Plain old Cheerios are a readily available inexpensive filler material for reloads. The use of 1, 1/2 or a quarter Cheerio can raise the shot column to get a proper crimp. I have tried multiple Cheerios as filler but multiples seem to cause some squib loads. As pointed out do not bring the drop tube down enough so it touches the Cheerio, it can plug the hole the shot and powder drop through (fiber filler wads can cause the same problem). Honey nut or sugar coated Cheerios will make a mess of your hands, your hulls and anything else you touch if you load a lot of shells, so I suggest you save those for eating.
Where I have found a Cheerio most helpful is loading for the Short Ten, I can take any 1 1/8 ounce load that crimps correctly, put a Cheerio on top of the filler wad and 1 ounce loads will now crimp correctly.
Any filler wad should be placed below the shot, putting a Cheerio or filler wad above the shot will to some degree open the pattern, sometimes a lot.
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