Will bismuth shotgun shells damage an old shotgun?

Bismuth shotgun shells will not damage older shotguns. The only exception are Damascus and twist steel barrels. Bismuth shotshells are made from a patented bismuth alloy which produces a shot which is soft like lead, meaning it moves smoothly through the gun barrel.

Instron compression tests indicate that bismuth will deform at 723 lbs. of pressure. This compares favorably to lead, and is lower than any other non-toxic shot, inlcuding steel, tungsten, and tungsten alloys. All of these shots will not compress until pressures well over those needed to avoid damage to a shotgun barrel. That is the reason that the loaders of shotgun shells containing those elements recomend that shooters do not use full chokes when using their products. The one shell which is different is a new load by Hevi-Shot called Classic Doubles. Unfortunately, Classic Doubles fracture before they can deform at around 1000 lbs. of pressure. This means that that Classic Double shot breaks into pieces before it can reach the target.

Bismuth shotgun shells will not damage older shotguns. The only exception are Damascus and twist steel barrels. Bismuth shotshells are made from a patented bismuth alloy which produces a shot which is soft like lead, meaning it moves smoothly through the gun barrel.

Instron compression tests indicate that bismuth will deform at 723 lbs. of pressure. This compares favorably to lead, and is lower than any other non-toxic shot, inlcuding steel, tungsten, and tungsten alloys. All of these shots will not compress until pressures well over those needed to avoid damage to a shotgun barrel. That is the reason that the loaders of shotgun shells containing those elements recomend that shooters do not use full chokes when using their products. The one shell which is different is a new load by Hevi-Shot called Classic Doubles. Unfortunately, Classic Doubles fracture before they can deform at around 1000 lbs. of pressure. This means that that Classic Double shot breaks into pieces before it can reach the target.