Got squillions of 12Ga White AA1 1/8oz plasitc wads, whats the good of them?

[Montana Slim]

I've loaded a lot of smokless as well as BP shotshells...and shot them, too. It could be a real challenge to load these wads with less than 1 oz of shot, regardless of the propellant used. You may need to trim the petals, or add cushion (filler) in the cup. So, you'd have to figure if all the extra fuss to load em with BP, plus the extra fuss of cleaning up after it is worth it. Another drawback to plastic in the bore is that it increases chamber pressure and degrades patterns after extended shooting.

Slim
(who started with plastic back in the 90's)

[Mako]

I've loaded a lot of smokless as well as BP shotshells...and shot them, too. It could be a real challenge to load these wads with less than 1 oz of shot, regardless of the propellant used. You may need to trim the petals, or add cushion (filler) in the cup. So, you'd have to figure if all the extra fuss to load em with BP, plus the extra fuss of cleaning up after it is worth it. Another drawback to plastic in the bore is that it increases chamber pressure and degrades patterns after extended shooting.

Slim
(who started with plastic back in the 90's)

Slim,
You can load 24 gram or 7/8 oz loads in those wads, the petals are relatively short and many times a crimp on an "underfilled" cup will incorporate the petals into the "roll" as it drops down to the star folds.  A BPI #18 would be better, but it works

I have about 8 boxes loaded with 7/8 ounces of #6  in one of the transport boxes right now.  I loaded them a while back for my girls with whatever Lee scoop throws about 56 grains of Fg, I think it is the 4.0cc scoop. I just backed off of the wad compression setting on their Mec 600 and I get acceptable (not stellar, but no hole) crimps with AA hulls.  You are talking about WAA12R (red wads) aren't you?  It is lower recoiling than the Winchester 1 oz reduced recoil reduced report rounds the smokiless shooters use.

I shoot heavier loads of shot and my girls rarely shoot BP so they are there for people wanting to try BP. 

The Fg makes it all possible, I originally wanted to use the 3.7cc scoop which dips about 50 gr of Fg but the column was too loose.  56gr of Fg is low pressure and keeps the middle from being blown out.

If someone wants a 3/4 to 7/8 load with 50 gr of Fg use a BPI #18 wad.  Very light recoiling and a great load for kids.  Be forewarned that hard set knockdowns have to be hit center or high with these loads.

~Mako

[Montana Slim]

F-powder would burn slower, maybe a bit cooler & that may help. A tradeoff of the reduced burn would likely be more fouling (& flames, too).

I make 7/8 oz loads for my son using the smokeless stuff. He turned 13 recently, & is even more deserving of the "Slim" name than I...but he lately fired some 1 1/8 oz trap loads & didn't think that was too bad, so he might want to try my standard BP loads...hope he don't get addicted.

I have loaded the knockoff version 1 1/8 oz wad with a variety of loads, with as little as 1 oz of shot, but to get a good crimp, I needed an overcard. If the petals protruded from the hull, they caused lumps in the crimp...resulting in ugly & not tight sealing. There are too many combinations of things that might work...or not. if one has the time to adjust the machine, collect samples and test them..so, anything may be possible given enough experimentation....but, I know for sure fibres work best for my every-day BP loads. I can fire box after box through my guns with no problem other than the barrel overheating. I admit that is also extreme..but, I like to be prepared.

I started CAS with BP..went smokeless for a short time & then went all BP (about 13 yrs ago)...as time went by, I wanted my loads to be more authentic, more reliable, more accurate, boom, flames, etc...(this is my version of improvement rather than speed). Most of my guns/gear are not the norm (shooting C&B before there was a category)...& I admit, I do things my way...but that's how I have fun. Over the years, we've added more folks shooting BP & subs & I hope I've been some small help/influence with that.

Fortunately for todays shooters, there have been several trends that make KD shotgun targets much easier to take out than in years past. One is the heightened perception to have faster (really fast) times...can't do that if you need a stout load, combined with the big increase in lady shooters over the past ten years. Shotgun target calibration has been a higher priority.

Regards,
Slim

[Judge Lead]

Mick, the wads have a short compression column that allows for a decent BP load. All I do is cut approx 1/8" off the petals and this then allows for a reasonable crimp. I use around 55grns 2f Wano with 7/8 oz shot (with the Hornady press, it looks to be a square load) and have used this load for a number of years for myself and Molly in hammered, hammerless and the '87s with no worries about the targets not falling (admittedly, these guns are all choked).

As mentioned earlier, the gunk left behind is easily cleaned using Windex, water or whatever concoction you wish to come up with and a wadded up piece of paper towel (I recently shot at Kenthurst and did not clean up for 2 weeks - slack of me - and the shotgun cleaned up with one paper wad and a quick pull through with a bore snake, that was it - done).

When you see me next, remind me and we can discuss options. Another thing to consider is getting one of those small steam cleaners you see around the traps. A shot of steam down the barrels will soften things up nicely as well. Cleaning at the end of the day also makes life just a little simpler too .

[fourfingersofdeath]

Mick, the wads have a short compression column that allows for a decent BP load. All I do is cut approx 1/8" off the petals and this then allows for a reasonable crimp. I use around 55grns 2f Wano with 7/8 oz shot (with the Hornady press, it looks to be a square load) and have used this load for a number of years for myself and Molly in hammered, hammerless and the '87s with no worries about the targets not falling (admittedly, these guns are all choked).

As mentioned earlier, the gunk left behind is easily cleaned using Windex, water or whatever concoction you wish to come up with and a wadded up piece of paper towel (I recently shot at Kenthurst and did not clean up for 2 weeks - slack of me - and the shotgun cleaned up with one paper wad and a quick pull through with a bore snake, that was it - done).

When you see me next, remind me and we can discuss options. Another thing to consider is getting one of those small steam cleaners you see around the traps. A shot of steam down the barrels will soften things up nicely as well. Cleaning at the end of the day also makes life just a little simpler too .

Thanks Judge, what shotshells do you use? I have  aheap of the Federal red ones. Will they work with the wads?

[Judge Lead]

Mick,
not a problem. Work as smooth as the Winchester goldies.

Regards

[fourfingersofdeath]

Mick,
not a problem. Work as smooth as the Winchester goldies.

Regards

Sounds good!