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Guest

Hootch,

Probably gonna get badmouthed again for starting a ruckus, but the following quote contains the current instructions from the Polywad web site.

"Polywad offers Spred-R components for handloading. The Spred-R insert is a plastic wad that resembles a thumbtack, with a round disk top and a post. It is loaded in the top of a shotshell after the shot is dropped, just prior to crimping. Handloaders may use the components (hull, wad, powder) that they normally load by reducing the shot charge by 1/8 Oz. and adding the Spred-R Insert. This little insert allows handloaders to achieve the same great patterns as our manufactured Spred-R shotshells. The Spred-R insert comes in 12, 16, and 20/28 gauge sizes. Polywad includes instructions and tested load data with each order of Spred-R inserts.

Our 12 Ga. 3-Hole version of the Spred-R Insert was created to “fill in” the center of patterns when using pure cylinder or slightly constricted “skeet” chokes. With small shot (8s or 9s), many handloaders prefer this version. There is no significant difference in overall pattern diameter compared to our Solid Disk 12 Ga. Insert."

Member Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 1975

Rem SP Plastic 16 * this is an older Rem Plastic hull - 1970's vintage with fiber base wad. NC = Nitro Card for over powder, FW = Fiber wad, such as Feltan Bluestreak.CW = card wad
Rem Plastic* 7/8 oz. 700X 14.0 22 Rem 97 .135" NC+3/4" FW 2-1/2 1100 Pacific Manual '70
Rem Plastic 7/8 oz. 700X 15.0 23 Rem 97 .135" NC+3/4" FW 2-1/2 1150 Pacific Manual '70
Rem Plastic 7/8 oz. 700X 16.0 25 Rem 97 .135" NC+3/4" FW 2-3/4 1205 Pacific Manual '70
Rem Plastic 1 oz. 700X 16.0 25 Rem 97 .135" NC+11/16" FW 2-1/2 1140 Pacific Manual '70 BlueStreak. CW= cardwad
Rem Plastic 1 oz. 700X 16.0 25 CCI 157 .070"NC+3/8"FW 1145 10400L Lyman 1st
Rem Plastic 1 oz. 700X 15.5 24 Rem 57 .135"NC+3/8"+5/16" Felt 1150 10500L Lyman 1st
Rem Plastic 1 oz. PB 18.0 28 Alcan 57F PGS+3/8"+5/16"FW 1145 9800L Lyman 1st ** PGS gas seal ALWAYS gets
Rem Plastic 1-1/8 oz. SR 4756 25.0 31 CCI 157 PGS+1/2" FW 1205 8900L Lyman 1st inserted cup side facing DOWN
Rem Plastic 1-1/8 oz. SR 4756 27.0 33 CCI 157 PGS+1/2" FW 1275 10000L Lyman 1st
Rem Plastic 1-1/8 oz. SR 4756 30.0 37 CCI 157 .135"CW+5/16"FW 1310 9800L Lyman 1st
Rem Plastic 1-1/8 oz. SR 4756 26.0 32 CCI 157 PGS+1/2" FW 1240 9400L Lyman 1st
Rem Plastic 1-1/4 oz. SR 4756 24.0 30 CCI 157 PGS+3/8FW 1160 10400L Lyman 1st
Rem Plastic 1-1/4 oz. SR 4756 26.0 32 CCI 157 .135"CW+5/16" FW 1175 10100L Lyman 1st
Fed Paper 16
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Green Dot 17.0 30 CCI 109 PGS** + 3/4" FW 2-1/2 1165 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Green Dot 18.0 31 CCI 109 PGS + 3/4" FW 2-1/2 1165 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Green Dot 19.0 33 CCI 109 .135" NC + 3/4" FW 2-3/4 1220 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Red Dot 16.0 29 CCI 109 PGS + 3/4" FW 2-1/2 1165 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Red Dot 17.0 31 CCI 109 .135" NC + 3/4" FW 2-1/2 1165 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Red Dot 17.0 31 CCI 109 PGS + 3/4" FW 2-3/4 1200 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. Red Dot 18.0 32 CCI 109 .135" NC + 3/4" FW 2-3/4 1200 Pacific Manual '70 AL-120 discontinued
