Tungsten vs. Bismuth Shot — Which Should Hunters Choose?

Since the lead ban of the early 1990s, hunters have been searching for the perfect non-toxic alternative. Steel quickly became the standard because it was affordable and widely available, but anyone who’s spent time in the field knows it has limitations in range, density, and penetration. That’s why premium options like bismuth and tungsten have gained so much attention.

Both bismuth and tungsten promise to outperform steel, but they do it in different ways. Bismuth is often marketed as the “middle ground” — denser than steel, safer for older shotguns, and easier on the wallet than tungsten. Tungsten, on the other hand, sits at the top of the performance ladder, offering unmatched density, tighter patterns, and lethal penetration even at extended ranges.

The question many hunters are asking is simple: which one is worth it for me?

In this post, we’ll break down the differences between tungsten and bismuth in terms of density, ballistics, field performance, and cost. Whether you’re chasing mallards over decoys, pheasants in the uplands, or gobblers in the spring woods, understanding the pros and cons of each will help you make the right call for your hunts.

What is Bismuth Shot?

Bismuth shot is often described as the middle ground in non-toxic hunting loads. With a density of about 9.6 g/cc, it sits between steel (~7.8 g/cc) and lead (~11.3 g/cc). That density advantage means bismuth carries more energy downrange than steel, delivering harder hits and deeper penetration, especially at moderate distances.

One of bismuth’s biggest selling points is its compatibility with older shotguns. Because bismuth is a softer metal than steel or tungsten, it can be safely fired through vintage doubles, fixed chokes, and older barrels without risking damage. For hunters who want to carry a family heirloom or classic side-by-side into the field, bismuth is often the only viable option.

Performance-wise, bismuth does a solid job in many hunting scenarios. It shines in the uplands, where pheasants, grouse, and quail are typically taken at closer ranges. It also holds its own for decoying ducks and geese, where shots are usually inside 35 yards. For these applications, bismuth provides a noticeable upgrade over steel without the premium cost of tungsten.

Where it falls short is at extended ranges or on tougher birds. Because it’s still much less dense than tungsten, bismuth loses velocity faster and doesn’t penetrate as deeply on long shots. Hunters who push the distance, chase late-season geese, or target gobblers at 40+ yards may find its limits quickly.

Bismuth fills an important niche: a non-toxic, softer, mid-priced alternative that’s friendlier to older guns and effective for many everyday hunts.

So What is Tungsten Shot?

Tungsten is the heavyweight champion of non-toxic shot. With a density of about 18 g/cc, it’s nearly twice as dense as bismuth and over 2.3 times denser than steel. That density gives tungsten pellets more mass in a smaller package, which translates into incredible downrange energy, superior penetration, and tight, consistent patterns.

Unlike steel, which quickly sheds velocity, or bismuth, which sits in the middle, tungsten holds its punch well beyond 40 yards. In practical terms, a tungsten #7 pellet can hit with the same or greater lethality as a bismuth #4 pellet — meaning you can load smaller shot sizes, fit more pellets into a shell, and still achieve devastating results.

For hunters, this means cleaner kills and fewer cripples, especially on challenging game. Late-season mallards circling high, honkers sliding off the edge of the spread, or spring gobblers hanging up at 45 yards all fall squarely into tungsten’s wheelhouse. Its ability to maintain energy and penetrate deeply makes it the go-to choice for situations where steel or bismuth simply can’t deliver.

Of course, performance comes at a price. Tungsten shells are usually the most expensive option on the shelf, often running three to five times the cost of steel. But for many hunters, the price is justified by the confidence it brings in the field. When every trigger pull matters — whether you’re staring down a wary gobbler or taking a long crossing shot at a late-season mallard — tungsten ensures your pattern delivers.

In short, tungsten isn’t just an upgrade. It’s the gold standard for shotgun hunting performance.

Density & Ballistics Comparison

The clearest way to understand the differences between bismuth and tungsten is by looking at density — the measure of how much mass is packed into each pellet. The denser the material, the more energy it carries, and the more lethal it is when it strikes a bird.

Steel, the most common non-toxic option, sits at about 7.8 g/cc. That’s light enough that it loses energy quickly and requires larger shot sizes to stay effective. Bismuth improves on that with a density of about 9.6 g/cc, giving it noticeably better downrange energy and making it closer to lead, which was historically considered the ideal.

