I was in the process of wanting to try to do some handloads and needed some straight wall hulls so I was trying to just uncrimp some factory shells so I didn't have to waste the components, but when I did, I was rather surprised at what was hiding underneath.
I'll be the first to admit, I have shot a lot of federal 16's growing up. But these were bought, probably late 2015? I'm not sure how the old shells were made. I never thought to take one apart back then. But I am curious if someone who may have bought a box of the newer production could mind checking to see if these are still how they're being produced now or not please.
These were still in the sealed box and kept in a dry cool area, so finding the powder in a big clump, which you can see around the 7 o'clock, was sort of unsettling.
And just by looking at it, I swear that looks like titegroup powder too. I even weighed the charge so I could see what they were doing at the factory.
That's not the only thing inside of there that seemed to be substandard. Turns out, the wad is a 2 piece wad to boot. The shot cup is just perched on top of a riser/extension that looks like it was melted to the right height to get a decent crimp by a 3rd grader.