16ga.com ~ View topic - Are all of a manufacturer's low-base cases the same?

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 209

I have recently been setting myself up to start reloading. I have a Mec 600 Jr. Mark V in 16 ga, a 600 Jr. in 12 ga, and a 600 Jr. in 20 ga. I've bought them all from eBay or Craig's List, and they all came with a lot of mixed cases. I also have a lot of leftover mixed cases accumulated over the years.

My question is this: I have several hundred Winchester AA low-base cases, for instance. But some say "light target," some say "AA," some say "heavy target", etc. It's a similar situation with my 20 ga and 16 ga cases. Are the low base cases from each manufacturer, Winchester, Federal, Remington, etc., going to be the same for reloading purposes, even though they say different things on the outside of the case?

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

All Winchester AA, low brass hulls are the same. However, they are not the same as Federal or Remington low brass hulls.
Also, for example. A 16 gauge Cheddite hull is loaded the same, weither it's a low brass or a high brass. The only difference is the height of the brass. And they cost more. Wink

Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 69 Location: Finland

I´m totally newbie with shotgun reloading, and now I´m bit confused:

Is low-BASE same as low-BRASS?
Somehow I though low base means heigh of base wad or something like that.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 209

Thanks for the replies, guys. Very helpful.

Another question...what is Cheddite? Is that a brand? I have never heard of Cheddite shells. Also, is it true for AA shells as well, that you can load high and low brass the same, as long as it's from the same manufacturer? All very good and very interesting info.

Also, what is the effect of loading OLD shells alongside NEW shells. In other words, a lot of the shells I got with these MEC reloaders look like they could be 15-20 years old. Can I load a 20 year old Winchester high-brass shell the same as I'd load a Winchester AA light target shell? Thanks again. 8mmFan

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Cheddite is a brand of hull, I use them alot in my low pressure 16 gauge loads.
Yes, all Win.AA hulls are loaded the same, regardless of brass height.

Winchester has used several different style hulls over the last 20 years, as have others.
Being that you are new to reloading, I would strictly follow the loading data for the hull you are using. For simplicty reasons, I would try and standardize the hulls you are using for each gauge.
For example, all my low pressure 16 and 20 gauge loads use Cheddite hulls. My standard 20 gauge loads use Rem. STS hulls.
My low pressure 12 gauge loads use the Win.AA hull, and regular loads use the STS hull. Black powder loads use the Fed. Paper hull.