12ga sts hulls

[Maj Dad]

I will say, for about $50, you can get a used MEC Jr. which will turn out factory-quality ammo with the ability to adjust things lie the crimp if necessary

I have 3 MECs - 600 Jr I bought new in 73 for $36 and two used in the last ten years, one for $35 and a Versamec (essentially a 600 Jr with one bell and no whistles) for $50. All of them a stone-simple and turn out shells as fast as I can shoot them. Simplicity is good...

 

[JimKirk]

I see that the orignal crimp folds(photos) are not being followed, does the Lee crimp starter spin like the Mec does? While it may be true that the shot drop may contain more than weight than what the chart says, but it is measured by volume not by weight, the volume would be the same regardless of shot size. I also see that crimp is not being pushed deep enough for the hull fingers to lock against one another.

 

[Uniquedot]

Jimkirk, I brought up the weight issue because every shotshell manual i have states that for data shot is weighed. And shotguns operate at low pressure compared to most metallic cartridges and the op stated he just started loading shotshells so he should have all the info he can get for safety's sake. By the way volume isn't the same as larger shot has more air space and smaller shot actually packs in more.

 

[JimKirk]

Delete

 

[terry264]

Bomb Dropper, when you insert the wad into the hull seat it deeper to make more room for the shot. Try varying amounts of wad pressure until the crimp dishes in a little and it won't pop open. With some hull/wad combinations I have to almost crush the wad just a little, drop the shot on the upstroke to give it some weight to help hold the wad down, start the crimp and crimp immediately before the wad can spring back any. Keep trying with one shell before you load 100 to get the feel of it. You can redo your others by rolling the crimp end (squeezing with fingers) to open the crimp, dump the shot, reseat the same wad more, redump the shot and crimp.

 

[bomb dropper]

Well after alittle inspection and cleaning I think the die is worn out. I tried it on some federal hulls and they did the same thing. I'm going to place an order with midway for the conversion. I'm still going to keep my eyes open for a mec tho.

I figure once I get a mec mounted on my bench I'll mount the loadall on a chunk of wood and take it and my "12ga milk crate" with me so I'll have a portable reloading station in the bed of my pickup for them long days of trap.

 

[Ozarkrick]

I would look for a used MEC. Fully adjustable. Problem solved

 

[oneounceload]

I have to almost crush the wad just a little

Then you're using a bad recipe. Modern hulls and wads require NO wad pressure - that is left over from the old days. Shotgun reloading is different than metallic - you cannot just use whatever is at hand. The hulls are different in many cases, as are the wads. Crushing the wad like that increases pressures and may increase it to an unsafe level.

 

[snuffy]

Quote:
I have to almost crush the wad just a little
Then you're using a bad recipe. Modern hulls and wads require NO wad pressure - that is left over from the old days. Shotgun reloading is different than metallic - you cannot just use whatever is at hand. The hulls are different in many cases, as are the wads. Crushing the wad like that increases pressures and may increase it to an unsafe level.

Modern plastic one piece wads do not need wad pressure. BUT they DO need to be firmly seated on top of the powder. That means they have to have enough downward force to squeeze into the tapered section of the case where the powder is. This results in SOME wad pressure. Failure to do this WILL result in exactly what bombdropper is experiencing.

The lee system is all solid state. The final crimper has no moving/adjustable parts. SO it can't put enough pressure on the shot charge to seat the wad onto the powder FIRMLY. AND it can't push down on the center more to help lock the crimp on a too tall load combo.

As for the shot measurement, it's strictly volume measured. Because smaller shot has less air space, it results in a heavier charge. BUT not a bigger/longer charge. Volume is volume.

Collapsing the wad a little won't raise pressures. But, the wad won't stay collapsed. it'll keep putting up pressure on the crimp until it pops up.

The STS hull is a tapered sidewall construction. The wads have to be made for loading those tapered cases. The Winchester replacement wads you're using are made for that. They still have to be seated completely.