All plastic shot shells

[Ltach578]

Hey guys I am a ammo collector and I have always been into all plastics I think they are so cool unfortunately they stopped making them well before my time so I have not been able to shoot many but I am searching for any information you guys might have on the such as what gauges they were available in (to my knowledge they were only available 12, 16, 20 and 10 gauge) but I could be wrong and what brands they were made by I am aware of a few but not many but anyways thank you for any/all information you might have on these incredibly interesting cartridges

 

[Safari Dave]

Living in the "Deep South" of the USA, humidity has always been a problem.

I did a "primitive weapons" hunt 9 years ago, and used an "in-line" muzzle loader for the 3-day hunt.

After the hunt was over, I tried to "unload" by firing a shot into a dirt bank.

My rifle would not shoot.

It would only ignite the 209 shotgun primers and would not ignite Pyreodex pellets.



Apparently, Federal FireSticks are the current best option for a water-resistant ignition source with modern "muzzleloaders."

CVA has already ceased production. Traditions is still making them, but probably not for much longer.

This might prove to to a collector's market, but, you never know...

 

[Boone66]

Kent is the only one rhat.comes to mind, ceap duck hunting shells.

 

[HuntingGold]

The best I have for you is a stupid story from my senior year of High School (85-86). Somehow I had a box of all plastic shotshells and I got the bright idea to take one to school to show a very pretty girl (who was into shooting). During math class, we finished our assignment early and I showed her the shell. Somewhere along the line, our math teacher discovered our conversation and latched onto the all red shell. In a sarcastic comment, she told him to be careful as it could explode. He had no clue and it was enough for him to seize the item and send me to the Dean of students.

Later, while in the Dean's office, he asked about the shell, which he now had in his hand. I told him what I knew, which was that I had never seen it before and that it was cool. He agreed, held onto it, and just asked that I not bring them to school anymore, regardless of how hot the girl was. He was a shooter and knew it wouldn't explode, rolled his eyes, and sent me back to class.

I saw that girl two weeks ago (now 39 years later). Still quite pretty but doesn't remember the incident. Ofcourse... it was my ass in the Dean's office and not hers.

 

[Boone66]

Living in the "Deep South" of the USA, humidity has always been a problem.

I did a "primitive weapons" hunt 9 years ago, and used an "in-line" muzzle loader for the 3-day hunt.

After the hunt was over, I tried to "unload" by firing a shot into a dirt bank.

My rifle would not shoot.

It would only ignite the 209 shotgun primers and would not ignite Pyreodex pellets.



Apparently, Federal FireSticks are the current best option for a water-resistant ignition source with modern "muzzleloaders."

CVA has already ceased production. Traditions is still making them, but probably not for much longer.

This might prove to to a collector's market, but, you never know...

Have you tired sealing your breach with beeswax, just a idea. I grep up in the northwest and we would cover our caps with bees wax, to keep the rain out and leave them outside, when loaded, so they didn't sweat and dampen the powder. I know, your from where you sweat all day, unless your parked next to A/C. If you bring your gun inside, I wonder if the A/C would draw moisture into the powder. Also, if your using a sabot, that doesn't water proof your powder from that end either, unless you insert a card wad, a pea size of bullet lube, and then your bullet. Just my thoughts.

 

[NDWoods]

I remember shooting those must have been late 90s. I recall 12 and 20 ga target loads. Brand was Activ.

Have not seen them since.

Edit: Yep thats the right brand. Do a search for Activ Plastic Shotshells and you will get a lot of hits. People are selling them as collectors items.

 

[Boone66]

I remember shooting those must have been late 90s. I recall 12 and 20 ga target loads. Brand was Activ.

Have not seen them since.

Edit: Yep thats the right brand. Do a search for Activ Plastic Shotshells and you will get a lot of hits. People are selling them as collectors items.

Yep, shot them also, non reloadable

 

[JimP]

Living in the "Deep South" of the USA, humidity has always been a problem.

I did a "primitive weapons" hunt 9 years ago, and used an "in-line" muzzle loader for the 3-day hunt.

After the hunt was over, I tried to "unload" by firing a shot into a dirt bank.

My rifle would not shoot.

It would only ignite the 209 shotgun primers and would not ignite Pyreodex pellets.



Apparently, Federal FireSticks are the current best option for a water-resistant ignition source with modern "muzzleloaders."

CVA has already ceased production. Traditions is still making them, but probably not for much longer.

This might prove to to a collector's market, but, you never know...

I have some friends who had the same problem with the pellets. They switched to loose powder and have never had a problem since.

 

[PanhandlinPat]

If you’re looking for some activ plastic hulls I know I had some in my shot shell reloading stuff, if I didn’t toss them. I can’t remember if I reloaded them or not, just remember seeing them mixed in with some AA hulls my late uncle gave me some 15 or 20 years ago.

 

[Mekaniks]

I used lots Activ in the mid 90’s . They were the least expensive waterfowl loads on the shelf at the local local sporting goods / hardware / grocery store.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Herters sold them in twelve gauge. Very hard clear plastic dark blue almost purple. I think I have a hull somewhere in my stuff.

 

[Paul K]

If I remember correctly there was another all plastic shot shell and the name was Wanda ?

 

[Flbt]

Hey guys I am a ammo collector and I have always been into all plastics I think they are so cool unfortunately they stopped making them well before my time so I have not been able to shoot many but I am searching for any information you guys might have on the such as what gauges they were available in (to my knowledge they were only available 12, 16, 20 and 10 gauge) but I could be wrong and what brands they were made by I am aware of a few but not many but anyways thank you for any/all information you might have on these incredibly interesting cartridges

I think there was a brand name active
12 and 20 ga I know if I remember right they came in 20 rd boxes instead of 25.
All I remember was field loads. I want to say they were around 2$ a box

 

[Firebird]

Killed my first pheasant with an activ 5 shot from a single shot Harrington and Richardson 20 gauge. I think I have some 12 and 20 gauge still around. DM me if you want me to locate them for you

 

[Nyati]

Besides Actic and Wanda, Winchester also made them both in the US and Italy.

What I can´t say is wether they were distributed comercially or experimental only.

 

[375er]

I used lots Activ in the mid 90’s . They were the least expensive waterfowl loads on the shelf at the local local sporting goods / hardware / grocery store.

I LOVE the fact that wherever you lived you could get shotshells at the grocery store. Oh the good old days!!!!!!!

 

[TnKen]

Here are a couple that I still had, and they are reloads.

 

[Boone66]

I LOVE the fact that wherever you lived you could get shotshells at the grocery store. Oh the good old days!!!!!!!

Still.some at the hardware stores here and in Beaver Oregon, the grocery store sells shells and guns also, still.

 

[BonUm16]

Still have a few boxes of these Activ Nickel plated loads. Pretty effective loading for turkeys.

Technically, Activ shells are not all plastic as they use steel in a number of critical areas.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The Herters shells were all plastic. Hard stuff too. No crimp. The top rim was slightly tapered inward and which held a round shoot away cap that held the load in place. Actually a very attractive shotgun shell. I reloaded a few using paper wad split in half as the cap. Worked fine if kept dry.