High Brass v. Low Brass

[Qbn Hunter]

I have always heard that high base is more potent than low base. If this is true why is that? If you compare a high brase 12 gauge #6 it has the same specs as a low base #6. Whats the deal here?

[Speckmisser]

QBN,

It used to be that the High-brass shells were a higher velocity round, probably because they were loaded with more powder. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet this is a throwback to the old blackpowder loads and paper shells, though, because most reloaders will tell you that you don't need high brass for heavy loads anymore. A lot of guys are loading AAA empties with hi-velocity duck loads.

Anyway, I haven't bought small game ammo in ages, so I don't know if there is still a difference or not.

[WildBird]

I think that now the high brass is used in factory ammo only to change their appearance from target loads. For instance #6 shot size and larger and heavier shot load. For instance, my factory Remington Express pheasant shells in 20 gauge are a 1oz load of #4 and are rated at 2 3/4 dram and have high brass. The factory #6 I bought this season are also high brass. Makes it easy to tell them apart in your vest. Speck is correct about low brass hulls being fine for heavy reloads, I use them all the time. WB

[shufigo]

Purely marketing. Bigger = Better = more powerful = improved = shoots further = kills more = makes up for your lousy shooting etc, etc. As long as you spend a couple extra bucks, you've made 'em happy. Bottom line is that you can load target loads into hi brass hulls and max hunting loads into low brass hulls.

[Qbn Hunter]

Is spending $6.00 more on a box of #6 3in. shells worth it, for wild pheasants? At Wal-Mart they are selling some #6 shots 2 3/4 inch shells for $4.67 a box. Is that enough to knock down pheasants?

[WildBird]

Qbn -

The Walmart $4.67 ammo (Federal) is good for the $. Never had any bad Federal anything. I use it in 20 gauge for quail. I would upgrade for pheasant, like Remington Express for about $7. Then there is the plated shot stuff in #5 that stones em for more $. I would get the best you can afford. WB http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

[DKScott]

High brass/low brass thing is over, especially once Activ came out with their no-brass loads. The plated shot in high velocity loads is the way to go - less shot deformation and better penetration. I always have 3" loads but I never use them. A couple times I should have. Then again, my shots at wild pheasant have been limited for the last several years. Gotta fix that.

[Qbn Hunter]

Thanks for the help guys. I think I am going to get a couple of Fiochi Golden Pheasants. They are more expensive but I think they might be worth it.

[foulshot]

This year I started shooting Non-Lead for pheasant and quial. I know its a bit more spensive, but I don&#39;t like cooking birds, especially the all-white meat ones, full of lead. Just kinda give me the creeps. Still working on the shot size for quial, but #6 hevishot for pheasant works fine.

[Qbn Hunter]

Originally posted by foulshot@Feb 25 2003, 08:57 PM
This year I started shooting Non-Lead for pheasant and quial. I know its a bit more spensive, but I don&#39;t like cooking birds, especially the all-white meat ones, full of lead. Just kinda give me the creeps. Still working on the shot size for quial, but #6 hevishot for pheasant works fine.
Is that #6 for a 20 or 12 ga?

[foulshot]

20 gauge.

[SPOONY SLAYER]

foulshot is right. hevishot is more expensive, but you dont have to pick pellets out of the meat.... i used 20 guage 2 3/4 #6 on pheasants in montana this year. every bird that you hit is a dead bird. they are phenominal. if you can afford em, then use em....