Winchester AA hassles

[Questor]

When I started loading 20 gauge I thought it made sense to use AA hulls and a load recipe based on AA wads. Not so! It turned out that using Winchester components gave me shot shells that could not be crimped closed. I had to switch to a recipe using AA hulls and Remington hulls. There was a ton of load data out there for AA hulls and Winchester hulls. I guess the data was bad.

Same exact thing happened when I started loading for 12 gauge. This time, there is abundant load data for the WAA12SL wad for 1 ounce loads. I had to switch to a WAA12 wad which is made for 1 1/8 ounce loads. Now it's perfect.

I realize that there has been some recent change in the design of AA hulls. But it hasn't been that recent. It seems like the redesign should have invalidated all load data available for the AA hulls.

Sites like Hodgdon still use the old wad recipes.

My load uses 17.5 grains of Clays, so it's a very commonly used trap load.

There have been a variety of approaches to getting around the AA hull / AA wad problem. Some have switched to using the same load but with Remington hulls. Others use a different wad. Some have tried greater wad pressure. Others switched powders.

In any case, beware of using AA hull and wad recipes. They may not work.

[jbmi]

I use AA hulls for my 1oz. loads (17.5 gr. of Claydot) and DownRange wads. About 2 or 3 out of every 25 hulls the wad gets stuck on the bottom part of the AA two piece hull but the crimp will push the shot down the fraction of an inch needed for a solid tight crimp.
I use Remington STS and Gun Club hulls for all my 1 1/8 oz. loads ( 18.2 gr. of Claydot) and DownRange wads. No problem with these hulls, wads seat perfectly everytime.
I'm slowly getting rid of all my AA hulls, very shortly all my 1oz loads with be Gun Club hulls and my 1 1/8 oz in STS.
The data I use comes out of the Hodgdon manual except I substitute Claydot powder for their Clay's. I've found the two to be darn near equal.

[str8shooter48]

I use AA hulls for my 1oz. loads (17.5 gr. of Claydot) and DownRange wads. About 2 or 3 out of every 25 hulls the wad gets stuck on the bottom part of the AA two piece hull but the crimp will push the shot down the fraction of an inch needed for a solid tight crimp.
I use Remington STS and Gun Club hulls for all my 1 1/8 oz. loads ( 18.2 gr. of Claydot) and DownRange wads. No problem with these hulls, wads seat perfectly everytime.
I'm slowly getting rid of all my AA hulls, very shortly all my 1oz loads with be Gun Club hulls and my 1 1/8 oz in STS.
The data I use comes out of the Hodgdon manual except I substitute Claydot powder for their Clay's. I've found the two to be darn near equal.

Do you mean Red dot?

[Graybeard]

No he meant CLAY dot. It is red dot without the red dots and priced cheaper.

[rbwillnj]

Actually Clay Dot has orange dots, and is a little cheaper than Red Dot.   It's supposed to be as clean as Clays, and although they don't say you can use Clays loading data, if you look at the published data, its pretty much the same.   Promo has no dots, is quite a bit cheaper than Red Dot and uses the same loading data as Red Dot.   Important note:  Same weight as Red Dot, not the same volume!

[Graybeard]

OK yer right Promo is the one I was thinking of. Clay dot is the Clays knock off where as Promo is the Red Dot knock off. I knew that even if I didn't say it. And I really didn't say it. 

[str8shooter48]

No he meant CLAY dot. It is red dot without the red dots and priced cheaper.

 Never heard of it. I guess you learn something new everyday. I've heard of Promo. I just wish someone would stock it around here.

Just did a search Claydot is manufactured by Alliant Powder Co. I still like my Red Dot.

[rbwillnj]

I switched from Promo to Clay Dot because its supposed to be cleaner.   It might be a little cleaner, but not enough to save you much time when you go to clean your shotgun.   If you want to see something that burns clean, try a case of Rios.  My shotgun looks pretty much unfired after a day of shooting Trap with Rios.   
Only thing is, Rios don't like cold weather.  Bing Bang Boom Pop ......you get my meaning