27 October 2006, 07:31
SuperMagnumCan I load these hulls?
I have a whole bunch of hulls from those cheap federal and winchester shells that comes in a big box containing 4 boxes of 25s for $15 from walmart. I can't find any load data for these types of hulls so are they even reloadable? If so, what powder and wads will work with them? Thanks.
27 October 2006, 11:20
RandyWakemanMost of the powder mfg'er's have loads for them-- poly Reifenhauser hulls are not the best; I used to reload Top Guns once, then toss them-- but, no more.
But, yes, they are reloadable, and Alliant / Hodgdon / etc. etc. all publish data.
07 January 2007, 21:11
GatogordoI haven't tried all the modern variations, BUT while those type hulls are reloadable they don't have the plastic "memory" that better hulls like AA, STS, etc do. They have a marked tendency for the crimp to open up, especially in hot weather. If you're going to load some and immediately go shoot them up as "shoot and poppers" at clays of some description, they are OK, but in general, I'd avoid them.
08 January 2007, 03:38
johnchThe Winchester hull is a PolyFormed hulls
The Federal hull is the Hi Hower , also labled as a Estate brand hull
I load the Federal Hi Power hull 1 time .
Makes a great 1 oz steel shot load
Because the Winchester Polyformed hull crushes so easly and the general lack of load data I don't normaly load it .
Also the basewad has a nasty habbit of coming loose .
But it dose make a very good hull for 1 1/2 oz load
Johnch
08 January 2007, 10:11
GSP7Im not up on what the red federal "ribbed" shell is in the last few years but they were good for reloading a couple times at least. Same base wad hieght as the AA. I used to load heavy chukar type loads in them.
08 January 2007, 18:38
DutchYes on the Fed (Federal with Paper Basewad listings). Use Fed wads or clones (i.e. not the wads for tapered hulls).
The Wins will drive you to drink. HTH, Dutch.
12 January 2007, 21:56
StonecreekThe Estate/Federals are acceptable in a 28 gauge. I load them once and use them for things like quail hunting where you're more likely to lose your spent shell. I save my good shells like AA's for targets and doves where they are easily recovered.