doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com RC brand Italian shotshells

There is a new kid on the block, new as in just a few years in the shotshell business, RC Cartridges.

www.rc-cartridges.com

They are imported into the USA by Pioneer Outdoors in Vero Beach, FL.

www.pioneeroutdoors.com

I have read that their lead shot undergoes a hardening process, without the use of antimony, that yields shot with hardness equal to 7-8% antimony shot, but by being pure lead it retains more weight, thus more energy for the size shot. They were present at the U.S. Open with shells for sale. Kevin DeMichael shot a straight 100, with their shells, in the Pure Gold Cup. He might have done just as well with any other brand, but it goes to show they must not be lacking.

I am interested in learning whether their premium shells, with what they call nickle plated shot, is really nickel plated, or just nickel washed. True plating yields a harder shot, overall, than a wash, which really doesn't yield harder shot, at all, over the lead shot contained within the wash. They just cost more and look pretty.

Has anyone done any testing on these new shells, or seen any testing data? The prices aren't bad, if they really are high quality target loads.

Thanks, SRH

Stan, I checked the scores and want to complement U on good shooting. I had planned to go, but got sidetracked by too much stuff.

Thanks for the heads up, Stan. Looks like they have some 2 1/2" and 2 5/8" offerings, as well as a spreader load option. Too bad Pioneer does not seem to be offering those.

Italians make very good cartridges. The reason 65mm and 67mm cased cartridges are not offered by importer is because they feel there isn't enough demand for them. As an example when I picked up several boxes of Fiocchi 'High Pheasant' shorter shells for my light weight Ithaca the boxes had dust on them.

FWIW, They make a 20 ga. 'TRAP' round that is loaded w/25grams of nickel plated #7 shot that is the best dove, pigeon, perdiz ammo I have ever used. I've shot a lot of it in Uruguay, but that's the only place I've ever been able to get it.

I'm of the opinion based on that ammunition, that is is easily some of the world's best. Friends who shoot in Italy speak very highly of it as well.

Another interesting & high performance Italian round is the Cheddite 12ga. Mach 3 Freeshot. It is a 28 gram load w/a VERY hard and uniform #8.5 nickel plated shot whose pellet count is the same as the older 36 gram pigeon or flyer loads of #7.5. It works very well for helice. It is a 1350 fps load & not unpleasant to shoot, meaning it is not 'punchy'.

Thanks, Leighton. It was a softer course than the one you and I shot at Tunica, IMO.

Having shot doves for many years with 7/8 oz. loads, I'd really like to try that 25 gram one for the late season here. What did they charge for them, per box, in Uruguay? Last time I went to Cordoba they got $11/bx for the Argentine shells.

Italian shells that I have used have been very good. I was especially impressed with the Centurion brand, loaded at the Cheddite Italia factory, with hard shot.

I'm going to call Pioneer today and ask about shipping. That's the killer, usually.

SRH

You mean these shells are actually available? I have been on-line looking for shells and most places are "Out of Stock"!

It has been readily available in the U.K. for some time now. It is very very good stuff. Excellent consistant quality. If you get chance of some then get it. You won't be dissapointed. Lagopus.....

I went on their website to order a flat of the 1oz/1200fps loads. The good news is that their shipping charge is $1.00. The bad news is that their website crashed and has blocked me from ordering.

No one answered when I called their number . . . .Work in progress, I suppose.

Stan, The 7/8 loads seem to hammer birds and clays, I suppose because of the shorter shot strings. Estate made a 7/8 load called "Mighty Lites", when they were in Texas and before Federal bought them. HOWEVER Federal has reintroduced a 7/8 load that I suspect is the same as the old Mighty Lites.