Shotgun hulls

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

Now that I am into reloading shotgun shells.  I know STS hulls are good but I notice at Precision reloading they have Remington Gold Nitro 27 and STS for same price.  I believe both are "unibody" but is gold a ribbed hull?  Not sure I want ribbed as Sassy's shotgun has not really cared for Federal Top Gun ammo..  I have lots of AA but want to have ammo that I consider more match grade in shucking.  The few STS reloads I have tried seem great but if ordering thought gold might be step up. 

Thoughts?

[Lawdog]

Both smooth hulls.

I think the color is the only difference.

In my use of them, they are interchangeable.

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I like those green Gun Club hulls the best.  I think they hold their shape better than AA and STS hulls.  Wild Willie up in S.C. seems to have the inside track on once fired Gun Club hulls for about 10 cents each.  I've seen him advertise in the Classified section on the SASS wire.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

7 minutes ago, Lawdog said:

Both smooth hulls.

I think the color is the only difference.

In my use of them, they are interchangeable.

Agreed.  However, I like that Nitros are sometimes confused with brass shells.  Federal High Overall shells are equally good.

 

Regarding Gun Clubs: one trip down the trap fields at Ben Avery will yield enough Gun Clubs for a year of CAS shooting.  I don't buy once-fired Gun Clubs (but do reload them for practice and local matches).

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

24 minutes ago, Lawdog said:

Both smooth hulls.

I think the color is the only difference.

In my use of them, they are interchangeable.

color sure helps when Sassy shots smokeless and I shoot BP

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

I find that the green STS hold their crimp petals one or two reloads more than the gold Nitro 27 hulls.  So I favor the greens but won't pass by a gold Nitro on the ground or in the bucket.  Both of those are smooth hull walls.

 

However, I find the STS and Nitros are at least two reloads longer lasting than Remington Gun Clubs (with ribs), that get pretty ratty petals on about the 5th reload.

 

good luck, GJ

 

 

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

17 minutes ago, Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 said:

I find that the green STS hold their crimp petals one or two reloads more than the gold Nitro 27 hulls.  So I favor the greens but won't pass by a gold Nitro on the ground or in the bucket.  Both of those are smooth hull walls.

 

However, I find the STS and Nitros are at least two reloads longer lasting than Remington Gun Clubs (with ribs), that get pretty ratty petals on about the 5th reload.

 

good luck, GJ

 

 

3-4 reloads on a once fired hull?

[Eyesa Horg]

I don't see any difference in the green or gold but color and have gotten quite a few reloads out of each before a final loading of BP! Haven't actually counted reloads, but I'd guess I'm up around at least 8 or so.

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

1 hour ago, Eyesa Horg said:

I don't see any difference in the green or gold but color and have gotten quite a few reloads out of each before a final loading of BP! Haven't actually counted reloads, but I'd guess I'm up around at least 8 or so.

Had so many stuck hulls in BP last EOT with AA I am changing.  Gateway would hear my sad story almost daily as he was parked close to our little trailer so he sent me some STS hulls to use for better shucking. 

I still practice with a few AA factory rounds and Sassy shoots them but now reloading them once for practice then throw them in trash. 

[Jackalope]

2 hours ago, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

color sure helps when Sassy shots smokeless and I shoot BP

 

Anita Margarita does not find any enjoyment when a black powder shell gets in among her smokeless.  To avoid an excessively long and quite ride home, I've taken to spray painting my primers black for my black powder shells.

 

YMMV

 

Jackalope

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

1 minute ago, Jackalope said:

 

Anita Margarita does not find any enjoyment when a black powder shell gets in among her smokeless.  To avoid an excessively long and quite ride home, I've taken to spray painting my primers black for my black powder shells.

 

YMMV

 

Jackalope

I think I may have missed a few with black magic marker myself.  Not so good.

[Tucker McNeely]

Mr. Billy, I have had several of the same issues. I switched from AAs to STSs. I load on a MEC 600 jr. 1 oz 7 1/2 shot and a 34 bushing with APP 3F or 2F. I find not loading my 12ga loads for geese they will last for more reloads. I also run my sg hulls through my wet tumbler to clean them. I don’t reload smokeless 12ga. Nothing to offer you there. I hope this helps.

 

I spray PAM into the barrels while cleaning ROAs and rifle. I fold a toilet paper square into quarters, backed by one of the used cloth cleaning patches to push the 12ga jag down the barrel. They come out very clean with minimal work. Because I don’t load my shotgun shells to take out a bear, I don’t have very much plastic fouling to clean. 

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

25 minutes ago, Tucker McNeely said:

Mr. Billy, I have had several of the same issues. I switched from AAs to STSs. I load on a MEC 600 jr. 1 oz 7 1/2 shot and a 34 bushing with APP 3F or 2F. I find not loading my 12ga loads for geese they will last for more reloads. I also run my sg hulls through my wet tumbler to clean them. I don’t reload smokeless 12ga. Nothing to offer you there. I hope this helps.

