Wad Columns

[Austin W Hogan]

I have some old DuPont data that recommends 3/8 inch wads for paper shells. I have measured the forcing cones of some livebird/clay bird trap guns, and this seems a perfect match for their .740 bores; that is the wad contacts the barrel before leaving the case mouth. Does anyone know the length of wad column used in the early Super X 2 3/4 and 3 inch loads?

Thanks, Austin

[Bill Murphy]

You use whatever fills the shell. When loading Winchester paper shells with 1 1/8 ounce target loads, we used to use a card wad, either .135 or .200, and a 1/2" felt wad. The Federal paper shell required a couple of 3/8" felt wads as I recall. There was more room in the purple shells. In the Winchester target style paper shells, a thin card wad, probably .135, and a 3/8 felt wad would probably be all you could get in there with 1 1/4 ounces of shot. I doubt that Winchester 1 1/2 ounce short magnum factory loads had much wad at all. Winchester probably abbreviated the base wad in their Super-X cases. We loaded everything in target empties because that was all we had. Austin, why don't you open up a paper Super-X shell and see what's in there?

[Austin W Hogan]

Thanks Bill; I have some 1955 vintage SuperX twenties here but that is all. What I am interested in finding out is if the original Super X that were loaded in Parker's era used a longer over powder wad in an attempt to tighten patterns launched at higher velocities. A wad that was longer than the distance from case mouth to a point where the bore was less than the inside case diameter would prevent powder gas from getting into the shot column.

Best, Austin

[Bill Murphy]

The original Super-X shells were roll crimped and had gobs of room inside assuming the base wad was fairly shallow. Maybe I have one around here somewhere that I can cut open.

[10ga Hammer]

Austin, Some time ago I had a few Super x shells that would not go bang! so I performed an autopsy on one. Specs, 2 3/4 hull, base wad fills first 1/2in. 2in. of powder,wad and shot space, 5/8 total wadding, 38.5gr of powder, 1 1/4 oz. 7 1/2 shot, .045 osc, 1/4in roll crimp Hull marked "SUPER X Short shot string,Long range load". I also have some marked the same but with a folded six point crimp HTH, Bob

[Bill Murphy]

A reloader would duplicate those wads with one .135 over powder card wad and one 1/2" felt filler wad. These were very common wads in the fifties and sixties. Even the first generation Remington plastic shells were made with non-plastic wads. The shells were referred to by Remington as "SP".

[Blind Dog]

Looks like a duplex shot charge; 4s and 6s? I see Robert mentioned 7&1/2; maybe some are just oxidized.

[10ga Hammer]

Fred, You are correct, some of the pellets are still bright others are rough and oxidized. Pellets measured .091-.095 oxidized or not, so 7 1/2 they are.

The pliers test shows pellets to be softer than the Eagle shot I'm using to reload.

The oxidation is no surprise considering their age. I'm not as old as they are and I'm beginning to "OXIDIZE" in a few spots to!