with the prices of everything going crazy I was looking to save some money on "off brand" wads . I was using AA but am considering either the Down Range or Clay Buster wads. Any pro's or con's to either brand? Thanks

Can't speak about the downrange because I've never used them, but the CBusters-CB1118-12IIRC?- work just like the WAA12, I can't tell any difference, except they are just about half price. The powder, wads and primers seem cheap compared to the new shot prices!What the hell is going on?49.99/25#

Personally, I think Claybusters are the worst of the bunch; they are the only wads that leave a lot of fouling in my chokes.

I've used both the Windjammer (II) and the Down Range wads, and they both are great. I shoot a 7/8th's load using the orange DR wads, and it patterns magnificently.

Duster is also supposed to make a great wad. Or, if you want, I have about a case and a half of ORIGINAL Pattern Control wads I'll make you a brother-in-law deal on....... LOL! Dutch.

quote:

Personally, I think Claybusters are the worst of the bunch; they are the only wads that leave a lot of fouling in my chokes.

The only wads that leave a lot of fouling in my chokes are the Fed Champions 12-C1, the 2 piece with the red gas seal and white shot cup, never noticed any from the Cbusters, I wouldn't be suprised if they actually don't make the AA12 for winchester. I've also used them for slug and round ball loads, can't tell one bit of difference.

For years and years all I used were Claybuster wads. As mentioned they are half the price of Winchester wads, they seem to shoot and pattern just fine, and the company was located right here in the town in which I live. My MEC 9000G would always click and pop when I seated the wad but I found nothing binding so I assumed that was just part of the operation. A year or so ago I ran short of wads and bought a bag of Winchester brand (The pink SL wads). The press ran so much smoother and wads seating was slick and quiet. The wads measure the same diameter but something about the plastic of the Winchester is much slicker.

There are a number of fine replacement wads out there, many of the various companies offer wads you will not find from the OEM's. If you like the AA knock offs do try the Duster Wads. The Blue Duster is 1 1/8 oz and the Green Duster for 1 oz. they are the slickes wads I have seen feeding through a machine. Their Orange Duster is a good knock off for the AA20 wad and Red Duster a good 28 wad (not an HS wad).

Down Range has some of the best products and quality molding you will find out there. I like their Jammer XL wad. They Recently added a Federal knock off and two Rem Fig 8 knock off's. Their DRV-20 wad is the one you want when loading Win 20 ga AAHS hulls as you can fit a full 7/8 oz without crushing and cramming. Look at Down Range's XXL Pink wad for 7/8 oz loads in 12 ga. it's a great wad. Check out Recob's Target Shop as they carry a full line of Down Range wads.

I have had some issues with the Clay Buster wads and some plastic fouling but only with their AA knock off. Their CB 4100 Lightning wad is a real favorite of mine as it loads both 1 oz and 7/8 oz equally well, patterns uniformaly in my guns and is as clean as any wad. And CB currently makes the only 28 ga AAHS clone wad I know of and is significantly less expensive than Win OEM's.

I like the Windjammer wads as most generaly they yield lower pressure than most of the others. I find the 8 petal wads pattern better for me but that's not true for all guns. Some do not like the way they feed going into / through their machines.

I any event if you want to keep your loading costs down look at the after market wads you can save significantly especialy if you order in 5K quanities. You may find you will not alter the quality of you loads, in fact you may improve it.

Scout Master 54

thanks guys for the good info.

When used in warm weather some of the bargun brand wads may work OK but for heavy field loads that will be shot at or below freezing temperatures you may want to do some testing. The cheaper wads are made of a plastic that becomes hard and brittle in the cold and do not perform well. I have found Winchester wads to be some of the best cold weather wads on the market.

Snowman, I agree that some of the earlier molding efforts left a bit to be desired but companies like Down Range, Windjammer and Duster use virgin plastic and their quality is first rate. IMO I can seldom attribute problems to wad issues, often troubles in cold weather are more often associated with ignition of some types powder in deep cold temperatures. Though not as cold as Manatobia, I shoot in the Buffalo area, North West PA and here in upper New England. Many of the reloaders in these parts kick up to Magnum Primers (with appropriate charge)or a powder like E3 that is less temperature sensative. Slower powders with lighter pay loads are more apt to show this problem in the deep cold weather.

good Shooting,

Scout Master 54

IIRC, the Orange Winchester budget wad is made from a "temp INtolerant" plastic to be able to compete with the off brands.

I've shot windjammers and Down range wads in below 0 temps without problems; I DO try to shoot loads that run at roughly 10,000 PSI in those cases. FWIW, Dutch.

I've been using 12 ga CB 1118 for a number of years with great results in sporting clays. I use a CB wad in my 28 gauges as well with good results.

I've used Claybuster wads for years in 12 ga. with good results.

In gauges smaller than 12, you may get better results with the wad manufactured by the maker of the particular hulls you are using.