reggiegun Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Hi, After abit of advice on how to correctly set the rammer for 20 gauge fibre wads. Regards, Reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliveward Posted May 7, 2017 Report Share Posted May 7, 2017 Hi Reggie, For plastic cases and modern fibre wads and propellants, I don't think the seating pressure is that critical. I set mine so that the gauge just moves so I know the wad is seated properly. Get decent working load data from someone like John at Folkestone Engineering, then the stack height will be spot on which helps with successful crimps. If you want 'perfect' crimps then the Gaep incisore crimp star die is absolutely worth buying if a bit spendy. That's taken my 28 bore crimps from good enough to factory standard. When reloading fibre cases that have been once fired the fibre wad will extrude the plastic case to fit the chamber so the reloads will be a sliding fit, rather than drop in. The MEC doesn't resize the plastic. Cheers Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 (edited) Thanks for that. I just can't get a good crimp now, tried with less lead, more lead, adjusting them can on final crimp, just can't get it to crimp. Edited May 9, 2017 by reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 That looks more like the pre crimp not indexing properly. I only ever set the rammer to just seat the wad not compress it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 That looks more like the pre crimp not indexing properly. I only ever set the rammer to just seat the wad not compress it. Yea sorted the rammer, this is next problem, can't get a good crimp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Photo after the first crimp stage please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Have you tried lowering the first crimp to close the crimp more before using the final crimp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 (edited) Have you tried lowering the first crimp to close the crimp more before using the final crimp?Yes just done that but getting swirls as though crimp is to big to fit. I have adjusted the cam fully clockwise on last crimp too. Just done these with new hulls to compare, with more first crimp so there was about 1/4" gap in middle. Edited May 9, 2017 by reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 have you tried a different make of case? Not all are created equal. As far as possible the reloaded shot column height needs to be the same as the original load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 The nylon start crimp on the MEC is not designed for new cases just to follow the original factory crimp. The cam only determines how much radius is put on the edge of the case. I would set the cam to minimum until the problem is resolved. May be try less shot and lower the final crimp rod a little and repeat for different amounts of first crimp. Also try with different makes of cases ELey feels thiner plastic to that of game-bore or fiocchi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 This is my first crimp, are we not suppose to use these on new hulls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 What make is that one and what material is it? For new cases I use a gaep start crimp like shown next to the cal10 spinner half way down the page at http://www.####.co.uk/Misctools.htm. The one supplied with the MEC should work for used cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Or see https://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/356516-brasssteel-crimp-starter/ Post just started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliveward Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Hi Reggie, Check that the overall height of the die set is set for the correct length for your cases. It looks like the start crimp is too low and buckling the case side. Then the swirls are a sign of the finish crimp being too low as well. Double check that the machine is set up for your case length first. Then the start crimp should put the petals at 30 or so degrees as just start the folding process. The cam is a bit of a fine adjustment but you can set the crimp depth using a finished factory shell. Undo the crimp depth adjuster, put in a finished cartridge and then adjust down with the press closed until it bottoms out on the top of the crimp. Cheers Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliveward Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 What make is that one and what material is it? For new cases I use a gaep start crimp like shown next to the cal10 spinner half way down the page at http://www.####.co.uk/Misctools.htm. The one supplied with the MEC should work for used cases. The gaep start crimp tool from john is absolutely awesome. On my 28 bore the crimps went from being a bit hexagonal but useable on new cases to being factory perfect. Perfectly round with a nice bevel so they chamber easily and even work perfectly in a semi auto. Cheers Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 The case is to full for a start i dont use old cases as thay dont crimp propely in 20 bore . You could do with a brass crimp start as it starts the crimp better. If you lived nearer i would be able to set it for you but cant explaine how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 When I got my MEC650 there some plastic guide nibs inside the crimp starter which use to interfere and ruin cases. I cut them out and it improved instantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliveward Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Reggie, I've reloaded some 28 bore this afternoon and took a few pictures for your reference: Initial Crimp: Finished Crimp: Close-up of finished crimp: The black smudge on the close-up near the crimp is the level of the shot before crimping. Cheers Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Couldn`t get a better crimp finish than that ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted May 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 (edited) Hi Reggie, I've reloaded some 28 bore this afternoon and took a few pictures for your reference: Initial Crimp: Finished Crimp: Close-up of finished crimp: The black smudge on the close-up near the crimp is the level oddf the shot before crimping. Cheers Clive Nice, is that with plastic first crimp like mine? New hulls aswell? Edited May 10, 2017 by reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Thanks for that. I just can't get a good crimp now, tried with less lead, more lead, adjusting them can on final crimp, just can't get it to crimp. adjust the crimp cam all the way out then try a few shells if still swirls raise the crimp starter upward try again then when pretty good adjust the cam back in a very tiny amount then try again when you are happy adjust the plunger to set the crimp depth if all of the above fail you may have to select a different bolt hole position on the base and lift upwards a tad to then go through the first steps all over again also check shot shell case height 70mm 67 or 65 as what is printed on the case is not always true if not sure pm me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliveward Posted May 11, 2017 Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 Nice, is that with plastic first crimp like mine? New hulls aswell? Hi Reggie, That's new cases with the Gaep start crimp incisore from Folkestone Engineering. It does work well enough with the standard plastic starter though so get your machine adjusted to work with that and see then if you want to make the upgrade to the Gaep. Follow Spandit's instructions. Check it's set for the right shell height. Back everything off and start from scratch. Cheers Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted May 11, 2017 Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 Hi Reggie, I've reloaded some 28 bore this afternoon and took a few pictures for your reference: Initial Crimp: Finished Crimp: Close-up of finished crimp: The black smudge on the close-up near the crimp is the level of the shot before crimping. Cheers Clive you cant post that, thats just reloading porn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted May 11, 2017 Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 you cant post that, thats just reloading porn. Isn`t it just ! Some of the big boys,Hull especially,seem to have lost the ability to form good crimp closures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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