Are all Winchester 12 ga shotshells created equal?

[phatman]

The reason I am asking is this - I am new to reloading and in order to keep it simple I've tried to isolate different components in order to achieve safety and reliability.

My recipe of choice is 2 3/4 Win AA HS 12 ga., 17.7 grs. Titewad, WT12 wads and 1 1/8 oz. hard lead shot.

In my travels I have found that all Win AA is NOT marked 'HS', and is NOT red in colour.

Should it all AA shotshell cases be treated the same?

Any thoughts will be welcomed as I DO NOT want to have a 'catastrophic' accident.

Thx

 

[Claybuster]

Should it all AA shotshell cases be treated the same?

The short answer is yes.

Not all AAHS hulls are marked HS. As well there are older one-piece AA hulls. The HS hulls are two piece. Look inside one and you can see a plastic rim about a half inch up from the casehead. Any AA recipe is good for both although IMO the newer HS do not load as well as the older AAs.

AA hulls came in various colours in 12 gauge. Lighter red and gray are generally the older one-piece hulls while the shinier, darker red and gray hulls are the newer HS.

 

[phatman]

Thanks claybuster - you have relieved my mind!

I am not sure how badly I can screw up if I just start loading everything that I pick up. I suppose that it is as much an art as a science - and it`s another way I can enjoy the sport...

 

[Silverado]

I'm far from an expert, but I believe you need to use different wads in the HS or non-HS hulls, correct?

 

[Claybuster]

I'm far from an expert, but I believe you need to use different wads in the HS or non-HS hulls, correct?

That is true for the subgauges but not for 12 gauge. Winchester, Alliant and Hogdgon do not diistinguish between AA or AAHS in 12 gauge or 20.

For 28 gauge and .410 Winchester produces wads that they say are to be used only in the HS hulls. The powder companies also supply slightly different data for the two.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/components/shotshellwads.aspx