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Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 5

I am just starting on my first bag of DR16 wads and my question is does everyone break the wad petals apart or just leave them attached? I have been breaking each one so far but seems a little tedious. Will those 2 little tabs break the petals apart when shot, or stay together like a slug?? Thanks, Ryan

Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 217 Location: Pacific Northwest

I've shot many bags of DR-16 and 7/8oz loads. I tried the experiment of breaking the tabs a while back and it had zero effect on the patterning board (excellent patterns either way) [7/8oz, DR-16 + OSC, 17gr PB, Win 209, Cheddite]. I wouldn't bother breaking the little tabs while loading. For me it didn't matter.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

I have used the DR16 wad for my < 1oz loads (mainly 3/4 & 7/ Cool

. I haven't tried modifying the wads- just left them as packaged, petals intact. Any variations that I have had were from the choke or load characteristics. I've read where some clip the connectors, and I suppose it could make a difference, but I haven't seen any point to it.

I think if someone took high speed photos of the DR-16 at the muzzle moment it might show that the setback of the shot at ignition and moving down and out of the barrel pops those petals apart. If the ignition would distend the skirt on the wad to grip and seal the wad traveling down the barrel, it is reasonable to conclude the forward motion of the wad shot would naturally cause the shot charge to move backwards against the hull and weaken (or sever) the petals.

One might ask, how did I finger that one out? Pick up a used wad at the trap or shooting range and look in at the base of the shot cup. The indent of the shot is there on practically every one you look at. 1 + 1 = 2

Member Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Maine

I've actually found some of my fired DR16's on the skeet field (the show up quite well), and a couple wads still had 2 petals stitched. Not sure if it affects pattern though.

Leave them alone, it makes no difference.

my pick-ups were still stitched together ... the inventor sez it's(the stitching) just for high speed loaders and makes no difference = don't wast the time .

I agree with the leave them alone crowd. Most of the ones that I have noticed laying on the skeet field were opened completley. Whether they are open or not it hasn't made a difference to the crushed clays that they hit!!!! Laughing

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Guest

I split my DR-16's

Makes me feel better. Smile

*Last edited by skeettx on Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:42 pm; edited 1 time in total*

I do not split mine

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=209940&view=next

Mike C.

The heavier, longer steel wads are THOUGHT to flip and act as a slug, if they are not slit. However, I have never seen that theory ever stated by someone that I thought was very reliable, just magazine articles. I could never get it to happen when I tried it with the steel wads that Precision Reloading sells.

It obviously isn't true with the DR16, because the DR16 patterns very well, at least with the few loads I have checked and some petals split apart, some partially, some completely.

Guest

I'm not sayin' anyone's wrong for not splitting them. I just like having them open up every time. I'm superstitious about certain numbers, too. Cool

Gualandi and Baschieri & Pellagri wads have the same tabs, they don't always break apart and guys win Olympic medals with their stuff.......I think there is a little too much 6" between the ears going on. Very Happy

I agree with Mark on the above. I have never patterned my DR loads but they perform as expected if not better on clays. I have also had decent results with the g wads without spliting wad petals. To me how they perform on clays is a good indication on how they will perform on game, just my two cents worth......... Laughing