OT: Shot Gun Shell Question.

[cshold]

Do any shotshell manufacturers today still use the melt crimp?
As I’v been going down the road of building a small .12ga. shotshell
collection, I have really taken noticed to the pride and overall quality
of materials that went into yesteryears shells. Not to mention the great
artwork and detail of the boxes.

[Washita]

Wow! Now I know I'm gettin' old. Who'da ever thunk somebody would look fondly back on plastic shotshells? Any kind of plastic shotshells? I remember when they first came out. Big improvement over paper--wouldn't swell when wet. Haven't they always been completely made by machines? Not exactly old world hand-made craftsmanship, is it?

[cshold]

Wow! Now I know I'm gettin' old. Who'da ever thunk somebody would look fondly back on plastic shotshells? Any kind of plastic shotshells? I remember when they first came out. Big improvement over paper--wouldn't swell when wet. Haven't they always been completely made by machines? Not exactly old world hand-made craftsmanship, is it?

Thanks for your response Washita, I will take that as an "I don't have an answer to your question"

[Hobie]

Well that crimp is really a fold crimp with the center spot welded. It has been so long since I bought a factory load and shot it I'll have to go look at what I've got to see how they do it now (and I SELL the darn things every Monday!).

As to the art work. The marketing folks used to have ARTISTS design and make the lithography for the boxes, now it is a graphic artist who produces the art on a computer for printing. Styles have changed as well. Big bold colors became associated with particular brands and stood out on the shelf. Now everything seems very subdued.

Paper shotshells..., now that's a horse of a different color. I used to have a stash that I'd hunt with now and then just so I could smell the cases after firing. At least I wasn't sniffing model glue...

[cshold]

Thanks Hobie,
Hobie, if you want that awesome everything seems right in the world paper shotshell smell,
give these a try. "Federal Gold Medal® Target - Paper, 12 Ga. 2¾" T118"
I bought a flat of these in 71/2's back in Oct. dropped well over 20 tree rats
with them. A couple shot well beyond 40 yrd’s with the old “Damascus " Parker.
After the 1st. of the year I plan to order another flat of the same.

[hammerman]

The last box of Winchester 16 gauge I bought had the burned center. They are usually not too good for reloading because the burned center makes a big hole in the middle.