Fed Paper 16 1 oz. AL 120 20.0 33 Fed 209 .135" NC + 1/2" FW 2-3/4 1200 Pacific Manual '70 AL 7 discontinued
Fed Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. AL-7 24.0 Alcan 220 PGS+3/8"+5/16"FWS+KS 1190 9500L Lyman 1st AL 7 discontinued
Fed Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. AL-7 28.0 32 CCI 109 .135" NC + 3/4" FW 2-3/4 1200 Pacific Manual '70 AL 7 discontinued
Fed Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. AL-7 25.0 28 CCI 109 PGS + 9/16" FW 2-3/4 1200 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. HS-6 30.0 25 Fed 209 .135" NC + 5/8" FW 3-1/4 1295 Pacific Manual '70
Fed Paper 16 1-1/4 oz. AL-8 36.0 41 CCI 109 .135" NC + 1/4" FW MAX 1265 Pacific Manual '70 AL 8 discontinued
Fed Paper 16 1-1/4 oz. AL-8 33.0 40 CCI 109 PGS + 5/16" FW MAX 1265 Pacific Manual '70 AL 8 discontinued
Fed Plastic 16
Fed 16 Plas 1 oz. Green Dot 17.0 30 WW 209 .100" NC + 2.5 1/2" CW 1200 8500 Ballistic Products AL 5 discontinued
Fed 16 Plas 1 oz. AL-5 25.0 28 Alcan 220 PGS+3/8"FW+KS 1265 9800L Lyman 1st AL 7 discontinued
Fed 16 Plas 1-1/8 oz. AL-7 24.0 27 Alcan 220 PGS+3/8"+5/16"FW+KS 1190 9500L Lyman 1st HS-5 is discontinued
Fed 16 Plas 1-1/8 oz. HS-5 28.0 23 CCI 109 PGS+ 1/2" +3/9"FW 1315 8780 Lyman 2nd
Fed 16 Plas 1-1/4 oz. SR 4756 29.0 36 Fed 209 .135" CW+1/23" FW 1230 10000L Lyman 1st AL 8 discontinued
Fed 16 Plas 1-1/4 oz. AL-8 32.0 39 Alcan 220 .135"CW+3/8"FW+KS 1190 9900L Lyman 1st
WW Paper 16
Win Paper 16 7/8 oz. AL-120 21.0 35 W 209 .135" NC+5/16" FW 2-1/2 1250 Pacific Manual '70 AL 120 discontinued
Win Paper 16 1 oz. 450 LS 19.0 W 209 .135" NC + 5/8" FW 2-1/2 1165 Pacific Manual '70 450LS discontinued
Win Paper 16 1 oz. Unique 19.0 25 W 209 .135" NC + 7/8" FW 2-1/2 1165 Pacific Manual '70
Win Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. AL-120 19.0 32 W 209 PGS + 1/2" FW 2-3/4 1200 Pacific Manual '70 AL 120 discontinued
Win Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. Unique 21.0 28 W 209 .135" NC + 5/8" FW 3 1240 Pacific Manual '70
Win Paper 16 1-1/8 oz. 540 31.0 26 W 209 .135" NC + 1/2" FW 2-3/4 1295 Pacific Manual '70
Win Paper 16 1-1/4 oz. 540 30.0 25 W 209 .135" NC + 3/8" FW MAX 1260 Pacific Manual '70
WWAA16 CF
WW CF 1 oz. SR 4756 25.5 32 WW 209 Rem H Wad +1/2" FW 1240 9000L Lyman 1st
WW CF 1 oz. SR 7625 19.0 24 WW 209 Rem H Wad +1/4" FW 1140 8500L Lyman 1st
WW CF 1-1/8 oz SR 4756 29.5 36 Alcan 209F PGS + 1/2" FW 1325 10400L Lyman 1st
WW CF 1¼ oz. W 540 30.0 25 WW 209 .135" CW+3/8" FW 1170 9700L Lyman 1st
WW CF 1¼ oz. SR 4756 27.5 35 WW 209 PGS+1/2" FW 1195 9200L Lyman 1st
WW CF 1¼ oz. SR 4756 26.0 34 WW209 PGS, 1-3/8" FW, KS 2-3/4 1205 9960 Lyman 2nd
WW CF 1¼ oz. SR 4756 27.0 35 CCI 109 PGS, 1-3/8" FW, KS 2-3/4 1215 9610 Lyman 2nd
CIL Plastic
CIL Plastic 1 oz. SR 7625 21.0 27 Alcan 220 PGS+2 3/8" FW 1215 9500L Lyman 1st
CIL Plastic 1 oz. SR 4756 26.0 32 Alcan 220 PGS+3/8"+5/16" FW 1225 8400L Lyman 1st
CIL Plastic 1 oz. SR 4756 28.0 35 Alcan 220 PGS+2 5/16" FW 1300 9000L Lyman 1st
CIL Plastic 1-1/8 oz. SR 4756 26.0 32 Alcan 220 PGS+5/16+1/4" FW 1215 9400L Lyman 1st
CIL Plastic 1-1/8 oz. SR 4756 26.5 33 CIL 4BP PGS+5/16"+1/4" GW 1200 8700L Lyman 1st
CIL Plastic 1-1/4 oz. SR 4756 25.5 32 Alcan 220 PGS+.070"CW+3/8" FW 1175 10200L Lyman 1st
CIL Plastic 1-1/4 oz. SR 4756 27.0 33 CIL 4BP PGS+.070"CW+3/8" FW 1200 10000L Lyman 1st

A bunch of old loads to play with. Even gives the MEC bushing for the powder. Some of the powders are discontinued. Also some of the primers and hulls.

