There exists some confusion and misleading posts on the internet as to exactly what some 16 ga wads are, due to the fact that several re-sellers call the same wads by different names, and publish recipes for the same wad but using a different name. I’m going to try to post pics with original bags if able, and end up with a “conversion table” showing which wads are the same and can be used in various recipes.
Wads for 16ga are listed below, some text is copied directly from manufacturer site to ensure accuracy of product description.
Winchester: WAA16
Remington: SP16 1-1/8oz lead wad.
Claybuster: http://www.claybusterwads.com/index.php/product-by-gauge/by-gauge-16
CB0100-16 (WAA16) For use in 1 to 1-1/8 oz. skeet, sporting clays or hunting loads. Versatile for most hulls depending on powder volume. Optimum load is 1 oz. This is a clone of the WAA16 wad.
CB0078-16 For use in 7/8 oz. 16 GA loads. Optimum Load is 7/8 oz.
Load Data
Gualandi: Sold by BPI, Graf and Sons, Gamaliel, etc.
Here is the source page of the manufacturer, Gualandi: http://www.gualandi.it/en/products_plastic_wads/super_g_16_and_20_gauge.html
BPI says,
“Original Sporting Sixteen 16 gauge wad offers the optimum volume for classic sixteen gauge performance. Of course, we can load more, but 7/8 to 1 oz loads just give us that ideal match between bore diameter and payload height. This affordable wad allows you to shoot your sixteen more often. Identifying feature: Note 24 pins that protrude down from the gas seal in a two circular designs around one central pin (see image above). These pins occupy space that would otherwise be filled with propellant, thus lifting the wad above the propellant charge. Wad design: Tear-away petal design, G-ring crush section, and an exceptional gas seal, creating consistent and clean-burning loads. The Sporting 16 is recommended as a superior pheasant and dove wad.”
Other names: Gualandi cal. 16 Super-G 21mm; Gualandi calls this Super G – BRG 16/21. mm 21, for 26/27 g lead shots.
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This wad is the BRG 16/18 WAD
mm 18 for 28/29 g lead shots
BPI says,
“This wad is dimensionally the same as the original Sporting Sixteen except for the gas seal, which is open and concave. The result of this design difference means that powder fills the gas seal and the Short wad sits about 3mm (about 1/8”) lower than the original Sporting Sixteen. This makes the Short model better for bulkier powders, heavier shot charges or larger pellet sizes. Now you have two different versions of the Sporting Sixteen for your favorite loads. This affordable wad allows you to shoot your sixteen more often. Identifying feature: Note six pegs that protrude down from the gas seal in a circular design (see image above). Wad design: Tear-away petal design, G-ring crush section, and an exceptional gas seal, creating consistent and clean-burning loads. The Sporting 16 is recommended as a superior pheasant and dove wad.
SPECIFICATIONS 18mm model , Gas Seal: .665″ diameter, Gas seal depth: .241″, Shotcup depth: .655″, Overall Length: 1.440, Shot level in cup: 3/4oz, Optimum range: 20-55 yards, Quick crossing and all short to mid-range shots
Other names: Gualandi cal. 16 Super-G 18mm.
Baschieri & Pellagri, also known as B&P http://www.baschieri-pellagri.com/en/borre.aspx This company makes excellent wads for steel shot, known as the “CSD” line when sold by BPI, or the TUWSBL line when sold by Precision Reloading. In 16 ga they make one for lead called the Z2/M, height is 21mm and in 67mm cases it holds 26-30 gram lead loads, and in 70mm cases (2.75″) it holds 29-32 gram lead loads.
BPI calls this “Z16” in their manuals, but also refers to it as the Field Commander and Commander, and say about it,
“When loaded with 1-1/8 oz of nickel-plated shot, the Commander is truly a proven field performer. An easy-loading, compact wad great for both field and target. The shot capacity is just a bit larger than the standard 16-gauge wad as it is designed for longer ranges. Like the 12-gauge Z21 Trap Commander, the Z16 allows for a final nudge as the shell is closed, so loads are compressed for solid ignition. Designed for heavy 1-1/8 to 1-1/4oz loads, but it can be loaded down to 7/8oz by lightly seating the wad and using fillers.
Gas seal: arch dome, .665″ diameter with three flanges, .040″ thick
Overall Length: 1.5″
Seal to cup bottom: .810″
Shotcup Depth: .690”
Shotcup type: layback hinged petals
Hard crossing shots and going away shots “
B&P also makes maybe the best non-toxic shot wad available, which they call their “Steel” line. The 16 ga version is their “Steel 26 16”. It’s the only 16ga they make. Here’s the link to the B&P info page: http://www.baschieri-pellagri.com/en/borre/borre/steel/1/index.aspx They claim a steel payload of 26 or 27 grams, which is 401-416 grains or 15/16 oz being 410 grains– the “standard” commercial 16ga payload, usually #4.
It is probably best known by the name BPI sells it under, the “Cushioned Shot Driver” or CSD16, available here: http://www.ballisticproducts.com/CSD-16ga-steel-wad-unslit-250_bag/productinfo/0207016/
However, Precision Reloading sells them slit (BPI is unslit) under the name TUWSBL1627, and some recipes refer to it that way. They call the manufacturer “International Wads” but that may be some middle man importer. Here’s the link to their page:
https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!l=TUW&i=SBL1627
BPI recommends #3 steel or smaller, and says this about the wad:
The CSD series of wads offer wide array of capacity options along with a revolutionary energy-absorbing cushion system. These multi-capacity, barrel protecting shotcups are designed for steel, tungsten, and large capacity lead field loads. CSD16 16ga for 7/8 oz. steel and 1 oz. ITX shot. The CSD wad series combines easy loading with high performance results. CSD wads are not pre-slit.
PT1680 (formerly VP80) Multi-Metal wad for 16ga
This one is supplied by BPI, and made by a Danish company that has gone through some major ownership shifts. The current wads don’t actually say VP80 on them like this picture shows. The continued ability to acquire these PT wads seems to always be in question, in all gauges– it seems BPI warns yearly they may not get any more of one or another version. However, this PT1680 wad is currently to my mind the “best” non-toxic shot wad for the 16 gauge. I like it better than the CSD16 (B&P 26 16ga or TUWSBL 1627), because you can get a wee bit more shot into it, and the pressures seem to be a bit lower– both good results when reloading steel.
BPI says its best use is 1-1/4 to 1-3/8 oz. lead, 1 to 1-1/8 oz. ITX shot, and 7/8 oz. steel shot. Dimensions given are: Length = 1.625″, Depth = 1.425″ , Gas seal diam. = 0.670″, Gas seal depth = 0.100″, Wall thick. = 0.035″ to 0.060″ ,Slits = NO slits.
ACTIV G-28
This wad is no longer made, but was originally made for 1oz or so loads in the 16ga ACTIV shell. The Hercules reloading booklet of 1992 gives a section of data for reloading ACTIV hulls with this wad. It is a white wad. You very often see folks online claiming this is the same as the current Gualandi wads, but you can see from the above photos that it is not.
Dave In AZ 