WELL THEY SMOKED A BIT AND STUNK A LITTLE, BUT OTHERWISE WORKED PROPERLY

[chief38]

Was that smell that wonderful nostalgic smell of waxed paper hulls? I grew up on that and there is nothing like it.

No. I still shoot plenty of paper hulled shot shells and they did not smell like that. I inherited them from my Dad and all the other shells I got (stored in the same place and conditions) smell normal. I am still Pheasant hunting with #6 and #5 Hi-brass Winchester, Peters and Remington and the only ones with this funky smell are the Federals. Thankfully that lot is now gone.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Many moons ago;

here in the Reno area, the top trap load hull, that we all tried to get, was the

Federal "Purple" Gold Medal, paper hull.

It just did not last too long if reloaded and some that did not reload,
would crush the crimp area with a finger, before they droped it,

as some of us reloaders found out.

A drive home with a buch of those hulls in the back of the car, would
bring a smile to my face, as the aroma driffted by.

 

[sceva]

I love the smell of a fired paper hull. Brings back a lot of memory's.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I started my shotgunning with paper hulls in a Browning A-5. I know that smell - heavenly. I still hBe some paper hull loads, can't bring myself to shoot them. Put a few in a shadow box.

 

[chief38]

Pretty much the ONLY ammo I get concerned about failing due to age and or less than optimal storage conditions are:

Paper Hulled shot-shells, due to the fact that even though they are usually waxed, paper does absorb moisture and can transfer that inside to the components causing a failure.

Rimfire ammo because 22 rimfire ammo is produced in massive quantities and is not waterproofed like many center fire rounds are. They also have much ore susceptible primer material than centerfire primers do.

 

[30-30remchester]

Since this thread has many shotshell replies and the wonderful smells produced I will let the newcomers to trap and skeet in on a little secret. When an old timer asks to see your gun, shoots a shot with it and loads one of his shells to replace the one he shot of yours, beware. Most likely it is loaded with black powder and chicken feathers. A right of passage as the saying goes. I have several of these rounds so loaded just waiting to get my payback.

 

[twodog max]

I watch videos at times from the UK about shooting driven pheasants and other birds. Sort of a novelty thing that interests me but to the point. In the UK they are now required besides non toxic shot to use biodegradable wads. I expect anytime to see them mandated to return to paper hulls and biodegradable also.
I just have to wonder when that line of thought will make it to this side of the pond.

 

[Racer X]

"WELL THEY SMOKED A BIT AND STUNK A LITTLE, BUT OTHERWISE WORKED PROPERLY"

that describes my brother-in-laws perfectly.

 

[alwslate]

I have .22 LR ammo that I bought back in the early 80s that still functions normally. Chronographing shows no loss of velocity.