shotshell reloading

[trapture]

Ok all you Reloaders out there, please give me some assistance. I'm trying to do shotgun shells. I have a Lee Precision EZ Loader and a Old School MEC 128JR I think. I'm using the Lee Precision because the chargebar for the MEC is old and I have to figure out the charge on it. I go to Hodgsons Website, I get the reloading data chart and their bushing chart for the EZ Loader.

12 G. 2 3/4" CCI 209 Primer Titewad Powder Remington Gun Club Shell. 1oz Load

I think its 19 grains of powder so it works out to be a 0.148 Bushing.

I deprime, reprime, Drop in Powder, Put in Wadding, Put in shot, I start the crimp, then I crimp it. I keep on getting a hole in the center large enough for a 8.5 shot to go through and If I crimp more the hole gets larger. I believe I have everything else worked out except crimping please help what have you guys learned to be the key in the perfect crimp.

 

[pcfixer]

It's been some time since I have reloaded shotgun shells. I do remember some
shells don't close the whole way when crimping. My solution is use some soft candle
wax or beeswax to plug the whole. doesn't hurt a thing.

 

[rickyp]

You may be using to much crimp, and you can try and use a overshot card to give a better crimp

 

[bigjohn]

overshot card will work but on the mec, you can adjust the crimp start lower and correct that. most likely you will have to do that for each load change to take up of give up some interior hull space. on a mec, it usually only takes 1/8 to 1/4 turn lowering the start to correct. they have a downloadable manual for most modern loaders they still make.