Shotgun reloads failed me in the field

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Lennyjoe

Lennyjoe

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I was out dove/quail hunting today and ran into several rounds that were pretty much duds. Several doves survived due to the failure.

The loads are 34gr of HS-6, Winchester shotgun primers and Rem 12H wads in Fiocci high brass. Out of 12 shots 7 didn't burn the powder enough to push the wad out of the barrel. Good thing I didn't try and rock and roll the autoloader.

The last group of reloads shot fine but these failed pretty regularly. After the 7th time of pulling the barrel off and pushing the wad out with a stick I had enough and quit using them. Good thing I had a box of store bought with me.

The primers were purchased at Sportsmans Warehouse a few months ago. The shells never got wet and the rounds were stored in the house which stays around 70.

It seems as though the primers would be the culprit. I check powder charge after every dispenser and seat wads the same every time.

Suggestions?
 
Probably not the primer if it pushed the wad into the barrel. More likely not enough powder or wet powder / hulls. Try pulling the remaining shells apart and checking them.
Joe
 
I'd agree it's not primers. If the wad got out of the hull, the primer fired. If everything looked good, it shouldn't be the compression/crimp, as that would be obvious. Another thing to check for would be tipped wads. I know you said you're being consistent seating, but check 'em -- just "candle" them by holding them in front of a small, bright light source. Also, just checked the Hodgdon site. That showed a recipe for a 2-3/4" Fiocchi (purple), 1-1/4 oz in Rem 12H, Win209 primer, with 35.0 grains of HS-6 giving 1330 fps @ 9,200 LUP. If this is the load you're using (couldn't find one in my Lyman 4th that matched the powder in that hull), since the powder sharge is a little lower, and the pressure isn't rated on the high end to begin with -- and no recommended load for a lower velocity in the Hodgdon data, unlike some of their other recipes -- perhaps this load is sensitive to being undercharged (underpressure). Just some thoughts.
 
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