Reading tea leaves on shot shells

[KrakenFan69]

Hi guys,

I am just getting back into loading for shotgun. Took this load out today and I am pleased with it overall. I don't know how to read the wads or what to look for so I was wondering of someone could tell me what htese recovered wads are saying?

Win 2-3/4" 12 ga AA Hull
17 gn Clays
1-1/8 oz #7-1/2 Shot
CB-1114-12 Wad
8 pt Crimp
Fired from Rem 870 Express Tactical

Thanks,

204127


Kraken Fan #69

[uncle dino]

Look like they should, to me..d

[copdills]

yes they look as they should to me also , looks great

[Hogtamer]

Read a grocery sack, piece of paper, an old box.....the terminal ends tells the story! Those wads look fine.

[KrakenFan69]

Thanks guys. The results were great, just curious how they looked.

Thanks,

Kraken Fan #69

[longbow]

Can't say I've ever looked at wads recovered from birdshot loads with a critical eye as I haven't had the need but those look fine to me as well.

Slugs seem to be harder on wads often pinching petals off or blowing gas seals depending on slug hardness and slug/petal/bore fit and the fact that slug loads are usually loaded to higher velocity than birdshot loads... and many shot in rifled barrels as well. I always look for wads to check condition when slug shooting.

Bad looking wads will usually have petals missing, bad petal distortion, wrinkled petals, blown gas seal which results in burned or black seal/cushion/petals, failed bottom in the cup or a damaged cushion leg, and maybe a combination of these. Not an exact science by any means but "bad" wads usually have an obvious visible defect(s).

Longbow

[KrakenFan69]

Update:

I shot a 3 Gun match using this load and they performed flawlessly. I was ridiculously slow at the loading part, but they all went boom and I never missed a single shot. Very light recoil as well. I shot cast/Hi-Tek coated 9mm, Cast/Hi-Tek coated .223, Cast and Slugs and Shot shells loaded with store bought shot. I may as well been a leper. Several guys reloaded 9mm but no one reloaded .223 and dang sure didn't load shot or slugs let alone cast their own! Aside form a few of the .223 that I somehow failed to remove all the flare from (WTH?) causing some failure to go to battery and sticking in the chamber, the accuracy was great. It was nice often seeing myself getting better hits than the guys with "better" guns and store bought ammo. I just smiled on the inside at every target I checked of mine with great hits. Anyway, I'm very happy with this shot shell load!


Thanks,


Kraken Fan #69