Gary G23
Member
I was at Wal-Mart yesterday looking at 12ga shotshells. They had 100rd value packs from Remington, Winchester, and Federal. Which brand is the best in the value pack line?
Wal-Mart Value Packs
- Thread starter Gary G23
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armoredman
Member
I have had good luck with all three - go with the cheapest.
Technosavant
Member
They are all decent. The last couple times, I have bought the Federal; it's $1 cheaper. I'm not choosy.
bosshoff
Member
My $0.02
The only time I get picky about ammo for my shotgun is when I am buying ammo for ducks and geese. Other than that, I feel most of the stuff is very close in performance, and I'd shop solely by price.
The only time I get picky about ammo for my shotgun is when I am buying ammo for ducks and geese. Other than that, I feel most of the stuff is very close in performance, and I'd shop solely by price.
MCgunner
Member
I used to buy the cheapest cheap stuff, but have found it lacking the power to cycle my Winchester M1400 autochucker reliably. The Winchester super speed seems to work a lot better and it patterns better. The speed also reduces the lead and those pesky doves can't dodge it as easily late in the season. They do get real skiddish.
Non-toxic stuff is a whole nuther story.
Non-toxic stuff is a whole nuther story.
backlash
Member
Usually get the Federal stuff, never had any issues with it.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Seems the Winchester has been the most problematical brand lately, but a rough chamber (or more likely, one not cleaned thoroughly of factory preservatives) has been known to make any of them stick badly. Best bet is to buy a single box of several brands to experiment with before stocking up on any one brand- that way you'll know what might cause you trouble.
lpl/nc
lpl/nc
Chris17404
Member
Something to keep in mind...
Around here, I have noticed that I can buy a case (10 boxes) of Remington Gun Clubs or Federal Top Gun target loads for a cheaper per-box price than the Wal-Mart Value Packs (4 boxes).
For example, Wal-Mart Value Pack of Remingtons might be around $17 for 100 shells. That's $4.25 per box. I can get a case of Remington Gun Clubs at Dick's Sporting Goods for $36.80. That's $3.68 per box!
I think Wal-Mart tries to fool you into thinking you're getting a better deal than you really are.
Chris
Around here, I have noticed that I can buy a case (10 boxes) of Remington Gun Clubs or Federal Top Gun target loads for a cheaper per-box price than the Wal-Mart Value Packs (4 boxes).
For example, Wal-Mart Value Pack of Remingtons might be around $17 for 100 shells. That's $4.25 per box. I can get a case of Remington Gun Clubs at Dick's Sporting Goods for $36.80. That's $3.68 per box!
I think Wal-Mart tries to fool you into thinking you're getting a better deal than you really are.
Chris
sm
member
I agree with Lee's post.
Each shotgun has their own quirks about which ammo. Firearms in general.
Re: Winchester. Experiences mirror what Lee shared. The brass ain't "brass" - not that we need "brass" because Activ shotshells didn't have brass and these fed and extracted great! Even reloaded these held up.
My beefs : Ammo for a good price has to have correct specs, they have to feed and the extractor has to "extract".
1) Some of these great buys do not have a "brass" worth a flip. The "brass" where meets plastic, hangs up on feeding - and then if the shell gets into the gun, if out of spec (too long) we have serious problems. Then if this shell fires, the extractor does not extract and we get to practice malf drills.
2) Chambers: Been discussed before in regard to being out of spec, rough, how to check and how to fix.
3) Extractors: We have a new wrinkle cropping up. Sometimes the extractor is MIM and causing problems. Have a extra bolt complete with extractor with old style extractor handy [ this will work for 870, 1300 1100 and a few other guns] . If an extractor "goes", have it replaced with old style for backup.
3a) Some extractors are not cut correctly on some newer offerings, akin to extractors on 1911 should have a certain depth, and angles...qualified gunsmith is whom needs to check and correct.
4)Messin': Semi guns get set up to run buck and slugs, them ports get messed with and will not run with these bulk pack loads - or - requires 3dr eq.
Meaning - the really great buy - buys frustration in trying to get a 2 3/4 dr of 7/8 or 1oz load to run.
