I decided to start reloading my own shells for skeet, I'm using a MEC 600 JR. I have set the crimp punch and cam to get the same crimp as I see on my factory shells. There is a nice radius on the top of the shell the punch depth is nice and the crimp cam is set for a flat crimp. There is a good bit of pressure required to set the crimp. I still notice that if I shake the shells I can hear the shot rattle a bit. I don't want to put too much pressure on the crimp but should it be so tight as to not hear any movement? I'm using Remington nitro 27 hulls and claybuster wads equivalent to WAA12SL so the componants are matched to the 1oz of #8 shot I'm using.
Shot shell proper crimp
- Thread starter maliboy67
- Start date
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I just tried a variety of a dozen and a half factory loads, including target & hunting loads from 10 to 410, from Winchester, Remington, Federal, an old CIL, Kent, Gamebore and Challenger. Every one except a Winchester Super X-Double XX shell rattled ... and when I stopped to think about that one, no doubt the "Grex" buffer material prevented any rattling. From your description, I don't think you have much to worry about. 
Doug The Canuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- central Ontario
As long as shot doesn't fall out, it's fine. The crimp isn't that important, but if it looks like factory, keep doing what you are doing, as long as it feeds OK.
