Shotgun shell quality?

[Covey Ridge]

B & P, Fiocchi, Hull, Eley & Kent/Gamebore competition loads are among some of the best in the world... domestically, Federal Gold Medal paper's are certainly big favourites, as are the Remington STS/Nitros. The "AA-s" just ain't what they used to be.

In the present batch of AAs I have noticed two different hull lenghts. One is about 1/16 shorter and crimps differently. I do not mind sorting hulls by color, but with the minute advantage to loading, sorting by measurement seems a pain. Just means that not all my crimps might be tight and I end up with some shot in my pocket

 

[Claybuster]

In the present batch of AAs I have noticed two different hull lenghts. One is about 1/16 shorter and crimps differently. I do not mind sorting hulls by color, but with the minute advantage to loading, sorting by measurement seems a pain. Just means that not all my crimps might be tight and I end up with some shot in my pocket

28 gauge or 12 gauge? The 28 gauge AAHS were produced in two different lengths. The short ones were a pain in the ass to reload but Winchester finally saw the light and the AAHS in 28 gauge is now the same length as the older AA.

 

[Covey Ridge]

28 gauge or 12 gauge?
QUOTE]

12 gauge. I notice a hole in the center of the crimp folds on some and not others and could not get a good compromise on my crimper. I did not think much of it as they broke targets well, but when I mentioned it at the club another fellow said that AA has two different lenghts. I took a couple random handfulls of reds and lined them on my bench and sure enough, there are two distinct sizes. About 1/16 difference.

 

[Claybuster]

12 gauge. I notice a hole in the center of the crimp folds on some and not others and could not get a good compromise on my crimper. I did not think much of it as they broke targets well, but when I mentioned it at the club another fellow said that AA has two different lenghts. I took a couple random handfulls of reds and lined them on my bench and sure enough, there are two distinct sizes. About 1/16 difference.

I've have noticed a difference between the newer AAHS in 12 gauge and the older AA. The older hulls crimp perfectly but the AAHS do leave a little hole in the center. I don't think it's enough to affect performance but it is noticeable.

 

[Covey Ridge]

I've have noticed a difference between the newer AAHS in 12 gauge and the older AA. The older hulls crimp perfectly but the AAHS do leave a little hole in the center. I don't think it's enough to affect performance but it is noticeable.

CB, I have noticed this difference between batches bought in the last couple years and have not compared them to my stash of old AAs.

 

[popcan]

Has anyone actually noticed a drop in scores due to using a different brand shell? I think that can happen, as you get so used to the performance of a particular type, and one day you run out, and borrow a box of brand x....

...or maybe it's just all in your head.
Of course, this has NEVER happened to me personally.

 

[Covey Ridge]

Has anyone actually noticed a drop in scores due to using a different brand shell? I think that can happen, as you get so used to the performance of a particular type, and one day you run out, and borrow a box of brand x....

...or maybe it's just all in your head.
Of course, this has NEVER happened to me personally.

I have not noticed a drop in scores, but some times I notice a difference in the quality of the breaks. Recently it is the opposite! I have been using Kent Internationl 7/8 and and I have been using up a quantity of Top Gun 1 oz. 7 1/2s. I started by getting some really awesome breaks with these light loads and because of the breaks are good my confidence seems to be up and I am shooting way more straights.

The kents have been difficult for me to get and the top guns leave me as dirty as a coal miner. Nothing is perfect

 

[Covey Ridge]

BTW I do think that most of it is in the head!

 

[Claybuster]

It's probably in your head but who knows if a target slips through a hole in your pattern that might not otherwise be there if you'd used better ammo.

Ammo that doesn't pattern well, has too many off-sounding reports, breaks are not solid or often enough does erode confidence. If you are thinking about your ammo when you are shooting you don't have your mind where it should be.