Light load for Fed paper hulls

[Bob Brown]

Has anyone got a low pressure load for 12 gauge Federal paper hulls using Winchester WAA12SL wads and 7/8 oz shot? I recently joined the trap club and thought I would get back into reloading. Had a bit of sticker shock the first day. Add the price of 3 or 4 rounds, boxes of shells, and gas for an hour and a half drive each way and an afternoon at the range starts to add up.
For powders I have about 5 lbs of IMR 7625, and at least a couple of pounds each of Longshot, IMR 4756, and PB. The primers I have available are Winchester, Cheddite, and CCI 209A. Winchester would be best as i have a few thousand of those. I haven't got much for hull selection right now. About a thousand once fired Federal papers and two or three boxes each of Winchester AAs and Remington Gun Clubs. I've only got the WAA 12SL wads for 12 gauge. Unfortunately I don't have a gun store anywhere close to pick up some others. I'd appreciate hearing what you use. Thanks.

[Frank Srebro]

I regularly reload Federal papers with 1-ounce in CB 2100-12 wads (Federal 12SO equivalent) using various powders at about 1170 speed; soft shooting and they work well. Recipes can be found on the powder company websites and in older loading books for the discontinued powders you have. I wonder if WAA12SL wads made for tapered hulls and possibly with with a "filler" for 7/8 ounce will result in powder migration and/or proper gas sealing in straight wall Federal hulls? If not, a bag or two of Federal compatible wads can easily be ordered on-line from several sources.

[john pulis]

I have loaded FPs with Clay Dot and CB 3/4 oz wads according to CBs enclosed recipes. Easy on the gun and shoulder and they break clays just fine. I tried the same load/recipe with some new/old Alcan papers and it was a bust.

[Keith Doty]

I shoot Federal paper "Gold Medal" (bought a bunch on sale at BP) and have had great luck with them. I have only had my bismuth version tested but I swap back and forth lead for bismuth regularly, might want to add a 1/16" card under the crimp with lead as the volume is fractionally smaller.
Federal paper (cut to 2 1/2")
Fioche 616 primer
Helix 18 wad
20.0 gr. International
1 oz. Bismuth
6 point crimp
Had these tested at Precision. Avg velocity 1264 fps. Avg pressure 7547 psi.
Shoots soft and whacks ducks over decoys, with lead equally good on clays.

[Keith Doty]

Guess I should add that is a 12 ga. load! Have shot it with Cheditte primers but have not tested them. I can determine no difference BUT BE VERY CAREFUL WITH ANY SUBSTITUTIONS!!!