Reloadable shotgun shells

[Troll64]

First off I know nothing about loading shotgun shells but want to learn. For quail and dove I use Winchester Universal low base (looks to be aluminum or steel) and Federal game loads, also low base non brass shells. I use these cause I can buy them in the bulk boxes at Walmart. Can these be reloaded? I have been told that if it's not brass to leave it alone. Seems a shame to just throw them away... Thank you.

[Val]

Although most shotgun hulls can be reloaded most reloaders use the Winchester AA or the Remington STS. These seem to give the best results as far as quality of crimps and number of times they can be reloaded. I get good result with various Remingtons such as the Gun Club and the gold colored ones. I get better results with the Remingtons, especially in 20 gauge. Go to a trap/skeet range and collect empty hulls.

[rbwillnj]

I use Remington STS and Nitro hulls when I can find them, but most of my reloading is done with Gun Club hulls which are a plenty and use the same recipies as STS and Nitro Hulls.   I reload the Gun Clubs 5 or 6 times before they begin to look crispy and get pitched.  I used to use the old AAs when available, but I don't like the new ones.  I'm sure they would work fine with the right set up, but they don't come out right with the recipe I use for STS and Gun Clubs.

[Graybeard]

The cheap Winchester hulls that are multi-piece are not worth picking up. I've never had any success loading them. If they are one piece compression formed they load like the AA and are fine. The cheap Remington and Federal hulls load fine but generally don't last as long as top of the line hulls.

I prefer Winchester AA or Remington Premier hulls for loading but have been known to load most everything other than those cheap Winchester hulls as far as I'm concerned they are junk.

[jgalar]

My favorite are the cheap Federal hulls that are used for the bulk WallyWorld type shells. I use them for slugs, buckshot, and clay target shells. For me they make better loaded shells than either the Remington or Winchester. I can't comment on how many times they can be reloaded - I just look them over before reloading. If I notice any splitting or looseness in the base I chuck them. At club shoots it seems there is always someone shooting them so I scrounge the empties.

[Mule]

jgalar,

Where are you finding load data for the Feds?  I have been tossing them in the trash along with the Winchester promo hulls.

[Graybeard]

Lyman has THE RELOADING MANUAL for shotshells. Data is there. I'm sure all powder makers can also give you such data.

[woodchuckssuck]

Though I havnt been out shooting the scattergun for a while, When I was shooting skeet every sunday, I was reloading Remington Game load and Gun club. They are a one piece hull,  just like the Remington STS and Nitro hulls, and reload very well. I can get 6+ reloads before they start to fall apart at the crimp, but I load a pretty soft 1oz load.

I pick up any sts or nitro hulls I can, but I have probably 300+ gun club hulls that Ive had for many years, saved them all before I started reloading. Im set for at least another 2-3 summers worth of shooting, which I plan on getting back into this summer. I miss it a lot!

[cjclemens]

Federal hulls load fine but generally don't last as long as top of the line hulls.

I agree.  The Federal hulls from the el-cheapo Wal-Mart value packs load really well, but they don't last nearly as long as the Winchester AA's.

[SHOOTIST TOO]

I've had good luck with Federal  Gold Medal hulls in 28 ga. For 12 and 20 I use STS, Nitro and AA which last for ever because they are the premium hulls. I use 3 different colored hulls because each one has a different load and I can tell them apart. I load lite 2 3/4 dram loads with #8 and # 7 1/2 shot with 1 oz. and 1 1/8 oz. I use to shoot 2 days a week for 7 years but slowed down alot to shoot other things.

[jbmi]

Because I like using only two types of wads ( 1 oz & 1 1/8oz) I restrict my reloading to the hulls with tapered walls. (Rem. STS, Nitro 27,Gun Club, black Sports Loads and their older versions of them, Winchester AA's in red, silver and dark gray)
All of them reload well for a number of times and I keep watching the crimp area for tell tail signs of cracking.
Some reloading machines show quicker wear on parts using hulls with steel bases vs. brass but my MEC 9000 seems to love them both.
The straight walled hulls of Federal, Fiocchi, Estate hulls and their like reload well also with the correct wads. If you want all the free  hulls you can reload stick to these, most shooter seem to throw these away.

[stevinator]

I load the cheap red federals also and they work great.I also used to load the 20 ga federal too.I get all I want because no one wants them.

[Mule]

steveinator,
Which wads did you use in the Fed 20's ?

[stevinator]

I believe in the 20's it was the waa20, but will check for sure.The 12's I use the waa sl pink or the equivalent pink in a claybuster wad.The 12 is a 1 ounce load and the 20 was a 7/8 oz.

[Maritime Storm]

I use Federal Hulls exclusively, for everything from light target loads-hunting loads to black powder and everything in between.

[stevinator]

Mule the 20 ga wads were the winchester waa 20 white wads.

[kiddekop]

I liked to use 12g Win AA & Rem RXP hulls loaded up with 1 1/8 oz of shot,1 1/4oz of shot in 4's,5's,6's,7 1/2's with win 540(hs6) it will reach out and touch anything you want.A friend asked me for Win 540 so I explained use HS 6 same powder,this was used with lead shot for skybusting ducks & geese back when that was the way to go.I've used it for grouse,squirrels,mtn quail,bandtailed pigeons,rabbits,pheasants here in the western usa.We won lots of money shoots using Win 540 & Win 571(hs7) over the years.These loads will rock your socks don't need any 3" or 3 1/2" hulls these loads will do the job.