Battle of the Value Packs, Round 2

[Gearhead Jim]

Last Fall I patterned some trap loads, all 3- 1 1/8 #8
The gun used was my Browning BSS with the Briley full choke tube.
40 yards, 4 shots of each type. Results:

Winchester AA 78%
Winchester Walmart Value Pack 67%
Federal Walmart Value Pack 71%
Remington Walmart Value Pack 74%

Recently I did some more experimenting using just the Winchester VP and Federal VP- we know that AA will be better or at least equal, and the Remington is no longer available around here.

For starters, two Remington 11-87 Police shotguns were used to test reliability (because that's what I have!). 25 rds of Winchester VP and Federal VP were fired through each gun, no malfunctions.

The pattern tests (40 yds, 4 shots each) were repeated using the same BSS and Briley full choke tube. Results:

Winchester Walmart Value Pack 75%
Federal Walmart Value Pack 68%

The patterns were "eyeballed" for uniformity and blank spots, no difference between the brands could be seen.

So why did the Winchester and Federal reverse their relative positions? Possibilities:

A different lot of each brand was used, fresh stock this Fall
I was more careful about getting my counting circle around the densest part of the pattern, redoing the count if nesessary
Shooting 4 shots per load tells us something, but not as much as 10 shots per load. Further testing might change the numbers.

Hope this helps...

 

[sm]

Thanks For Testing and Sharing results!

You have presented some interesting results, and questions to ponder.

Temperature changes,different lots of powders/ primers, a change in wad ,or hull composition. We don't know enviroment of VP where stored before shipment...storage in transit...etc.

My gut feeling is "just how much can I shave a bit here, a bit there and still 'get by' with selling for this price point?"

For sure your post and results should remind us all - just because some load has in the past , doesn't mean it will continue to perform as before.

 

[Marshall]

Thanks! Sounds like they're all within 11% of each other, pretty safe choices regardless.

 

[fecmech]

A few years ago I stumbled on a quick way to pattern shotguns by using a 4' square piece of 1/8" plate covered with white lithium grease. I draw the 30" circle with two dowels on a 15" string and after counting use a 4" paint brush to "repaint" the grease and shoot again. To date I have shot over 500 patterns of various loads and chokes and my experience with the "cheap shells" is they pattern on average 10% less than the good stuff out of the same choke. I have seen no difference in pattern uniformity etc. just 10% less shot in the 30" circle. Until you run out of choke you can accomplish the same thing as using good shells but going 1 step tighter on your choke ie.(IC to light mod or mod). Conversley you can use the cheapies with your Auto in Sporting to open you up one choke on a double stand where you have one close and 1 long shot. About all I use the good target ammo for anymore are the really long (50-60yd) sporting shots. Nick

 

[greg531mi]

Sounds like they make the Wally World cheaper....I know that to get their price down for Wall Mart, the manufacturers cheapen Wall Mart runs....