Winchester Universal Loads - Powder?

[XDJ]

What powder does Winchester use in its cheap "Universal" shotgun loads? I mean the stuff you can buy at Wal-Mart for real cheap.

Thanks.

 

[steveno]

there isn't any way of knowing what powders the ammo companies use and it is probably a non-canister grade powder that isn't available to us as reloaders

 

[oneounceload]

It is a blend that varies from lot to lot to meet specified performance data - you cannot buy it. If you are trying to reload those, you would be better off using a different hull

 

[Dudedog]

If you are after an inexpensive powder I have heard Alliant Promo is hard to beat price wise. Supposed to load the same as Red Dot by weight, not volumne.
Never used it though, anybody elses comments on Promo?

 

[XDJ]

I bought a box of 100 a while back. My gun hated them so I ended up opening them to make Lee slugs with the lead. I was just wondering if there is something useful to do with the powder. If I knew the powder I could maybe use it but not if I'm just guessing at what it is and the amount.

A side question, is there a safe way to remove the primers to reuse in other shells?

 

[MARKMALL]

You can safely and easily deprime them on your press. I do it all the time.

 

[oneounceload]

Regarding Promo - you are correct. It does tend to be a little "dirtier" which MIGHT have some affect if using a gas gun, but otherwise it is a promotional version of Red Dot basically.

Because of its cheap price, it is only sold in 8# jugs which tend to run under $90

 

[dragon813gt]

I mean the stuff you can buy at Wal-Mart for real cheap.

$28 per 100 is real cheap? My definition is a little bit different.

 

[Dudedog]

Ah you want to use the powder from them.
I will suggest unknown powder makes good fertilizer. Powder is cheap (sort of) guns tend to be more expensive and ER visits are MUCH more expensive!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

there isn't any way of knowing what powders the ammo companies use and it is probably a non-canister grade powder that isn't available to us as reloaders

Even though that is correct it is also rumored Winchester does use W748 and W760 in their factory ammo as well as a few of the shotgun powders in their factory shotshells. Like I said though, it's rumored and I have no proof so there is no way of really knowing.

 

[oldreloader]

I load them with AA data and it works well.

 

[oneounceload]

I load them with AA data and it works well.

This would not be correct to do as the hull design is different - the AA's are tapered and the Universals are straight-walled meaning powder charges will be different as will the wads

 

[safarihunter]

Winchester like other shot shell manufacturers use the lowest cost powder available at the time. That might mean one supplier now and another supplier the next time they order powder.

 

[wild willy]

Best to use the powder for fertilizer.I can't believe Winchester hasn't changed those shells.I bought a 100 round box several years ago. Worse shotgun shells I ever bought in fifty years of shooting.

 

[oneounceload]

And at the current prices (at least where I live) I can buy Remington Gun Clubs for less and have a great hull for reloading

 

[XDJ]

I was playing around with it and it has the same "density" as Red Dot. Each shell has 18 grains that fit almost perfectly in a 2.5cc scoop.

It will probably end up fertilizer.