Plastic vs Fibre Wad Cartridges

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[@StikkyWood]

Anything that the shooting sports can do to improve our public image is a good thing. I think the cartridge comparison served more to open discussion than anything else.

[@gnarshread]

Very good point.

[@Colinhunt68]

It would have improved the comparison if you had used FBlack plastic vs FBlack fibre as this would eliminate other variables. I use fibre but my main concern is how they perform in backbored/overbored guns as almost all guns are these days. How much is lead balling an issue ? I have the feeling that it is a can of worms that the gun and cartridge trade is reluctant to open.

[@jonnyg128]

Been shooting fibre wad gamebore white gold and fiochi f3 fibre the last 12 months and honestly my scores have been consistently good using fibre only , once you get used to them they perform fine 👍

[@buckshotaaa]

A very interesting video David, there's not enough comparisons on this important subject. I for one are looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@jimwhite9483]

Am! In this case it's am!

[@paulpreston4960]

Good video David. All the time I can use plastic wads at clay grounds I will. Have had to change over to fibre wad out on the farms a couple of years ago, and now have had to change to steel shot with a fibre wad as well. Which is a big change no mater how you look at it. I now reload my own shotshells, which is another science of its own, in an effort to try and keep the costs down to around £210.00 to £240.00 per thousand of 2 3/4" 12 bore.

[@swishswish386]

Interesting analysis, good vid . You raise some good points also in relation to the inevitable (IMHO) phasing out of plastic and lead.

[@jamesdriver8148]

Interesting video, thanks for sharing. The fibre wad fblacks appeared to have a more dense pattern that was perhaps shot higher on the target than the plastic wad Rossa.

[@benjaminwilley3578]

Great to see this sort of content.

[@hammyh1165]

A steel eco wad shootout would be a good one to do , plenty options on the market now.

[@Jolly56Roger]

It must be the right price though ,I have shot s&b 24 g steel 7s very soft and good kills .£141.00 per k

[@davidusher723]

Hi when i started it was eley trapshooting fibre wad paper varnished case and they did the job

[@c4jax]

I only shoot fibre. One of the local clubs insists on Fibre only. Another venue is lead only. I do not go around throwing plastic out of my car window so I am happy to use fibre. I think I will be using a 27g fibre going forward.

[@charlesholder8009]

This is going to be a very interesting series. I must say, last week I used your own 24g fiber cartridges and then some other make 24g Plastic. Your Fiber cartridges were a lot smoother. Next time I am passing I will buy more.

[@tudorwynphillips6458]

Very interesting David 👍. Many thanks

[@DFox-ud3gx]

David try this with 3/4 or full chokes see if full would make up with the fiber wads at the same yardage

[@adamfooks7248]

There’s hardly anything between them, he just shot too high on the fibres and half the pattern has missed the board 🤦‍♂️

[@keithhaynes8079]

Hi David I have not shoot plastic wad cartridges for years whether for game , rough shooting or clays since fibre came on the market because I shot on farm land mostly even clays it was stipulated by farmers and clay clubs I use fibre so I cannot remember much about plastic wads I think I hit more pigeons when decoying anyway many thanks for the demo, look forward to next one.

[@nikitamckeever5403]

I’ve recently come over from rifle target shooting to clays and it’s really enjoyable . I reloaded all my calibres to get the best group and consistency which works by load development and repeatability . I’ve just started to do the same with 12 gauge shot shells and I have already noticed 70mm cartridges are patterning better than 67mm with the same loads . I’ve tried heavier loads but they pattern not as tight as 28g . It’s a very interesting science and one I never tire of developing . Of course I use steel and fibre wads and I am lucky enough that I can pattern test at my local ground after everyone has had a round . Thanks for your input and videos , I really enjoy your content and look forward to the next one . 😁 oh I have a choice of a new Fabarm RS 12 , a used Perrazi MX4 , a new Browning 725 sporter , a new Berretta 694 sporter or a used Caesar Guerini Challenger . What would you choose and why ?

