I have been using the Italian Gualandi wads for 12,16 and 20 with superior results compared to others that I've tried in the past.......there is zero powder migration with Gualandi's powder seal ring base design......very nice quality wads.......I've been using them for about four years now......all gauges.......
Patterns are great.....I'm using 7/8 and 3/4 oz. lead and all 2.5" Cheddite hulls, 12, 16, 20, --20's I trim........30, 40 yard patterns and 50 yard patterns are really good with these wads using these light loads, full/mod guns ...........
Zero plastic fouling as well with Gualandi's......
Does anybody else use these wads for vintage double guns...?........Opinions.....?......Thanks.....
Best,
Don't have much to add, other than I use them for a good share of my 16 ga, 2.5" 1 oz hunting loads in the Cheddite hull.
My results sound similar to yours.
Same-same for me as well. Use them for all my 16ga loads.
tunes
I've found that the Gualandi wads are a bit larger in diameter which seem to seal well in the Cheddite hulls that seem to run a little larger on ID. Using the clear hulls you can see that the wad's larger diameter and "ring" seal minimizes powder getting blown up past the wad during seating. I think this makes a more consistent load. I use them to load 3/4oz in both 12 and 16ga.
So far so good in my 16's. Not in love with the lack of crimp memory in the Cheddite hulls but the Gualandi wads are working very well for my 7/8 oz load.
I have used Gualandi for quite a while in many gauges and have no negative comments and only praise.
BUT I only get to shoot about 200 rounds per week so someone with more experience may want to voice an opinion.
Mike
Gualandi/B&P wads were designed for the straight wall cases in all gauges offered, Cheddite Fiocchi Federal etc...
Winchester AA wads and I think most or all Remington target wads were designed with tapered case/base wads in mind and have smaller gas seal diameters.
Winchester and Remington field load wads are likely to be designed for straight wall hulls though?
Find data that has a wad designed for a tapered wall hull used in a straight case it will be lower in pressure than "usual" but should be used with a bulky powder to reduce powder migration, as noted above.
Find data that has a wad designed for straight wall hull in a tapered case..it will be running higher psi than "usual" and most data will spec a slower powder...or less grains than above.
All good to know if you are have a load challenge you are trying to figure out:)
Best,
Mark
I am not spoiled for choice out here so tend to buy whatever the cheapest in a 5000 wad buy is.
Interestingly they are not considered a "component of ammunition" under our customs laws. But the sheer bulk of the wads means shipping from O/S negates any savings. I have been having a good run with WAA12SL Winchester wads, they seem to be as good as anything. They will mark the barrels if loaded too light - sometimes when shooting sparrows around the house I load 3/4oz with 7 grains of AS30N (red dot equivalent) there is too much friction for the wad and it leaves streaks. No lasting damage - one full load tends to fix it up.
I have found the Gualandi 20GA wad was ideal for the 16/20 Lemke load using the Remington black 16Ga hulls. These Remington black hulls seem a bit undersize and have been a plu-perfect b*tch trying to reload using 16Ga wads. I read about this 16/20 Lemke load, and fell in a bucket and came up smelling like a rose reloading with this Gualandi 20Ga wad in the 16/20 Lemke load.
Very satisfied with this load the few times I've been using my 16GA shotguns.
Where are you getting the gualandis?
I agree with Ian concerning using the Gualandi 7/8th ounce 20 gauge wad for light 16 gauge (7/8th and 3/4 ounce) loads in Remington Hulls. Before I found a stash of Winchester AA16 wads I worked up an excellent factory duplication load using the Winchester AA16 compression formed hull and HS6 using the Gualandi 1 ounce 20 gauge wad. Graf's used to have the best price on Gualandi wads but are not carrying them any longer so I guess we are stuck with Ballistics Products as a source for now.
I, too, happily use the SG20L for 16 ga RGL loads with 3/4 and 7/8 oz shot bars. Actual payloads are less. I tried about every 20 ga wad before coming around to the SG20L. Orange Dusters work just OK, occasional bloopers. I don't think I've ever had a blooper with the SG20L. It has a short shotcup, so I do get some leading.
I think you'll find there are other wads that work well in 16 ga RGLs: the DR16 and CB 16 ga wad are two. The former is best for lower payloads. The CB clone wad will work with a measured 7/8 oz drop. The RP OEM wads (R16 and SP16), of course, also work fine with higher payloads.
Sam