Re: Factory Shells:


Over the years I have tested quite a few 24 gram products. It seems that Winchester AA's, Fiocchi Internationals and the recent lots of Clever are made of consistently high quality components, especially with respect to lead grading and sizing. Repeated testing shows that they are also are the most consistent lot-to-lot. That is, one case will usually test out about the same, if not the same as, the previous case of shells tested.

However, you should be aware that factories of necessity have production tolerances and do make mistakes. Things happen. A few examples: the case may say the shells are loaded with 7 1/2's, but a quick inspection -- after opening the shell box and cutting open a shell for component quality check -- might reveal that the shells actually contain 8's. Or 8 1/2s. Or? Further testing could also reveal that the velocity is not at the level advertised and the shot is not of the quality you expected. For these reasons -- and more -- it is wise to carefully, thoroughly, test any cartridges you plan to use in any major tournaments to insure your confidence.

Some US sources for 24 gram International trap and skeet loads:

Able Ammo has Winchesters, RIO's etc in stock: www.ableammo.com

B&P USA. They ship freight pre-paid. They offer the 24 gram F2 Mach 1365'/s Euro velocity load (you may find it buried in the sporting clay products section!). Regrettably nothing in the more comfortable 1300'/s region, then the F2 Legend at 1230'/s.  One of the few near-cosmetically perfect shells on the American market. www.b&pusa.com.

BargainAmmunition may be able to supply 24 gram RIO's: www.bargainammunition.com

Fiocchi USA. They can drop-ship a minimum of 30 cases, freight pre-paid. Call the factory, 800.721.2666 or 417.725.4118, and they will put you onto a co-operating distributor. Loads can be mixed, i.e. 20 cases of International, 10 cases of sporting clays stuff. Price break at 200 cases. Fiocchi now offers International shells at two price points, both available in 8's or 7 1/2's. They are the only American factory loader to do so. www.Fiocchiusa.com

Gene Sears Supply may have Clever Mirage Grand Italia, T4 and perhaps even the newish "First Barrel" load, etc.: 405.262.2647.

Grafs maintains Winchester AA Internationals, etc in stock: www.grafs.com

Understand that Kemen can still supply: www.kemenammo.com

Kent Cartridge also can supply: www.kentgamebore.com for info.

Recob's Target Shop also lists Federal and  Winchester Int'ls: www.recobstargetshop.com

Could also try RST shotshells -- one of the very few (US) custom loaders -- to see if they will make a run for you: www.rstshells.com. Plant is located in Friendsville, PA and owned by Morris Baker. Nothing like having your name imprinted on each shell you shoot!


Here is a sample of what may be expected by way of pattern performance from
the better factory shells. Patterns were fired at sea level, with summertime temperatures. A standard 0.725 (not overbored) Perazzi fixed, full 42.5 point choked barrel was used at a measured 35 yards. 15 patterns were counted and averaged for each shell shown.
10" 
circle		 20"
Taurus		 24"
Taurus		 24"
total		 % # 90 mm
holes 		 Velocity
ft/sec		 # initial
pellets
AA Lot
#11W2UH12		 82 117 40 241 85 2.47
1299 284
Bornaghi Lot
#562		 69 112 45 229 80 3.20 1330 286
Fiocchi Lot 6
#802139006 		 69 118 46 233 79 2.38 1364 295
Rem Lot
#BN18M507		 77 125 43 245 83 3.00 1299 295
Fiocchi Lot
#0708906008		 70 116 47 235 77 2.90 1346 305

(1299'/s=396 m/s, 1330'/s=406 m/s and 1364 '/s=408m/s.)

Note the Euro velocity price paid by the Fiocchi shells in pattern percentage. This series of tests also demonstrate the advantage lower velocity cartridges offer to hold longer range patterns. If you're shooting targets at 50 yards, this is something you may want to keep in mind.

A comment on initial pellet counts: True sized 7 1/2's (0.095) well graded, with high 6% antimony will run about 295 pellets in a 24 gram load. The Win AA is only loaded with 23 1/2 grams, hence the lower pellet count. Lead with "other hardeners" (tin? nickel?) will run about 285 pellets in a 24 gram load. The latter, being heavier, retains more energy and will get you some smoke on a second barrel well-centered hit at 1300'/s (397 m/s), unlike high antimony lead -- which needs 1350/s (412 m/s). Lighter shot cannot retain energy as well.

A comment on "90 mm holes": Oberfell and Thompson used a 5" disc to evaluate pattern uniformity. This size was too large: many patterns had no 5" diameter holes, but yet still had significant gaps in coverage -- as they state will occur with small shot. The solution was to use a 90 mm ("midi" target size). The size works out well and gives a way to compare the uniformity of one set of patterns to another. However, early on it was realized that probably at least 25 patterns need to be evaluated for this to become a truly reliable measurement for comparison -- unlike the percentage numbers where the average changes very little after averaging 10 patterns. Since counting more than 15 patterns is a very time-consuming process, it was decided to accept that the number shown would only serve as a rough guide to that loads' uniformity.

AA and Fiocchi recent shell tests:

There have been changes in both of these shells. The AA's lot had the standard reddish factory primer (Primer color has changed constantly since the introduction. Originally, the primer looked like a Fiocchi 616.), the wad has changed to a stiffer, shorter one, the shot in this lot didn't seem to be as good as usual, but still measured a true 7 1/2, and the velocity ran 1350'/s, instead of the past's more usual 1315'/s or so.

Fiocchi has changed from the lilac case to the softer plastic blue Exacta case, the primer is no longer the Fiocchi 616, but a more sensitive one from Martigoni and there was a welcome velocity drop in this lot from the usual Euro load 1350'/s down to 1304'/s. Finally, the crimp was a 6 fold in place of the more usually seen 8 fold. Here are the 15, averaged, pattern results. Test conditions were as above.

10" 
circle		 20"
Taurus		 24"
Taurus		 24"
total		 % # 90 mm
holes 		 Velocity
ft/sec		 # initial
pellets
AA fact Lot
 # 10W1BC26		 74 116 39 229 81 3.69 1350 283
Fiocchi Lot 
#0519887003		 79 118 42 239 77 3.00 1304 312


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