Cheap walmart shotgun shells

Super-Dave · April 22, 2008, 07:17 AM

I have heard that the winchester shotgun shells they sell at walmart are of such cheap quality that they tend to stick in the barrel after they have been fired. Is this true?

I see some very good prices on winchester buck shot and slugs at walmart and was wondering if they are safe to buy or not.

What do you say?

Would you trust this ammo for hunting, or even for self defense?

CajunBass · April 22, 2008, 07:25 AM

Yes, I would and do trust them for any purpose I would use any shotgun shell for.

Tomac · April 22, 2008, 07:36 AM

I've only heard of Remington 870's having extraction problems w/the cheap WallyWorld shells. I've got 3 different Norinco 870 clones in my gunsafe that haven't had any problems w/them after many hundreds of rds.
Tomac

mikenbarb · April 22, 2008, 07:59 AM

I have ran thousands of them thru a few different guns including rimfires and never had a problem. In fact I just shot 100 wallyworld 7 1/2's 2 days ago and they shot and extracted fine.

2Old2Change · April 22, 2008, 08:18 AM

I have never had a problem with them, and I shoot a bunch of tree rats, at various distances, all with 100% good results.

oneounceload · April 22, 2008, 08:21 AM

If you're talking about those "Super Speeds", just be forewarned - they are stout 3-1/4 dram eq. shells, so they will kick and kick fairly hard, especially in a light gun.

I'm too old for that abuse - I don't even like 3 dram eq. - make mine 2-3/4 dram at about 1200 fps, and the shells go bang, the targets go bust, and my shoulder can shoot 300 a day without turning purple.....just my .02 worth

JWT · April 22, 2008, 09:23 AM

I've shot hundreds of them with no problems getting them to eject. Have had some that are difficult to get in the chamber and several that had the shot falling out due to poor crimping.

I've switched to Estates because I can buy them as cheap or even cheaper at Sportsmans Warehouse than I can get the Winchesters at Wallys.

hogdogs · April 22, 2008, 09:34 AM

I have fired untold numbers of the cheap low brass loads from walmart... I actually learned that the shopping cart don't steer so well with too much weight over the steering tires

If I need 7 1/2 or 8 size shot I refuse to buy anything but the bulk bricks at wally world. I have never had a single round hang up in Mossberg pumps nor various single shots. That is all I have owned though...
Brent

Balrog54 · April 22, 2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Have had some that are difficult to get in the chamber

Same here. I've shot a lot of Winchester 00 buck from Walmart (bulk packs). Usually have had no problems but I did have one round once that would not chamber in either my Mossberg or my Remington pump.

Juhosaphat · April 22, 2008, 10:47 AM

When I take my 870 out for a day of shooting, it sees anywhere from 100-500 shells in a day. I've shot the Winchester stuff and the Federal bulk stuff. Both without a single problem to speak of. It chambers easily and ejects just as easily.

BigJimP · April 22, 2008, 11:30 AM

If I'm going to shoot cheap throw away shells - I like the RIO 1 1/16 oz loads. They seem to be more consistent than Estates or the wally world shells.

Personally I like a 1 oz shell around 1225 fps for most of the clay target games as a good all around shell - and that's not easy to find in a retail shell - so consider getting into reloading but you'll want to use a premium hull like Remington STS in a 12ga. I wouldn't reload the wally world stuff or Estate or Rio's for that matter either.

Leif · April 22, 2008, 11:46 AM

I put 100 through my BPS this past weekend without problem, though I'm not a decent enough trap shooter to determine the consistency of the shells. I had a few easy misses, so I'll blame the shells.

Seriously, no problems with mine.

Rebelbred · April 22, 2008, 01:09 PM

I buy Remington, Winchester or Federal 4 box packs of 12 gauge shot shells whichever is cheapest and have had no problem with any of them.

I shoot them in a Remington 1100 and an Ithaca SxS at trap, 5 stand and sporting clays about 100 rounds per week.

bayl778 · April 22, 2008, 07:41 PM

Have shot 1000's of wally winchesters in O/U, pump and semi auto. never a problem.

olddrum1 · April 22, 2008, 11:03 PM

I truthfully have never shot one of the Walmart 100 pack loads. I have seen several years ago one of the Winchester shells taken apart and instead of a poly wad it had a fiber wad in it. Has anyone taken a newer shell apart?

