Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3.
You need tighter patterns and higher speeds without the price tag of pure tungsten — Hevi-Shot Hevi-Hammer Upland 20 gauge steel bismuth ammo delivers both. This is a 3″ shell loaded with 7/8 ounce #5 shot, layered with bismuth pellets over a steel core. Bismuth is denser than steel, softer than tungsten, and legal in every flyway that mandates non-toxic shot. The dual-layer architecture keeps pellet count high, velocity consistent, and delivers more energy on target at 30-40 yards than steel-only loads. Hevi-Shot casts bismuth in-house alongside tungsten in their U.S. foundry, ensuring lot-to-lot consistency. The shell is crimped with a 6-point star, primed with non-corrosive Boxer primers, and uses reloadable hulls — no plastic wads to separate and sort. You get 25 rounds per box, ready for dove fields, quail coverts, or any upland hunt where lead is off the table.
Performance at a Glance
The Hevi-Hammer line addresses the gap between budget steel and premium tungsten. Bismuth has 8.56 g/cc density versus steel’s 7.8 g/cc, meaning each #5 pellet hits harder and retains velocity longer. The result: you gain 10-15% more effective range than steel-only loads without moving to a heavier payload or tighter choke. The 7/8 ounce charge keeps recoil manageable in 20 gauge upland guns — sub-6 lb. doubles and over-unders — while the 3″ hull delivers enough pellet count for consistent patterns at 35 yards with Improved Cylinder or Modified chokes. Hevi-Shot recommends starting pattern testing at Modified; most hunters report optimal results at that constriction or one step tighter. The non-toxic status clears you for use on federal refuges, state waterfowl management areas, and any zone with lead restrictions. The 6-point crimp opens cleanly, and the Boxer primers seat flush — no hangfires reported in batches tested through 2025-2026 season. Box of 25 ships via ground only (DOT hazmat).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 20 Gauge |
| Shell length | 3″ |
| Shot type | Steel and Bismuth (layered) |
| Shot weight | 7/8 Ounce |
| Shot size | #5 |
| Rounds/box | 25 |
| Crimp | 6-Point Star |
| Primer | Boxer |
| Corrosive | No |
| Reloadable | Yes |
| Non-toxic | Yes |
| Intended use | Upland, Dove & Small Game |
| Country of origin | United States of America |
Browse the full 20 Gauge Steel Shot Ammo inventory for comparisons across brands and shot sizes.
Safe Handling & Compliance
Federal law requires purchasers to be at least 18 years old for rifle and shotgun ammunition, and at least 21 for handgun ammunition. Ammunition cannot be shipped to certain states, counties, and cities — review our ammunition shipping restrictions before ordering. Store ammunition in a cool, dry location away from heat sources and out of reach of unauthorized users.
- Treat every firearm as loaded; muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
- Verify gauge/chamber length before chambering any shell — 3″ shells require 3″ chambers.
- Store in original packaging below 120°F; avoid prolonged exposure to moisture.
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