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Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 106 Location: Desert Southwest

Starting my first loads on a 600.

new Cheddite primed hull
23grains of Herco
SG16wad
1oz of 7.5's
6pt crimp

I can't get the crimps to come out how I'd like (perfect factory crimps). I either get a hole in the center or I get mashed folds and a mess (photos below). I've tried making adjustments on both the cam and the height adjustment and can't get what I want. At first the crimp was a bit loose, left a hole in the center and the crown was a bit of a hexagon instead of round. I fiddled and only proceeded to make a mess of things.

When I set a factory shell in to make the height (slotted screw and locknut) adjustment I never felt a hard stop, only gradual resistance. Is the start of this resistance the place where I should set it or will there be a defined STOP when I get to the right setting? My shells are coming out approx .150" taller than factory Herters #8 field and Remington #7.5 field loads.

Based on the mashed folds do I need to adjust the cam in the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction?

Could this all be due to a lack of filling the hull? I have a feeling that the crimp station is compressing the wad. Is that possible?

Thanks in advance for answering this newb's questions.

D.J.

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Joined: 06 Oct 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Schertz, TX.

In the Mec manual they describe the process of adjusting the wad seater and the crimper. But it looks like you have the same problem I have. You need filler, a taller wad or a slower powder to fill the powder cup to take up more space. P.S. I'm a noob too.

Joined: 03 Sep 2014 Posts: 398 Location: Rochester, MN

You likely need to adjust the crimp depth and cam.

Check out this link: https://www.ballisticproducts.com/bpi/articleindex/articles/mecadjust/mecadj.htm

You may need to use a filler. I use bird seed or oatmeal to adjust the height of the load on the interior of the hull.

Good luck.

Adjust the Pre-Crimp. You make get a swirl in the crimp, but no problem with a swirl. If all else fails buy some cheerios.