DonR101395 · April 22, 2008, 11:25 PM

I haven't shot tons of them, but the cases I have shot worked as advertised even in my 1100.

Hawg · April 23, 2008, 04:56 AM

They work for me.

Quote:

instead of a poly wad it had a fiber wad in it

If it works who cares what kind of wad it has.

King Ghidora · April 24, 2008, 12:53 AM

I've had 2 Wally World, Federal 6 shot, hi brass shells get stuck in my 12 ga. 870 Express. It was a dang pain in the rear to get them out too. The last time I had to take the trigger assembly out and pry the shell out of the barrel before I could get the action bar to move enough that I could get the barrel off. It took me about 2 hours to get that hull out. I'll admit I'm no gunsmith but it's an 870. It isn't rocket science to get one apart. I thought I was going to need to visit my local gunsmith to get the thing out of there for a while. I had just cleaned my gun and all that.

When I got the hull out I could see that the brass had expanded some inside the barrel. I have only had this gun about a month (bought it new from Wally World) but I haven't had any problems with any other shells. I've shot other shells from the same box too. I figure I know how to get it out now so it won't be such a pain. I'm trying to make sure I don't leave any reason for the barrel not to work right. I clean it if I only shoot 2 shells.

I don't know what the reason was for this problem really. Whether it was the Wally World shells or the fact that the gun is still very new (still less than 100 shells through it) or what I just don't know. I'm just saying what happened. I'll leave it to others to sort it out.

I will say I've been shooting Wally World shells in my pistols and rifles and my Mossberg 20 ga. for years and the only problems I've ever had was when I used Winchester WinClean shells in my Sig P220. Those shells were just awful. They left more gunk in a gun than any 10 shells I've ever seen before. I stopped buying them (quickly) and I've never had any trouble with any other shell I've bought from WW and I've bought a lot of them for all sorts of guns (mostly rifles and pistols I guess - I squirrel hunt and plink with various .22's and I've shot my .45 and .25 pistols using shells from WW a lot - my other guns - AK-47, SKS, Tokarev, etc. - mostly required ammo not available at WW). I have had a few other 12's which I've shot WW stuff through and didn't have a problem.

Picher · April 24, 2008, 05:28 AM

Did you try to remove the stuck empty shell with a cleaning rod from the muzzle?

Picher

King Ghidora · April 24, 2008, 12:00 PM

I actually didn't know what was wrong with the thing until I got the trigger assembly out. Once I saw the problem it wasn't hard to pry it out. What took so long was that nothing would come apart so I could see what was going on. Everything was hooked on something else and wouldn't budge. I'll certainly try using a cleaning rod next time though.

rem870hunter · April 24, 2008, 08:24 PM

does walmart make ammo? or do they sell name brand ammo, winchester, federal, remington? my walmarts don't sell ammo or guns at all. i have to buy from a few different private shops or dicks sports. i didn't have any trouble so far with remington express buckshot or fine shot,game loads, federal game shock,winchester super x buckshot or fine shot. 1 jammed shell that took a few seconds too cool before ejecting. an estate #7.5 1 and 1/8 oz. target load. happend a few weeks ago. only jam ever so far, i shot 15 of them and then shot number 16, it jammed. hopefully no jam ever again.

TEDDY · April 24, 2008, 08:41 PM

he said winchester.walmart does not make any thing, they sell goods.
se if you can lift the extractor next time.check the chamber and see if it is clean cleaning alone may not take the plastic out of the chamber

.

King Ghidora · April 24, 2008, 10:39 PM

It was actually Federal Game Shock #6 hi brass that caused the problem for me. I clean my guns every time I shoot or close to it. It possibly could have gotten a little fouled because of shooting a lot rounds at a time. But IMO it was the shells. They shouldn't have swelled like they did. It could have been just a bad batch. I'll just have to keep shooting through the gun to see if the problem repeats I guess.

olddrum1 · April 24, 2008, 11:24 PM

If it works who cares what kind of wad it has.

