Back when Powder was hard to get (still is)maybe two years ago, I bought a 4 pound bottle of Winchester WSF. ( Winchester Super Field). I reload Winchester AA, and Remington Gun clubs. Since purchasing this powder I can not find any recipes for this powder. I might add that I reload for trap and skeet. I have looked at Hodgdons Web site, there annual manuals, and several other reloading sites and books. I sent e-mails to Hodgdon and no reply. If anyone has any information on reloading with this powder I would greatly appreciate it. I have thousands of hulls as listed above, Cheddite primers, and wads.
sbubrick
Winchester WSF powder
Back when Powder was hard to get (still is)maybe two years ago, I bought a 4 pound bottle of Winchester WSF. ( Winchester Super Field). I reload Winchester AA, and Remington Gun clubs. Since purchasing this powder I can not find any recipes for this powder. I might add that I reload for trap and skeet. I have looked at Hodgdons Web site, there annual manuals, and several other reloading sites and books. I sent e-mails to Hodgdon and no reply. If anyone has any information on reloading with this powder I would greatly appreciate it. I have thousands of hulls as listed above, Cheddite primers, and wads.
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Lyman's 6th edition (the version published this year) has lots of WSF data for 12 gauge STS and Win AA hulls listed as 1 1/8 ounce FIELD loads. WSF is best for high speed 1 1/8 ounce or 1 1/4 ounce loads, after all.
But, I'll sample a couple of loads from Lyman for you to get you started.
For the Rem STS hulls:
WSF 24.0 grains Win 209 Primer Win WT12 wad 1256 FPS 9800 psi
I'd feel safe subbing the Claybuster WT12 wad (CB0118-12) or even the Fig 8 clone (CB8100) in that load, if I was sure the pressures were still in line. You might be able to still make a good stack and a slower velocity if you backed off a grain or two of powder.
For Win AA-HS hulls, there is even a target-speed load with WSF:
WSF 24.0 grains CCI 209 primer CB 2118 wad 1192 FPS 7100 psi.
So, I'll agree that are fewer number of loads published for WSF in 12 gauge, but they can be found if you broaden your search.
And there's a few Rem STS hull loads on Hodgdon's site too. So, I don't understand, unless you are being stymied by including a Cheddite 209 primer in your search. Seems like the existing published WSF data has not been re-tested with the "new standard" Cheddites, but there's lots of recipes for the "old standards" of Win 209, Federal 209a, and CCI 209.
good luck, garrisonjoe
So, WSF is not a typical powder for trap and skeet unless you are loading for the long-range trap games. It's a FIELD powder, as might be expected from it's name.
But, I'll sample a couple of loads from Lyman for you to get you started.
For the Rem STS hulls:
WSF 24.0 grains Win 209 Primer Win WT12 wad 1256 FPS 9800 psi
I'd feel safe subbing the Claybuster WT12 wad (CB0118-12) or even the Fig 8 clone (CB8100) in that load, if I was sure the pressures were still in line. You might be able to still make a good stack and a slower velocity if you backed off a grain or two of powder.
For Win AA-HS hulls, there is even a target-speed load with WSF:
WSF 24.0 grains CCI 209 primer CB 2118 wad 1192 FPS 7100 psi.
So, I'll agree that are fewer number of loads published for WSF in 12 gauge, but they can be found if you broaden your search.
Well, I found some 1 1/8 ounce loads on Hodgdon's site just now, like these for Win AA-HS hulls:
| Winchester | WSF | Fed. 209A | WAA12SL | 21.5 | 7,200 | 1,145 |
| Winchester | WSF | Fed. 209A | WAA12SL | 23 | 8,400 | 1,200 |
And there's a few Rem STS hull loads on Hodgdon's site too. So, I don't understand, unless you are being stymied by including a Cheddite 209 primer in your search. Seems like the existing published WSF data has not been re-tested with the "new standard" Cheddites, but there's lots of recipes for the "old standards" of Win 209, Federal 209a, and CCI 209.
good luck, garrisonjoe
What gauge are you reloading for? I use WSF exclusively for my 16ga loads with excellent results. WSF burn rate is better suited for 20ga and 16ga loads, but there are recipes for heavier 1 1/8 oz , high velocity 12ga loads.
The Winchester Reloading Manual shows load data for 20, 16, and 12ga loads. Pages 17-24.
The Winchester Reloading Manual shows load data for 20, 16, and 12ga loads. Pages 17-24.