 

I spray PAM into the barrels while cleaning ROAs and rifle. I fold a toilet paper square into quarters, backed by one of the used cloth cleaning patches to push the 12ga jag down the barrel. They come out very clean with minimal work. Because I don’t load my shotgun shells to take out a bear, I don’t have very much plastic fouling to clean. 

good info.  I just switched to APP-3f in shotgun for BP loads and trying it with .358-105s from Scarlett for rifle and revolver.  Looks impressive for all.

[Sedalia Dave]

On 7/27/2026 at 8:09 PM, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

good info.  I just switched to APP-3f in shotgun for BP loads and trying it with .358-105s from Scarlett for rifle and revolver.  Looks impressive for all.

 

With 3F APP you want at 35 grains by weight ( 2.3 cc by volume) with a 7/8 oz load of shot. Using a CB0178-12 wad in STS or Gun Club hulls will give you close to the perfect stack height. 

 

When Yusta Be got me into shooting BP the above load is what he recommended. He said that you need enough powder so that the hull swells and seals the chamber. Otherwise the blow-by will cause your hulls to stick.

 

 

I had the volume wrong. Should be 2.3 cc not 3 cc

 

Edited July 29 by Sedalia Dave
Corrected the volume of the APP charge.

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

10 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

With 3F APP you want at 35 grains by weight (3cc by volume) with a 7/8 oz load of shot. Using a CB0178-12 wad in STS or Gun Club hulls will give you close to the perfect stack height. 

 

When Yusta Be got me into shooting BP the above load is what he recommended. He said that you need enough powder so that the hull swells and seals the chamber. Otherwise the blow-by will cause your hulls to stick.

35/1 oz is current T7-3f load.  TJD loaded me some APP sg and I believe that is about the load.  He cuts and cards which makes nice load.

Saw Yusta B last Saturday at CBeaux's. enjoyed visit.

[SouthwestShooter]

6 hours ago, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

Now that I am into reloading shotgun shells.  I know STS hulls are good but I notice at Precision reloading they have Remington Gold Nitro 27 and STS for same price.  I believe both are "unibody" but is gold a ribbed hull?  Not sure I want ribbed as Sassy's shotgun has not really cared for Federal Top Gun ammo..  I have lots of AA but want to have ammo that I consider more match grade in shucking.  The few STS reloads I have tried seem great but if ordering thought gold might be step up. 

Thoughts?

Nitros are best.  STS second best.  Nitros are smooth hulls.  Windy 

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

6 hours ago, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

3-4 reloads on a once fired hull?

 

I get about 5 (after factory) on Gun Clubs, 8 on Nitro 27 and about 10 on STS.    good luck, GJ

[Sheriff Dill]

These are the 3 reload of smokeless after factory. They load great on a Lee load all and a Mec  650 jr. Both presses set for 13 gr perfect pattern, 3/4 oz reclaimed shot. They shuck great out of my stoeger and 97’s. I’ve noticed the AA’s that are on their 3 rd reload also are definitely showing the use and the crimping isn’t as Nicely as the Nitro’s

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

I have found no noticeable difference in STS and Nitro 27. I actually prefer the Gun Clubs. The best are the original AA hulls if you're lucky enough to find any.

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

10 hours ago, SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER said:

I have found no noticeable difference in STS and Nitro 27. I actually prefer the Gun Clubs. The best are the original AA hulls if you're lucky enough to find any.

How you know old from new.  Bet these I am using were from rebate days but you may be meaning even older.

[watab kid]

when i first encountered these i was told green STS were standard trap loads the gold nitros were loaded to handicap loads , but the hulls are the same and work very well , as well as double As 

 

i prefer the federal premiums 

[Still hand Bill]

The Remington bulls are the only one piece hull still in production.   The gold and green sts are basically the same except for color.   The gun clubs are the budget version with steel case heads instead of brass.  I use the gun clubs for BP loads as they are so plentiful that I can load and toss.  All 3 will load the same as the original one pc AA hulls.  I load AA HS with one wad heavier than actual payload for better fit.  The AA HS are two pc, tube and base wad.  

[Still hand Bill]

19 minutes ago, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

How you know old from new.  Bet these I am using were from rebate days but you may be meaning even older.

AA vs AA HS, the plastic looks different.  The HS are shiny, the one pc original is more dull.  They may also be marked HS depending on vintage.   The original AA’s have been out of production for 20 years?   You still find some, but usually they are so worn out they are not worth picking up.  

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

2 minutes ago, Still hand Bill said:

AA vs AA HS, the plastic looks different.  The HS are shiny, the one pc original is more dull.  They may also be marked HS depending on vintage.   The original AA’s have been out of production for 20 years?   You still find some, but usually they are so worn out they are not worth picking up.  

These are not that old but I do remember those.  That dull look got me in habit of wiping them with something  like Ballistol.  I actually still do.  Not a bad habit.

