1st try at .735 round ball loading

[dsh1106]

This is/was my 1st try at loading .735 round ball.

I did quite a bit of research and sent a (few :veryconfu) messages to longbow just to verify I was heading in the right direction.

Also a 1st was using brand new hulls for this build. I must be missing something, as I can't get a decent fold crimp to save my life.

Anyway here's the component list and the shells.

- 2 3/4" Fiocchi hull
- Fiocchi 616 primer
- 36 grs. Blue Dot
- X12X plastic gas seal
- 1/2 Waxed Hard Card wad
- 1 x 0.125" nitro card wad
- .735" RB - pure Pb

1st pic is per the above listed build list.

Then I added a clear OS card trying to help the fold crimp - broke the card - second pic

Then I swapped out the .125 nitro card for a .170 nitro card and tried a roll crimp - I didn't trim the hull to a roll crimp length.


The last couple of pics are
- same build list except using a Federal roll crimp hull
- trimmed 12S4 - .125 nitro card, Federal roll crimp hull

Any advise on star crimping new Fiocchi hull ????


Scott

[Hogtamer]

It appears to me that your ball is a bit too high in the first pic to allow a proper start crimp. Maybe eliminate the 1/8" hard card or better yet trim the 1/2" wax card to make it fit and leave the hard card. One tip on the new hulls: Apply gradual pressure as you start crimp, allowing a little "memory time". if you've trimmed enough from the wax card the petals should almost touch after the start crimp. Do it slowly and leave the plastic os card. Good luck.

PS You need 7/16 from top of hull to top of load, cut wax card accordingly.

[megasupermagnum]

I too have found them a real bear to crimp. Guys jump all over me, but a MEC press isn't that good, and your crimps look just like mine did. You can either try the Lee load all, or roll crimp. I did end up getting decent crimps on the MEC but you need to adjust the column so there next to no compression from the crimp. I also had to use an overshot card so the crimp had something to grip.

[bikerbeans]

This is why i love my roll crimper!:wink:

BB

[dsh1106]

This is why i love my roll crimper!:wink:

BB

I agree with you 100%, I guess I'll just increase the wad column another 1/8" or so and roll crimp these.

[jmort]

I have had good results with the BPI crimp starter for MEC loaders
Super Crown Crimper Large Bore 8-Point. I also have the 6-Point version.
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Super-Crown-Crimper-Large-Bore-8-Point/productinfo/0740007/
For sure they work really well on new hulls.
I used to roll crimp everything. Now, not so much. Most everything is folded.

[Blood Trail]

I second the BPI crimp starter, esp for these hulls.

Me personally, I don’t load any slugs with an 8pt crimp. I leave that for target loads on the clay Range.

How I do my new Fiocchi hulls is I run the crimp starter down to the hull of the at least 5-6 times to get good creases in the plastic, then off to the final crimp station.

As BB stated, you have to have at least 7/16 of meat on your hull for a good crimp.

Mine come out like this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180802/394aee2bc5ada0e0476c10cfef13f4c1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180802/959d8197b49fa88be99bc38451230950.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gpidaho]

I'm glad jmort and BT posted about the BPI crimp starter. I'm a very easy sell when it comes to accessories but have wondered if this one was worth while. So far, I've not had a lot of problems with the Mec or the Load All but I do precrimp several times with new hulls. Gp

[RMc]

If you want professional quality fold crimps with new Euro-Hulls, nothing less than a Gaep crimp finisher will do. These can be mounted in a basic drill press which requires just couple of seconds with the spin crimp finisher for factory quality fold crimps.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?224851-Perfect-fold-crimps-with-new-hulls

This video shows a top of line Gaep press, but how the spin crimp finisher works can be seen starting at frame 3.10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gG_cwX9HQI

The crimp finisher spin die can be ordered from the UK from:

www.gaepreloading.com/id31.html

[gpidaho]

RMc: Those do make a very nice crimp. Does one need to purchase both the precrimp and final spin crimper or will the Mec precrimp work and finish crimp on my drill press with the spin crimp tool? Thank you. Gp

[RMc]

RMc: Those do make a very nice crimp. Does one need to purchase both the precrimp and final spin crimper or will the Mec precrimp work and finish crimp on my drill press with the spin crimp tool? Thank you. Gp

All you need is the crimp finisher.

There are a lot of tools that can produce a good fold crimp. The Gaep Crimp Finisher produces a factory quality crimp.

[dsh1106]

All you need is the crimp finisher.

Is there a distributor here in the states?, or does one have to order direct from Scotland?

[RMc]

Is there a distributor here in the states?, or does one have to order direct from Scotland?

Unfortunately, ordering direct from Scotland is the simplest route.

[RMc]

Update: After some checking, it appears Gaep Reloading in the UK is no longer handling sales to the U.S.
See:
https://www.duckhuntingchat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=897822

Contacting GAEP directly is now the best route.

Gaep email: gaep61@gmail.com

http://www.gaep.net/index.php/contact.html