 16-gauge where there is but a single 1 1/8 ounce recipe at 1170 fps and an array of 1-ounce loads. In 20-gauge, PR provides 2 recipes for 1 1/8 ounce in 3-inch hulls, one at 1225 fps, and all 3 sources list 2 3/4 inch 1-ounce loads from 1150-1220 fps. For 28-gauge reloaders, only BP gives data for 5/8 ounce loads. Loads from Hodgdon and PR have larger 11/16 or 3/4 ounce shot charges at velocities of 1155 to 1220 fps. In .410, the 3-inch data call for 11/16 or 5/8 ounce of shot from 1055 to 1200 fps.

Steel Shot:

Although there is more data currently available for reloading steel than for bismuth shotshells, the recipes do not compare as favorably to factory loads. The reasons for that start with the steel pellet itself. Steel pellets are very hard, do not compress, and will actually "bounce" somewhat when pushed upon. They are also less dense than lead or bismuth pellets, so hunters must use larger shot sizes to maintain reasonable downrange energy for penetrating waterfowl. Larger, less dense pellets take up a lot of space, leaving little for powder and wadding, and their non-compressibility means the shot charge must be moved gently to avoid excessive chamber pressure. The ballistic problems of moving a large volume of steel pellets at effective velocities while maintaining safe chamber pressures required new powders specifically designed for use with steel shot. Unfortunately, those powders have not been offered for sale to reloaders, and we are forced to build our loads with powders designed to propel lead pellets. In general, this means our recipes for a given gauge and shell length either contain less shot or have lower velocities than factory loads.

The reloading data sources I used for this discussion are BP's "Status of Steel 8" and "How to Reload the Ranger Plus", Reloading Specialties' (RSI) "Steel Shotshell Reloading Handbook" (not the newest edition), PR's "Steel Shot Reloading Data", MEC's 5th edition "Steel Shot Reloading Manual", and Lyman's 4th edition "Shotshell Reloading Handbook".

The first thing potential steel reloaders notice is that there are no recipes for the maximum shot-charges found in factory loads. There are no data for 1 3/4 ounce loads in 10-gauge, 1 9/16 ounce loads in 3 ½ inch 12-gauge, 1 3/8 ounce loads in 3-inch 12-gauge, 1 1/4 ounce loads in 2 3/4 inch 12-gauge, and so on. Furthermore we see that very few lighter loads in each hull-length will duplicate factory velocity. It is fair to say that if you want to match the ballistic configuration of the maximum factory steel shotshells with reloads, you must go up one "hull-size". In other words, if you want to shoot 1 1/4 ounce of steel at 1275 fps (the max load in a 2 3/4 inch factory shotshell), you need to reload 3-inch hulls, and if you want to shoot 1 9/16 ounce of steel at 1300 fps (max load in a 3 ½ inch factory shotshell), you need to move up to a 10-gauge.

Reloading recipes for 10-gauge and 3 ½ inch 12-gauge steel loads are best with 1 1/4 to 1 ½ ounces of shot. With one suspicious exception, the 1 5/8 ounce 10-gauge loads have velocities of about 1220 fps, which is fairly slow for steel loads. However, there are many 1 ½ ounce 10-gauge loads with velocities up to 1425 fps, and a number of 1 3/8 ounce loads that meet or exceed the 1450 fps of the factory loads. In the 3 ½ inch 12-gauge hull, velocities are about 1300 fps for 1 ½ ounce reloads, 1350 to 1395 fps for 1 3/8 ounce reloads, and up to 1450 fps for 1 1/4 ounce reloads. BP provides data for lighter, high-speed loads of 7/8, 1, and 1 1/8 ounce, making the 3 ½ inch hull the most versatile for steel reloaders.

There are many 3-inch 12-gauge loads that meet or exceed the configuration of the popular 2 3/4 inch 1 1/4 ounce factory load at 1275 fps. However, velocities of 1 1/4 ounce reloads range from 1220 to 1350 fps, falling short of the 1375 fps of the factory 3-inch 1 1/4 loads. The 3-inch reloads calling for just 1 1/8 ounce of steel at high velocity in 3-inch hulls, are gaining popularity. I believe a major impetus for the addition of 3-inch 1 1/8 ounce loads at 1450 fps to the family of factory loads 2 years ago, came from reloaders reporting great field performance by these loads. Most 3-inch 1 1/8 ounce loads in my data are for slightly lower velocity, 1330 to 1400 fps, but the faster loads in each data-source get the most attention. Again, Ballistic Products provides many recipes for 7/8 and 1-ounce loads in 3-inch hulls.

There is abundant data for 2 3/4 inch hulls hosting 7/8, 1, or 1 1/8 ounce of steel. Both RSI and BP also include a couple 1 1/16 ounce loads, and RSI has an ultra-fast (1700 fps) 3/4 ounce load. Velocities of 1 1/8 ounce loads range from 1240 to nearly 1400 fps. Curiously, BP lists many 1 1/8 ounce loads with velocities exceeding the factory's 1365 fps, yet the Lyman Shotshell Handbook, whose data regularly include BP wads, has none. Regardless of the velocity published in the reloading recipe, I have yet to see a 2 3/4 inch 1 1/8 ounce reload average as high a velocity as factory loads when both were chronographed at the same time. Although many hunters consider 1-ounce loads too light for waterfowling, there are many recipes for this shot-weight in 2 3/4 inch hulls with velocities from 1250 to nearly 1500 fps. I've heard from a number of reloaders that do quite well in the marsh with these loads. Lastly, BP has long been an advocate of lighter, faster steel loads and has the widest array of recipes for 7/8 ounce loads.

Small bores and steel shot do not mix well, and nowhere is that more evident than in the steel reloading data. I know of no data for 2 3/4 inch 20-gauge loads, and very few for 3-inch 20's. Only RSI makes a 20-gauge steel-shot wad, and the 3-inch loads shoot a 15/16 ounce shot-charge at 1150 to 1290 fps or a 7/8 ounce charge at 1350 fps. Data for 16-gauge steel loads is even more rare, and uses a 12-gauge steel shotcup. That's right, the only steel reloading data for 16-gauge hulls calls for 16-gauge overpowder wads, a BP-Tuff 12-gauge shotcup, and 3/4 ounce of shot. The 12-gauge shotcup is narrow enough to fit into a 16-gauge hull, and the loads shoot between 1300 and 1400 fps.

I hope no-one infers that because steel reloads cannot duplicate the ballistic configuration of the maximum factory loads in a given hull size, reloads are less effective in the field. A hunter's goal is to put an adequate number of pellets with sufficient energy on his target to kill it cleanly. The initial load configuration (shot charge weight/pellet type/initial velocity) is just one factor in getting that done. The loads offered in the steel reloading data have been effectively killing ducks for many years, usually right alongside factory loads.

Looking forward, the reloader's wish for a powder specially formulated for steel-shot loading may soon be granted. Alliant Powder (formerly Hercules) has announced the addition of a new powder to their line, "Alliant Steel". In a recent advertisement in Wildfowl, RSI claims to have worked up a number of loads using this new powder including a 3-inch 1 1/8 ounce load at over 1750 fps! I think that may be taking velocity a bit too far, but hopefully we will be able to match factory shot-charge weights and velocities in the near future.