Home Forums Reloading Shotshells Old 16 gauge shells

Picked up a 1959 Winchester model 12 in 16 today from a local older gentleman. Getting out of 16s and didn't hunt wanted to know if I wanted the rest of his 16 gauge ammo. Mix of paper and early plastic shells and mix of shot sizes . Most 4s and 6s . Ended up with about 150 rounds total, just a sample here of what was in the box.

I came into a batch of mixed old 16 ga loads a few years back. Most but not all of them fired.

Those old shells are really cool. I have a bunch my grandfather left.

I've been using some 50 years old 16 ga. shells for pheasant hunting the last couple years. They've mostly worked just fine. One batch of old paper hull cartridges was prone to hang fire, so I used them to prune a few tree branches from hard to reach spots. Not pretty but effective.

As kids, we found a case of 16ga. paper shells that belonged to my grandpa. For some reason, my Dad let us cut the ends off and empty out the shot and shoot them as blanks. We shot the whole case in the back yard.

Fire the paper ones at dusk, will see some cool muzzle flashes.😄

Killed alot of birds with 50-60 year old shells. Fed, Rem ,WW just get right after it. Mb

Troutnut,

Don’t listen to these crazy people. Those loads are unstable and definitely dangerous. Luckily I have the proper tools to dispose of them. Just mail them to me and I’ll protect you and your family from the harm. Won’t even charge you for my services.

I have been shooting some old paper hull shells last few years when squirrel hunting. They smell good also.

This X2^^^

The paper shells just didn't have the plastic shot cups. A nitro card was loaded over the powder, maybe a plastic wrap was inserted into the shell (probably not), shot was loaded, shell was crimped. There are those who still prefer to load and shoot paper shells.

There are more than a few places on the continent and the British isles where shotshells with plastic wads are not allowed. Green wads made of biodegradable material are in and plastic out. Green movement or not when the landowner says no you have to play by his rules or your out period. It will happen here. Federal came out with a Green load a couple years back nitro cards, fiber wads, paper shotcups in a paper hull. Performance is good. Mb