28 gauge reloading on Mec Sizemaster - crimp is flaring shell

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flytyer232

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Hello,

I recently converted a 12 gauge Mec sizemaster to 28 gauge, and am having some issues setting up the crimp. I am using both Winchester AA HS and Franchi hulls, loaded with about 12 grains of 20/28 and 3/4 of an oz of lead.

On both of these loadings, when i go to final crimp, the crimp looks good, but the end of the shell is flared out to the point where it almost doesn't camber in the shotgun.

Any ideas on what to adjust? I have already tried adjust the pre-crimp and the cam, both up and down.

Thanks,
Mike
 

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Adjust your final crimp to put the curved rolled edge on it. Don't mix hulls either; never heard of Franchi hulls; Fiocchi, yes. Franchi is a gun maker.
 
Oh – on the hulls, they are Fiocchi, got the guns and the shells mixed around.

I am not mixing hulls with the same load, I just wanted to see if the reloader would do it to both the AA hulls and the Fiocchi hulls. I am working on two separate loads for each type of hulls.

When I try adjusting the final crimp die down – by turning the flat head screw for the plunger on top of the die, it just sinks the crimp down further – it doesn’t get rid of the flare.

Thanks,
 
In order to move the main body down, all the need to do is to loosen the nut and then turn the crimp die punch down – then re-tighten the lock nut?
 
Use one type of hull or the other; thus you will only need to set the crimp once. I recommend using the AA-HS hulls. 243winxb has the correct adjustment info.
 
Oh – on the hulls, they are Fiocchi, got the guns and the shells mixed around.

I am not mixing hulls with the same load, I just wanted to see if the reloader would do it to both the AA hulls and the Fiocchi hulls. I am working on two separate loads for each type of hulls.

When I try adjusting the final crimp die down – by turning the flat head screw for the plunger on top of the die, it just sinks the crimp down further – it doesn’t get rid of the flare.

Thanks,
It won't with the same components - you'll need different wads for the AA vs the Fiocchi
 
It won't with the same components - you'll need different wads for the AA vs the Fiocchi
II am using different wads, however i would agree with you - i will just stick with AAs, as the Fiocchi hulls are actually longer than AA, thus the crimp is alot different...
 
The cam adjustment allowes the die body to be moved lower. I think. Been a while since i shot skeet or trap.

I would load a case of 28s, then install the 410 die set. To much adjusting. Bought another 600jr.View attachment 850554

View attachment 850555

I made that adjustment, and removed most of the flare at the end of the shell. However, the crimp has begun to twist alittle - what is the cause of that?

I have played with the cam alittle, and haven't been able to get ride of the twist on the end of the hull.
 

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Don't worry about the swirl - that isn't that bad or of any consequence.
 
the crimp has begun to twist alittle - what is the cause of that?
Photos & instructions are avaiable at the mec website.

The cam adjustment needs fine tuning. A tiny amount may not make much difference. The 28ga Win case life is short.

The same press settings will not work for 2 different cases, most times. 20190717_103331.jpg
 
Your crimp looks usable.

Reloaded cases may get longer & larger in diameter. This makes it harder to make reloads as perfect as factory shells.

The rounded taper on the case mouth helps auto-loaders & pumps to feed better. O/Us , not so much.

As long as the shot doesnt spill out. I am guilty of using tape on some to contain the shot for 1 last firing.

I have found a few pellets in the botton of the shell bag. :D
 
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Photos & instructions are avaiable at the mec website.

The cam adjustment needs fine tuning. A tiny amount may not make much difference. The 28ga Win case life is short.

The same press settings will not work for 2 different cases, most times.View attachment 850665
Thanks - this helps alot!!!!

What is the expected case life out of 28 gauge Winchester AAs? I was hoping to get 5 to 6 reloads out of a shell... Is there a better 28 gauge hull to use?

Currently i shoot about 2 boxes of 28 gauge a week, and have been shooting new AAs for the past year - so i have quite a stash of empty 28 gauge hulls saved up, about 10 cases worth... I am hoping i shouldn't need to buy any new 28 gauge for quite some time now...
 
I did some patterning here of my various load, and average of velocity of 10 shells fired. Most interesting was the difference between the same load of AA hul, one with the WAA28-HS and one with claybuster CB5034-28. The clay buster wad was slightly faster, however the pattern appeared to have some holes in it, compared to the AA wad.

All loads are 3/4 OZ of #9 shot, shot at 25 yards with a Skeet choke out of my CZ ring neck 28 gauge SxS, at a piece of baking paper that is 18 inches by 24 inches.

13 grains of 20/28, AA hull and wad, average 1225 FPS:
IMG_6976.JPG

12 grain of 20/28, AA hull and wag, average 1134 FPS
IMG_6977.JPG

13.4 grain of 20/28, Fiocchi Hull, Fiocchi Wad, average 1211 FPS :
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13.4 grain of 20/28, Fiocchi Hull, BP Super28 wag, average 1108 FPS:
IMG_6979.JPG


12 grain of 20/28, AA hull and claybuster wad (replacement for AA wad), average 1147:
IMG_6980.JPG

The club that i shoot at requires loads to be under 1200 FPS, so i think my load is going to be 12 grain of 20/28, with the AA branded wad. Even though the claybusters are alittle less expensive, the pattern appears to be less consistent. I will have to pattern with a modified choke at 35 yards, though...
 
Thanks - this helps alot!!!!

What is the expected case life out of 28 gauge Winchester AAs? I was hoping to get 5 to 6 reloads out of a shell... Is there a better 28 gauge hull to use?

Currently i shoot about 2 boxes of 28 gauge a week, and have been shooting new AAs for the past year - so i have quite a stash of empty 28 gauge hulls saved up, about 10 cases worth... I am hoping i shouldn't need to buy any new 28 gauge for quite some time now...

Best 28 gauge target hull out there - you should get 10-12 reloads per hull which is one reason once-fired empties go from 12-15 cents each
 
patterning

Magnum shot may produce tighter paterns.
Mag shot pellets are lighter in weight because of the added 5% antimony. Antimony makes the pellet harder and keeps the pellet round. No deforming on firing. Round pellets pattern tighter.

The old Mec skeet bars didnt drop the maximum shot charge weight when using mag shot. Less pellet count.
The bushings should be checked to see if the maximum weight of shot is being dropped.

Most important in the 410. The old WW AA 410 factory shell was right at 1/2 ounce when i cut one open. Counted each pellet. .
Then i modified my shot bushing to get the full 1/2 oz of #9s using mag shot.

http://www.lawrencebrandshot.com/lead-shot/ To much OCD on the 410 :D
 
MEC makes bars specifically for skeet so you cannot go over the max allowable load
 
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