High Brass?

[UrbanWolf]

I'm not big on shotguns for now, i see the term High Brass Shield come up here and there. What does it mean?

[Sharpienads]

Low brass/aluminum on the left, right two are high brass.

I am by no means a shotgun expert. If I'm wrong about this I'm sure somebody here will set us straight.

[68Charger]

Low brass/aluminum on the left, right two are high brass.

I am by no means a shotgun expert. If I'm wrong about this I'm sure somebody here will set us straight.

They're not aluminum- almost all shells now are steel case... they may be aluminized or zinc plated, some have brass PLATING to keep up the illusion, but only premium shells are still brass.
and I'll agree that high brass used to mean higher power loads, but it's just become marketing...

if you think your shells are something other than plated steel, take a magnet to them...

[patrick0685]

i am by no means a shotgun expert either but i did stay at a holiday inn last night and from what i understand the high brass normally has more powder for faster FPS

[sellersm]

No difference whatsoever. Historically, many companies use the high brass in hunting/more powerful loads, but it's not necessary. In the olden days, the rumor was they used high brass to keep the paper from getting burn holes during ignition.

Today, it's cosmetic and a good reason for manufacturers to charge higher prices for the 'prettier looking' brassy shells!

[Gman]

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?p=818257

Pretty much meaningless these days. I did find some info on the web that some autoloaders can be finicky ejecting high brass.

[Blowby]

High brass behaves much better in shotgun chambers that have not been properly finished at the factory for different reasons.

• Price of shotgun
• Manufacturer
• Slipped QC

If you polish your chamber and make sure the shell rim is recessed correctly, and /or fix this, then all shells should work just fine.

[patrick0685]

good to know...i just buy whatever is cheapest, my shotgun eats it all

[UrbanWolf]

Ok, that helped. Now i know it's the ammo.

I've been noticing my Mossberg 500 jamming on those "high brass" ammo, while my Remington 870 never had a jam. But I just like the way Mossberg 500 feels way better, plus the military uses it.
Is it just me or there is something about Mossberg 500s and high brass?

[Blowby]

Ok, that helped. Now i know it's the ammo.

I've been noticing my Mossberg 500 jamming on those "high brass" ammo, while my Remington 870 never had a jam. But I just like the way Mossberg 500 feels way better, plus the military uses it.
Is it just me or there is something about Mossberg 500s and high brass?

Take a picture of the chamber entrance of your barrel.

Like this