Estate Shells

[BrianB]

Actually, if you notice, the other brands have a heavy 3.5 at 1 & 9/16 and a light 3.5 at 1&6/16. So you have to choose between more shot or more velocity. The Estate splits the middle. I had never had the expansion problem until this year when I shot a box of shells that I think were 2 years old, maybe just one, but I think 2, and they certainly did get stuck. I have shot 14 boxes of Estates that I got this year, in 3.5 and have not had the shells get stuck at all. I will be calling and asking what the deal is.

[h2o_dog]

I accidentally left 7 boxes of Kent 3" 1-1/4 oz steel outside in the back of my truck during the entire post-Thanksgiving monsoon week. After soaking in the case for 7 days I took them out of the boxes and put them in a bucket to dry inside the house. So far I've shot about 6 boxes of them without a misfire.

Before Thanksgiving I splurged on a case of Winchester Extreme, but because of the slow season I haven't been able to shoot any yet. I think next time (granted, the extremes may last me 5 years) I'll go back to Kent. Given their performance when wet they are a great value, and the 1-1/4 oz #2s have the speed to knock down ducks consistently at 40 yards.

[DR.DUCK2000]

This past weekend my buddy had the Estate 3.5s jam in his Nova. Unusual for a pump to jam. I have had great luck with the Kent shells.

[BR549]

Four of us hunt together and have shot all brands. The past two years we shot about 30 cases of estates, not the first misfire or jam. This year we went to the Kents becuase of price. So far after 15 cases no problems. We have two benelies and two 870 super mags. I have however seen this swelling problem in a few guns, mostly B.P.S it has to do with the size of the chamber. One thing we have noticed is most people don't realize how fast choke tube wear out using steel. We shoot Kicks .660 and they last about 3-350 rounds. After that screw them out and use them for a decoy weight. One thing to remember every shell maker uses different components and your gun will shoot one make or size or both better than others. Only way to know is try them on paper before you go hunting. When you find this stick with it. Your gun will pattern even or odd size shot better, but usually not both. Also the longer the choke tube the better off you will be.

[Wildfowler]

I've always liked Estate shells. I've never had any trouble with them because a double barrel gun won't jam. About 5 years ago, I was using my back-up gun at the time which was a BPS. (Browning Piece of sh&t) I did have them hang up in that gun, but every type of shell hung up in that gun. It's a horrible performing shotgun. I really like some of the feature and the feel of the gun, it's a shame that's its such a piece of sh&t.

Anyway, my biggest problem with the Estate shells has always been finding them. In my area, they were just not readily available. They are now, though. So far so good. Incidentally, I am shooting a new 391 Xtrema this year. I submerged an entire box of them yesterday. I am going to hold them out for a few more days before I shoot them, I'll reply back to let everyone know if they jam.