Estate shells misfire

300 RUM · #1 03-19-2005, 09:12 PM

I took my brother and his son out today to shoot some clays. We bought 2 cases of Estate shells, one case 2 3/4dram - 1oz one case 3 dram - 1 1/8oz. Both of these had several misfires. The primer would have a good dent but not fire. Some we could hit again and it would fire, but about 20 we hit several times an they never fired. Both loads had about the same amount of misfires out of 2 different guns. About 20 out of 450 failed, I know these are cheap shells but I am still dissapointed.

I have bought several of the Federal 100 pack you get at Wal-Mart and only ever had one bad shell and it had the brass rolled up on one side so it would not chamber. The Federal shell are about $0.20 cents more per box, and apparently worth it.

Anyone else have problems with Estate shells?

So far the SX2 still going strong shot about 350 rounds today without any jams. That makes about 1,000 rounds this month. I have never shot shotguns this much before. Now that I have a good thrower I enjoy it alot more.

skeet · #2 03-19-2005, 10:55 PM

I have shot at least 30,000 estate shells with not one problem....except sometimes I do miss a target or two.//or three. Get in touch with Federal and tell them of the problem as well as the lot numbers. Bet they will make them good. The Estate shells are after all Federal shells...They are owned by Federal...unless you got some of the older shells loaded at the last of the real Estate runs. Get in touch with Federal You'll probably be glad ya did.

TreeDoc · #3 03-20-2005, 02:30 AM

I bought some Estate shells for my 28ga not too long ago. I had a similar problem with one or two not firing but my biggest problem is the extractor will not kick them out of either the top or bottom chamber, they're over expanding. The older Federals I had worked as did the Fiocchi's, haven't tried the new AA's yet.

fabsroman · #4 03-21-2005, 04:28 PM

300 RUM,

Isn't it amazing what a good thrower and a good gun can do? Kind of addicting. I have always dreamt of shooting clays from my backyard since my dad hand threw the first one when I was about 7 years old. Still haven't had my dream come true, but that doesn't mean that it never will. However, I have been to the clays range on many an occassion.

gold40 · #5 05-09-2005, 10:28 PM

I shoot Estate's all the time, because I can buy cases for $32. About the same cost as me reloading.

I've shot 9 cases of 12 gauge 2 3/4" shells with 1 oz. and 1 1/8 oz. of 8 and 9 shot for skeet. Rarely have a malfunction in my 3" Brownng Gold Hunter with 3" chambers. Broke 25 straight on Wednesday.

My opinion is that these are good shells at an attractive price.