16 ga Cheddite and Claybuster wads

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I had found a load using Universal, Cheddite hulls, and the Claybuster clone for the old WAA 16 wad. It all fit nicely, but then read that powder migration in straight walled hulls with this wad was a problem,and I might get alot of weak loads or bloopers, others said it was with the old WAA16 wad but not with the newer CB wads. Any body have any experiance with this or thoughts. Was trying to use up a bag of wads that has been sitting here for a long time--plus they are much cheaper than the SG 16 wad.

[Frank Srebro]

Harold, I'm just getting into 16 ga reloading and my new Sizemaster arrived a few days ago. Guidance from a friend who reloads for 16 is the CB 1078-16 in Cheddite hulls does go Bang but he sees powder migration past the wad base and the report and recoil are weaker than his typical load with Gualandi SG wads.

Friend suggested and I now have plenty of pink CB 1078-16's for use in black colored Remington Game Load hulls. They measure about .637" diameter across the seal surface - that's an average because they're not perfectly round. Also bought a big stock of G SG wads for use in fired RST hulls; they average about .660" base diameter. Easy to understand why the CB's might not be the best in Euro hulls like Cheddites.

\

[Daryl Corona]

Harold;

See if you can locate some Downrange DR16 wads. They are scarce, like other components, but are worth the search. I've used them in the Rem RGL hulls , Federal and Cheddite hulls. They are versatile allowing you to load from 3/4 to 1 oz. loads.

Good luck.

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

I've also had the Universal powder migration problem with (New) Cheddite hulls and WAA16 wads, but after 2 or 3 uses the slightly roughed-up interiors seem to keep the migration in check. FWIW...I use a bulkier powder such as Green Dot with the (New) hulls and switch to Universal after a few firings.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Thanks all, was just trying to get rid of some wads I dont use. Got the load from the Hogdons reloading site. I actually fit it in a 2 1/2" cheddite with 7/8 oz. I loaded up a box to try. I prefer to load only 2 1/2" hulls but have lots of 2 3/4" available--have 500 black RGL's, 200 Feds, and 500+ Herters/chedite.
If they worked, the CB wads are cheaper and more readily available than SG and DR wads (and made in the USA).
Austin, may I should try it in some hulls that have a couple reloads on them. Mostly shooting clays with them, so they wont get jostled around like Hunting loads.
Daryl, I do have 1000 DR16 wads and lots of RGL's, and 20/28--that is a good load.

[CraigThompson]

Thanks all, was just trying to get rid of some wads I dont use.

I was trying to do the same with stuff I’d acquired in package deals . And it ended up with me buying more of just about all of it ! Luckily atleast before the shortage craze began .

[edgarspencer]

My rule of thumb is simply Don't use a wad intended for a AA hull, in anything but a AA hull. They are smaller in the gas cup end, in order to fit the tapered hull.

[john pulis]

Nick Sisley published a host of recipes for RST, Cheddite 16 gauge hulls, with both DR-16 and the BP, Gulandi, wads in Skeet Shooting now listed in Hogdons. He used Universal, International, PB, and 7625 with Nobel Sport primers. There was a posting some time ago on SG World listing Aliant 20-28, tested by Precision.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

John, I have a photocopy of Nick's posting--I'll try and put it up here.

[john pulis]

Good idea Harold. I wish I was more computer literate. I have only just mastered email and internet searching and my daughter now flat out refuses to assist a not so old Luddite.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

You reminded me John, ill try to put it up tonight

[Harold Lee Pickens]

This the article/ loads John mentioned:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I like the 3/4oz load with International clays and DR16 wad a lot, but most of the time load/shoot the 7/8 oz with Universal clays and SG16 wad.
Back to the powder migration issue with Claybuster 16 ga wads, I also posed the issue on the 16 ga forum. I got good info from PGCA member Garhart and others that by flaring the rim of the powder cup, the migration issue becomes non-existant. The cup can be flared by rolling the edge of the cup along the metal rim of another shotgun shell(12 is easier to hold on to). I tried it, and it works--havent shot any yet however. Kind of a pain, but the Claybuster wads are cheaper, American made, and I've got a thousand of them. I can flare the rim while mindlessly watching TV, as he suggests. In 2 1/2' loads, I also cut about an 1/8" of the wad petals, but that probably isnt necessary.
Now, got to find a good load to use up the bags of old R16 and SP16 wads taking up space .

[Jim Thoma]

Where do you get DR16 wads for 3/4 oz looked everywhere and nothing, also can you use Winchester 209 or Remington 209 primers instead of chedditte primers?

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I just happened to still have 2 bags of 500 left from a previous order quite a while ago. I understand that they are still not available.

[john pulis]

My understanding is that Down Range will mold the DR 16 wads late Spring, early Summer. They should be available from the usual sources soon after. They make the nicest 3/4 loads in RST/Cheddite hulls. BP has, or had last I surfed their site, the Gulandi wads for 7/8.

[Jim Thoma]

Can you use the Guilandi 7/8 wad for 3/4 oz shot also can you use Winchester 209 primers and hodgdon international powder?

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Jim, I could not find any loads with International using the SG16 wad in cheddite hulls, I was surprized