What is a bismuth shot?

Bismuth shot is a type of ammunition for shotguns. It consists of shells packed with small pellets. It is meant to be a non-toxic alternative to the more common lead and steel varieties of pellets.

Bismuth pellets are composed of an alloy of tin and bismuth and are nearly as dense as lead. A non-toxic shot is desirable for hunting because there are legal restrictions on the type of shot that can be used when hunting waterfowl. There are also restrictions if the game is going to be consumed. The downside of bismuth shot is that it tends to be more expensive than traditional types of ammunition.