Are Winchsester HV loads the same as they used to be?

[RS]

I've been using Win HV shells for 10 years. I only have 5 left and wanted to have some more for an upcoming out of state trip. I noticed that instead of the old Win Supreme HV shell they now only offer a XX HV shell.  Are these the same shell as the old HV shells and can I expect similar performance or have they changed?

[10gaugemag]

I believe they are the same product number. Probably same shell as Winchester has had several name changes in the last 15 years in their turkey ammo line up, used to be XX Magnum then went to Supreme XX Magnum until they dropped the XX moniker and just went to Supreme line up maybe 10 years ago. This seems to have caused some confusion but my HV shells from 10 years ago shoot the same as new boxes I bought this year.

[RS]

Thanks very much for the reply.

[howl]

They didn't pattern the same for me, but I only tried a couple shells. Could have been lot to lot variance. I saw that and hustled up a lifetime supply in the old Supreme boxes before they got away.

[10gaugemag]

Wish I had done that before they dropped the old 2 1/4 oz. #5 10 gauge loads.

[Longshanks]

I have 8 boxes of the HV 3" 6's that were out just before they changed the branding on the box to XX HV. I have shot the new HV 3" 5's and they shoot just like the previous HV 5's.  As much as I like the higher velocity,  the pattern with the 1 7/8 and 2 ounce XX 6's is much better out of all my set ups.

160's in a 10 @ 40.  XX 3/2/6's.   Rem870sm/ Ventilator .655

180's in a 12 @ 40.  XX 3/2/6's.   Rem 870/ Kicks  .655

170's in 12 @ 40.   1 7/8 6's.     Rem 870/ Kicks. .655

[RAY]

I asked the same question before. I use HV Supremes with black shells and the Double X were always red shells. Now the name is Double X but with black shells. Not certain they are the same?

[Longshanks]

The 1 3/4 ounce are the High Velocity (Black shell)

The 2 ounce are the XX (red shell)

Don't go by the name of the shell just go by the ounce and the shells are the same as the old ones. You can also go by the numbers on the box. They just screwed everyone up by changing the name on the box. They actually call the old HV,   XX HV 1 3/4oz (Still black), and they call the old XX, XX Mag. 2oz (Still red)

[stinkpickle]

...You can also go by the numbers on the box...

Agreed.  Go by the product numbers.

[RS]

Well I bought a box of the new Win. HV shells and patterned them Sat. They sure don't pattern like my old ones did and I don't think I'll be using them.  It was probably the worst pattern I have shot with turkey shell out of this gun.  It had holes big enough to throw a cat through. 

[allaboutshooting]

Are these the same shell as the old HV shells and can I expect similar performance or have they changed?

It really all depends upon when you purchased your last shells. Components in those shells have changed several times since they were first introduced in the late 1990s. It's pretty common for wads, primers, powder, shot and hulls to change over time. Suppliers change and even older suppliers can change how they manufacture what they sell. Any one of those changes can and often does produce changes in performance that those of us who pattern shells notice.

Thanks,
Clark

[Longshanks]

Are these the same shell as the old HV shells and can I expect similar performance or have they changed?

It really all depends upon when you purchased your last shells. Components in those shells have changed several times since they were first introduced in the late 1990s. It's pretty common for wads, primers, powder, shot and hulls to change over time. Suppliers change and even older suppliers can change how they manufacture what they sell. Any one of those changes can and often does produce changes in performance that those of us who pattern shells notice.

Thanks,
Clark

Hey Clark, do you think they have changed within the last 5 years or so? I didnt notice a pattern change with this last rebranding on the box. Shot the 3" shells out of my guns but haven't tried the 3.5.

[allaboutshooting]

Are these the same shell as the old HV shells and can I expect similar performance or have they changed?

It really all depends upon when you purchased your last shells. Components in those shells have changed several times since they were first introduced in the late 1990s. It's pretty common for wads, primers, powder, shot and hulls to change over time. Suppliers change and even older suppliers can change how they manufacture what they sell. Any one of those changes can and often does produce changes in performance that those of us who pattern shells notice.

Thanks,
Clark

Hey Clark, do you think they have changed within the last 5 years or so? I didnt notice a pattern change with this last rebranding on the box. Shot the 3" shells out of my guns but haven't tried the 3.5.

Yes, some in the last 5 years but none with the last rebranding. I know they try to keep performance at the same level and most changes have been out of necessity.

Thanks,
Clark

[Longshanks]

Are these the same shell as the old HV shells and can I expect similar performance or have they changed?

It really all depends upon when you purchased your last shells. Components in those shells have changed several times since they were first introduced in the late 1990s. It's pretty common for wads, primers, powder, shot and hulls to change over time. Suppliers change and even older suppliers can change how they manufacture what they sell. Any one of those changes can and often does produce changes in performance that those of us who pattern shells notice.

Thanks,
Clark

Hey Clark, do you think they have changed within the last 5 years or so? I didnt notice a pattern change with this last rebranding on the box. Shot the 3" shells out of my guns but haven't tried the 3.5.

Yes, some in the last 5 years but none with the last rebranding. I know they try to keep performance at the same level and most changes have been out of necessity.

Thanks,
Clark

Thanks Clark, when I hunt the Pb loads I will shoot a 20,30,40 to make sure the patterns are there. That seems to always be the best way to proceed. Going from box to box with any kind shell without patterning is taking a chance it seems.