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Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

I just learned directly from Federal that they are no longer making the Federal 16 gauge paper basewad hull. I guess that means the both Remington and Federal 16 gauge hulls will change to another hull type.

It seems the change happened after CSG bought the Kinetic Group from Vista Outdoor, in 2024.

Are they going to continue making 16 gauge loads?

Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 442

Yes. They are just like the 12 and 20ga new Topgun, or a cheddite or Fiocchi. Straight wall, plastic basewad, reifenhauser style hull.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

Federal 16 gauge ammo is $$$$. It might be cheaper to buy primed hulls for reloading.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 941

Did you by chance find out when the cutover occurred ?

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

Supposedly it was when CSG took over in 11/2024. I know that there was a post in a thread, I believe here, that someone stated that the Remington hulls were now Federal paper basewad hulls, but they were black instead of purple, maybe 2024???

There were some 16 gauge Federal's on the ground at the club I shoot at last year that had the paper basewad in them......but who knows when they were bought. The last time I bought once fired Federal's was about 4 years ago, all paper basewad hulls. The guy claimed they were from a new lot of ammunition. The hulls were perfect, no tarnishing, looked like they never hit the ground, so I tend to believe him.

Lyman 6th was still showing only the Federal paper basewad hull. All the Hodgdon data was always for the paper basewad hull.

I have never seen the new 16 ga. Federal all plastic hull that is supposedly like the 12 ga. Top Gun hull.....but then again I don't buy much new Federal ammo. The last time I bought new Federal was about 6 years ago when Cabela's had a sale at the East Hartford, CT store. All paper basewad.

Scheel's is selling the Federal 16 ga. Game loads for $19.99 a box. I'll buy a box and find out what they are.

I'm the only 16ga dude at our club . There is 1 HS Trap kid who shoots one and has his own ammo - only chance I'll probably get to see some .

I took a look at a 12 gauge Top Gun hull today. Deep sided base wad with pockets between the primer and the hull wall. Thin walls on the hulls like a Herters or an Aguila. Not crazy about it but might be interesting.

That said, I’ll be saving my original Feds for hunting loads, like my RGLs, Win AA and REM 57s.

Cheddite and Fiocchi will probably be my standard practice, match and specialty hunting hulls now.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1537 Location: Western WA

Neither Ched nor Fio have earned my favor for bulk reloading. The former likes to blow the plastic hulls out the muzzle while the latter tries to do the same to the basewads. Federals definitely take the all-around honors for sturdy reliable reloads.

B.

Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 442

Brewster, what do you think about that Estate I bought from you? Same as Federal paper basewad, like in the 12ga?
Hope so!

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

Citori16,

I loaded a lot of 12 gauge Top Gun hulls, about 4 years worth. They are actually nice to reload and will last 4 to 5 reloads before they start to crack on the crimp folds. They are cavernous for a target hull and require the CB61XX-12 wads for 1 or 1 1/8 oz. or one of the Gualandi or Bascheri & Pellagri wads, especially for 7/8 oz. loads. It looks to me as if nothing has changed and there are enough of them left around to use as one and done.

I hope that the new Federal 16 gauge hulls are made the same or similar and made of the same plastic. I'd like to throw these Cheddite hulls over board along with the primers.