Anyone know of a place in the Twin Cities to get non-tox non-steel shot

[brandbll]

I'm going duck hunting here in a couple of weekends and i'm want to use my Browning A-5 Sweet Sixteen.  It's about 45 years old belgian made and i've been told "no steel."   So i've read that Ken Tungsten Matrix shot or bismuth shot is the way to go.  Anyone know of any places in the Twin Cities that sell this stuff?  Specifically 16 ga., but in general i'm just looking for it.  Joe's seems worthless for 16 ga. and i think Cabela's might have what i'm looking for, but i'd rather not drive all the way to Owatonna.  Any help is much appreciated..

[kenhuntin]

Retire the browning and get a gun that you can use. I know that hurts and you like many are emotionally attached to those guns but they are now outdated. Newer shotguns are built better and can handle modern loads and shoot better. Fleet farm had some 16 ga. shells earlier but you may be too late. I do not mean to antagonize you but it is hard to come across pleasantly in text. Those A 5's were the tool in their day but so were the superfortresses in world war two. Totally awesome tools but unfortunately their day in the field is gone.

[brandbll]

Retire the browning and get a gun that you can use. I know that hurts and you like many are emotionally attached to those guns but they are now outdated. Newer shotguns are built better and can handle modern loads and shoot better. Fleet farm had some 16 ga. shells earlier but you may be too late. I do not mean to antagonize you but it is hard to come across pleasantly in text. Those A 5's were the tool in their day but so were the superfortresses in world war two. Totally awesome tools but unfortunately their day in the field is gone.

Oh i've already planned on doing that, but the money isn't there for the switch this year, plus the gun is great for grouse(so no it most likely won't get permanently retired ever).  That's why this year i'm going to try and get by with the non-tox non-steel shot.  Hopefully it's not too big of a pain in the butt to find...

[beeker]

just to bring up another point/question to consider. I think the reason for no steel in those guns is because the steel is not as "flexible" meaning the barrel will give before the shot will and your barrel will bulge? (I beleive this to be correct)... now will the bizmuth and other "non toxic" rounds be as unforgiving on your barrel?  or do they perform much like lead would in those situations? just something to think about

[brandbll]

just to bring up another point/question to consider. I think the reason for no steel in those guns is because the steel is not as "flexible" meaning the barrel will give before the shot will and your barrel will bulge? (I beleive this to be correct)... now will the bizmuth and other "non toxic" rounds be as unforgiving on your barrel?  or do they perform much like lead would in those situations? just something to think about

This guy thinks so, and he's a big time Sweet Sixteen rube.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/steel_shot.htm

I e-mailed him my situation and this is what he said

"In a Belgium barrel, it is Kent Tungsten Matrix or bismuth only for waterfowl------------ no steel."

[beeker]

as long as your bases are covered. I wouldn't want to see a nice gun destroyed

[Pegg]

What about cabelas in rogers.

[Joe]

I'm going duck hunting here in a couple of weekends and i'm want to use my Browning A-5 Sweet Sixteen.  It's about 45 years old belgian made and i've been told "no steel."   So i've read that Ken Tungsten Matrix shot or bismuth shot is the way to go.  Anyone know of any places in the Twin Cities that sell this stuff?  Specifically 16 ga., but in general i'm just looking for it.  Joe's seems worthless for 16 ga. and i think Cabela's might have what i'm looking for, but i'd rather not drive all the way to Owatonna.  Any help is much appreciated..

Isn't it slim pick'ns for 16 gauge no matter what type of shot your looking for? You may be SOL this time of year unless you want to order a case and pay the extra shipping. I'd get on the horn and start calling around.   

[brandbll]

I'm going duck hunting here in a couple of weekends and i'm want to use my Browning A-5 Sweet Sixteen.  It's about 45 years old belgian made and i've been told "no steel."   So i've read that Ken Tungsten Matrix shot or bismuth shot is the way to go.  Anyone know of any places in the Twin Cities that sell this stuff?  Specifically 16 ga., but in general i'm just looking for it.  Joe's seems worthless for 16 ga. and i think Cabela's might have what i'm looking for, but i'd rather not drive all the way to Owatonna.  Any help is much appreciated..

Isn't it slim pick'ns for 16 gauge no matter what type of shot your looking for? You may be SOL this time of year unless you want to order a case and pay the extra shipping. I'd get on the horn and start calling around.   

Pick'ns for 16 ga. are slim as all hell.  At Joe's 16 ga. shells are almost non-existent.  Cabela's had Bismuth shot and stopped carrying Ken Tungsten Matrix shot.  But forget about that, Bismuth shells cost 40 bucks for a freaking 10 pack!  Might as well just buy a new gun right now before i pay 4 bucks per shell.  At that rate my gun is going to start making a cash register sound everytime i shoot it. $$$$$  I talked to my buddy and it sounds like i'm gonna borrow his brother's 12 ga.  Unless a place like Sportsmans Guide has Ken Tungsten Matrix and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg i'll be using his gun.  And it looks like those two combinations are an impossibility.

[beeker]

have you tried online like at .. cheaper than dirt?

[brandbll]

have you tried online like at .. cheaper than dirt?

Apparently Bismuth isn't cheaper than dirt because it's still about 35 bucks per 10 pack on their website.

[beeker]

and that's without shipping...

did you check sportsmans guide? it's been a while since they've had what I wanted but atleast there you can pick em up.

[kenhuntin]

Reeds in Walker used to be able to produce any gauge and load via shipment. I don't know if this is still possible with the limited time left for you but check out their web I think it is www.reedssports.com

[brandbll]

and that's without shipping...

did you check sportsmans guide? it's been a while since they've had what I wanted but atleast there you can pick em up.

They aren't open on Mondays so i'll have to try them tommorow.  Bismuth looks like it's out of the question and i have a feeling this Ken Tungsten MAtrix stuff isn't going to be much cheaper(if cheaper at all).  I'm sure the reason Cabela's is discontinue carrying it is because it's probably even more expensive than Bismuth and no one bothers to buy it.

Whatever though, i just talked to my buddy who i'm going with and he said i can use his brothers 12 ga., so it'll all work out.  I'm still bringing the Sweet Sixteen though for the grouse hunting ventures inbetween duck hunting.