16ga.com ~ View topic - Starting fresh: 6- or 8-fold crimp?

Starting out with new, uncrimped Cheddite hulls, and am leaning to using a six-fold crimp, thinking it would be easier on the shell mouths. Agree?

Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Posts: 267 Location: New Braunfels TX

I have one of these for all my reloaders, does a great starting crimp, 6 point
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Super-Crown-Crimper-Large-Bore-6-Point/productinfo/0740006/

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

Ford-Chevy question here----would go w ith the 6 point crimp.Most target loads have 8 while a field will have 6.The less the crimp is worked the longer it will last---in theory---The AA 16's would load 8 plus times.Cheddite makes a good hull--splitting hairs here---

Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Posts: 38 Location: Lilburn, GA

[quote="hoashooter"]Ford-Chevy question here
quote]

Ford for sure!!!!!

Ok seriously, I have been having issues with new Cheddite hulls in my MEC, crimp them and next morning they are popped back open. Buddy of mine tells me I need that BPI crimp starter, but I haven't ordered it yet, it's on my to do list. Funny thing though, I didn't have this issue when I loaded up new Fiocchi hulls....food for thought. Though I do agree with the consensus so far, 6 or 8, flip a coin and crimp what you like, or crimp how your machine is set and let it go at that, I've never heard of any advantage gained or lost one way or the other.

I've used the standard 6 point MEC pre-crimp for new Cheddite hulls in 12 gauge and Cheddite hulls cut to 2.5 inch in the 16 gauge. All the crimps were good - none ever opened back up - I see no need for the BPI brass crimp head.

Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 477

It makes no difference, but in my experience most of the 16 gauge hulls I've seen have been 6 point crimp. It seems more consistent to just use the 6 point on everything.

Joined: 19 Apr 2014 Posts: 429 Location: Maine

I've been using the blue cheddites also but with a 8 point crimp. I loaded them new on a Mec Grabber. Crimps were clean and consistent. I did not have to use a special crimp starter. I got 5-6 loads out of them and then they will be cut down to 2 1/2.

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

I have a MEC 700 VersaMec for my 16 gauge reloading.

I have kept a 16 gauge Lee-Load All II because the crimp starter is superior to the MEC for starting the crimp on new hulls. I prefer the 6 point crimp for 16 gauge hulls and the 8 point crimp for 12 gauge hulls.

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Maine

Better cut the pizza into 4 slices because I'm not hungry enough to eat 6.

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1696 Location: Minnesota

I have one of the BP crimpers in 8 pt that's NIB. $20 shipped if anyone wants it

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

Joined: 26 Oct 2015 Posts: 3

I use an eight point crimp on 2 1/2" shells, and a 6 point on 2 3/4", just so I can easily distinguish between the two.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1310 Location: Western WA

Cableguy,
If your cheddite reloads are coming open, you need to increase the crimp punch depth a couple turns.

Brewster