Winchester AA shells -- old vs. new

[Oldnamvet]

I know this has probably been posted before but the search won't let me use things like "AA" (says it is too short) so I get a zillion hits both here and on the reloading forum. I'll try here first. I am finally running out of old AA shells to load. I had been picking up the "new" AA hulls and have a bunch to reload. But when I look at them, they seem to have an extra layer part way up the inside of the hull. I can see it looking through a strong light and can feel it if I run my little finger down there. Was this an improvement, something to make the hull stronger, or a cheaper way of doing things? Does it require anything different from loading the old AAs?

 

[oletymer]

It was a cheaper way of making them. They are still good hulls and load the same as the old ones. Some people have claimed the base wad comes out although I have not seen that happen. Many shooters have gone to Remington because they are one piece like the old Winchesters.

 

[waterhouse]

I can't answer your question, but in the future when searching for two character strings (the minimum here is 3) just add an asterisk. So to search for AA, you would actually search for AA*

 

[ArmedBear]

Remington STS's seem to last for more reloads.

However, I've taken to using the other Remingtons more often: Sport Loads, Gun Clubs, even Peters game loads, etc. People leave once-fired hulls in the buckets at the range, so they're free in essentially unlimited quantities. They're 100% compatible with STS reloader calibrations, they load and shoot like the STS's, but don't last as long (5-7 loads or so). But who cares? They're free!

 

[mswestfall]

My experience is that I can get a new AA to reload about 7 or 8 times. The old AA reloaded about a dozen or so times.

Some people don't like to use Claybuster wads in a new AA hull because the powder cup of the wad is sharp enough that it hangs on the plastic liner inside the hull. That's not been a problem for me.

There is no reason not to load Gun Clubs because there are hundreds of them thrown out each week. They will load a few times and their free.

Good luck with whatever you pick!

 

[Dave McCracken]

I stopped using the new AAs because of A, internet input about base wads becoming loose and B, noting a couple loose but still attached wads in hulls used at least 5 times. I loaded mine just one time and pitched them. I do the same with Gun Clubs. those oft get used as throwaways to try out someone's gun or finish out a round.

I've still a few hundred STS once fired hulls stashed.

 

[Shell Shucker]

You will find answers to ANY shot shell reloading question (target load) at shotgunworld.com. The 12 and 20 are SUPPOSED to reload just like the old ones. The 28 and 410 are different. Good luck YMMV!