16ga.com ~ View topic - Looking for non-toxic loads

I need a few non-toxic loads for use on game birds here in the PRK. I do not want steel as both guns are 1950s era German guns. Do you know of a source? 23/4" 1 oz loads preferred.

https://bossshotshells.com/

Boss has good stuff, but it’s fast (1350 fps) if that bothers you.

I guess I should’ve checked before I posted, they cleared out their 16 ga selection to just those.

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1698 Location: Minnesota

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 1844 Location: Central ND

We have to understand, we as a group, don't shoot the 16 gauge as much as we think we do. I am not surprised to see Boss cut back on 16 gauge ammunition. Honestly, how many boxes of Bismuth ammunition do you go through? I know that if I use 10 - 15 shells of bismuth a year it's a big deal and they are all reloads. This year I have used, to date in the 16 gauge, 2 bismuth shells, I took two pheasants. I hunt 4 to 5 days a week, but I don't hunt on WPA's very often. I would bet that I am not in the minority. Most of my hunting is with the 16 gauge, using lead shot. Even then, maybe with the dove hunting I have used 4 - 5 boxes to date.

The same thing with the DR16. I might, might use 2 to 3 bags of DR16's a year. If you wonder why there are no DR16 wads it's because DownRange doesn't make money on them. I am not a big DownRange fan but, I have to understand their side also.

If we want this stuff, we as a group have to shoot more and I don't see that happening.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1114

I purchased 16 ga Kent bismuth up in South Dakota at Cabela's on one of my hunting trips. Needed it to hunt the game production areas.

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

Has anyone here acquired any of the new Boss 2 9/16 loads?

I am anxious to hear a first hand report.

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

I did a quick internet search.

Boss Bismuth lists all 16 ga as out of stock.

Macks has no 16 ga non-toxic shot in stock.

Looking on Ammoseek

Hevi-Bismuth is available from several online suppliers

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/16-gauge?ikw=bismuth

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

Cabelas/BassPro online and their Woodbury and Owatonna MN Stores list some Kent Bismuth 5's.

I just checked Boss. They show having 16 ga 4's & 6's in stock. I just bought a couple of boxes of 4's. Will report back after I use some of them.

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

Glad you found them. I had clicked on Boss sizes 5 and 7 which are the sizes I usually buy, they were out of stock.
I admit I did a quick search, not a thorough search.

Joined: 21 May 2015 Posts: 128

I agree with Mark.

There is no where near the demand for 16ga to make it a true profitable business model for ammunition. Be happy with what you can scratch up online or in stores.

I'm still waiting to find my first DRs to reload and pattern.

That said, the 16ga is the reloader's gage like it or not.

Get a cheap used single stage MEC, convert it if you need to and just scrounge components and reload.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 1844 Location: Central ND

I agree. IMHO it's just a lot easier to reload for the 16 gauge than try to find ammunition for it. I have exactly the loads I want, when I want them.