I shoot bismuth for pheasants, ducks, and geese. Choke it just like you would lead. I usually shoot it out of my old double barrel choked modified and full. Drop one or two sizes smaller than you would shoot in steel. I usually use 5's for ducks and pheasants and 4's for geese. I have not used the Federal but have had good luck with Kent bismuth and also Boss Bismuth.

 

IM, or Full

 

Thanks guys looking at a few different options now

 

Don't overthink, mod or full is all you need. I shoot 1 oz of 4's out of a 16 gauge and never feel under gunned. Ducks to 40 and geese to 35 no problem. Light mod. and imp mod. (Polychoke)

 

Don't fool yourself todays Modern choke designs are much better (especially) for Bismuth shooting ! Bismuth by nature is a softer material and with the older bismuth at 3 % tin
it was well known to fragment upon ignition from set-back . Todays 6% tin bismuth , being a little harder resist this set-back much better but still is very malleable with not much pressure !
Newer designed choke tubes have longer tapered sections (some as long as 7/8") with a longer Parallel section , which , helps the payload leave the shot-cup with less pellet to pellet
pressure .

 

awesome i have on hand a set of carlsons delta chokes in .590, .600, and .610 constriction. Also have a carlsons .585. I think these should do all i need to do with the bismuth. At the price i paid for these 13 cases, i couldnt pass up the opportunity. Paid less than 90% of steel shot is bringing right now. The 5 shot will be for ducks and the 3 and 4s will be for geese.

 

My preference is #5 through my mid range pattern master.