Challenger/Score VS Winchester/Remington/Kent

gitrdun

gitrdun

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I've treated myself to a new sporting shotgun, Browning Cynergy to be exact. Having this nice gun doesn't make me an expert, so I must ask. On my shelf, I have a variety of target loads. I wish to only feed this shotgun shells that won't cause any issues or damage. I've read in another thread that Score, Challenger shells being at the lower end may cause some permanent damage. In terms of target loads, what do you more knowledgeable shooters recommend. Winchester, Remington, Kent ???? Thanks in advance. :)
 
well lets think about this for a second target loads are mostly lead shot and your gun is made from hard steel ,so as long as you are shooting shells that fit your gun ie gauge and length of shell it would be very hard to do any damage to your gun ,now shooting three inch shells in a gun made for two and three quarters could cause some problems or shooting a 20g shell in a 12g would not be a good idea ,so if your gun is in good shape and you shoot shells that are recommended for your gun you are good to go ,as far as cheap shells go thy are not going to do anything different then the high priced shells ,so shoot the cheap stuff and enjoy your new gun ,,Dutch
 
In terms of target loads, I think Remington STS are the best available......Also those hulls are best to reload, and are easily sold if you do not reload.
Assuming your new shotgun is a 12 gauge, STS are available in both 1 ounce and 1 1/8 ounce loads. There is also a good choice of velocity levels. You could purchase a reasonable sample size of as many of the STS variations as you can find , then see which you and your new gun like best.
 
You wont damage anything unless the wrong ammo is inserted. As for shells, some are cheaper then others, ive had the crappy winchester ammo at Wallmart way back keep jamming in my gun, found out the head on the brass is thin so it likes to flow out and wedge its self in the chamber, the rest of anything out there i have never had any issue with in a good functioning gun.
 
Some O\U's tend to puncture the Cheddite primers used in Challenger shells - this is due to the angle of the lower firing pin. Repeated shooting will erode the firing pin. The problem was solved, for me, by re-radiusing the tip of the firing pin.
Otherwise, the cheap Winchester loads seem to be problematic in many types of guns, as they tend to stick in the chamber. They wont damage the gun, unless you use a screwdriver to remove them. They are best avoided.
 
I use kent ammo whenever can , simply because the lower pressure of one of their lines makes it nice to use with my vintage guns.
If I don't have it and am using a modern gun I shoot what I have, which could be anything on the shelf .
As far as punctured primers goo, cheap winchester ammo from walmart often does the same thing, I don't think it has anything to do with a particular brand .
Kent uses Cheddite hulls and I would not be a bit surprised if they use Cheddite primers as well, their wads are also OEM as is their powder.

Cat
 
Im right now on the Winchester AA wagon right now. I'm using the low recoil ones for skeet and love them. Plus they have the rebate on them right now so it makes them a deal.
 
I mentioned in a previous thread overhearing a couple fellows complaining about firing pin issues with their browning Citori XT's from challenger and score shotshells but these are guys who are ordering ammo by the pallet and shooting upwards of 12,000 + rounds per season. I wouldn't concern myself about it if I were you. I shoot primarily top guns with challengers and winchester next if I can't source the Federal's.
 
My Pops, Bro and I have over 7000 challenger target loads with no problems so far. Our guns are 687s and citori.
 
I've shot tens of thousands of Challengers and there's no indication they've damaged my guns. Other high-volume shooters I know also shoot Challenger and there are no reports of unusual damage. My only criticism of Challenger is they often don't perform well in very cold weather.

Kent is also good ammo but harder to find. Kent and Challenger both use Cheddite primers and hulls and are very close to each other IMO with the edge going to Kent for patterning consistency. Kent 28 gauge is excellent.

I don't shoot Federal Top Gun or Winchester Super Target. The Top Gun reeks when fired and the Super Target doesn't pattern or function well in my guns. Among the less expensive shells my choice is Remington Gun Club.

The premium brands are all good but unless you are reloading and want the hulls I don't see any real advantage in using them. If I had to choose one it would be Federal plastic. I've had the most experience with Winchester AA but that is more related to availability and their discount program. Remington STS are pretty rare in these parts and I haven't shot them often.
 
I ran 200 Challengers through my Akkar Churchill 206 yesterday, no pierced primers. Some Browning, Kolar, & Krieghoffs around our club will pierce primers in the lower barrels when fed cheddite primers(Challenger, Rio Score, Kent, etc), depends on the gun. I run them through my Akkar, Benelli, and Baikal without issues. My next choice in promo loads is Estate & Top Gun.
 
I buy whatever I can get the best deal on. I currently have Winchester Super Target ,Kent, Federal Top Gun, Challenger and Fiocchi on hand. The Super targets cause the odd ejection issue in my SX-3, but all work ell in my O/U guns.
 
Challenger = Canadian made in Ste-Justine-de-Newton, Qc.. They aren't low end. Just cheaper because they are made here.

I shoot nothing but challenger in all my guns without issues.
 
I stopped shooting challengers due to burning my for arm. Some of my sxs guns have vents that angle downwards. The primers were getting pierced and the gas was going out the vents. My other sxs guns also pierced the primers but lacked the vents. No damage has been seen but I stopped using them. In the cold they sound very hollow as well.
I use cheddite primers when I reload and have never had an issue with them. However I've had pierced challenger primers with 4 sxs 1 ou 2 rem 1100 1 Ithaca 37 and 1 mossberg
I've been using clever lately. Awesome shell and the cheapest

I can't believe factory ammo causing damage if using the correct ammo
Happy shooting
 
I have pretty much used anything and everything in my old beaters. I decided to buy only the ammo made in Carberry from now on. I want to support a local operation in my little way. A buddy and I each bought a case of target loads at the Carberry show from the fellows that made the ammo. They thanked us for the support.

I have two new Weatherby Deluxes, 12 and 20, to try out, so I will use some Score in the 12. I also like the Challenger ammo.
 
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