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Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 87 Location: Middle TN

What press do you use to reload paper hulls. I am currently reloading with a PW375, but do not see how it can work for reloading paper hulls that I want to roll crimp. The press is designed to contain the hull until the final crimp is complete.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

flytier

MEC 600jr for me. I roll them in my drill press using the Precision crimper and it works great.

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

I haven't loaded mine yet, but will do exactly what dukxdog does.

Member Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 592 Location: Minnesota

Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 960

Just a thought, why not forget the roll crimp and just go with a fold crimp?

I know that a lot of folks like the look of a roll crimp and I agree it does give the load a bit of a custom, I-can-be-proud-of-it-look. But there really is no advantage to roll crimping, from the stand point of ballistics. Unless you are working with a short chamber and are trying to stuff a 2 3/4" load into a 2 1/2" hull.

I have fold crimped a lot of paper hulls, with no problems.

"Unless you are working with a short chamber and are trying to stuff a 2 3/4" load into a 2 1/2" hull. "

Your statement about stuffing a 2 3/4" load in a 2 1/2" shell, is not really true. The load is the same capacity, except you need that 1/4" more hull length to fold crimp whereas the roll crimp only needs 1/8" over the .030 shot card.

I reload 2 1/2" hulls that I cut down to fit my "elsies", I find load data for low pressure, low velocity to preserve the integrity of the gun. Since I don't reload a "ton" of these shells, it is fun to roll crimp them and many times I will use the old fashion hand roll-crimper.

Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 960

David,

I think you missed the reason for my response. The fellow is having an small issue with removing the hull from his PW375 in midstream. I just wanted him to think about a fold crimp. There has been a bunch of talk that roll crimps create better ballistics, which is not really true. There is nothing wrong with either a roll crimp or a fold crimp. In this case I just wanted the fellow to understand that he would not be making a mistake if he made it easier on himself, by leaving the hull in the reloader to be fold crimped, that's all.

The are plenty of reasons for 2 3/4" loads in 2 1/2" hulls that have been roll crimped. I kinda think that might be another thread.

A simple Lee Load all works great for smaller batches of roll-crimped loads. I use one in combination with a vintage hand crank roll crimper and I'm happy as a clam. For roll crimping, all you need is a something that will meter shot and powder well. For 2.5" hulls I just put a 1/4" spacer under the hull in the powder/shot station.

Btw, I think the hand crank crimper is faster than the drill press kind. From the time I take the shell out of the loader to the time I put it in the roll crimper and finish the shell is maybe 10 seconds.

Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 960

Those old hand cranks are fun, I have a couple and they do crimp fast and easy.

Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 87 Location: Middle TN

PatrickB - I have not tried a paper hull in thePW375, but I can tell you that a plastic hull will not drop out of my sizing die like you mentioned. I will have to try it with a paper hull when they arrive. That truly would be the easiest solution if it works.

rerundogchaser37 - The roll crimp is just a personal preference for me. I grew up on paper shells (fold crimp and roll crimp) and just love the smell. These will be hunting loads and I just want to use roll crimped loads and stamp the shot sizes on the overshot cards. I just like the nostalgia of it.

UncleDanFan - I have wondered about the Lee Load All. I have two of the old hand cranked crimpers in 16 and 20 gauges. That is my plan as well.

Thanks for all the replies.

flytier