High Brass vs Low brass shot shells?….

[dixidawg]

I see a lot of references here to using “High Brass” shells for hunting, but does it really mean anything? I say no. The only thing that you should be considering are the “numbers” (velocity, weight, and shot size). For example I just grabbed these 2 boxes. The low brass actually moves 7/8 oz of 7.5 shot 25 fps faster than the high brass load. In my experience, I don't notice any difference in low brass vs high brass performance in the real world. I say it is all marketing BS. What say you?

 

[ThePreBanMan]

Not sure if serious....

The term "high brass" is a slang term to differentiate between bird shot and shots with more umph... If you look at the shells, the brass vs plastic is taller on 00 Buck than a 25 shell box of bird shot from wally world.

 

[pupchow]

High brass can be a requirement of a higher energy load, but it is also used as a marketing tool. The specs are what matter.

High-Brass Vs Low-Brass Shells: Exploring Shotgun Ammo Differences | Shotgun Life

Many shotgun users, whether they’re hunters or sport shooters, are often left wondering about the differences between high-brass and low-brass shotgun shells and how they can impact performance. Shotgun shells are an essential component for any shotgun user. They consist of several parts...

www.shotgunlife.com

 

[dixidawg]

Ummm. No, you are comparing apples to oranges. The height of the brass has no bearing to how much oomph the shell has. I edited my original post to add a picture 2 boxes that I pulled out of my ammo cabinet. It may have been true long ago, but with advancements to powder etc, they get similar or better performance with low brass.

 

[dixidawg]

High brass can be a requirement of a higher energy load, but it is also used as a marketing tool. The specs are what matter.

High-Brass Vs Low-Brass Shells: Exploring Shotgun Ammo Differences | Shotgun Life

Many shotgun users, whether they’re hunters or sport shooters, are often left wondering about the differences between high-brass and low-brass shotgun shells and how they can impact performance. Shotgun shells are an essential component for any shotgun user. They consist of several parts...

www.shotgunlife.com

Exactly!

 

[whacko]

I see a lot of references here to using “High Brass” shells for hunting, but does it really mean anything? I say no. The only thing that you should be considering are the “numbers” (velocity, weight, and shot size). For example I just grabbed these 2 boxes. The low brass actually moves 7/8 oz of 7.5 shot 25 fps faster than the high brass load. In my experience, I don't notice any difference in low brass vs high brass performance in the real world. I say it is all marketing BS. What say you?

View attachment 927936

Your not wrong.

Years and years ago physical high brass loads were required for the extra pressure of a higher velocity....higher payload shell. Not so much anymore.

These days.....to me....

12 gauge "high brass" means at least 1 1/4 ounce of birdshot at 1300fps or more. I don't care how high the brass actually is on the shell itself. But.....for 12 gauge 1 1/4 ounce at 1300 I've actually never encountered a box that didn't have a higher brass base with those specs. They may be out there but I've never bought or used any.

20 gauge......high brass to me means 1 ounce of birdahit at 1300fps or more. So the shell in the photo on the right.....even though it physically has a higher brass base....I would not consider a high brass load......to me that's a light game load as it's only 7/8 ounce at 1200fps

I hunt alot for small game rabbits and squirrels.....also Pheasant and grouse.....I always use 1 1/4 ounce ar 1330fps for 12 gauge loads......my favorite is Remy extended range green and yellow box....I stack it deep on my shelves. I'm still opening boxes that I bought many years ago for $12 a box. Remy extended range goes for well over $20 a box these days. I have enough on my shelves to probably get me through 5 hunting seasons.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

Ummm. No, you are comparing apples to oranges. The height of the brass has no bearing to how much oomph the shell has. I edited my original post to add a picture 2 boxes that I pulled out of my ammo cabinet. It may have been true long ago, but with advancements to powder etc, they get similar or better performance with low brass.

I'm doing no such thing. Which is why I quite clearly - said it was slang...... meaning it has no actual technical implications what so ever.

 

[dixidawg]

By your picture, I thought you were comparing birdshot to slugs and buck

 

[ccm75]

Not sure if serious....

