What goes around....

Silvers · Post by **Silvers** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:09 am

Some shooting clubs are now requiring non-plastic wad shells to be used on their grounds. I was out this week and had a chance to shoot some new Kent fibre wad cartridges. When I get a chance I'll scavenge some of the Kent shot and load in plastic wad handloads to get a good comparison of choke performances with both cartridge types. I've patterned a lot of vintage fibre wad ammo but the 40+ year old shot is often oxidized and clumps together. Usually the plastic wadded stuff shoots tighter with a given choke constriction but this will be the first time I'll be able to pattern test with fresh factory fibre shells. I thought you guys and gals would be interested in the new (old) developments. More to come. Too bad they're not loaded in blue, green or red papers. Silvers

birdawg · Post by **birdawg** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:00 am

I wonder what would happen if all the vintage gun shoots required paper shells?

I would think rolled crimped paper with fiber wads would help prevent global warming.
Love those purple 16 gauge shells from the past.

mike campbell · Post by **mike campbell** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:17 am

Seems if they can make paper Dixie cups for 2-3 cents apiece, someone could make a paper wad with a shot cup. Heck, Winchester held onto their revolutionary Mark V plastic shot wrapper at least until 2004; maybe they're still using it in promo loads. Seems a paper shot wrapper would improve patterning and ease bore leading. Wonder if anybody's ever experimented with that...hmmmmmm, Silvers?

Silvers · Post by **Silvers** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:17 pm

Interesting concept Mike. I would think a paper shot wrapping collar would reduce or eliminate leading. One of these days when I get a reloader set up and some time away from other things I'll experiment. It might be a good wintertime project since I can shoot in my woods here at the house without having to drive to & fro . Meanwhile my bud who reloads is my lifeline on any non factory stuff. Frank

PeteM · Post by **PeteM** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:51 pm

mike campbell wrote:Seems if they can make paper Dixie cups for 2-3 cents apiece, someone could make a paper wad with a shot cup. Heck, Winchester held onto their revolutionary Mark V plastic shot wrapper at least until 2004; maybe they're still using it in promo loads. Seems a paper shot wrapper would improve patterning and ease bore leading. Wonder if anybody's ever experimented with that...hmmmmmm, Silvers?

Mike,

You are 100% correct. A couple of years ago, when the whole 16ga paper shell issue came up, I got involved. I talked to several makers and various retailers. Many of the components are subcontracted , eg the paper tubes for the shells. In the end, they can make up anything you desire. They have only 1 question, "How many millions do you want?" They will happily drop ship the components to your front door.

Pete

eightbore · Post by **eightbore** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:10 pm

I assume the shot cups mentioned in the sporting press of the 1880s and 1890s were not made of plastic. I further assume they were made of some kind of hard paper or cardboard. I think shot cups are almost as old as breech loading shotguns.

Twice Barrel · Post by **Twice Barrel** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:13 pm

Well guys one of the members of the 16 gauge loaders group has already made up a die for forming paper shot cups from milk cartons. For anyone interested in joining the 16 gauge loaders group contact RWG (Russ Gray) on the 16ga.com board.