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

Yeah, you started an arguement again. Call Polywad. Ask Jay if it is necessary to reduce shot charge by an 1/8oz or if the load you used fits in the hull and you can crimp without reducing the charge if that is ok??

The reason he is stating that is because a lot of people fold crimp and if they tried to insert the disk he gets a phone call from the loader whining that the insert doesn't work, shot to high and now I can't get shell crimped.

His response?? Take an 1/8oz of shot out.

The insert does not raise pressure at least in any appreciable degree. It is no different then adding a filler in the shot cup!
To take out an 1/8oz of shot and you change velocity and pressure.

Pick your favorite load, load it up and insert the spreader insert. If you can crimp it, then shoot it.

There is no need to find a load that is 1/8oz larger to start with or have to shoot a load that is 1/8oz lighter.

I found some loads that by adding the spreader now fit a 2.75" hull perfectly! No filler.

Guest

There used to be a bit more to it than that, but I will take your word for it.

It seems we are continually forgeting the pattern supplying multiple hits on our game bird is the most important thing.... Pattern quality is first! More shot can be important with larger shot and/or when greater distance is involved.

I have used the Polywad spreader device for many years.... Seldom have I seen a pattern that was not thin to actually having holes in the core without a layer of shot on top of the Polywad. A quarter ounce of shot more won't make a great killing load out of these kind of patterns!

BUT..... as Mike and Robt. and myself; even the "headman" of Polywad have eluded too; the layer of shot on top of the Polywad works! I have done this for a couple of decades now, ever since I read this article by Labisky back in 1986... Note Jay himself recommended it! I use this technique even with full choke with great success! Look at Mike's patterns again... They are typical in my experience and better killers unless you can do "fringe" shots on purpose!

Slidehammer

Great stuff Slidehammer. I read the link to Mike's similar testing and it too is amazing.

The shot on top of the polywad method has me wondering: What if the shot on top of the polywad is of a larger size? Say, 5's on top of 6's, or 6's on top of 7.5's? You would then have a core pattern made up of slightly larger shot with a fringe of smaller shot. This would be a duplex load that has a higher density and less randomness than merely mixing two sizes of shot together. I would think this would extend the range capabilities of any spreader load, which would seem to be its greatest limitation.

If a chukar, for instance, gets up at 40 yds, I would want the larger shot in the center doing the most damage, while still having the extra spread advantages of a spreader load. If the bird gets up at 25 yds., it's even more lethal, but not excessively so.

Has anyone tried this?

UDF.

You have an interesting thought...... Be interesting if all pellets on top are in the core and what diameter they span?

I have an old weathered half sheet piece of 3/4" plywood in my scrap... I also have some Lawrence copper washed 6's no better than the old plywood.... 7 1/2's under and the copper washed 6's over and I should know where every "on top" pellet hits and penetration difference to boot!

Slidehammer

Sounds great Slidehammer. Let me know how your tests turn out.

I'm going to be working up a 5's over 6's polywad spreader load this summer to see if I can create a versatile and lethal pheasant load in short hulls. 6's over 7.5's should be fantastic for everything else too I should think.

As an aside, I loaded some 2.5" roll crimped spreaders in the Fed. hull, 22g Universal Clays, Z16, X spreader, and 1 oz. 8's. I took them to the skeet range this morning and shot a 23 the first round, which is my best round ever to date. The two I missed were both close high house crossers with my left (full choked) barrel. I also loaded a few with 19g. and they shot just as well and gave me a wee bit more room. I can't wait to see if the polywads are more effective. The duplex polywads might be the cats meow for hunting purposes! We'll see.

It felt great to raise eyebrows with a 110 yr. old gun and roll crimped reloads. Very Happy

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

I used to shoot a similar load. But I tend towards the Longshot for hunting these days. My data says 22.5 gr Universal, Cheddite or Fiocchi hull, z16 and 1oz. I used alot of Fiocchi 67mm hulls and the load fitted fine.

The spreader works in practice!! Not just theory.

Interesting topic on duplex. I may try the same, 5 1/2's over the top of 7's.
See if it is worth fussing over.