Reloading Challenger 12 gauge hulls

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Big_Gas

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Anyone have any info regarding the reloadability of challenger 12 gauge hulls?

I have heard they are the same as "cheddite" hulls and the reloading data would be the same...

I am thinking about buying the Cheddite Reloading Manual online for more info and reloading recipes.

Thoughts?p
 
Not a lot of info but I have used them for .690 round ball slugs and they were ok, not great but ok. If you want hulls that last longer for more reloads I would go with Federal Gold Medal, Remington STS, or the old Winchester AA's, my two cents.
 
adding to chas59 list: remington gun club's

Be carefull with hulls that are not "one piece". There have been cases where the part of the base ended up in the barrel causing a kaboom barrel when firing the next round into it.
 
Big_Gas said:
Anyone have any info regarding the reloadability of challenger 12 gauge hulls?

I have heard they are the same as "cheddite" hulls and the reloading data would be the same...

I am thinking about buying the Cheddite Reloading Manual online for more info and reloading recipes.

Thoughts?p
Click to expand...

I guess I should clarify, I'm mainly a skeet shooter, so I would want a light 7/8 or 1oz load with 8 or 9 shot. Im asking specifically about loading challenger shells because they are abundant at the range and have a plastic basewad instead of fiber like the federal top-gun shells.

I would reload once and chuck 'em. Bad idea?
 
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Big_Gas said:
I guess I should clarify, I'm mainly a skeet shooter, so I would want a light 7/8 or 1oz load with 8 or 9 shot. Im asking specifically about loading challenger shells because they are abundant at the range and have a plastic basewad instead of fiber like the federal top-gun shells.

I would reload once and chuck 'em. Bad idea?
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, the Challengers should be good for at least one reload with target loads.
 
Cheddite and Rio hulls are my least favorite to reload, the basewads are not very well attached to the hull. While I've never had one separate, they're not securely attached enough for my liking. You may be able to get away with it if you're using a break action shotgun as you'll be able check for bore obstructions before loading another shell. Something to keep in mind is that cheddite primers are just a touch larger than domestic primers(Win, CCI, Fed, Rem, etc), the primer pockets be enlarged to the point they won't reliably hold a domestic primer.

Keep an eye out for Rem Gun club hulls, a lot of guys around here don't even bother keeping the hulls.
 
Same wad as federal.
Use cheddite data, and primers
I use them for one loading only.
They are very plentiful, so no shortage of supply.
Make sure that the ones you get from the dumpster are dry.
 
I have been reloading Remington Gun Club hulls for a few years now and have to say I have only had one issue with the hulls where the hull started to separate but didn’t pull off and I shoot an O/U so it was not a safety concern for me. I have even put them through multiple reloads before tossing them without issue, now all that said I probably have only reloaded 4-5k shells so take my information for what it’s worth as I am sure there are way more experienced loaders out there.
I mainly use the Cheddite primers and have never had an issue with them seating in the pocket but as was stated earlier they measure out .001 larger than a domestic primer so I would be sure if you are changing primer suppliers and the hull has had a Cheddite primer in it your double checking the secure fit of the primer as if it falls out during cycling a pump or semi you may have a whole new problem that might result in damage to the gun or potential injury.
I have loaded the challenger hulls but not in any volume to see how they turn out and I will say visually they look good and went boom but as some of the experience has indicated they are not the best design for a reloading candidate.
Best of luck in your reloading!
 
There is a wealth of Cheddite loading data on the Hodgdon website. I use Cheddite for my 28 g, limit the number of reloads to 2, and check the cases after each firing. So far, so good. For reasons stated above, best to use Cheddite primers with the Cheddite hulls.
 
Big_Gas said:
I guess I should clarify, I'm mainly a skeet shooter, so I would want a light 7/8 or 1oz load with 8 or 9 shot. Im asking specifically about loading challenger shells because they are abundant at the range and have a plastic basewad instead of fiber like the federal top-gun shells.

I would reload once and chuck 'em. Bad idea?
Click to expand...

I have reloaded the 2 3/4 Challenger hulls, specifically for skeet. I use a CCI 209 Primer, 19gr of WST powder, Claybuster WAA12SL Pink Wads, with 1oz of #9 shot. Reload once and discard.
 
The Challengers are good straight wall hulls like many others like Cheditte, Federal Gold Medal etc., they work fine and you can uses similar loads like other straight wall hulls, if the 209 rimers are a little loose try the cheditte primers which are a little bigger and fit tight. the hulls are good we even use them for Steel waterfowl loads.
bb
 
Yes - they are Cheddite. I've had good luck with these hulls in 28 gauge, with no hull issues after 3 reloads. I do use Cheddite primers with these hulls for a tighter fit. No need to buy a Cheddite reloading manual, theres lots of info on the Hodgdon and Alliant websites.
 
I also load the 28ga Cheditte hull with BPI data and wads. HV28 magnum wad 2 3/4" Cheditte hull /Cheditte primer / 30gr H-110 ......PSI 8340 .....7/8oz shot at 1320fps...+ overshot card kills pheasants dead.
 
digitalblue said:
Cheddite and Rio hulls are my least favorite to reload, the basewads are not very well attached to the hull. While I've never had one separate, they're not securely attached enough for my liking. You may be able to get away with it if you're using a break action shotgun as you'll be able check for bore obstructions before loading another shell. Something to keep in mind is that cheddite primers are just a touch larger than domestic primers(Win, CCI, Fed, Rem, etc), the primer pockets be enlarged to the point they won't reliably hold a domestic primer.

Keep an eye out for Rem Gun club hulls, a lot of guys around here don't even bother keeping the hulls.
Click to expand...

How long have you been reloading cheddite hulls?
 
FWIW…..
I have purchased loading manuals from Ballistic Products in the past, and they heavily favour “renamed” European wads which are sold through Ballistic Products. Go figger.
Bilozir is their Canadian distributor.
Worth note…. Claybuster has developed a 12 ga wad specifically for “imported” hulls… ie Cheddite , Fiocchi and Rio. Check out their webpage.
 
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