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Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 20 Location: MANAKIN, VA

I have been using the BP roll crimper on my drill press. Instead of buying the BP clamp for $40+ I fashioned out of wood a holder that I use on my drill press. The shells, however, spin in the holder and few hulls have twisted making them unusable. For those who roll crimp what do you use to hold the hull, other than the BP clamp? Thanks

Member Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 317

I use the BP clamp. It works well. No doubt you can make something similar out of wood. Something like a nut cracker. Just line the section that holds the hull with rubber for added grip. Or a padded set of vice grips. Just a thought. Russ

Member Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 114 Location: Tucson, AZ

Would a little lube in the crimper help? Question

Probably a thin piece of neoprene sheet on each side of the shell head in the jaws will help stop the shell from spinning if the jaws are also clamping tight enough. You might also use a piece of rubber garden hose cut in half. Also, rounded jaws will work better than a V jaw.

Also take your time applying pressure to the shell mouth so it turns over and settles onto the over shot wad smoothly without a lot of force. I used to roll crimp my own slug and buckshot loads. I made my own shell holding jig out of some scrap maple, a couple of bolts and wing nuts, and the piece of hose tacked and glued to the contoured jaws. It worked fine, but was a bit slow to load and unload. However, I never roll crimped my shot loads. fold crimping works as well and is a lot easier and quicker to do.

Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 20 Location: MANAKIN, VA

Thank you gentlemen. In the little clamp I added a piece of rough side leather. I might also add these hulls are new Fiocchi. The plastic seems soft. The only other hull I have roll crimped is Cheddite and I get a perfect crimp every time with them.

Use the Mec collet sizer like I do.