new lee load all 2 won't crimp. please help!

[Gallahad]

I just bought a new lee load all 2.  I was so excited, as there is no crimp adjustment needed. I figured my problems were over.  well the machine seemed to work perfect until I went to the final crimp.  I have a hole in the center of the crimp, and the crimp is down in the shell slightly. I am using a published load from imr.  here it is:

cci 209 primer
22.5 grains if imr 800x
waa12 wads
and spent federal 12 ga. shells

Anybody know what I'm doing wrong? Please help me! :cry:

[George Foster]

It sounds as if your wad column is to short.  All you can do in this case is live with it or use a different load.  Most Fed shells are straight cased where the AA wad is designed for tapered cases.  See if you can find and use a load incorporating the Fed wads for the Fed cases.

[.45 COLT]

A few thoughts, which might or might not be of help:

Are you using the Federal case that is specified in the load data? At least, I think it's specified - I don't have my IMR book here right now. I know of at least 4 Federal cases currently being loaded by the factory, 3 if you disregard the paper shells.

Is the Load-All actually dropping 22.5 grains of powder, or are you relying on the powder bushing to be right? If it's dropping light, might cause a dished crimp.

A 20 gauge card wad inside the shotcup will raise the shot column.

As George said, maybe a Federal 12S3 wad in a Federal shell will work better for your application.

DC

[rickyp]

I have never used the lee loader
I was also going to sudjest using a over shot wad ( find a load that list one) or maybe you are pulling to hard on  then handle compressing the charge some

[strut64]

I used a Load All for a couple years so I know what is happening to you.  45 Colt has it right.  The Load All is not adjustable at all.  You must find the combination of components that stacks up correctly to work right.  The unit , I believe, is set up to work with compression formed hulls like Rem ( SP- black promo shells, Gun Club STS, Etc)  or Win AA.  Federals have a paper base wad and have  a straight wall.  I gave up on Federals and used  Rem hulls with good success.   Winchester changed their product away from the old AA and the new ones don't seem to load as well.   You already have Win AA12 wads that will work OK in Rem hullls.  After a while I just got away from the Load All and went to  a MEC single stage that does allow adjustment to suit various types of hulls, wads, and shot charges more easily. You will have to also get or have somebody weigh your powder charges to determine if the bushings are throwing the correct weight for you.  Also stick to established load formulas.   I have made some pretty good reloads with a Load All - be patient and experiment with a variety of hulls and components.  Good luck

[Gallahad]

Thanks guys, I will be experimenting with hulls I think.  I tried rem hulls, they were blue, and much heavier plastic than the feds. just said rem peters, and on the hull said light or heavy.  same results. Whats an over shot wad? does it really go over the shot? and is it basically a space filler?

[Gallahad]

by the way, I load metallic too, so I did measure all charges. I had to use 2 sizes bigger than what lee published.

[Gallahad]

I tried all the hulls I had, no good.  I took a cardboard disk, and put it in the hull on top of the powder, and loaded it as usual.  This gave me a half way decent looking shell.  Apparently I need to fill space in the hull. How do I do this PROPERLY?

[DaveH]

I had the same problem with my load all2 only way I found to correct this was to use a 20 ga felt wad under the shot load or with using a over shot card.  the over shot card gives the crimp a good flat surface to sit on. I also only load win. AA or Reminton STS/nitro.  These two shells seem to load alot better then others on my Lee.

[.45 COLT]

Apparently I need to fill space in the hull. How do I do this PROPERLY?

Try what DaveH says:

I had the same problem with my load all2 only way I found to correct this was to use a 20 ga felt wad under the shot load or with using a over shot card.

Even a piece clipped from a matchbook, dropped into the shotcup before loading may raise it enough. A 20 gauge card or felt wad, use whatever is needed to get the crimp right, will fit in the cup.

DC

[jgalar]

Since the loadall doesn't have adjustments for things like wad seating pressure you have to do them by feel. Try not pulling the handle down to the stop like the instructions state. On some combinations I have had the best results with the wad just seated on the powder without any pressure to compress.

[Gallahad]

I have been using over shot disks, with the federal field hulls, and it is now working great.  shells look pretty much factory, and shoot good too. Thanks for the help guys.

[mountainview]

I agree with the recommendations to use the 12S3 wads. I use these and they load superbly in the Fed hulls on the Load-All and shoot the same.

[SuperstitionCoues]

My recommendation --- buy a MEC Sizemaster. 

[Val]

Just for your information, you can get felt spacer that go under the shot column to fill in space. Precision Reloading sells them on the internet.

[Maritime Storm]

I'll second that, use the shot card under the shot, you'll get slightly better patterns this way. Or switch to WAA12SL wad.

[oneounceload]

Are you dropping the correct amount of shot?  Too little will give you the result you are experiencing as well

[Hagen]

Something that you might try. After you drop the powder and insert the wad, don't pull the handle all the way down on the wad until it bottoms out before you drop the shot. Start the crimp and let the final station complete the crimp and set the wad at the correct depth thus completing the crimp. This should eliminate the hole in the center.