5)Semi: Repeating above - some guns are going to require a certain payload to run the gun, That is the way the gun was designed to port gases/ use recoil operation. Know the gun, know what the gun was designed to run with.
Great buys are not great buys if the $1 costs you frustration in learning, and gets real expensive if you drop a bird in clays, disrupts a shotgun class...Saving money is fine, getting quality for what you pay for is always better.
Choices: Personally, Federal bulk pack. Last I used [hope not changed] in spec and had "brass" - worked in everygun used in.
I have not been where bulk packs are really sold as some of you frequent]
I have been using a variety of loads that are quality, and work in a variety of guns. Some I choose for the ability to reload, some are not. Fiochhi, Peters, for instance reload. Kent and Sport load, not for reloading and equal to or less than bulk prices. Say Gander Mtn, Academy ...etc.
I reloaded nothing but Win components forever. I have fired hundreds of thousands of AA compression formed hulls. That hull is no more. HS replaced it and it is not the same. You want the Compression Formed, get STS by Rem or Peter's [Blue Magic]
Seems I paid $4.99 for Peter's in a target load, last heard these had been reloaded 8 times already, most likely will go 12. For the money, a better loading by reloading. Hard shot being the key.
Steve
Each shotgun has their own quirks about which ammo. Firearms in general.
Re: Winchester. Experiences mirror what Lee shared. The brass ain't "brass" - not that we need "brass" because Activ shotshells didn't have brass and these fed and extracted great! Even reloaded these held up.
My beefs : Ammo for a good price has to have correct specs, they have to feed and the extractor has to "extract".
1) Some of these great buys do not have a "brass" worth a flip. The "brass" where meets plastic, hangs up on feeding - and then if the shell gets into the gun, if out of spec (too long) we have serious problems. Then if this shell fires, the extractor does not extract and we get to practice malf drills.
2) Chambers: Been discussed before in regard to being out of spec, rough, how to check and how to fix.
3) Extractors: We have a new wrinkle cropping up. Sometimes the extractor is MIM and causing problems. Have a extra bolt complete with extractor with old style extractor handy [ this will work for 870, 1300 1100 and a few other guns] . If an extractor "goes", have it replaced with old style for backup.
3a) Some extractors are not cut correctly on some newer offerings, akin to extractors on 1911 should have a certain depth, and angles...qualified gunsmith is whom needs to check and correct.
4)Messin': Semi guns get set up to run buck and slugs, them ports get messed with and will not run with these bulk pack loads - or - requires 3dr eq.
Meaning - the really great buy - buys frustration in trying to get a 2 3/4 dr of 7/8 or 1oz load to run.
5)Semi: Repeating above - some guns are going to require a certain payload to run the gun, That is the way the gun was designed to port gases/ use recoil operation. Know the gun, know what the gun was designed to run with.
Great buys are not great buys if the $1 costs you frustration in learning, and gets real expensive if you drop a bird in clays, disrupts a shotgun class...Saving money is fine, getting quality for what you pay for is always better.
Choices: Personally, Federal bulk pack. Last I used [hope not changed] in spec and had "brass" - worked in everygun used in.
I have not been where bulk packs are really sold as some of you frequent]
I have been using a variety of loads that are quality, and work in a variety of guns. Some I choose for the ability to reload, some are not. Fiochhi, Peters, for instance reload. Kent and Sport load, not for reloading and equal to or less than bulk prices. Say Gander Mtn, Academy ...etc.
I reloaded nothing but Win components forever. I have fired hundreds of thousands of AA compression formed hulls. That hull is no more. HS replaced it and it is not the same. You want the Compression Formed, get STS by Rem or Peter's [Blue Magic]
Seems I paid $4.99 for Peter's in a target load, last heard these had been reloaded 8 times already, most likely will go 12. For the money, a better loading by reloading. Hard shot being the key.
Steve
Not sure there's w whole lotta difference, but I've mostly used Federal ammo (not just in shotguns, but rimfire and centerfire rifles)... Followed by Winchester...Because I've had a few problems with Remington (mostly rimfire, some centerfire)...I rarely buy Remington. YMMV.
Starter52
Member
Federals and Winchesters work well for me, but as mentioned, the "brass" in many of these low-cost shells is now soft steel. Try a magnet on the empties and you'll see.
