16ga.com ~ View topic

*Last edited by skeettx on Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:10 pm; edited 1 time in total*

Dave E.

Black cats and ladders also?
Shocked

We ALL have some superstitions !!

Guest

What I find is that the crush section is unlike any other. the collapsing action is not symmetrical because the column that is under the cupbase is off center. all the pickups I have looked at are bent because of this off set. this may create the necessary drag to pull the wad off the shot charge more so than the petals opening up, so it is not crucial that they do.

Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1358 Location: Twin Cities, MN

I believe Remington started stitching their petals together several years ago, causing much discussion about blown patterns. Turns out they patterned the same. I would love to see someone put this to the test with the DR16. Bring us data!!!
Regards,
Jeff

All you guys that detach the petals, must be a lot of work when you buy new shells.

For those that want proof, be my guest!

I did the work a few years back and posted some great patterns using the DR16.

George, plus 1

Guest

I'm not wanting to contribute to the pissing match, but I'm not sure why you guys really care if I or anyone else chooses to unstitch them.

I do know that mine will all open up.

Dave,

I don't care if anyone unstitches them, but there was a comment made about whether they pattern well if you don't.

I never do and the patterns have always been great.

Guest

Mark, I believe you.

It's just one of those things I need to check out myself with my own loads. When I do and see there is no difference I'll be the first and loudest to say so.

It must make me an agnostic or something like that. Smile

WELL, I, yes I, think y'all are pretty cute Shocked

Bottom line, sure is nice to have this wad on the market

Thanks Nick

Mike

Guest

I don't load 16s but looked in this forum to discover if I should.
I remain unsure but have been searching for something to do during Miss Marple episodes.
Enabling wad petal freedom of movement may well fill that bill.
It's either that or pondering where wind goes when it dies.

I have fiddled with all manner of possibilities in loading shotshells.
With the Windjammers and all those petals, I tried folding every other one inward...patterns remained fine, within the range of pattern variation.
The stabs at what-if were fun.

I suspect that, once again, Confidence delivered by comfortable repetition of procedure kills birds, breaks targets or allows us to see what we want to see.
And, it's unlucky to not be superstitious.

The DR16 is junk. Forget about it. Not a well-designed wad. Crush section is asymmetrical. Don't care if it does pattern well for some (reports of which I'm skeptical), the long, poorly supported crush section raises the odds for a cocked wad dud. Wad springback (ultra long snakey cushion section) makes reloading difficult, especially on progressive reloaders. The weakly dimensioned anti-powder migration rings are not large enough diameter to work in straight wall hulls (Rieffenhauser type hulls) -- look at the rings and dimensions of a Gualandi wad FFS. And I'm still not sold on the petal separation issue -- it's just plain silly, why?? -- change the damn mold -- easy! In my experience, if I didn't break the petals apart, they always showed up connected at the range. What do you mean the petals are connected for high volume loading -- with all its spring back and wad cocking there is no high volume loading with this wad!! So what good is the DR16????!!!! Some amateur's wet dream. Nice try, thanks but no thanks. Want to load straight walled hulls? Use Gualandi wads. Want 7/8 oz loads? Use anything but the DR16 -- adapting other wads is easier than dealing with the DR16's faults. I'm still waiting for the 7/8 ounce Claybuster wad to be available in production form. It uses the same concept as the 3/4 oz 20 gauge AA clone. It'll make you forget all about the DR16. Yes, I've had some decent results with the DR16, but it has been a triumph of reloading technique over design of the wad. They are a PITA!

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

Love them in the Cheddites and Federals. Hate them in the RGL's. The results on the clay target speak volumes. I have harder breaks with the 7/8 and 3/4 loads with the Dr16 than I do with 1oz and other wads. They maybe unconventional but they work well in the right application. I am very glad Nick made them I don't have to fuss with fillers. I welcome any component for the 16 gauge that affords we greater versatility with my gauge.