Author Topic: WAA12R wads. (Read 3025 times)

the rifleman · « **on:** June 07, 2003, 06:46:15 PM »

I picked up 1/2 bag of WAA12R wads at a garage sale for a $1 today. After looking through my Lyman editions 2,3,4 I am having a hard time finding a use for them for a simple target load. The manual shows the WAA12R, and describes it as a wad for 1-1/8oz loads, which is what I use for target loads. Looking through the manuals there is very limited data on there use, with Green Dot, CCI209, or W209 primers, and the Winchester 2-3/4" compression formed (old style} 12 GA hulls. Most loads using them are heavy field loads 1-1/4oz? Why would the book say one thing and then use them for another?

Has anyone tried the WAA12R for say a target load, in place of the WAA12 (white wad) which is also designed as a 1-1/8oz wad? If I kept the powder charge low, say 18gr of Green Dot, is there much chance of a problem?

Has anyone managed to find any web page listing load data, for Winchester components, but not thier powder? :roll:

Thanks, Bill

Bob_K · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2003, 02:56:36 AM »

Bill...

The reason the book says the WAA12R is for 1 1/8 loads but the loads listed in the books seem for heavy field loads is because the WAA12R wad was originally for paper cases. When the wad is used in the plastic case, there is too much internal volume, hence the need for larger payloads to fill the case and get a good crimp. I'll check my reload info to see if a 1 1/8 target load is listed anywhere, but I believe the only load at 1 oz or 1 1/8 is for a slug.

Geno · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2003, 07:59:03 AM »

As Bob_K said, WAA12R were designed for paper hulls necessitating a shorter wad column. Looks like in Lyman 4th edition page 210, if you could find any Winch polyformed hulls with the high paper basewad (nearly like a paper hull) there are a few recipes that meet your needs including Green Dot. otherwise these will take about an extra 1/8 to 3/8 ounce to fill your hull, fine for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 oz loads in many hulls.

the rifleman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2003, 05:54:43 PM »

I was out at the gunclub today, and asked a few fellow reloaders if they had ever used the WAA12R, and they said exactly what you fellows have concluded. Sounds like there could be crimping problems as the payload wouldnt be high enough in the hull. The fellows that had used them with the plastic hulls say that they use them for heavy waterfowl loads.

One suggested putting a spent primer in to bring the shot charge up higher. I have heard of this being done before. I can't say how it might pattern though, bound to cause some major changes. Another fellow uses cork flat wads under the WAA12R, and then a shot wad on top of the shot. Again this is for hunting loads he loads lighter for his son. Sounds like to much fooling around to me!

Hey, I know! Maybe I could sell them at a garage sale. :lol:

Actually I have around 50 once shot canuck CIL paper hulls, maybe I should try the wads in them. I had though of these old canucks which I have had sitting, for 30 years as maybe being a collectors item, and was tempted to put them on E-bay. If I got a good sale on them I could give the WAA12R's away and buy more WAA12's with the money!

Bill

howdy doody · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2003, 02:40:40 PM »

Howdy,
I use the red wads all the time. Love 'em. They are hard to find in my area and I usually have to order them through my local gunshop @ 5.95 a bag.
So, what do I use them for? Well, I use them for cowboy action shooting and I load my AA or STS hulls with 80gr of black powder and the red wad and top off with 1 oz of 7 1/2 shot. Nice mild recoiled, high velocity and smokey load. Yeehaw.
Sorry if you feel I barged into your room, but I have a use for red wads and I hope they never quit making them. :-)

the rifleman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2003, 08:52:04 PM »

Howdy, Howdy :-D

I would imagine with that much powder in the hull, that the shorter red wad would be close enough to the top of the hull, that even with a lighter shot charge , crimping would not be a problem. 90gr.'s you say, man that must make a pile of smoke!!

I have heard of a few people loading, for a joke, some talcum powder, into the wad for effect, when shot. They claim it really gets the attention of the other squad members. :twisted:

howdy doody · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2003, 04:24:53 AM »

Howdy Rifleman,
It is actually 80gr of FFg black powder. After the red win wad is compressed onto the powder, that leaves the shotcup right at the top of the column and I add shot, fold and crimp. I use one of those high dollar Lee Loadalls and Lee scoops to measure the powder with. :wink: I finish up with a nice spray coat of silicone lube spray and box 'em. The silicone is so that after firing I can break SXS open and chuck spent shells with a flick of the wrist. I say " long live red winchester wads" and the world needs more STS hulls too.