Tungsten, however, is in a class of its own. At 18 g/cc, it’s almost twice as dense as bismuth and more than double steel. That means you can use smaller pellets — like #7s — and still achieve the same penetration as a much larger bismuth #4 or steel #2. More, smaller pellets mean tighter patterns and a higher chance of striking vital areas.

Here’s how they stack up side by side:

From a practical standpoint, this means that where bismuth can extend your range modestly beyond steel, tungsten can open up ethical shot opportunities at distances that were previously out of reach. For geese, turkeys, and pressured late-season ducks, tungsten’s density translates into cleaner kills where bismuth starts to lose steam.

Real-World Hunting Scenarios

Charts and numbers are one thing — but what really matters is how a load performs when the dog’s on point, the decoys are set, or a gobbler is strutting at the edge of range. Here’s how bismuth and tungsten stack up in real hunting conditions:

Waterfowl Hunting

For ducks and geese, the biggest question is usually range. Bismuth works well over decoys, especially for mallards and teal inside 35 yards. It carries more punch than steel and patterns consistently, making it a solid upgrade for hunters who shoot close. Tungsten, however, shines when birds hang up just outside the decoys or when geese circle high. Its density keeps pellets lethal well past 40 yards, giving hunters confidence to take shots that bismuth might not cover cleanly.

Upland Hunting

In the uplands, where shots are fast and often close, bismuth is an excellent option. It drops pheasants, grouse, and quail with authority without the premium price of tungsten. Because it’s softer, it can also be used safely in older upland shotguns that might not tolerate steel. Tungsten is overkill in most upland scenarios, but for hunters chasing wild, late-season roosters that flush far and fly hard, its extra range and penetration can pay off.

Turkey Hunting

This is where tungsten dominates. Gobblers are notoriously tough birds, and hunters often face shots at 40+ yards. Bismuth can fold a bird at moderate ranges, but tungsten’s penetration ensures a clean kill even when a tom hangs up out past 45. It also allows hunters to use smaller pellets for tighter, denser patterns that put more hits in the vitals.

Bottom line: Bismuth performs well for close and mid-range hunting, but when the conditions get tough, tungsten is the material that consistently delivers clean, ethical kills.

Cost vs. Value

For many hunters, price is the first barrier when considering premium shells. Bismuth typically costs two to three times as much as steel, while tungsten often runs three to five times the price. On paper, that makes bismuth the more approachable option, and for hunters shooting higher volumes of shells — like upland hunters walking fields all day — the savings can add up.

But cost per box doesn’t always equal cost per hunt. With bismuth, you may fire multiple shells to bring down a tough pheasant or finish off a crippled duck. Tungsten’s higher density and penetration often mean one well-placed shot gets the job done. Over the course of a season, that can reduce the total number of shells you burn through, offsetting some of the initial price difference.

Then there’s the bigger picture. Consider the true cost of a hunt: gas to get there, decoys, licenses, dogs, time off work. In that context, ammo is one of the smallest expenses of the entire outing. Spending a few extra dollars for tungsten can be a smart investment if it means walking away with clean kills and fewer wasted opportunities.

Bismuth offers a solid balance of performance and price, especially for hunters who mostly take close to mid-range shots. But for those who demand maximum performance — whether it’s reaching wary late-season mallards, anchoring geese, or dropping a gobbler at 45 yards — tungsten delivers value that goes beyond the price tag.

Final Verdict

Both bismuth and tungsten have their place in today’s non-toxic hunting landscape. Bismuth is the practical middle ground — affordable compared to tungsten, safe for older guns, and perfectly capable for upland hunts, turkey shots inside 35 yards, and ducks over decoys. For many hunters, it’s a reliable upgrade from steel without the premium price tag.

But when maximum performance is the priority, tungsten stands alone. Its unmatched density translates into tighter patterns, deeper penetration, and extended lethal ranges that bismuth simply can’t match. That makes it the clear choice for late-season ducks, big honkers, and long-bearded gobblers that hang up just beyond typical distances.

In the end, choosing between bismuth and tungsten comes down to priorities. If you want a budget-friendly non-toxic shell that performs well at moderate ranges, bismuth will serve you well. But if you’re the type of hunter who values clean kills, confidence at distance, and shells that deliver every time, tungsten is worth every penny.

At Black River Shot Company, we build our tungsten loads for hunters who refuse to compromise.

👉 Ready to step up your performance? Shop Tungsten Loads today and make every shot count.