Boss Copper - New Shotgun Ammunition Loaded With All-Copper Birdshot
Thanks to properties like high density and malleability, lead has been the go-to birdshot material since the beginning of time. However, lead is toxic and nowadays it is banned in many countries, including the USA, for hunting certain game species. Some of the most popular alternative materials for making non-toxic birdshot are steel, tungsten and bismuth. The raw material for making bismuth shot is apparently predominantly imported from China. With the latest economic and political developments, it has become challenging for ammo manufacturers to get this material and many are considering switching to other materials. Boss Shotshells came up with an interesting solution and has recently introduced a shotgun ammunition line called Boss Copper that is loaded with birdshot completely made of copper. Yes, all-copper, not copper-plated.
“Bismuth is out. Copper is in.
The next generation of non-toxic shotshells is here. Boss Copper delivers the same trusted performance our Legacy Copper-Plated Bismuth shells were known for. Tight patterns, lethal penetration, and consistency you can count on - now engineered in copper.”
According to Boss, copper has 94% of bismuth’s density but is three times harder, resulting in less pellet deformation and no fragmentation. At the same time, copper is softer than steel, which makes it old gun and fixed-choke friendly. The Boss corrosion-inhibited copper pellets are manufactured in accordance with USFWS Non-Toxic Shot requirements and the ammo is loaded with Boss Bio-Engineered wads.
At the time of writing, there are the following loads available in the Boss Copper line of shotgun ammunition:
Gauge & Shell Length | Shot Size | Payload Weight | Muzzle Velocity | MSRP (box of 20 shells) | MSRP (case of 200 shells) |
12GA 2 ¾” | #3/5, #4, #5 | 1 ¼ oz | 1,350 fps | $40 | $375 |
12GA 3” | #3, #3/5, #4, #5 | 1 ⅜ oz, 1 ½ oz | 1,350 fps | $41-$43 | $380-$415 |
16GA 2 ¾” | #3/5, #4, #5 | 1 ⅛ oz | 1,350 fps | $39 | $365 |
20GA 2 ¾” | #5 | ⅞ oz | 1,350 fps | $41.5 | $385 |
20GA 3” | #3, #3/5, #4, #5 | 1 ⅛ oz | 1,350 fps | $40 | $375 |
28GA 2 ¾” | #3/5, #4, #5 | ⅞ oz | 1,350 fps | $39 | $365 |
28GA 3” | #3/5, #4, #5 | 1 1/16 oz | 1,350 fps | $41.5 | $385 |
410GA 3” | #5 | ½ oz | 1,325 fps | $39 | $375 |
Let us know in the comments section what you think about the new Boss Copper ammunition and the use of copper as a shot material in general.
Pictures by Boss Shotshells, www.bossshotshells.com
Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com
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For two bucks a shell, it better be able to pluck and gut the birds and package them up for the freezer too.