I do not really care either, I just wondered if they were still using the fiber wads in them or gone to plastic. Its been several years.

furyfour · April 24, 2008, 11:30 PM

I've never had problems with them in my 870 or 1300

but my friend frequently has them get stuck in his mossberg 500

April 22, 2008, 07:17 AM	#1
Super-Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 795	Cheap walmart shotgun shells I have heard that the winchester shotgun shells they sell at walmart are of such cheap quality that they tend to stick in the barrel after they have been fired. Is this true? I see some very good prices on winchester buck shot and slugs at walmart and was wondering if they are safe to buy or not. What do you say? Would you trust this ammo for hunting, or even for self defense? __________________ If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever. George Orwell

April 22, 2008, 07:25 AM	#2
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Yes, I would and do trust them for any purpose I would use any shotgun shell for. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

April 22, 2008, 07:59 AM	#4
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	I have ran thousands of them thru a few different guns including rimfires and never had a problem. In fact I just shot 100 wallyworld 7 1/2's 2 days ago and they shot and extracted fine. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

April 22, 2008, 10:47 AM	#10
Juhosaphat Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 174	When I take my 870 out for a day of shooting, it sees anywhere from 100-500 shells in a day. I've shot the Winchester stuff and the Federal bulk stuff. Both without a single problem to speak of. It chambers easily and ejects just as easily. __________________ What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Learn from your mistakes and you shall prevail equally.

April 22, 2008, 01:09 PM	#13
Rebelbred Member Join Date: April 22, 2008 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 18	Walmart Shells I buy Remington, Winchester or Federal 4 box packs of 12 gauge shot shells whichever is cheapest and have had no problem with any of them. I shoot them in a Remington 1100 and an Ithaca SxS at trap, 5 stand and sporting clays about 100 rounds per week.

April 22, 2008, 07:36 AM	#3
Tomac Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: Caldwell, Idaho Posts: 511	I've only heard of Remington 870's having extraction problems w/the cheap WallyWorld shells. I've got 3 different Norinco 870 clones in my gunsafe that haven't had any problems w/them after many hundreds of rds. Tomac

April 22, 2008, 08:18 AM	#5
2Old2Change Member Join Date: April 20, 2008 Posts: 61	I have never had a problem with them, and I shoot a bunch of tree rats, at various distances, all with 100% good results.

April 22, 2008, 08:21 AM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	If you're talking about those "Super Speeds", just be forewarned - they are stout 3-1/4 dram eq. shells, so they will kick and kick fairly hard, especially in a light gun. I'm too old for that abuse - I don't even like 3 dram eq. - make mine 2-3/4 dram at about 1200 fps, and the shells go bang, the targets go bust, and my shoulder can shoot 300 a day without turning purple.....just my .02 worth

April 22, 2008, 09:23 AM	#7
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	I've shot hundreds of them with no problems getting them to eject. Have had some that are difficult to get in the chamber and several that had the shot falling out due to poor crimping. I've switched to Estates because I can buy them as cheap or even cheaper at Sportsmans Warehouse than I can get the Winchesters at Wallys.

April 22, 2008, 09:34 AM	#8
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I have fired untold numbers of the cheap low brass loads from walmart... I actually learned that the shopping cart don't steer so well with too much weight over the steering tires If I need 7 1/2 or 8 size shot I refuse to buy anything but the bulk bricks at wally world. I have never had a single round hang up in Mossberg pumps nor various single shots. That is all I have owned though... Brent

April 22, 2008, 11:30 AM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	If I'm going to shoot cheap throw away shells - I like the RIO 1 1/16 oz loads. They seem to be more consistent than Estates or the wally world shells. Personally I like a 1 oz shell around 1225 fps for most of the clay target games as a good all around shell - and that's not easy to find in a retail shell - so consider getting into reloading but you'll want to use a premium hull like Remington STS in a 12ga. I wouldn't reload the wally world stuff or Estate or Rio's for that matter either.

April 22, 2008, 11:46 AM	#12
Leif Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2005 Posts: 1,237	I put 100 through my BPS this past weekend without problem, though I'm not a decent enough trap shooter to determine the consistency of the shells. I had a few easy misses, so I'll blame the shells. Seriously, no problems with mine.

April 22, 2008, 07:41 PM	#14
bayl778 Junior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Location: Palm City, Fl. Posts: 5	Have shot 1000's of wally winchesters in O/U, pump and semi auto. never a problem. __________________ You can't learn any younger!

April 22, 2008, 11:03 PM	#15
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	I truthfully have never shot one of the Walmart 100 pack loads. I have seen several years ago one of the Winchester shells taken apart and instead of a poly wad it had a fiber wad in it. Has anyone taken a newer shell apart?

April 22, 2008, 11:25 PM	#16
DonR101395 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: NWFL Posts: 3,031	I haven't shot tons of them, but the cases I have shot worked as advertised even in my 1100.

