Estate Shells

[Jefferson]

Someone earlier asked about Estate shells . . .

I have experienced problems with expanded brass with Estate 20 guage shells on numerous occasions. I will no longer shoot the Estate 20 guage shells for this reason.

Recently, I experienced a similar problem with Estate 12 guage, 3-inch shells. The expansion was not as severe as in the 20 guage shells.

I actually like Estate shells and have shot many of them. However, my patience with the expanded brass is almost gone.

What have been your experiences with Estate shells?

[magnum]

I have used Estate #3 3in. shells for most of this season, and have not had any problems with expanding. As a matter of fact, my Dad and I switched from Remington Nitro-Steel after the 2nd weekend of the season because they would expand and jam my dad's 870. So far I have been very satisfied with the Estate shells, I just wish I could have shot more of them this season!!!

MAG

[GulfCoast]

I have never had any problems with them, and thought that they were a pretty good deal when compared with the "Big 3" on shell prices.

[HARLEY]

I cant tell you about the shooting quality, but take a 3.5" estate and hold it next to any other brand 3.5" and you will see that the Estate is really only 3.25" long. Anybody else notice this?

[mississippi_duc_htr]

DRYLOK,DRYLOK,DRYLOK thats all I will shoot! A friend of mine used to shoot rem. nitro but he had the expanding brass problem now he only shoots DRYLOK I bought my son a box of 20 guage feds this year shot 3 times gun jammed 3 times took em back too wally world, first box of fed I have bought in 19 years wont buy anymore of them. EVER!!!!! [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] He had already shot 3 boxes of winchester through ...... No problems!!!!! Brand new gun too!!!!!! I guess them remingtons like the winchesters too lmao.(laughing my a$% off)...... You guys are the first one I have heard of having problems with the Estate shells I thought about trying em but never did. MY advice too ya is to save the boxes call write or email Estate with the problem have the box with the lot number on it and they will probly give u a refund. They may ask you to send any unshot shells back too if you have any.May have just been a bad lot that got out of the plant. but you should let them know so that they an correct the problem. Good luck too ya!!!!!!
[img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: mississippi_duc_htr ]

[go24]

Never shot Estate shells before but have shot Kent. I've never had a problem with Kents. Aren't they made by the same people?

[RedEyed Duck]

I bought my first box of Estate ammo this year just to try em out (3 1/2" #1's). They are the biggest piece of crap I have ever put into a gun period! I have shot about 15 shells from the box and on at least 8 I have had an expansion problem with my 870. This problem is unlike any I have ever seen. My shell ejector rips clean through the ejector rim on the shells and they have to be pushed out of the chamber with a ram rod.

I have a buddy that shot one Estate shell through an X2 and the brass ejected and the plastic stayed in the chamer. This ammo is crap and I do not recommend that anyone buys any of it! [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: RedEyed Duck ]

[mallard man]

I just bought a box of estate shells 3 1/2 2 shot and did not like them I think I will stick with the drylok much better shell the estate did not have the knock down that the winchester drylok does.I will have to say i have usewd the Kent faststeel and its a great shell i like it as well as the drylok.

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: Duck-a-Holic ]

[deltaduxs]

Uh! DRYLOK is the way to go.

[Greenhead22]

Hey Drylok,

Put a Kent shell and a drylok shell in a glass of water overnight. Then try to shoot both of them, the Drylok's become Wetlok's. You can't beat a case of Kent Fasteel for $99. That $99 is a lot better than the $179 Drylok's.

Sounds like Estate is having the problems that Remington had a few years back when the crimp was too long and wouldn't eject out of an auto or a pump.

[peewee]

Tell you what gh22, a buddy of mine put his fast steel in my shell bag 2 weekends ago and it got soaked. That evening we hunted in another field behind the camp. After 2 fast steel duds went off he started shooting my dryloks. I dont know about putting them in a glass of water but my shell bag stays wet and I don't take those shells out every night and never had a problem with them.
It's dryloks for me I've seen what the rest of the crap will do.

[Greenhead22]

I've shot soaking wet Kent's several times this year w/o a dud, can't say the same for some Drylok's. There is no possible way to make every shell waterproof, just like a lot of this so called waterproof clothing today. Maybe I just got ahold of a box of nonDrylok's.

I haven't shot any Estate steel shot this year, but I shot a case of High Brass #9's during dove season w/o any problems.

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: Greenhead22 ]

[GulfCoast]

I can't see spending any more money for drylocks when I can do the same thing that they do to cover the primers with a bottle of my wifes clear nail polish.

[Blackduck]

I've never had a problem with the Estate shells. Shot several case with my 870. The only shell that I have had numerous problems with is Federal. The brass would over expand and stick in my barrel. Fortunatly the 870 breaks down into only a handful of parts and fixing the problem is fairly straighforward. Kent is the way.

[Dutch Dog]

I see Harley isn't the only person that has noticed the shells are 1/4" shorter than the others. Along with this they are only 1 1/2 oz shot vs 1 9/16 oz in all the other shells. If the birds are close, then no problem if not then they simply don't have it. I am shooting the kent fasteels now and they do fantastic. I usually try to keep my stuff clean and dry so water getting in the shells isn't a problem for me. Even if my shells did tend to get wet...Like GC said nothing a little clear nail polish won't fix. I believe these shells (estates) got their big jump start when they got "the duck commander" to use them...but that's just what I heard.