Federal 12S3 - Discontinued.

[RMc]

The Federal 12S3 12ga 1-1/8oz wad, has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/wads/champion-wads-prod54054.aspx

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/758353/federal-shotshell-wads-champion-12-gauge-12s3-1-1-8-oz-gold-medal-field-shotshell-hulls-bag-of-250

[Hogtamer]

Would have thought that would be their best selling size.

[RMc]

The Gold Medal Grand, in plastic and newly redesigned paper hull variants, have switched to this newest incarnation of their late 1960's wad design:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/792338/federal-shotshell-wads-champion-12-gauge-12c5-1-1-8-oz-for-gold-medal-grand-hulls-bag-of-250

This left the 12S3 1 1/8 ounce wad with no "home" in the loaded shell line-up.

[phaessler]

I just bought 2 bags last week,,,,
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/3784

Precision has them also, but $$
https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!l=FD&i=W12S3

[FullTang]

Interesting that they've brought back the old-style Champion wad; I found some of those at a second hand sale a while back and really liked them. Still, the 12S3 is a great wad, and I can't imagine why they wouldn't keep it going for reloaders (I know that's a very small slice of their business.) I assume Claybuster will continue making their clone, though I much prefer the original.

[EMC45]

Check with BPI. They probably sell a clone of it.

[JBinMN]

I believe Claybusters makes a clone.

ETA: Appears they do, as well as some other makers. See this .PDF from Hodgdon, it is a "substitution chart", 4th line down from top.
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/sites/default/files/_media/content/wadsubchart.pdf

[Houndog]

Federal has a nasty habit of doing things like this from time to time. They discontinued the 12S3 back in my trapshooting days and instead of playing their "buy new or tough luck" game I switched to Winchester AA and never looked back. Claybuster and several of the aftermarket companies weren't in business at that time. Federal DOES make a good product, but their marketing likes alot to be desired

[fecmech]

The Gold Medal Grand, in plastic and newly redesigned paper hull variants, have switched to this newest incarnation of their late 1960's wad design:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/79...lls-bag-of-250

This left the 12S3 1 1/8 ounce wad with no "home" in the loaded shell line-up.

If you're going to pay $68./1000 for wads you might as well buy the factory ammo. That makes 1 1/8 reloads north of $6/box!

[AllanD]

Yes, claybusters does offer a clone:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/731173/claybuster-shotshell-wads-12-gauge-cb2118-12-replaces-12s3-1-1-8-oz-bag-of-500

I have 40Gallons opf gold medal hulls and though I no longer shoot Trap, this wad seems perfect for the Lyman Sabot Slug.

I have the mold and My MEC is on my inside reloading bench and as soon as I put the new liner in my 20# lee pot I'll be casting as many As I can sit still for.

Then to load them up and I have two 4# kegs of Unique on my Bench.


I have no idea what I'll do with a thousand or so slug loads, but I'll certainly have enough practice ammo to run through my Hastings barrel on my Rem870
and enough that I can finally give the rifled barrel on my Mossberg 500 (That I've had for 25years and NEVER fired) a workout

[RMc]

The Claybuster substitute is not identical to the OEM 12S3 due to internal ribs in the shotcup that preclude its use with Lee one ounce slugs.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/731173/claybuster-shotshell-wads-12-gauge-cb2118-12-replaces-12s3-1-1-8-oz-bag-of-500

Correction: The illustration on the Midway site shows internal ribs. That is not correct for the Claybuster clone.

[megasupermagnum]

Those Claybusters might not work well for slugs, but give them a try. I actually like them better than the 12S3. They fit tighter in the hull, and the material is more elastic. I do love the 12S4. I hope those aren't discontinued as well, there is no replacement for those.

[JBinMN]

Then maybe look at these , which are in the chart I posted the link to in post #7

DRF3, DR HF3, MEC118T8

Maybe they would be what you are looking for, since your OP never mentioned having to fit a LEE 1oz slug.