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Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Alberta, Canada

Hi everyone. Been quite a while since I have been on here and I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I shoot an Ithaca model 37. Mostly it was used for upland but the previous owner had the barrel reemed to shoot steel. This makes me nervous but I would be ok with bismuth loads. I would mostly be targeting geese and ducks too if they came in. This leads me to 2 questions. First where is a good site or book with bismuth lad data and 2nd would you have recommended shot size? We typically use #2 for geese. Tha KS and hope to hear some thoughts.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2390 Location: West MI

Welcome back and congrats on your first post...

Reamed to what choke for steel? Re; if too open you might need a buffered load depending on typical ranges you take your shots.

A couple at the top of this sheet look actually realistic, speed and pressure wise, for BPI data. I use a similar 1.125oz buffered load to the one posted but w/a couple mods that I'm hesitant to share.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/LD16BP1680.pdf

"We typically use #2 for geese" If #2 Bis is working for you.... if it aint broke..... If you're using #2 steel then in my experience, bis 1 size smaller than steel is roughly equivalent. FWIW; I use BPI' #3 bis in 16ga Duck loads.

I shoot #4's most of the time & 5's if birds are working in close in BI & have been very pleased with the results

Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Alberta, Canada

Thanks for the replies. It was reemed out to a modified choke. I used to shoot this gun when I was a kid and it was deadly with the full choke. I was kind of disappointed when I inherited it decades later and he told me he had it reemed. It sure doesn't shoot like it used to but I've been hitting the skeets and I think I have it dialed in. I have shot steel from it for a few years but it always make me nervous. Sometimes them geese and ducks can get expensive on a bad shooting day but I think it's still cheaper than a new 16 ga.

Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Modified will do you fine with bismuth

Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Modified will do you fine with bismuth

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2390 Location: West MI

Agreed, and if wanting to tighten it up for follow ups use a buffered load for a little more reach.

Joined: 24 Jul 2016 Posts: 553 Location: Ohio

I don't know how far you shoot but 1 oz of 4's will kill any well hit goose out to at least 35 yards with a Mod choke. All you need to know about reloading is in the Lyman 5th.