A lot has happened in the waterfowl shotshell industry since 1991, when lead shot was banned for all duck and goose hunting in the U.S. Following the initial introduction of Bismuth No-Tox, the first non-toxic option, a litany of other choices has come on the market. Nontoxic shot is defined as any shot type that does not cause sickness and death when ingested by migratory birds.

When you shop the various shotshell companies, the word "innovative" is the one most commonly used to describe almost every offering. Without question, when you're reinventing the wheel, by the very nature of the challenge, everything is innovative.

In the early days, steel shot left a lot to be desired but a technical challenge is all that American ingenuity needs to excel. With the recently announced approval of three new shot types by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that brings the number of non-toxic shot choices to 10. These new approvals include alloys of Tungsten-bronze-iron for a B-type non-toxic shot, a new formulation of tungsten-iron, and tungsten-tin-bismuth for use in waterfowl hunting.

Although no manufacturer has jumped on the bandwagon to produce shotshells for these newly approved formulations, the opportunity is out there and eventually someone will.

Now the only problem waterfowlers have is trying to figure out which load is right for the type of hunting they do. In a hunter's quest for the perfect load a lot of options are available in terms of the composition of shot; however, on closer analysis, you'll find that no one type is ideal for every application in the field. When you break down the entire spectrum of "innovative" attributes, you'll find that each has a distinct advantage and naturally, a disadvantage. The key to matching a load to your own particular needs is linked to the shotgun you shoot, it's maximum-chambered length, the type and size of waterfowl you target, choke used and the distance you normally are set up to shoot.

One of the first things you will notice about non-toxic shotshells across the board is that they come in smaller boxes with a higher price tag. This is due largely to the cost of the raw materials and complicated alloy or composition processes compared to smelting lead into pellets.

Even someone who is mathematically challenged can quickly see that premium shells cost about four-times more than basic steel shot, but it's their increased performance that accounts for their popularity and high percentage of use among waterfowlers. For many cost conscious shooters, the question of performance outweighs that of initial outlay. Where numbers really matter is in the field and when an inferior load causes you to shoot twice to bag a bird, are you really saving that much money by buying a cheaper shell with less knockdown power?

Over the past 13 years, steel loads have also experienced a refinement process and improved powder, and wads have made steel a more effective option, especially when it is loaded for high velocities. In the delicate balance between speed, weight and energy down field, simply having more speed isn't the ultimate panacea and the rules of physics rule in spades. To overcome steel's comparative lack of density, many steel-only shooters have adjusted up the pellet scale for a particular species, opting for larger, heavier sizes to gain more energy or more powder with 3-1/2 inch shells.

At 7.8 grams per cubic centimeter, steel is roughly 70 percent as dense as lead, and density maintains velocity with distance. With comparative loads, steel will lose about half its energy at 40 yards. If you shoot mostly birds that are sitting down in the decoys at close range, basic steel will do an adequate job. On the flip side of the coin, if you shoot at greater distances, do a lot of pass shooting, or target larger birds, a premium load will be well worth the price when the birds become wary and the wind kicks up. The objective is to put birds in the bag, quickly and humanely -- not just shoot.

Two of the non-toxic shots, Bismuth and Tungsten Matrix, could be classed in the almost lead category.

Bismuth
As noted earlier, Bismuth was the first premium non-toxic load to receive federal approval in the U.S. and Canada. If you haven't looked at a periodic table since chemistry class, bismuth is listed right next to lead. Since Bismuth is only slightly less dense than lead it is a lead-lover's dream come true. You will find that Bismuth is harder hitting than steel and is also as soft as lead, which means that you can shoot it in vintage firearms or barrels with a tighter choke. Even though Bismuth is heavier, due to the thicker shot cup required with steel and tungsten-steel loads, Bismuth shells will have a greater payload.

Comparing a 12-gauge, 3-inch #4 load, steel has 127 pellets; tungsten-iron has 125 and Bismuth 175. In addition to the increased number of pellets, the payload is greater with 44% more shot weight with this same load. An increased number of pellets and greater payload can produce a much higher percentage of pellets on target and with the similar impact of lead, and much quicker kills. Bismuth in its pure state is somewhat brittle, so the manufacturer created an alloy of 3% tin to reduce.

Tungsten Matrix
Of all the approved non-toxic loads, the combination of tungsten and a plastic polymer identified as Tungsten Matrix is most similar to lead. A density that is 97% of lead and an even softer surface produces comparatively loose long-range patterns that are a good selection for those close shots as well as midrange duck shooting. If you hunt an area where a hard knockdown is mandatory, Tungsten Matrix would be a good shell to have in your elastic loops.

Tungsten-Iron
The alloy of tungsten and iron has 94% of the density of lead and when loaded for high velocities it delivers excellent downrange energy. The downside for this option is caused by its extreme hardness which mandates a thicker shot cup that limits the amount of shot that each shell is able to deliver down the barrel and ultimately to the target. Higher capacity 3-1/2-inch for 12-gauge or magnum 10-gauge shells solve this dilemma, making tungsten-iron a good choice for open-water ducks or pass-shooting geese.

Hevi-Shot
Since coming on the market in 2001, Hevi-Shot has developed a loyal following among waterfowlers in spite of its hardness and top-ranking price. This combination of tungsten, nickel and iron is 10% denser than lead shot and the harder pellet qualities produce tight patterns that are very effective for delivering pellets on target. Another attractive aspect of the energy/pellet weight combination is that you can drop down a pellet size or two, gaining more shot pattern density without losing effective knockdown power.

It remains to be seen how the three newly approved metal alloys will affect the market, or where they will fall in terms of performance. But one thing is certain, the innovation industry is churning and ultimately the consumer will be the beneficiary as metallurgists and ammo makers search for the perfect combination of density, softness and energy that waterfowlers demand for the chambers of their fowling pieces.

Frank Ross grew up on a lake in Florida, where fishing and hunting were second nature. He has pursued his passion from the jungles of South America to the northern reaches of the Arctic Circle and most points in between. With a background in newspapers, the wire services and magazines that began in 1970, Frank brings a unique perspective to his work with Cabela's. He is an award-winning photographer with a flair for getting to the bottom line of every story.

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