Reloading Federal & Winchester Shotgun Shells from Walmart

[Kahyne]

Has anyone tried to reload the Winchester Universal and/or Federal Field & Target, 100 pack, shotgun ammo they sell at Walmart? If so, what data are you using? I've been to a couple of sites and could not find out which hull to choose. Thanks in advance!

[sargenv]

You can, but these weren't really meant to be reloaded.. I've used the Federal hulls for years, the cheapie ones tend to be more difficult to load well. The Winchester hulls are meant to be fired and then picked up and trashed.. there are easier hulls to reload. The AA's made by Winchester, the STS hulls by Remington, and the higher quality Federal plastic based or Wound paper basewad hulls (known as Hi-power hulls) from better quality factory ammo.. Fiocchi hulls are also easier to reload, comparatively to the cheapie wally world hulls. Some people also report ease of reloading with the Rio hulls.

[Bill Steele]

If you want to reload low cost commercial loaded hulls you have fired, watch for a sale at places like Cabela's for Remington Gun Clubs. The prices for these loaded shells can get pretty compelling when on sale and the Gun Clubs reload well, don't let the steel "brass" put you off.

[rmblaster]

Like previous posters said not really made to be reloaded but you can and they will hold up for a quite a few reloadings just not as long as winchester AA check out Alliant powder reloader guide they have some data for federal plastic shells and winchester also

[rsrocket1]

The Winchester Universal or Supers have the same internals as the AA's, but as the others said, don't bother. They have a very weak wall and won't hold a crimp against any tension. They may look OK when you complete it, but in a couple of days, you may find a bunch of the shells looking like a tent in the middle and leaking shot.

The Federal Top Gun Hulls Load with the same data as their Gold Medal plastic hulls. They shoot well, but with a straight walled hull, you'll need a straight walled wad such as the 12S0, 12S1, or 12S3 and about 2 grains more powder than you would with Remington or Winchester AA hulls. The fiber base also does not tolerate water at all so its OK to use hulls you know never touched water. If the fiber base blows out and gets stuck in the barrel, get ready to buy a new one if you shoot the next shell without checking.

My preference is the Remington Gun Clubs. The new rounds are inexpensive, the load data is the same as the STS/Nitro/Game shells and they last for many reloads. One guy in the Shotgunworld Reloading forum got 15 reloads from his GC hulls (done as an experiment).

[Kahyne]

Really appreciate all the info!

[zfields]

If you are interested, my mom back in CA just picked up a ton of 12 and 20 g. AA and assorted others she wants to dump cheap.