Home Forums Reloading Shotshells New 20 ga Federal hulls with plastic basewads

Just that, I probably have a lifetime supply of the older rolled paper basewad hulls but anyone using and loading the new ones? What wad and shot charges you using.?

Don’t have specifics on load data. But those are Rio hulls.

Thanks Chester didn't know that. Mb

I haven't bought any 20 ga hulls of that type, yet, but I have loaded a fair number of similar style hulls in 12 ga. The hull volume is greater than the rolled paper base and I have adjusted to it in a few different ways.

The first way is to just load as normal and live with the dished in crimp. If there is a large enough hole in the center, a bit of wax dripped into the hole will seal it up. It doesn't look the prettiest but I haven't seen a difference in broken targets or dead birds.

The second way is to add a piece of Cheerio or corn pop cereal to the top of the shot column. This will take up the added space and allow for a decent crimp. I use this if I catch an infiltrator in my normal paper base wad hulls after dropping the shot. If I'm late, see above.

Third, use a taller wad. If the recipient calls for a Win WAA12 wad, a switch to a WAAL or WAASL wad will take up the extra space. I'll use this method with typical 1 1/8 oz wads when loading 1 1/4 oz loads.

Another option is to use data for a hull that is similar in volume to the new Federal hull. I haven't directly compared the new hull to others yet but in the past I have found and used the same data for the one piece Federal steel shot hull (at the time greater volume than any other Federal hull), all plastic Activ, Fiocchi low base hull, many Euro hulls, and one of the cheap Winchester hulls. From my limited exposure, I believe the new hulls will work with this data too.

In all the above suggestions use just enough pressure to push out trapped air and seat the wad firmly on the powder. You do not want to crush the powder or cushioning section of the wad at all.

These are my suggestions if one does not wish to make any adjustments in their set up. If one is amendable to change then I would suggest opting for a bulkier powder. Go from a fine grained spherical/ball powder to a bulky flake to take up space is a good first step. Switching to a slower powder can also help take up space. In any event, look for a powder using a bushing larger than the one you are using. That will help take up space.

Second, go to a heavier shot charge. The added shot will take up more volume too. Couple that with a bulky powder and a wad switch (if necessary) and you should have no problems with space.

Along the same lines, going to a larger shot size may help as larger shot takes up more volume for a given weight. This may require an adjustable charge bar or reaming out a current bar for the larger shot. I've done this with an ounce and a quarter and an ounce and an eighth bar for use with magnum #4 and #5 shot respectively as they were originally bored by MEC for chilled #7.5 shot.

This is what I have done in the past and what I probably will do in the future if necessary. My loads rarely push the upper end of pressures which give me a fair bit of comfort room. I also pick loads using a hull close in volume to the unknown hull. I have the opportunities to pick the brains of some involved in the development and testing of components and/or loads to help guide me in a safe choice. If I still have any questions, I can send the loads off for testing for a nominal fee.

the new federal gold medal hulls are remington sts/premier hulls that are tapered. Remington is loading all the federal hulls now

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Being tapered is that now a one piece hull like Win AA ?

Just bought a few boxes of “Remington” 16ga. 1 oz. target loads from Wally last weekend. Being a curious reloader I popped one open. The only component NOT Federal was the printing on the outside of the hull! EVERY component, rolled paper base wad hull, primer and the two piece crappy wad! Wally also had Fed. 1oz. target loads, but they were $4 more/box. I buy Remington shot shells because they typically have a better hull for reloading. I guess those days pre over.

My dad has been following the recipe for the paper basewad hulls, but reducing the powder charge 10% in the plastic basewad hulls and so far every one he has tried has performed as the (unreduced paper basewad) powder charge has called for.
So if it calls for 20gr powder in the paper basewad to get 1200, he loads 18gr powder in the plastic basewad and is getting 1200. No idea on the pressures, so use his method at your own risk.