16ga.com ~ View topic - Federal Hulls: why aren't they more popular?

I usually load 1 1/8oz in my hunting loads and almost always use the Fed. purples for these. I really like them, but I don't knit.

Rooster

Member Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 69 Location: SW MO

Purple, Purple and more Purple.

Long live the Purple 16ga shell!

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 119 Location: Russellville, AR

In regards to the purple shells, I think it boils down to when you were younger. Im not near old enough to remember when all shells were red or green. The purple shells for me bring back memories of a 6 yr old kid with a single shot .410 despratly wanting to shoot his dads sweet sixteen with the purple shells.

I now have that gun and love it when I find purple shells for it Very Happy

I really like the old ruby red Remingtons. They really had class. Then again so did the very dark green with the 57 primers. They were the old shure shot loads of 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 oz. lead.
Best,
Ron

Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Western NY

I do not see many folks reloading Federal game and promo hulls around my area. However, I also do not know of many folks besides me who reload for the 16. The few local folks I do know who shoot the 16 are either shooting up old stock that has been given to them or buy new shells.

Federal game loads are more expensive than the same grade Remingtons and Winchesters around here. The 16 ga Federal heavy game loads are way more expensive than the counterparts of the other two as well. So around here, it is more a matter of hull availability. The few purples I do come across have usually been lying out in the fields for a while. I would never reload one of them. There is too high a risk thet the paper base wad got wet. That is taboo in my book for safety reasons.

Aside from all that, I've reloaded some clean once or twice fired purples in the past for heavier hunting loads, and have gotten excellent results. However, now that Fiocchi and Cheddite make 16 gauger shells of a similar capacity with a plactic base wad, I tend to use them. The plastic base wad is more problem free and more durable IMO. If Federal ever gets on board with a plastic base wad in their hull, I'd be very happy to use them again for my reloads.

Hello All,
I have been cutting down the purple Federal hulls to make 2.5 inch reloads.
My what joy, they cut well, and they 6 star crimp well.

I am using a Pacific 155 loader and have cut 1/4 off the final crimp die to bull nose the ends of the shells.
Enjoy the day
Mike

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 118 Location: N.Y.

Good post, Mike Campbell!

I wish I knew where you find all that vintage ammo!!

Gee, I though I was the only one that loaded purple hulls until I got on this site. I feel so- average now! The purples in our house denote hunting; the blacks or reds are trap/skeet. I have not had (to my knowledge) a problem with the base wad, and though I should not admit it, I reload them until I see a sign of failure in the hull, or it starts splitting or loosing a pedal, usually after five or so loadings. I check them every time. I have packed as much as 1 3/8 oz them, but have stopped using that load, as I was having trouble reloading it, and I decided it was not necessary.