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Yesterday I shot sporting clays in 29 degree weather. I shot my Browning Citori 16 gauge loaded with factory Remington Game Loads (1200fps, 1oz, 7 1/2). About one in every 6 cases split down the side after firing. I never had this problem before with factory or reloaded shells.

Has anyone else had this problem? What is the cause? Weather? Manufacture? Has there been a recall?

texasbilly

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Dover-Foxcroft, ME

I haven't had side splits as large as you describe. But the 16 ga RGL crimp sections take a beating in cold weather shooting. Once fired hulls look crispy and cracked. I don't know if this has to do with the recycled plastic, but it is very noticeable and definitely related to low ambient temperature. Its so bad that I don't fire RGL factory loads in the winter. I make my once-fired hulls in the warm weather only.

I don't see anything like this with the other gauges in Rem products.

Sam

Yes they split in cold weather. Where were you shooying in Central pa?

You may be right about the cold, but my procedure was that I took about a dozen shells from the box and kep them in my pocket with one of those hand warmer packets. Then I took two out at a time to shoot. It may have been the cold weather, but I tried to keep the shells warm before use.

I shot at the Palmyra Gun Club on Saturday morning. They have a different sporting clays arrangement set up each week. It is a nice club with great members.

tex

Palmyra is nice. We usally shoot on Sunday's at a diffent club every week. I am Planning a Ruffed Grouse Society shoot at Elstonville this spring I will post when we pick a date.

The cold weather splitting problem has been happening now for a couple of years. Earlier RGL cases aren't nearly as brittle and as prone to crack. I have several thousand black cases from about 6 or 7 years ago that will loads at least 4 times without the case mouths cracking and splitting. the newer ones will often start cracking after one reload and are useless after two or three reloads.

This is one more sign that Remington has absolutely no respect for our favorite gauge. However, they have also cheapened up their latest game load cases right across the board. The 12 and 20 gauge RGL cases are about as bad. So this tells me Remington has lost respect for its customer base in general. I expect them to eventually roll over like a stegasaurus, kick for a long while, and die after anyone in their right mind has grown bored watching the process. Please do not wake me up when they stop breathing. Laughing

Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 224

All the more reason to work up loads for cheddite hulls. At least I can get those easily, most components work in them, and they last me a number of reloads. I'm lucky to get more than 1 reload out of the Remington game loads.

Like 16GG my Rem GL hulls are over 3 years old and reload fine for 4-6 loads.

Sure am glad I have over 1K Winchester Compression Formed hulls Exclamation

Dennis

I wouldn't put an RGL in any of my 16's unless it were the last shell on the planet. Slow, crappy to re load-where does the fun end?
It's all purples and cheddites here on the target ranges of Maine.
Rizzy

I have seen similar results from RGLs in 20 gauge. No cracking, but crimps damaged quite badly on the first shot.

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Dover-Foxcroft, ME

When I want to reach out I use B&Ps. But most targets and birds respond nicely to the RGLs. The RGL factory load is actually pretty stiff (1250 fps). The most recent batches I've tested are still as fast. I use them on preserve birds in #6, grouse/wc in #7.5, and targets in #7.5 and #8.

Most of my 16 ga RGLs hail from a batch I purchased 10 years ago. I haven't seen full length side splits on the first firing, just alot of wrecked crimp folds in cold weather.

I'm sorry to hear that recent hull quality is worse. I bought a bunch of 2.5" Cheddite hulls and a short kit. I'm hoping this will prove a better way to make 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads.

Sam

Current 16 g RGL's run 1200. Thanks, Rizzy

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Pumpgun and I have run RGLs over a chronograph through a couple different M-12s on more than one occasion. My old stuff still does 1250+ fps. The newer stuff (some purchased last summer) also did over 1250 fps (1270 fps in one gun).

These reading were taken in warmer weather, of course. It wouldn't surprise me too much if they gave 1200 fps today.

Merry Christmas.

Sam

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Guest

Mike I'm with you. The Remington Game Loads have always performed well for me. If Remington would change the fomulation of the plastic hull tube to that of the STS, go back to an 8 point crimp and shorten the overall length back to 2 9/16th inches I would be one very happy guy.

Merry Christmas and Happy Shooting.