Crushed shells - 12ga reloading

[Revoman]

It sounds like your issue has been resolved by changing wads.

However, I'm curious if you are loading the newer 'HS' hulls as they do use a different wad than the norm. Your wads should be red in color, that indicates a 'HS' hull wad.

It appears that they are not seating completely and catching on the way down, that's what leads me to believe that your hulls are 'HS'. The new hulls are two piece where the old hulls were one piece. You can tell by looking into the hull with a flashlight and seeing the base rise up the side wall for about a quarter inch.

Could be wrong though. It's very important in shotshell loading to use the recipes exactly without changing components.

[NoNOS67]

Special red wads for HS hulls? I'm curious now...

[jwc]

It sounds like your issue has been resolved by changing wads.

However, I'm curious if you are loading the newer 'HS' hulls as they do use a different wad than the norm. Your wads should be red in color, that indicates a 'HS' hull wad.

It appears that they are not seating completely and catching on the way down, that's what leads me to believe that your hulls are 'HS'. The new hulls are two piece where the old hulls were one piece. You can tell by looking into the hull with a flashlight and seeing the base rise up the side wall for about a quarter inch.

Could be wrong though. It's very important in shotshell loading to use the recipes exactly without changing components.

Yes, it appears the hulls I am using are two piece.

The WAA 12L wads are grey and the Claybuster CB2100-12 (12SO replacement) wads are white. The base of the grey wads are definitely narrower than the white wads.

[jwc]

photo 6

below

[Bill Steele]

I don't load a lot of Winchester hulls in 12ga (CF or HS) mainly because I have a bazillion Remingtons on hand, but from everything I have read and talked to guys that load the new HS style Winchester hulls, they seem to stick to the WAA12, WAA12L wads or favor the Down Range or Dusters.

Not sure about the "special Red HS" wads for 12ga. I have seen the "special Red HS" wads for the 28GA and I am told the 28ga HS hull is different, not sure exactly what sets them apart; but for 12ga and Winchester wads, I think the WAA12, WAA12SL and WAA12L pretty much cover things for HS hulls.

I have read a lot of guys substitute the next size up wad in a given load to compensate for the smaller volume in the AA HS hulls to get tidier results (i.e. - 1oz wad when loading 7/8oz of shot, same wad just a smaller spacer cushion area), which I guess is OK by the manufacturers.

[Revoman]

"Your wads should be red in color, that indicates a 'HS' hull wad."


I beg your pardon, Bill is correct with his wad numbers. I was thinking about the 28 and 410 wads. I apologize. Those are specifically red in color and yes, the wads in the 28 do have issues. I have yet to make the HS switch on 12, but have made the switch on 28 and 410.

You might try here for a better explanation of the difference between the old and the new hulls....

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/bpi/articleindex/articles/hulls_aa_new/NewAAhull1.htm

You could also try here....

http://www.winchester.com/products/components/wads-shot/winchester-wads/Pages/winchester-wads.aspx

IIRC, there was also a specific dimensional issue with the crimp start opening on the HS hulls directly from WW. I think it stated "about the diameter of a sharpened lead pencil about half way up." or something to that effect when they first hit the scene. That would make the opening a little less than 1/4", tighter than the old hull would be.

You could also try calling WW or your loader's manufacturer and they should be able to get you through this.

Again, I apologize for the erroneous first post.

[Revoman]

Well I found the notice that was issued by WW and it states that the "opening after the the starter crimp should not be able to pass a pencil eraser", it should be just smaller than that. This notification was issued back in the mid 2000's by the way so things might have changed since.

Take it for what it's worth.

[Bill Steele]

Well I found the notice that was issued by WW and it states that the "opening after the the starter crimp should not be able to pass a pencil eraser", it should be just smaller than that. This notification was issued back in the mid 2000's by the way so things might have changed since.

Take it for what it's worth.

Yes, just about everything I have read about problems loading the new style Winchester AA hulls (other than the OP's issue with the bulge lower in the hull), was related to the start crimp, or better maybe said, was cured when the start crimp was addressed.