"Best" 16 gauge wads out there?

Probably looking at a 1 oz load, adjust shot size as needed for whatever I am hunting.


Looking like purple Federal hulls they use with Game loads and High Brass loads. Thinking same hull.

Possibly black Remington Game Load hulls.

Those Rem game load hulls are the only current tapered interior hull on the market that I know of. You can use the AA copy Claybusters in them or the Rem SP16, but they are sized for 1 1/8 oz.The Fed are straight wall like the Euro hulls. I run mostly Cheddites with Euro SG16 or the Commander Z16 wads for 1 oz. DR-16 fits well for 7/8 without the need for a bean or cherrio for a filler. The Federals are roughly the same fit.

Old 270 hit it , I punch 50 cal wads for fillers in the wad cup when only using 1 oz loads. Mb

Is one hull preferred over the other?

I load more Cheddite (RST) hulls than any others. I get wads and hulls from Ballistic Products. BPSG16 and BPSG16S. I use DR16 wads for target 7/8oz. Remington SP16 come in handy for some uses.

I use cheddite hulls and Ballistic Products wads for one ounce loads in my 16s. Believe it’s the SG 16 wad.

i prefer the rem black hulls.
im currently loading vintage s&w blue hulls but they need puffed rice to crimp.

Yeah, in a perfect world ww compression formed hulls and AA style wads for 1 oz and 1 1/8oz is about as good as it gets. In the real world black beauty RP are it and their longevity isn't to good. Now when you get to Federals with flake powder the SP-16 wad or go to using nitro cards and felt wads for old style loads. Cheddites work well to. Mb

I modify the claybuster 16 ga wad for the straight wall hull. Very easy to expand a little flair on the overpower cup to stop powder kreep. I get 1oz with filler or 1-1/8 and no filleir. Much cheaper than other wads and more versatile.

How do you modify the bottom of the shot cup? Thanks. John

I heat it a couple seconds with the electric heat gun on low, then press the cup over the ball end of a ball pein hammer. The hammer I use is an antique brass, medium size one. Easier on the hands when doing a whole bag is to put a nut driver into the shot cup to press the wad over the hammer held in a vice.
Edit to add, the SP-16 wad doesn't flare as well, a bit short on cup walls for that to work.

I use a cup warmer. I put 5 on the warmer. When begins to get warm enough I put my thumb in the shot cup and push down on the wad over a 2" trailer ball. After I take the first one off the warmer I replace one on the next one I remove. I just rotate one at a time on the 5 wads. Only takes about 2 seconds per wad once you get a rather going.

Does anyone have about 10 extra 16 gauge wads?
I use them in some plastic tubes for blackpowder loaders. The 16 gauge wad fits the tubes..
Thanks.