Plastic Tri-Test WANDA 12 ga. shells ??

press-1-for-english · Sep 25, 2023

I found these as the local military show yesterday. I looked on the inter-web but besides what I could see on the box I really couldn't find any real information about them. Has anyone here ever used these? How do they work? I paid $12 for the full box. Do they have any collector value? I appreciate any and all information and comments, positive or negative.

Alk8944 · Sep 25, 2023

Those are one of, if not the first all plastic shot shells that had no metal rim/head. They date to the early to mid 1970s. I haven't seen any since before 1980. The last one I had was given to an employee of my department's credit union about 1973 or so because her name was Wanda. I had picked up a couple just because of their oddity. Never shot them at all. The ones I had were 12 ga. I don't know what calibers they were made in other than that.

Mike SC Hunter · Sep 25, 2023

I have one in my collection. Transparent blue. I shot a couple. They all cracked or split upon firing.

duman444 · Sep 25, 2023

Wanda's split when new

Dad was given a couple of cases of the Wanda's in the black and red boxes in mid 70's. 1 out of 2 cracked or completely broke in half leaving front half in chamber.

Useless for hunting through pump or semi-auto, shot most of them through double or single barrel at skeet, still had to manually clear the chamber after every other shot or so.

Skeet 028 · Sep 25, 2023

I have a couple or 4 boxes of Wanda shotshells I even have a few overshot wads. I too have shot a few. Many did crack...but none completely. But They were pretty new when I shot them. I may have gotten some either at the Grand or the World skeet shoot....many years ago. At about the same time Herter's had an all plastic Hull. I only have a couple examples of them. Both are Blue. They also had another all plastic shell back then...I remember Green with a "spin-off wad". I've never seen or shot any Wanda hunting loads though. All target loads. Being that they are hunting ammo...I would put a value of at least 25 dollars. Take a bunch of pics and wrap the box of shells in plastic wrap. They will appreciate in value

Glenn R. McMannly · Sep 26, 2023

There’s a reason nobody makes an all plastic shotshell. Doing so would be far cheaper than metal bases, but it’s just the most suitable material for the task. Plastic is not.

Skeet 028 · Sep 26, 2023

Although the Activ case had an imbedded steel disc in the base it was very small and thin. It handled being shot in most shotgun actions. Including Browning semiauto actions. Shame they went the way of the buffalo. And they reloaded very well. Another innovation killed by the competition...known as the big 3,4 or 5. Rem, Win, Fed, Fiocchi and other European makers. Really hard to compete with them

Nevada Ed · Sep 26, 2023

Later on they made this plastic hull that worked ok in most shotguns
but most of us like the brass base, better.

Mike SC Hunter · Sep 26, 2023

Glenn R. McMannly said:
There’s a reason nobody makes an all plastic shotshell. Doing so would be far cheaper than metal bases, but it’s just the most suitable material for the task. Plastic is not.

I disagree........Activ all plastic hulls are as good as it gets. I've got some 20 ga that have been reloaded 6 or 7 times and show no signs of failure....And they run fine through auto's and pumps....Google Activ shells or seek on the shotgun forms......Sadly ,they were bought out Kent or Estate and shut down.
Although I have read they still may be avail. in Europe

lawdog45 · Sep 26, 2023

Wanda shells

I used them back in the day. I never had any problems with them.
Never tried to reload them. Still have a full box. I would expect some deterioration of the plastic after so many years.

ajgunner · Sep 26, 2023

I have a couple of boxes of the red ones. Picked them up 30 or more years ago in a trade deal. Never did shoot any---just sitting on the bench with all the other collectible treasures.

DWalt · Sep 26, 2023

I fired lots of Activ shells back in my clay shooting days in the 80s. My club got a good price on a truckload of them for sale to members. They also reloaded well. I probably still have some. I have one full box of 12 ga Wandas in my collection. As I remember they did have a case cracking problem. Some clay bird shooters also did not like them as the empties made a clatter when they hit the ground. They were made in Houston. And at one time, Herter's did sell all-plastic cases for reloading. I don't remember them selling loaded shells.

press-1-for-english · Sep 27, 2023

All very interesting replies. Thank you to everyone.

Plastic Tri-Test WANDA 12 ga. shells ??

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