They shoot just fine, but are not much fun to reload.
They shoot just fine, but are not much fun to reload.
Hokkmike
Member
I priced the value pack at Wal-Mart vs. indivdual boxes and found no difference in price. Make sure that you do the math before you buy! I think that, in some cases, they count on the consumer assuming that, naturally, the value pack, must be cheaper.
rageofangels
Member
I have a Remington 870 Home Defense Model that I thought was junk because it would not feed properly. Every other round of cheap Federal bulk pack 12 gauge caused the shotgun to literally jam with the auction and I would have to prop it against my hip and use all of my weight force the action into spitting out the empty shell. Then again, my shotgun should eat anything.. and the fact that it does not makes me sad. Good thing I tested it before just blindly loading it and putting it in the closest. 
Tiny in Ohio
Member
The last Winchester value pack I bought from Walmart was the dirtiest I think I have ever shot from a shotgun. They were terrible. I now shoot Federals and they are much cleaner, and cheaper. The Citori eats them up.
richardschennberg
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2005
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- 199
I have found Remington to make discount shotshells that functions well in autos. I have had problems with Federal and Windchester. I'm guessing Remington tests their own ammo in their own 11-87 shotguns.
Richard
Schennberg.com
Richard
Schennberg.com
I agree. The last batch of Winchester Value ammo that I bought was mushroom shaped at the crimp. It was tough to cycle in my 870. It all fire OK but it fought me all the way.
The Federal and Remington stuff "seems" better to me.
Mike
Karbon
Member
Federal.
Winchester caused way more problems.
Winchester caused way more problems.
I've used all of the Wal-Mart bulk box ammo, and here's what I've found:
The Winchester stuff has been sized wrong, in my experience. Feeds poorly in my 870; very frustrating. I avoid it. Since I got a break-action with a loose chamber, I started reloading anyway, so I haven't bought any in a long time. I stay away from cheap bulk Winchester shotshells.
The Federal stuff is good, but if you have the habit of blowing the smoke out of your barrel, be careful when you breathe in. It makes me cough. Powder is a bit dirty. Disposable. I'm partial to Federal's more expensive hunting rounds, and to their Estate Cartridge line, but I've shot a lot of their cheap bulk stuff with no complaints.
The bulk Remington stuff is the best of the bunch, in my experience. Hulls can be reloaded many times, powder is cleaner, shells feed perfectly even in temperamental guns. If you reload, or plan to, it's a better deal despite the slightly higher price, because you can keep the hulls.
The Winchester stuff has been sized wrong, in my experience. Feeds poorly in my 870; very frustrating. I avoid it. Since I got a break-action with a loose chamber, I started reloading anyway, so I haven't bought any in a long time. I stay away from cheap bulk Winchester shotshells.
The Federal stuff is good, but if you have the habit of blowing the smoke out of your barrel, be careful when you breathe in. It makes me cough. Powder is a bit dirty. Disposable. I'm partial to Federal's more expensive hunting rounds, and to their Estate Cartridge line, but I've shot a lot of their cheap bulk stuff with no complaints.
The bulk Remington stuff is the best of the bunch, in my experience. Hulls can be reloaded many times, powder is cleaner, shells feed perfectly even in temperamental guns. If you reload, or plan to, it's a better deal despite the slightly higher price, because you can keep the hulls.
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Federals usually cheapest, I get that stuff for new shooters to use who aren't used to full power loads.
I'm partial to remmington over winchester on the high end stuff. I just haven't had much luck with winchester.
they make an ok .223 round tho.
I'm partial to remmington over winchester on the high end stuff. I just haven't had much luck with winchester.
they make an ok .223 round tho.
ysr_racer
Member
Winchester wont fit in my 525. I use the Rem if I can find it.
TrapperReady
Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2003
- Messages
- 2,732
Last year I went through about 6000 of the Federal 1oz value-pack shells. I can't think of any problems with them. I've also shot Winchester cheap stuff in the past, and WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN. The Winchester shells I've used have caused occasional FTF problems, seem to have more recoil than other comparable shells, and leave more residual crud in my barrels than anything I've ever used.
STiTkacik
Member
I'd go with the Remington. It's what my 1187 likes best.
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