paper or plastic hulls?

[Milkmaster]

I was at the trap range today. About half of the shooters were using paper (cardboard) hulled shells and the other half were using plastic hulled shells. I was curious about the difference and got many different versions of why to use one or the other. One guy said he reloads his paper hulls one time.

Here are some examples of what I heard...

1."Use plastic hulls with semi-autos and paper for everything else."

2."Paper shells hang up in semi-autos."

3."Paper hulls are more consistant"

4."Plastic is easier on your gun!"

5."They must be using cheap surplus shells, because the paper shells aren't made much anymore."

Any comments from you more learned and experienced folk?

 

[Alphazulu6]

I have only used plastic hulled shells personally. I didnt think that paper hulled ones even really existed in competition shooting loads.

 

[RNB65]

The last time I saw paper hulls was 30+ years ago. My dad bought a bunch when he bought his Auto-5 in the early 60's. They lasted a long time since he only used them for bird hunting and he didn't go bird hunting very often. He's probably still got a box or two tucked away somewhere in his workshop.

 

[bannockburn]

Actually I use Fiocchi Paper shells when I shoot trap. They're 2 3/4 dram with 1 1/8oz. of number 8 shot. I use them in my semi-auto without any problems and I guess I like them because they're kind of old style shells but made with modern technology.

 

[ArmedBear]

Paper shells are still being made.

They're good for black powder, with fiber wads and roll crimps. PITA, but if you want to shoot great-great-granddad's Elsie, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Most modern competition guns have longer forcing cones that don't work right with anything but modern plastic wads. Why you'd insist on using paper shells with plastic wads is beyond me. The wad matters a lot more than the shell. Cheap Remington bulk hulls shoot as well as STS's, when you reload them the same way. The cheap ones MUST be resized, and they won't reload as often before the petals start breaking, but they shoot the same as long as they are reload-worthy (6-8 times IMO). While an STS hull IS better and it IS worth extra money for reloading especially, any half-decent hull will shoot fine if it's in decent condition; the hull just isn't that critical when it comes to results downrange. I've seen shells with Scotch Tape holding the shot in; they still work fine if the shot, wads, powder charge, etc. are right.

What is on the ground at a big ATA shoot? Plastic.

Plastic shells work fine; there's no need to go through extra effort to reload paper for standard modern loads.

Nothing wrong with them, but if someone says he shoots better with paper, it's psychological. You can't beat 100/100 that top trapshooters score with quality plastic shells.

 

[Milkmaster]

After I came home from seeing the paper shells I wished I had a aquired one to cut open and see how it was made. They were the same "DIANA" brand as the range was selling in plastic. If it means anything they were medium glossy blue in color.

 

[Milkmaster]

I'll be darned! I found the new "Diana" paper hulled shells online! So I guess they aren't surplus. No that it really matters to my questions. I just found it interesting. The paper shells are at the bottom of the page with pictures.

Here is the link...

http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/2,215.html

 

[Dave McCracken]

The only domestic paper hull I know of is the Federal. Some trapshooters like them and reload them.

Once.

They claim softer recoil but I can't feel it.

I still have some paper hull loads from the 50s and 60s.

Paper cases do not handle wet conditions as well as plastics do.

If I wanted to shoot an heirloom(after a smith OK'd it) I'd probably get some of the all brass cases and load up some low pressure stuff.