Lots of data ......not sure what your issue actually is. Of course this is not usually used as 12 gauge target velocity powder. Could that be your issue?
hodgdonreloading.com
Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center
hodgdonreloading.com
Due to its moderate burn rate WSF is generally better suited to 20 gauge and 28 Gauge. That said:
As to 12 Gauge, adding less WSF than is seen within post #6 above whereby to reduce muzzle velocity to 1,150 - 1,200 FPS will result in some rather low (but not below the acceptable range of usability) peak chamber pressures. For 1-1/8 Oz. payloads and mid-energy class primers something in the general ballpark of 23-24 grains would seem about right for the AA-HS hull.
As to 12 Gauge, adding less WSF than is seen within post #6 above whereby to reduce muzzle velocity to 1,150 - 1,200 FPS will result in some rather low (but not below the acceptable range of usability) peak chamber pressures. For 1-1/8 Oz. payloads and mid-energy class primers something in the general ballpark of 23-24 grains would seem about right for the AA-HS hull.
Thanks to all that responded! The day after I posted this thread my order from Midway USA was at my door. In that order was the new Lyman 6th. addition shotshell reloading manual. I saw this book at Shot Show this past January it was wrapped in plastic so as not to allow a peak inside, I was told it would be available after February, it slipped my mind to place the order till last weekend. Yes the first thing that jumped out at me was the recipes for WSF. About primers listed above in the Vegas area all I am finding is Cheddite's. Happy to get a few listed to experience.
You may have to learn how to order primers on-line, if all Las Vegas has is Cheddites. Which I have to doubt, as I will explain.
WSF was first produced in about the 1990s, if I recall correctly, perhaps just before that. Loads (recipes) for a new powder introduction are coordinated to be available about when the first lots ship, or all us reloaders complain bitterly that there is no data for this new powder. That is probably why so much of the WSF data in Lyman's collection or Hodgdon's collection is NOT showing any Cheddite loads - Cheddites were not commonly available in the US around 1990. They became popular when US manufacturers were caught between the Covid rock and Ukraine hard spot about 2020 through 2023. Now that US primers are back in the market place - you may be able to find some of the American primers locally OR on-line.... I have - I just bought a good supply of Win 209 primers at the same price that the cheapest Cheddites were being offered, from one of my on-line vendors.
Now, why has no powder manufacturer updated their 12 gauge target loads with WSF over the last 20-30 years (either not at all, or with only limited numbers of recipes)? That could be because 12 gauge target loads really are not a good use of WSF, so the manufacturers didn't see much of a demand to update their recipes. A few in Lyman and Hodgdon were updated with new wads, because wad lineups change more quickly than most other components. Except for the rapid capture of the shotshell primer market by Cheddite recently (as noted above).
Glad you found some data, so you can load some WSF loads. You can report your satifisfaction with that once you have tried some out. But as noted above by several, Titegroup or even Perfect Pattern or WST will give you better target type shells. And have LOTS more data available.
good luck, garrisonjoe
WSF was first produced in about the 1990s, if I recall correctly, perhaps just before that. Loads (recipes) for a new powder introduction are coordinated to be available about when the first lots ship, or all us reloaders complain bitterly that there is no data for this new powder. That is probably why so much of the WSF data in Lyman's collection or Hodgdon's collection is NOT showing any Cheddite loads - Cheddites were not commonly available in the US around 1990. They became popular when US manufacturers were caught between the Covid rock and Ukraine hard spot about 2020 through 2023. Now that US primers are back in the market place - you may be able to find some of the American primers locally OR on-line.... I have - I just bought a good supply of Win 209 primers at the same price that the cheapest Cheddites were being offered, from one of my on-line vendors.
Now, why has no powder manufacturer updated their 12 gauge target loads with WSF over the last 20-30 years (either not at all, or with only limited numbers of recipes)? That could be because 12 gauge target loads really are not a good use of WSF, so the manufacturers didn't see much of a demand to update their recipes. A few in Lyman and Hodgdon were updated with new wads, because wad lineups change more quickly than most other components. Except for the rapid capture of the shotshell primer market by Cheddite recently (as noted above).
Glad you found some data, so you can load some WSF loads. You can report your satifisfaction with that once you have tried some out. But as noted above by several, Titegroup or even Perfect Pattern or WST will give you better target type shells. And have LOTS more data available.
good luck, garrisonjoe
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