[@ibelieve1468]

I would change, but fibre more expensive now. So if only fibre are to be available,nwould the price come down due to the amount sold being so high?

[@nickhorten97]

Some years ago a leading shooting association did extensive field and range testing to determine whether there was any difference in the pattering of plastic versus fibre wads. There was no measurable difference between them. Much to everybody's surprise at the time since the notion that plastic wads threw patterns up to 10% more dense than fibre was prevalent at the time.

[@Jolly56Roger]

I will use plastic as long as I can ,better on your shoulder better on the clays and better on your wallet. as cartridges are getting silly on the prices ,its going to end up a rich mans sport .or 25 a week instead of 100 or more. I agree with David that if everybody has to shoot Fibre its a level playing field.

[@andycarless9069]

Informative Will use plastic wad until the end 👍👍

[@martincallaghan8817]

Used both over the years ' still have a leaning towards the plastic though but each to there own .

[@robgreen7576]

Question. How many of each cartridge did you pattern test.? If it was just one are you convinced it will be a accurate representation of both cartridges.

[@markknight3198]

I now always shoot fibre and really not noticed any difference

[@pdb1565]

Very interesting video David but wouldn’t it be better to shoot at least 3x (or more) on each board? Maybe from a more or less fixed position? This topic is not only a English topic as it also discussed here in the EU. Anxious to see all the results!

[@consumertester5665]

If we HAD to use fibre wads everywhere (including the Olympics) I wouldn’t be delighted but I WOULD expect cartridge manufacturers to up their game and produce fibre wad cartridges that rivalled plastic wad in their pattern consistency and density.

[@Beowulf395]

If things switched to all fiber wads you would find chokes tubes changing back to the older diameters along with working up to a better loads with the modern smokeless powder on the market. I do agree with you on the professional sport shooting that plastic wads do have that small edge to fiber. But for sporting clays and field loads not so much

[@ryanh7515]

I do have some plastic wad cartridges but only because the ground I was at only had plastic wads in stock but generally I only shoot fibre wad as nearly everywhere I shoot only allows fibre and I personally can't see a difference in my shooting between the 2.

[@harrogatedancecentre8728]

Very interesting 🧐 Thanks 😊

[@itcheybonkeycuckoo5470]

You could have shot high on the fiber wad round and only caught the bottom of the pattern.

[@robfnet]

My thoughts too, I think the gun needs to be held in a vice/strapped to table to remove the human from the equation, to allow any sort of comparison

[@alland2987]

Agree 100%.

[@billy2141]

@@robfnet or multiple shots to get an average

[@alexmclaren-salter9669]

David is a pretty good shot, but with my scientists hat on, I agree, I like to see more data.

[@robfnet]

@@billy2141 indeed! the channel "shoot straight" have done some good work on multiple patterns

[@sausagecharcuterie6221]

So… as an avarage small game hunter . Does fiber shots give me better chance of getting a success in very close distances ( does fiber spread in closer distance?)? Thank you

[@davegardner9732]

i would be intrested in what an eco wad is like in comparison of fibre and plastic as they are developing them

[@Slorgh]

I would not mind to swap to fibre wad, I have confidence the manufacturers will adapt and make better ones if needed.

[@ClarkesonTheMarksman]

where do you get load data for fibre wads

[@ibelieve1468]

Can you do a like for like make model shot size eg comparison. Everything exactly the same except the wad. Eg a 28g fiocchi 8.5 black plastic v 28g Fiocchi 8.5 black felt/fibre. That would be an even more accurate comparison.

[@itsalongshot7118]

Agreed ! That test was utterly pointless. He compared two completely different cartridges

[@charlessmith4242]

@@itsalongshot7118 * Ya, let's compare one cartridge with the same cartridge. That would be even better, lol!

[@grahamking2239]

I’ve never shot anything but fibre!