[Still hand Bill]

4 minutes ago, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

These are not that old but I do remember those.  That dull look got me in habit of wiping them with something  like Ballistol.  I actually still do.  Not a bad habit.

Yeah turns out the HS was introduced in 01/02, so 25 years ago.  Based on that most AA hulls you pick up will be HS style.  I know I still find a few originals, but not many.   Heck I have Remington peters hulls from the 70’s.   Several flats of them.  

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I use red AA for smokeless and Rem STS/Nitro for BP.  I get at least 5 reloads with real BP.  

 

Besides being a duller red, the older AA hulls often have a rectangle around the AA.

[Frontier Lone Rider]

I shoot smokeless at the monthlies shooting the STSs.  That is how I get my supply for my black powder hulls which I shoot at all of the annuals and states matches.

 

If I see a Nitro Gold Hull, I will pick it up and reload it along with my green STSs.

[Sedalia Dave]

On 7/27/2026 at 8:40 PM, Sedalia Dave said:

 

With 3F APP you want at 35 grains by weight ( 2.3 cc by volume) with a 7/8 oz load of shot. Using a CB0178-12 wad in STS or Gun Club hulls will give you close to the perfect stack height. 

 

When Yusta Be got me into shooting BP the above load is what he recommended. He said that you need enough powder so that the hull swells and seals the chamber. Otherwise the blow-by will cause your hulls to stick.

 

 

I had the volume wrong. Should be 2.3 cc not 3 cc

 

 

I had the volume wrong. Should be 2.3 cc not 3 cc

[oak creek martin]

Personally, I don’t load AA hulls anymore only STS and nitro golds. I’ve also had great luck with the federal HOA hulls They are a dark purple  -red,starting to see more of those around. They are the same thing as a Remington hull, as Remington and federal are sister companies. I’ve talked to factory rep and he tells me that it’s the same plastic same brass base just different color and name.

[Cholla Bob]

For smokeless and black powder the green STS hull is the best.   

Ballistic products was out of them once and I got the gold instead.   The gold nitros  are great for smokeless, but I quit using them with black powder due to having at least 3 hulls per six stage match hang up on shucking.  

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 7/27/2026 at 3:54 PM, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

I have lots of AA

I may be in the minority, but I think that's your answer.

My Dad was a trapshooter for nearly 50 years, and he reloaded AAs all that time with nary a problem.   I am still reloading his AAs, and he died 20 years ago.  Some of them go all the way back to the beginning of his reloading days.   And with the multitude of red ones, a few silver colored ones are mixed in.  

Anyway, if I don't use AAs, I use Magtechs.

 

 

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

On 7/28/2026 at 9:02 PM, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said:

How you know old from new.  Bet these I am using were from rebate days but you may be meaning even older.

Yes these are older AA. They usually have a rectangular box with AA inside it and 12 GA stamped on rim. Any of the newer AA just have 12 HS stamped on rim. Those I do not use. They may be ok for '97s, '87s, and guns with ejectors, but my SKB's don't even like factory load with that hull. I toss any that I get.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

7 hours ago, SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER said:

Yes these are older AA. They usually have a rectangular box with AA inside it and 12 GA stamped on rim. Any of the newer AA just have 12 HS stamped on rim. Those I do not use. They may be ok for '97s, '87s, and guns with ejectors, but my SKB's don't even like factory load with that hull. I toss any that I get.

It's funny how a lot of these things are YMMV.  After years of Baikals I got my 1st SKB from Johnny Meadows several months ago.  It shucks anything.  I do need to use the orange sizer thingie on some of the newer red AA hulls before the match, but it is rare for one to hang up on me.  I also almost never brush my chambers.  I do give a fairly strong rearward jerk when unloading the gun, not sure if they would just fall out like I see with some people who just open and tip the gun.

[Blackwater 53393]

I have hundreds of AA hulls that are fifteen years old and older. I went to STSs for smokeless and mostly brass shells for Black Powder with used STSs for when I used up my brass supply between reloading sessions.

 

I don’t recall when they changed the AAs, but I suppose I COULD reload them for non competitive purposes.

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

If you look closely into an empty old style AA it will be smooth from crimp folds to the base. With the newer version of the AA’s you will see (about an inch or so from the base) the top of the insert they now use to stiffen the bottom of the hull. Hence the name “two piece”. As long as the insert is still tight to the hull wall it should work fine. If it has begun to pull away from the hull wall then the skirt of the new wad will sometimes catch and tip the wad, causing a bulge in the hull. Most of the time this will hang up the round in the chamber when fired or can be extreme enough it will need to be “pushed” into the chamber when loading. 
As for myself I use only one piece green STS or gold Nitro 27. Used to use the red AA for several years but got lazy and just don’t care to spend the extra time checking hulls, looking for bulges or wasting time on the line pulling out stuck hulls. 
YMMV

Regards

    

Gateway Kid