by Shari LeGate
When I started reloading, there was a huge learning
curve. I had no one to learn from, so
the instructions and the load data were very important. Good news is, I had no major accidents, just
a couple of shot shells that were without powder or shot.
There are many elements to reloading, but one of the most
important is proper components. Use incorrect or substandard components and
you’ll have a substandard load. We all know the hull is the most important
component, but the wad plays a much bigger role than most folks realize.
Using the correct wad brings the shot shell together and
makes everything work in sync. The wrong wad can cause inconsistent shot
patterns, variance in velocities and a malformed shot shell. All can result in
a missed shot.
I’ve used a lot of different wads over the course of my
reloading career, and for me, aside from protecting the barrel from the shot,
the most important thing from a wad is controlling the build-up of plastic
residue in the barrel.
We all know the old joke of how your Skeet barrel became a
Trap barrel because of the plastic residue buildup. And when you shoot a lot of shells, which in
my case was 500 – 600 a day when training, my barrel would get pretty mucky.
Using a high-grade wad like the MEC wads solved a lot of
issues for me. MEC wads use a slicker plastic that doesn’t adhere to the barrel
as it travels down the bore. The result: better patterns and less cleaning. And
less time spent cleaning the barrel means more time shooting.
When I’m getting ready to shoot a match, I’ll load thousands
of shells for practice. The MEC wads have a one-piece column for easier
loading, but the coolest thing is the color-coding system. Changing the shot
charge weight means making sure you have the right wad for that particular
load. MEC had the brilliant idea of color-coding the wads for the different
shot weight. White is 1 1/8, Red is 1
oz. and Silver is 7/8 oz., which is my favorite load.
The other cool thing is they have a biodegradable wad for
tapered cases in 1 1/8 and 1 oz., in the ecological color of Green. MEC is
ecologically conscious going that extra mile to help clubs keep their grounds
clean.
Some folks might say a wad is just a wad, the cheaper the
better. That’s like having a top of the line car and putting the very lowest
grade gasoline in the engine. The end result won’t be pretty. The same applies
to a wad. Consistent shot pattern and fixed velocity will improve your shooting
and in the long run, help pick up a few extra targets.
Shari
Shari
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