evan price
Member
I'm just getting started in shotshell reloading. I am using the Remington Gun Club hulls, plus some Nitros and STSs and Field black hulls. I keep hearing people talk about how AA hulls are the gold standard for reloading. Then people say "But NOT the new HS hulls" and then people say the Universal/Super Target bargain hulls are junk...
Well, I picked up a full box of 25 fired AA-HS hulls today at the club.
Figured I'd look them over.
Pictures later.
I slit the Universal hull down the side. The basewad is a separate white piece of plastic. The hull thickness measured .024".
I then slit the AA-HS hull down the side. The basewad looks identical to the cheap Universal. The micrometer says it's the same thickness polymer too.
The AA-HS hull measured .030" thick.
I can't see any other difference, except maybe the metal base is brass colored instead of zinc plated.
What the heck? If you reload these AA-HS hulls you might as well just load the Super-Target & Universal hulls. Same inside. Why pay extra? Maybe you'd get a couple more reloads from the .006" thicker plastic hull?
The factory Super-Targets I have shot all use the clear WAA12SL wad (like the AA does from the factory).
What are you getting in the 'new' AA shells that justifies the price?
I am sticking to the Remington hulls! The AA-HSs will get dumped.
Cutting hulls is interesting. I cut some Federals. They all have a cardboard base wad. No wonder they say not to use Federals if they have gotten wet.
This is probably right in there with "Water is wet" to experienced shotshell loaders but seeing it in person tells the story.
Well, I picked up a full box of 25 fired AA-HS hulls today at the club.
Figured I'd look them over.
Pictures later.
I slit the Universal hull down the side. The basewad is a separate white piece of plastic. The hull thickness measured .024".
I then slit the AA-HS hull down the side. The basewad looks identical to the cheap Universal. The micrometer says it's the same thickness polymer too.
The AA-HS hull measured .030" thick.
I can't see any other difference, except maybe the metal base is brass colored instead of zinc plated.
What the heck? If you reload these AA-HS hulls you might as well just load the Super-Target & Universal hulls. Same inside. Why pay extra? Maybe you'd get a couple more reloads from the .006" thicker plastic hull?
The factory Super-Targets I have shot all use the clear WAA12SL wad (like the AA does from the factory).
What are you getting in the 'new' AA shells that justifies the price?
I am sticking to the Remington hulls! The AA-HSs will get dumped.
Cutting hulls is interesting. I cut some Federals. They all have a cardboard base wad. No wonder they say not to use Federals if they have gotten wet.
This is probably right in there with "Water is wet" to experienced shotshell loaders but seeing it in person tells the story.