[@alexmclaren-salter9669]

Same, I'm new to the sport so have only shot fiber, so don't know any different.

[@Jolly56Roger]

I shoot Browning Miroku back bored guns which give rubbish patterns using fibre wad . you can actually see were the gases get past the wad mid barrel resulting in reduced velocity !

[@Graham19951]

Weve had no choice now for a couple of years, fibre or lose the club. At the start I hated them, to the point of thinking of giving up. Things have changed a lot in the last two years. I think you need to find the cartridges your gun likes but when you do the kills are good. If I want to kill a long bird, I would use Eley Titanium or Hull soverign parcours. They are expensive but will destroy anything you can see. Not cheap but keep a few in your pocket for the long birds and it can put a few on your scorecard. I always keep one for the second bird on the double stand four at English skeet, might be in the head but ive missed one this year. Works for me.

[@charlessmith4242]

* Have you compared the muzzle velocities between the two, especially in conjunctions with the internal differences of different barrels Plastic wads have allowed barrel manufacturer to lengthen forcing cones and overbore their barrels and still provide a proper gas seal. You won't get those benefits with fiber wads. That's what needs to be explored. Your offhand shooting of only one cartridge each is useless. Its like shooting a rifle cartridge in like manner, and then saying they both shot minute of angle but one shot closer to the point of aim.

[@petermitchell9551]

hi david i think the ban on plastic wad on clay grounds will come and all so think they will ban lead on clay grounds as well

[@charlessmith4242]

* Seems to me you should be able to shoot whatever you want to on your own land, as long as what lands on your property is reclaimable for proper disposal.

[@gnarshread]

I'm all for biodegradable wads. It diversifies the market and creates an interesting new business proposition. Also, the more that are used the more research and development will go into creating better ammunition. After all necessity is the mother of invention.

[@danp6755]

There’s no need for anyone other than the very top end competitors to use plaswads imho. Find the best cartridge for your gun and choke and 99% of shooters won’t tell the difference.

[@ianpettifer681]

Interesting video David.. As a newbie to the sport its a bit of a mind boggle what with the amount of different cartridges on the market. I cant help think some if not certainly a majority is all down to trend or word of mouth, ie. is it a simple thing of the public shooters just getting carried away with what one top shooter has used, as i said before, its a mind boggle.. Im sure that if I was to shoot a cheap cartridge there are better ones, but at my level,, will they improve my shooting? Im not to sure.. I buy cartridges on a cost benefit, another words.. what ever deal gets me the most for the least amount,, not all of us are well off! and certainly not at my level.. top end shooters?? Id like to see a top sport shooter use a cheap cartridge and see what the difference would be.. especially once he/she gets their eye in with them. plastic or fiber wad..

[@stephenmac3105]

Keep lead, ditch the plastic

[@JB-tc8el]

This is not a valid comparison in any form. Doesn't even use the same cartridge. 1) use the same cartridge but in fibre and plastic versions. 2) fix the gun (vice) to remove the human error element.

[@TheMoodyedge]

The shoot I go to has already banned plastic wads. It's all going that way. A slightly tighter bored barrel is better for fibre wad.

[@winters6052]

what gram cartridges to use

[@samdempster409]

Why didn’t you test F-Black Fibre and Plastic, at least you’ll be comparing apples with apples?

[@Mark-qr5om]

Think he just shot higher 🥴😂, no significant difference

[@robertflower3067]

Why are the manufacturers still wasting time on developing plastic wads, when we need to cut down on the use of plastic . Interesting topic David.

[@charlessmith4242]

* Are they still using plastic hulls?

[@georgeanaxagora1134]

I recommend Don't use fiber wad on over bore barrels. Not so good patterns

[@johngoody7815]

fibre wads do not pattern any where as good as plastic. FACT. go back to the early 1900's as an example.

