doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Winchester AA loads in vintage guns

So, Winchester has a nice rebate on AA target loads, $2 a box off. That would make them a very attractive $6 per box here.

Anyone shoot any of the AA reduced loads in vintage guns? I picked up some "Low Recoil, Low Noise" (AA12FL8). 26grams of shot at 980fps. Haven't shot them yet.

Any one else use these? Or any of the other AA loads? If they shoot well I am thinking this is bargain ammo for my 2 3/4" guns.....

Gartenmeister:
A few years ago I was told by a Winchester factory rep that they cannot officially sanction the use of the 980 fps AA loads in any old gun (think Damascus) but that they "would probably be safe."

Take that for what it's worth. At 980 fps., I don't think you'd have a problem.

I shot Low Noise Low Recoil from a 1912 Fox Sterlingworth (steel barrels) at 16 yard clays. They broke targets just fine and were very nice to shoot. I did notice a couple or more that sounded different but that was the only difference. The way they broke targets they ought to be fine for woodcock and grouse too.

From the Hodgdon Reloading site, duplicating the Win AA 26 gm. load is 5500 psi. I have used these in cold weather and have had a few bloopers, so I increased the powder charge to 13.1 grs of Win. AALite powder. this increased to 6900 psi and 1025 fps.

This is factory WinAA Lites-26 grams shot( 15/16 oz.) with 12.1 grs. Win. WAALite powder, Win 209 primer, Win WAA12L wad, velocity 970 and 5500 psi replicates Winchester Factory load.

My 302 1 oz. Mec bar averages .923 or very close to 15/16 oz (.9875). Mec # 19 bushing averags 12.1 grs of WinAALite powder.

I think you will like them for a factory shell. The cases are good for reloading, but not as good as the old AA.

Using Remington, either Remington Premiers, Nitros, or Gunclubs,
#19 bushing 1 oz shot WAALite 12.3 Rem. 209P Rem. TGT12
970 fps 5,800 psi.

Again this is from the Hodgdon site.

Winchester or any of the powder manufacturers will never tell you it is safe to shoot Damascus barreled guns, an insurance thing.

Win AA Extra Lites come out to 8000 psi. So should be OK in most older guns, but I wouldn't do them in damascus although some damascus guns can.

I have used them Quail Hunting and some target shooting.They are ok for 25yds or so for clays , but the killing power on Birds I found to be lacking.I would rather use a Rio or KEmen 2 3/4x1 oz with 7200 psi and have more ability to break targets and kill birds.

Is the Rio their standard clays load?

I use Winchester AA Featherlites (Xtralites?) one step above Low Recoil/Noise shells in my twist barreled American made hardware store gun with no problems (still got all my fingers). Seriously, with no proof houses I think a lot of American manufacturers went by the old adage, if some is good more is better, when it came to barrel thickness (and to hell with the poor guy who had to carry the thing all day).
Steve

Rio calls there 28 gm 2 3/4 Dr. their Trap 28 load.
It is a nice load for our doubles. WW ammo except the Feather lites have too much pressure because of their fast burning pwd. Rio uses a progressive pwd similar to Pb

Another nice mid pressure factory load is the Federal Gold Medal "Extra-Lite" Paper T172. Should be in the area of 9000 psi .