Need low recoil shells for 12 Bore, 20 Bore, 28 Bore and 410. Using in SxS english game guns. Between RST or Polywad which have the shells with the least recoil and exactly which ones would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Hi Gomiata,
Unless there is a great weight difference between the wads, or unless one gives a higher velocity than the other, there will be no recoil difference. Every manufacturer claims THEIR wad or powder or shell or primer will produce higher velocity, better patterns, shorter shot strings, kill farther, dive deeper and come up drier and of course, produce less recoil than any other. It's ALL bull....! They'll often hide behind the "felt" recoil bush, but it's still B.S. Recoil is the product of the weight of the ejecta(powder, shot and wad) and the velocity against the weight of the gun. Use the loads you want, out of the books, giving the velocity and pressure you desire, with the components listed in the data. If there were ONE wad shape or material that would magically defy physics, all the wads would be made the same way.
You'll get the least recoil by using less shot and lower velocity. 7/8 oz. of shot @ 1100-1150 fps, in 12 ga. will be very pleasant. Trust the books for the pressure you want(pressure will also not affect recoil).

Polywad has a great reputation and a quality product. There vintager line is truly low pressure and the shot charges are light- equating to low recoil. They do in house pressure testing so you can trust these loads in vintage guns.

Why don't you try them both and decide for yourself?
I tried RST and stuck with them. Never saw a reason to switch except to reloads to save money.

I have used most of the entire Polywad line at some time or other, and have been very pleased with everything they produce. The low pressure "Vintager" line is great for perhaps fragile old guns, I have used them in at least a dozen different guns with great results and zero problems. In addition, they always have what you need IN STOCK, unlike other possibles sources. I also like their "Doublewide" spreader loads, at the price of some increase in pressure over their Vintagers. They work great when you don't want to open up the chokes on those older guns. I have no connection with the company, just like their stuff.

I would echo Alder adder's post and I dont think you can go wrong with either one. I happen to use RST and a hunting partner likes Poly Wad's Vintagers.

I realize you are not looking for 16 ga ammo, but below are comparisons for the two manufacturers according to a post revdocdrew made last December from the 16 ga site. I believe the information came directly from the manufacturers in response to a survey someone on the 16 ga site was making.

According to that post for a 16 ga 1 oz load the RST shells were a little slower at 1145 fps vs Poly Wad's Spred-R @ 1200 fps, but the RST also stated their pressure at 7600 vs Poly Wad's 9000. The 16 ga Poly Wad Vintager 7/8 oz load was stated to be 1200 fps at a pressure of 6500.

If you call RST on the phone 570-553-1651 they will tell you the exact pressures for any shell they manufacturer, and I believe they also test in house and have an outside party test their loads. They say the paper shells have lower pressure.

I am sure Poly Wad will give you the same information.

I've used the Polywad Vintagers and Doublewides in my older guns for several years now, and have found that the Vintager loads pattern very tightly, no matter what chokes I have. They'll kill doves alright but you'd better do your part in holding it on them. I have a hard time hitting the close ones with low pressure loads. Conversely, the doublewide low pressure spreader loads are murder on kick'em up quail but about useless beyond 25 yards, again no matter what the choke is. I've never used any other low pressure products like RST, but I expect the ballistics are similar...Geo

I would not assume paper has a lower pressure than plastic- we all know the variables.

I have been providing Eley for several years and even they are coy about providing pressure info but do state they are CIP.

doesnt anyone use gamebore?

Gamebore and B&P are good companies- only problem with UK and european shells is consistantly being able to get the product. B&P had a presence at the Southern SxS with a new distrubitor.

Will you notice a loss of performance on shooting birds with low pressure loads? I was thinking of ordering some for ruffers and sharptail grouse. I am not concerned about ruffed grouse, but was wondering because of the longer distances I normally shoot sharptails at.

Don't confuse pressure with velocity. Velocity and the shot size is what determines the energy that arrives at the target, not the amount of pressure in the chamber.

I don't notice a difference when hunting wild pheasants. I often use my Browning auto 20 in larger groups with high pressure loads and then switch to my LC 20 with low pressure loads from polywad when it is just me and my father-in-law. I have never had problems shooting the farther shots.

Don't forget to look at shot charge as well. Low pressure 1 oz should be slightly faster than a 1 1/8 oz load. I have had great results with the lighter shot charges and they are easier on the gun and the sholder.

al

I have used Polywad in 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge spreaders; always with great results. I really like their product. They are very affective. If I were you I would give Plywad a try.