16 gauge 2 1/2” reloading issue

[Matt Buckley]

I am reloading 16 gauge 2 1/2 inch Cheddite hulls on my Mac Junior and I’m having issues with the hulls buckling on the hulls that I have cut down. The factory 2 1/2 inch Cheddite hulls that are newer are crimping fine as you see in the picture. I have my cam set up on the highest position on the last station. Has anybody run into this situation before. Are my older hulls that I have cut down weakening in the walls and causing this issue.

The center hull in the picture is a newer factory 2 1/2” and you can see that loaded fine. Sorry about the orientation of my pictures. I can’t seem to get them uploaded of my phone in the upright position anymore.

[Mike of the Mountain]

You're not alone with having hulls buckle under pressure in your press. I had to adjust my crimp-starter and final crimp dies up and used less pressure on the handle while crimping to keep the hulls intact. I don't load many 2 1/2" hulls anymore so I don't have that problem now. If the hulls would be supported by a die such as Spolar or PW, that issue would most likely be solved. I'd have the same issue, though rarely, loading 8g hulls on the MEC, but never on the PW.

[Dakota Jeff]

Hi Matt,as Mike stated I would start with adjusting my final crimp die up and you may have to adjust the cam back down a little to get a nice crimp.Also if your stack height is a bit high can cause this issue, try using more wad pressure.If the wad is pre squished more it is easier for it to adjust back down verses very little wad pressure.Some wads are pretty stiff.Of course non of this explains why one hull loads nice and the others dont.Not knowing your load recipe,if you can't get it to work I've got quite a few tested loads one of which might work better.Jeff

[Craig Larter]

You have almost no crimp depth on your finished hulls indicating a problem with stack height. As Jeff mentions try more crimp pressure. What wad are you using? Ballistic products has a SG-16 and a SG-16 short (less overall length). If your using the SG16 try the short and I bet your issues will be solved.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

You have almost no crimp depth on your finished hulls indicating a problem with stack height. As Jeff mentions try more crimp pressure. What wad are you using? Ballistic products has a SG-16 and a SG-16 short (less overall length). If your using the SG16 try the short and I bet your issues will be solved.

The SG-16 Short wads are the trick for the short 16. They allow for proper crimps.