April 24, 2008, 12:53 AM	#18
King Ghidora Junior member Join Date: April 7, 2008 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 584	I've had 2 Wally World, Federal 6 shot, hi brass shells get stuck in my 12 ga. 870 Express. It was a dang pain in the rear to get them out too. The last time I had to take the trigger assembly out and pry the shell out of the barrel before I could get the action bar to move enough that I could get the barrel off. It took me about 2 hours to get that hull out. I'll admit I'm no gunsmith but it's an 870. It isn't rocket science to get one apart. I thought I was going to need to visit my local gunsmith to get the thing out of there for a while. I had just cleaned my gun and all that. When I got the hull out I could see that the brass had expanded some inside the barrel. I have only had this gun about a month (bought it new from Wally World) but I haven't had any problems with any other shells. I've shot other shells from the same box too. I figure I know how to get it out now so it won't be such a pain. I'm trying to make sure I don't leave any reason for the barrel not to work right. I clean it if I only shoot 2 shells. I don't know what the reason was for this problem really. Whether it was the Wally World shells or the fact that the gun is still very new (still less than 100 shells through it) or what I just don't know. I'm just saying what happened. I'll leave it to others to sort it out. I will say I've been shooting Wally World shells in my pistols and rifles and my Mossberg 20 ga. for years and the only problems I've ever had was when I used Winchester WinClean shells in my Sig P220. Those shells were just awful. They left more gunk in a gun than any 10 shells I've ever seen before. I stopped buying them (quickly) and I've never had any trouble with any other shell I've bought from WW and I've bought a lot of them for all sorts of guns (mostly rifles and pistols I guess - I squirrel hunt and plink with various .22's and I've shot my .45 and .25 pistols using shells from WW a lot - my other guns - AK-47, SKS, Tokarev, etc. - mostly required ammo not available at WW). I have had a few other 12's which I've shot WW stuff through and didn't have a problem.

April 24, 2008, 05:28 AM	#19
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	Did you try to remove the stuck empty shell with a cleaning rod from the muzzle? Picher

April 24, 2008, 12:00 PM	#20
King Ghidora Junior member Join Date: April 7, 2008 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 584	I actually didn't know what was wrong with the thing until I got the trigger assembly out. Once I saw the problem it wasn't hard to pry it out. What took so long was that nothing would come apart so I could see what was going on. Everything was hooked on something else and wouldn't budge. I'll certainly try using a cleaning rod next time though.

April 24, 2008, 08:24 PM	#21
rem870hunter Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2007 Location: N.J. and trying to decide what state to move to. Posts: 973	does walmart make ammo? or do they sell name brand ammo, winchester, federal, remington? my walmarts don't sell ammo or guns at all. i have to buy from a few different private shops or dicks sports. i didn't have any trouble so far with remington express buckshot or fine shot,game loads, federal game shock,winchester super x buckshot or fine shot. 1 jammed shell that took a few seconds too cool before ejecting. an estate #7.5 1 and 1/8 oz. target load. happend a few weeks ago. only jam ever so far, i shot 15 of them and then shot number 16, it jammed. hopefully no jam ever again. __________________ BEAR Bows,Remington shotguns,Marlin rifles

April 24, 2008, 08:41 PM	#22
TEDDY Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: MANNING SC Posts: 837	Shells he said winchester.walmart does not make any thing, they sell goods. se if you can lift the extractor next time.check the chamber and see if it is clean cleaning alone may not take the plastic out of the chamber.

April 24, 2008, 10:39 PM	#23
King Ghidora Junior member Join Date: April 7, 2008 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 584	It was actually Federal Game Shock #6 hi brass that caused the problem for me. I clean my guns every time I shoot or close to it. It possibly could have gotten a little fouled because of shooting a lot rounds at a time. But IMO it was the shells. They shouldn't have swelled like they did. It could have been just a bad batch. I'll just have to keep shooting through the gun to see if the problem repeats I guess.

April 24, 2008, 11:24 PM	#24
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	If it works who cares what kind of wad it has. I do not really care either, I just wondered if they were still using the fiber wads in them or gone to plastic. Its been several years.

April 24, 2008, 11:30 PM	#25
furyfour Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 241	I've never had problems with them in my 870 or 1300 but my friend frequently has them get stuck in his mossberg 500 __________________ A man who would trade liberty for security deserves neither.