Winchester "Universal Shotshells" - Reloadable?

yankytrash · March 17, 2002, 12:14 PM

Because of the price, I've been stocking up on a lot of these 12 Win "Universal Shotshells". For those that don't know them, they're #8 skeet loads, 1 1/8th oz, plastic hull, short base.

They've got a steel base. Think I'll have potential troubles if I try to start reloading them?

I realize they'll load fine, but I'm concerned about the possibility of metallurgy mixing with certain primer types with the steel bases. Could they end up being corrosive? Will they last if they're loaded and stored for, say, a year?

Thoughts? Experiences?

DOCSpanky · March 17, 2002, 06:00 PM

While possible, I don't think they are worth it. Not only because of the steel base, but the plastic seems cheaper. The proliferation of once fired AA's and STS's make them a much better alternative that over the life of the shell will more than pay for itself. I have 20 guage AA's that have 12 reloads and no signs of any problems. I have a little trouble getting STS's over the 10 reload hump because of basewad degradation, and the AA's seem to split at the crimp easier. My problem is that I also can't use the promo-universals in my Browning auto as they don't reliably cycle the action. Probably 1 round in every 2 boxes of factory universals will fail to cycle the action.

FWIW

DOC

Poodleshooter · March 18, 2002, 05:43 PM

I wouldn't recommend the Winchester hulls as their crimps start to fail too early due to crappy thin plastic. The Remington black colored "game loads" sold at WalMart have an excellent hull however. The new AA hull is different from the older hull, from what I have heard. It seems that the STS will be the preferred hull now. I still use paper base Federal hunting hulls. They last 4-5 reloads with no problems. The crimps fail before the cardboard basewad does.

Birdhunter · March 18, 2002, 08:27 PM

I agree. I don't waste my time with the cheapies. They are to finicky for some guns even when new.

I use the black Remingtons for hunting, in case I can't pick them up. They reload great.

I use Rem. STS or Win. AA for trap so I can pick them up.For some reason the Federals don't crimp well for me so I stay away from them.

March 17, 2002, 12:14 PM	#1
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	Winchester "Universal Shotshells" - Reloadable? Because of the price, I've been stocking up on a lot of these 12 Win "Universal Shotshells". For those that don't know them, they're #8 skeet loads, 1 1/8th oz, plastic hull, short base. They've got a steel base. Think I'll have potential troubles if I try to start reloading them? I realize they'll load fine, but I'm concerned about the possibility of metallurgy mixing with certain primer types with the steel bases. Could they end up being corrosive? Will they last if they're loaded and stored for, say, a year? Thoughts? Experiences?

March 17, 2002, 06:00 PM	#2
DOCSpanky Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 1999 Location: Ashland City, TN Posts: 779	While possible, I don't think they are worth it. Not only because of the steel base, but the plastic seems cheaper. The proliferation of once fired AA's and STS's make them a much better alternative that over the life of the shell will more than pay for itself. I have 20 guage AA's that have 12 reloads and no signs of any problems. I have a little trouble getting STS's over the 10 reload hump because of basewad degradation, and the AA's seem to split at the crimp easier. My problem is that I also can't use the promo-universals in my Browning auto as they don't reliably cycle the action. Probably 1 round in every 2 boxes of factory universals will fail to cycle the action. FWIW DOC

March 18, 2002, 05:43 PM	#3
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	I wouldn't recommend the Winchester hulls as their crimps start to fail too early due to crappy thin plastic. The Remington black colored "game loads" sold at WalMart have an excellent hull however. The new AA hull is different from the older hull, from what I have heard. It seems that the STS will be the preferred hull now. I still use paper base Federal hunting hulls. They last 4-5 reloads with no problems. The crimps fail before the cardboard basewad does.

March 18, 2002, 08:27 PM	#4
Birdhunter Member Join Date: January 24, 2002 Location: Midlothian IL Posts: 70	I agree. I don't waste my time with the cheapies. They are to finicky for some guns even when new. I use the black Remingtons for hunting, in case I can't pick them up. They reload great. I use Rem. STS or Win. AA for trap so I can pick them up.For some reason the Federals don't crimp well for me so I stay away from them.