Cherrios ?
 

Some time ago on the 16 G Forum read about using Cherrios as a shot cup filler. Tried it putting the Cherrio on top a couple of times did not work. Gave the idea up. Ended up with a good load that crimped fine with 7/8 oz shot.

Recently loading some very light 16 G in Herters hulls not getting crimps I liked. Gave the Cherrios another try, this time dropping one inside the Down Range DR 16 wad. 3/4 oz # 9 on top. Powder charge is light too, with the DR wad sitting on top of the powder.

It makes a nice crimp. I am pretty sure the Cherrio is crushing on crimp & the little bit of cereal filler is making the difference in stack height.

I guess it does work after all.

William

Plus you'll be "feeling your oats" when you shoot!:rotf:

i think that is what pete lester likes to use...me i ve tried a grain of corn some brand of cerial and tissue paper the tissue paper is what i use most of the time...heh it works...charlie

Half a Cherrio takes up the space o1/8 oz in 28 ga 5/8 loads. Think i got the idea from Paul Harm or Pete Lester. Single stage loader don't go deep or it will jam drop tube and shot will spill when you go up. Do not eat them they will be the first component you run out of

I just jammed one in the drop tube, and spilled shot. One out of 200, can live with that.

William

I use the Honey Nut Cherrio's. I have found they give the best results.:rotf:

My wife insisted on the sugar free all natural Cherrios.. Kidding aside if a Cherrio works in the 16 G why not a mini shredded Wheat in short 10 G shells.

William

Plain old Cheerios are a readily available inexpensive filler material for reloads. The use of 1, 1/2 or a quarter Cheerio can raise the shot column to get a proper crimp. I have tried multiple Cheerios as filler but multiples seem to cause some squib loads. As pointed out do not bring the drop tube down enough so it touches the Cheerio, it can plug the hole the shot and powder drop through (fiber filler wads can cause the same problem). Honey nut or sugar coated Cheerios will make a mess of your hands, your hulls and anything else you touch if you load a lot of shells, so I suggest you save those for eating.

Where I have found a Cheerio most helpful is loading for the Short Ten, I can take any 1 1/8 ounce load that crimps correctly, put a Cheerio on top of the filler wad and 1 ounce loads will now crimp correctly.

Any filler wad should be placed below the shot, putting a Cheerio or filler wad above the shot will to some degree open the pattern, sometimes a lot.

I used the cherrio when I was loading low pressure 20ga shells using a 2 3/4 inch hull. I put the cherrio on top of the shot then crimped it. It worked like a charm. I haven't used them since I have gone to loading the 2 1/2 inch hull.

I use those polish peanuts used in packing material.

Jack K

I tried puffed rice, cheerios and settled on discs cut with a 1/2 inch stirrup punch from styrofoam meat trays from the supermarket. Works great on top of the shot column or underneath but you need to seat the wad over the powder before you put in the filler disc or it will jam up your drop tube for sure.

A guy my dad used to shoot skeet with used a pinto bean or a dry pea. I always wondered how they patterned?
C.G.B.

You can buy CB-0016. A Claybuster wad for 3/4oz 16ga.

Paul

I don't see it listed on Claybusters site. Is it new ?

Am using Down Range's DR 16. Good 7/8 oz wad for Cheddite hulls. Will crimp with 3/4 oz but not real good. Fresh hull ok few reloads they dish too much. Cherrio makes the difference gives a better crimp with 3/4

William

I believe it is new - just received 5000 of them.

Please do not live under a false impression. The ONLY 16 Ga wad listed on the Claybuster site is this:

CB0078-16
For use in 7/8 oz. 16 GA loads.

It is not designed for the 3/4 oz load. I've tried this wad in the 16 and it is NOT the same capacity as the Downrange 7/8 wad. The Claybuster is a bit more "roomy". The Downrange is made with thicker petals which allow certain 3/4 oz loads to work okay. The same load in the Claybuster will not crimp well.

Sorry to report this, but it is simply my experience. I stick with the Downrange wad.

Perhaps Claybuster has a 3/4 oz wad they do not list...?

Yes but Claybusters web site is often behind. No doubt Down Range's DR 16 has sold a lot of wads, And Claybuster is cashing in on light loaders. And remember the DR 16 was out of stock over a year lot of frustrated people.

If I did not have so many DR 16's would give some of the Claybusters a try.

William

I wonder if the cherrios would work better, stale? :)

The cb0078 wad works great for 7/8 oz in the Remington hulls , with filler you can load 3/4oz , the Dr -16 wad is way better choice for 3/4 oz in the RGL hull, no filler needed .

The claybuster wads suck in straight walled hulls . I have no problem loading 3/4 or 7/8 oz with Dr16 wads and no fillers in 2 3/4" SW hulls but you have to do a little fine tuning with your adjustments to get good crimps with 3/4 oz .

Never heard of a Claybuster 3/4oz 16ga wad . Don't think they make them .

I have about given up on RGL's loading all 16's in Cheddite hulls. Cheddites are not good hulls but RGL 16's are worse. Strange though I load all my 12 Spreader loads in Green Remington hulls & they work fine. For some reason the 16 G Black RGL's deform when fired causing all kinds of crimp troubles. I can iron out the crimps but add's another step to the process.

William

My mistake - they were the 7/8oz wad, a friend had them on our last club order. In the past when using something to take up space a navy bean always worked without worrying about a cheerio crushing.

The RGL used to be decent hulls when Remington was loading them with the 8 point crimp but they changed the material used to form the hulls and pretty much suck these days. I have a couple of flats left from the 90's that are OK but the current ones are not worth picking up anymore.

The only Rem hull I load is the STS in 28ga and they are only good for about three trips through the press. The old AA last forever and I have some of the new HS hull but haven't tried them yet.

I use Cheddite hulls exclusively in 12,16 and 20 all 2 1/2 inch RST hulls and have no problems with them.

Never tried cherrios but once I chased down my cat and took his glass eye to fill the extra space....hahaha A Little Friday humor.

Gentlemen
It seem that a watermelon or pumpkin seed would work well....hard enough not to crush and soft enough for barrels. as a matter of fact I think I may try this in my 3/4 oz. loads

see you in the field !!

Try some dried Adzuki beans.

Or unpopped pop corn.

don't listen to Bill

he is just baiting squirrels :corn:


:rotf:

I gave up on the Cheerio filler. It works but I started getting picky about the Cheerio. Some large some small others just right. Slows down the process .

Weighed a shot drop from my # 3 P-W bushing 11/16 oz. dribbled extra shot on a scale up to true 3/4 oz and it crimped fine without the Cheerio. Chucked the bushing in the lathe opened it up and now it drops a true 3/4 oz & no need for the Cheerio

William

William. Sounds like your a machinist. I cut my teeth turning handles on a lathe.

Hobby Machinist ! Big Difference.

I suspect most shot bushings are calibrated for # 9 shot. Most of my loading is 7 1/2. P-W 3/4 7/8 & 1 oz all dropped light. Adjusted all to true with 7 1/2

Probably makes no difference but I like it better

William