shotgun hulls- choosing the right 1

[selinoid44]

Obviously there are hulls that everybody wants to reload. AA and STS Remingtons seem to be the hulls that are the best. Remington Gun Clubs and Remington black hulls seem to work well but the question is what hulls should we shy away from and why are they not recommended to reload? Why are some hulls so well accepted and what makes them the choice of so many?

 

[NCsmitty]

For me, long life with a good consistent repeatability of the crimp is the key.
AA and STS hulls, in 410, are the best though, without a doubt.
I shoot a lot of Fiocchi with good success, but their useful life is about half of the AA's and STS.

I will take the time to try different, cheaper hulls with different setups because I hate to waste, and for the challenge.


NCsmitty

 

[fecmech]

I don't think there are any that should not be reloaded, some are just easier and more convenient. Some just don't last more than 1 or 2 times. I shoot a Beretta 390 Auto in sporting clays and I'm glad everyone fights over the STS's and AA's. They leave all the Remington Gun Clubs and Federal top Guns lay there for me. Almost all the time I'm using once fired cases in my auto which from a uniform ballistics standpoint it doesn't get any better than that!

 

[Blackrock]

There is just something about the plastic in the Gold Remington that make them work better in my MEC 600 jr. Rem greens and Win AA's work second best. About all I can get is one loading out of the cheaper Federals and I gotta keep a close eye on the final crimp setting.

 

[selinoid44]

I use AA hulls in 20 guage for cowboy action, they seem to have the least expansion on the brass and in turn allow them to fall easy from the chamber of my side by side. I use a lot of Remington black hulls for sporting clays, some of which I have loaded several times but I'm always collecting STS hulls and AA's. The reason I posted is because a friend who is just getting into loading asked the question, (which hulls are best or does it matter?) A guy told him not to use the AA's because they aren't any good any more. HUH? That's the 1st I've heard that. I was told to stay away from the hulls that have the paper in the bottom, made since to me and was easy enough to avoid.

 

[JimKirk]

Win AA used to be the cat's meow, but I now find the Rem STS to be a longer lasting hull. Why I don't really know, but I'm finding the AA mouths split sooner than the STS. I find that I can get about two to three loadings more. The old AA lasted "forever". The other hulls that I've had good luck with include the Rem yellows(black for 12 ga), Fiocchi(lot less life) and I had a good supply of Federal Gold Metal once that worked very well and the Actvi(most hated them, they lasted as long or longer than AA). I load all 20 ga.

Jimmy K

 

[fecmech]

A guy told him not to use the AA's because they aren't any good any more. HUH?

I don't know if it's still going on but a short while back Winchester made a bunch of red AA's that only lasted 2 or 3 loadings before they split. In fact some of them split on the first firing! That isn't something I heard, I saw it more than once myself. That is probably what the guy was talking about when he said they were no good. The grey ones (which are 2 piece hulls) seem to be ok.

 

[dubbleA]

I don't know if it's still going on but a short while back Winchester made a bunch of red AA's that only lasted 2 or 3 loadings before they split. In fact some of them split on the first firing! That isn't something I heard, I saw it more than once myself. That is probably what the guy was talking about when he said they were no good.

Ditto, I switched to Rem STS's because of that and havent looked back.. I had quite a few AA's split down the side on it's initial firing. I would take them to the Winchester rep at shoots and he would either give me a few boxes for my trouble or a voucher.

I actually think the Federal Gold Medal is probably the best hull made but they are not as popular or easy to come by as the others.

Just remember to match your primer,wad, and powder to the hull you are using.

 

[selinoid44]

Okay define a 2 piece hull, some of us don't understand how or what a 2 piece hull is...

 

[Remo-99]

Okay define a 2 piece hull

Just what it sounds like it is, in single piece the base and sides/walls are formed as one complete unit with the brass base cap added later.
With 2 piece the base and hull sides are made seperately before being placed together and the base cap added.

Generally the one piece have tappered sides near the web area and two piece hulls are straight, hence the need to use the correct wads/data for the hulls being used.

 

[RainDodger]

I load for trap shooting with a Mec 9000G, fully progressive. Rem STS work great - it seems to me that the plastic is a little slicker than Win AA hulls. I use the STS shells in my semi-auto shotguns and the AA in my over/under. They both work fine. If I chose between them, it would be STS. I think they last a little longer. I've never had occasion to use others, as I probably have 10,000 AA/STS hulls.

 

[chrisgo]

STS\Nitros for 12 ga.
Old Style AA's for 20ga.
AA's for 28 and .410.......STS's are crap in these 2 gauges.
c.g.

 

[fecmech]

Okay define a 2 piece hull,

The grey AA Winchester hulls have the same tapered interior profile as the red hulls and use the same wads and load data. Federal, Fiocchi and other manufacturers with 2 piece hulls are mostly straight wall cases.

 

[627PCFan]

Your usually going to get a AA/STS divided crowd on this one. I go with the STS because my press operates better with them than the AA's. I think mileage is a bit more with the AA's too.

 

[oneounceload]

The really cheap hulls used in some promo loads are not worth bending over to pick up. Remember, you DO have to match components properly to avoid any dangerous pressure issues. Many folks seem to think that you can take any mish-mash of components and if they fit, your load is good to go. That can lead to bloopers, or worse, KABOOMS.

Best quality hulls will not only last the longest, you'll get a better, more consistent reload. Any of the top maker best hulls are good, whether Remington, Federal, Winchester, Fiocchi, B&P, etc.

 

[Play Hard]

Once Fired Federal Gold Medal Hulls (MI)

I have several thousand once fired 12 ga Federal Gold Medal Plastic 2-3/4 hulls for sale.

500 for $40 plus shipping.

I'm in Northern Michigan.

Send zip code and inquires to [email protected]

 

[DBR]

The Remington SPS hulls are "one piece construction" meaning they have an integral base wad and are good quality plastic meaning they will take a good crimp more times 5-6X is typical some get more.

Federal, Winchester AA and many others these days are "two piece construction" meaning they have a paper base wad in the head of the shell and are generally not as high quality plastic. On subsequent firings the base wad burns up and the capacity of the case changes. The lower quality plastic also gets brittle. These are not recommended for relaoding more than 1-2X.

In addition the best hulls have brass heads. The mid range hulls have brass plated steel heads. The low end shells may have anodized aluminum heads.