[@dave_724]

It’s going to go to bio degradable wads within the next few years also with a potential lead ban I’ve been using steel for nearly two years and the benefits of a plastic wad are less recoil cleaner barrels less unburnt powder steel cartridges are another subject and we shouldn’t be afraid of them they pattern and kill extremely well

[@hushpowershotguns2893]

Plastic should be the first thing banned. Littering the countryside simple as that , Recoil in a modern shotgun is nothing, fibre/plastic can’t tell any difference ! Dirty barrels never had that in any of my guns with fibre. Most people store them in a damp place doesn’t help anything. Plus the amount of people using carts that’s over kill for job is unreal. I’ve opened many people eyes with 21g fibre. There will be 0 issue with bio and steel. People need to get a grip. Just need those prices to be around the same

[@dave_724]

@@hushpowershotguns2893 cartridges dependent on burn rates of powder you will always have less fouling with plastic wads or premium cartridges there’s one brand I dislike which have always been dirty from experience .410 is always pretty bad for leaving powder residue I’ve found cheaper loads in game and clay to have a noticeable difference in fouling my cartridges are kept in The kitchen so always at a consistent temperature

[@nissan300bhp]

it wouldn't bother me in the slightest , I'm thinking of switching to fiber anyway,. plastic is going out I reckon anyway soon,

[@theoldhobbit3640]

As a very new shooter I have only ever used fibre wad so I know no difference. I try to stick to the same cartridge and load (24g Gamebore) so a comparison of the cheaper end cartridges would be very welcome. Thank you for sharing.

[@jays2001]

Surely it doesn't actually matter (against clays) which you use, even in Olympic disciplines, so long as everyone uses the same. If all competitors are shooting steel shot and fibre wads then the playing field is still level even if more clays are missed. Against game every shot must kill to be humane but against clays, who cares so long as its fair.

[@itsalongshot7118]

Pattern plated Eley Ecowads in 32g 3s and they run out of energy past 35 yards so i would imagine 5,6 and 7 shot if there is such a thing would be pretty poor at serious competion ranges so no real competion in my book,

[@paulbrookes7057]

Surely plastic should be bad before lead shot

[@CINsyg]

There are some bio degradable wads who almost look like plastic made from starch and alcohol that looks and feel a lot like the plastic versions, think ely vip steel pro Eco have them, maby even including recoil dampening. Steel shots are no problem, never shot any lead.

[@JasperTielen]

I think it's a great thing that plastic wads are banned tomorrow, much better for our planet I think. Great channel and I'll be waiting for the next tests.

[@guygabriel6251]

I would change to fiber.

[@thomassutton5420]

The world moves on, so move with it I say.

[@dufati]

This is mad ! they're not the same cartridge, same make yes but not the same shell, and 1 shot is not a test.

[@martinpenticost8323]

If your worried about using fibre go up a choke

[@TheMoodyedge]

Spread seems wide at 30 meters...what chokes are in the gun?

[@alland2987]

definitely you shoot high that second shoot, not the pattern.

[@teggwynlewis9803]

Save bet your shot higher with the fibre

[@TheMoodyedge]

He talks in riddles.

[@johngregory8576]

This test didn't show us anything at all, apart from you shooting the fibre slightly higher. Pattern density looked pretty much the same. You would need to run a much more thorough, controlled test than this to draw any conclusions.

[@michal.abramowicz]

Who pushes you to change from plastic wad to fiber? Ekkoterrorists?

[@michal.abramowicz]

Plastic wad is bad for black powder...

[@glngeorgeantoniou]

Maybe it is better to shoot at the plate first, and then place a wired circle around the center of the pattern.

[@glisa43]

Plastic is Fantastic....

[@Johannesodder]

Here i Denmark lead has been banned in shotguns for years. Rifle ammo will follow in 2023. Plastic is bound to be phased out as well, at least in EU where a ban on single-use cutlery and straws is now in place - shells is a very logical next. The manufacturers will develop and perfect whichever product the market requires.