The term "high brass" is a slang term to differentiate between bird shot and shots with more umph... If you look at the shells, the brass vs plastic is taller on 00 Buck than a 25 shell box of bird shot from wally world.

View attachment 927937

Sorry but your reply makes no sense...It's not a slang term. Comparing oo buck to bird shot is not relevant.

 

[whacko]

Sorry but your reply makes no sense...It's not a slang term. Comparing oo buck to bird shot is not relevant.

I think what @dixidawg is saying is that "high brass" has become a slang term. There is no payload or velocity requirement which makes a shell be considered "high brass". I think most folks when they hear "high brass" think "heavy game load" rather than target or light game load. He's even proven it with showing 2 boxes of shells.....same velocity and payload.....one has a high brass base and the other does not.....and most people would not even consider the one with a high brass base to be a heavy game load.

 

[dixidawg]

This is the point I was trying (poorly) to make…

 

[ThePreBanMan]

Sorry but your reply makes no sense...It's not a slang term. Comparing oo buck to bird shot is not relevant.

Really? Please send me a link to an ammo manufacturer that sells shot shells labeled as "tall brass"... or "high brass".

If you don't think it's just a slang term, then substantiate your belief with evidence.

Otherwise might I suggest you stop arguing just for the sake of arguing.

 

[pupchow]

ETA Notice the HI-BRASS™ on the Federal box

 

[dixidawg]

 

[Mark from ?]

Really? Please send me a link to an ammo manufacturer that sells shot shells labeled as "tall brass"... or "high brass".

If you don't think it's just a slang term, then substantiate your belief with evidence.

Otherwise might I suggest you stop arguing just for the sake of arguing.

High Brass was always used as a term for "hunting loads" since I grew up and got into hunting.

Low brass was for targets in general and didn't cycle in some autos like the browning or gas guns because they were setup for high brass shells that had more powder and load.

The term is still widely used today and as shown....on boxes as well. That said...you can kill birds with low brass....not a problem.

 

[pupchow]

I do wonder if there is any difference between high/low, as far as any possible hull deformity or expansion occurring, regardless of load.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

Well I learned something. I've looked through Winchester's lineup of shotshell ammo, and can't seem to find any boxes labeled High brass. But the pics indicate there was a time when they did such. I would still suggest the idea that it's slang and point to the fact that there are no technical specifications associated with the term. The term can mean different things to different people depending on who you ask.

If someone used to the term with me my mind immediately goes to Buckshot or slugs. Maybe that's just my bias as a deer hunter. I have several boxes of waterfall loads in the brass on them is just this tall as the Slugs. None of those boxes are labeled tall or high brass either.

 

[Mark from ?]

Well I learned something. I've looked through Winchester's lineup of shotshell ammo, and can't seem to find any boxes labeled High brass. But the pics indicate there was a time when they did such. I would still suggest the idea that it's slang and point to the fact that there are no technical specifications associated with the term. The term can mean different things to different people depending on who you ask.

If someone used to the term with me my mind immediately goes to Buckshot or slugs. Maybe that's just my bias as a deer hunter. I have several boxes of waterfall loads in the brass on them is just this tall as the Slugs. None of those boxes are labeled tall or high brass either.

Its very much slang for hunting loads in the bird hunting / shotgun target shooting community. No one uses high brass for target loads because its harder to run thru a resizing machine, and typically the loads aren't max. Now its not such a big deal as most guns cycle everything. But I can imagine in the days of paper shells and finicky mechanical autoloading shotguns...... it might have meant something. Most of those guns cycled high brass loads most effectively.

For deer slugs or buckshot....everything was high brass, so the term high brass was never used. They were just buckshot and slugs and always made with high brass, and my thinking cause the loads are maxed out.

 

[grey]

"High brass"

 

[Tundra02]

I do wonder if there is any difference between high/low, as far as any possible hull deformity or expansion occurring, regardless of load.

no deformity that I ever noticed . I used to reload thousands of Winchester AA and Remington Blue Magic and Premier hulls which are " low brass " for target and hunting loads . If you bought the hunting loads they would have been loaded in a " high brass shell . As others said the height of the brass on shot shells has mattered since the 1970's