MEC loader not registering any wad pressure??

[the rifleman]

I recently started reloading on a MEC Versamec 700. I have been using the old style compression formed 12ga. AA hulls.

 When I put the shot wad in, (W-AA12, white ones) and pull down the handle to the bottom, I get no sign of any wad pressure registering on the scale.  Now I suppose I can't complain, as the loads have been working great at trap, and sporting clays regardless. I have been getting beautiful crimps, no hull splitting or bulging, as I have heard happens to some people.

 My concern is. if I decide to start reloading the new AA hulls, (the shiny ones with the seperate basewad) and Winchester advises placing up to 40lbs pressure on the wad insertion to prevent problems with the hull, how will my crimp turn out? I am afraid that with that kind of insertion pressure I will have an inverted crimp, as the basewad will be too low in the hull. ?? I am using 1-1/8oz loads.

  Should I first try loading a few of the new hulls without doing any changes to the Mec, to see how the "0" wad pressure loads work?

 How serious are the concerns about the new style AA hull having the basewad actually move forward in the hull, and sometimes launching themselves to end up stuck in the barrel? Is this a real big issue, to the point where people should not chance loading the new style hulls?

  Any ideas, or thoughts or experience in this matter??

    Thanks Bill

[Jack Monteith]

If your 700 is anything like the newer ones, you looosen the clamp on the rammer tube and lower it until you get a reading. I prefer enough wad pressure to indicate on the scale even on loads that don't call for any wad pressure. That way I know the wad is seated and there isn't a double charge. If there was, the reading would be way too high.

You can download a manual from MEC.  I haven't used the new Winchesters yet, so I can't help you there.
http://www.mecreloaders.com/OwnerManuals/OwnerManuals.asp

Bye
Jack

[the rifleman]

Thanks for the hints Jack!
 My machine is actually an early 80's model, that I picked up brand new!
 My manual does tell you how to get an increase in wad pressures. Do you think that it would force the wad/shotcharge to be too low in the hull, and cause crimping problems? As it's set now, the shot charge is just a tad over the top of the wad, and seems to crimp beautiful. The shot will sit down in the shotcup when fired.

  Any other opinions, or comments from people who have used the new AA hulls?

[Jack Monteith]

The newer MECs don't move the wad pressure scale until you've got about 25 lb. pressure on the wad, so, if yours works the same way, you may have 20 lb. already. Put a block of wood under the rammer tube and bring the handle down until you get a reading, just to make sure nothing is stuck.  

Seems that there was a fair amont of squawking about the new Winchesters because they didn't load like the old ones. If Winchester says you need 40 lb. pressure, you probably do. If anybody can answer your question, these gents can.
http://www.trapshooters.com/cfpages/threads.cfm

There's a thread over on the 1911Forum about shotshell reloading safety with MECs.
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50164

Bye
Jack

[Bob_K]

I have not experienced any significant problems using the new WW AA hulls.  I suggest you load some to see how they come out before adjusting your machine.  I've loaded the new and old hulls together, and the only difference I see is that the new style hull frequently has a small (less than pellet diameter) gap in the center of the crimp.  I could adjust this away, but since the majority of my hulls are the old style WW AA's, I have not bothered.  I did not have to adjust the wad pressure, but I was already getting a moderate reading the way it was originally set.

[the rifleman]

Bob, I like to hear positive things about the new style AA hull, as these days thats about all I can find. I was able to get around 1500 once shot old style AA's that should last me awhile, but I have gotten into the habit of picking up almost any re-loadabe hull these days. A lot of fellows leave the new AA's, so I have probably 500 or more of these already.

  The hardest ones to found left lying are the Remington STS (green) and the Federal Gold medal (maroon). These ones get kept by the shooter's , either for resale, or re-loading, or the trap boys scoop them before I get a chance to get to them. I guess they sell them, although none have ever approached me to offer them for sale. Could be they have a standing order for them with a couple of reloaders, or resellers.
 
 On occasion I see some Fiocchi hulls (orange}, left to lay. I haven't tried any of these hulls but, some of the fellows say they are ok.

  The impression I had from some other forum comments on the new AA hull, was that you needed the extra wad pressure, to ensure the base of the shot wad slips past the inner basewad, thats now in the new  AA hull. This prevents bulging  shells when crimping, as the wad isn't sitting far enough down in the hull.

 How many pounds wad pressure are you currently using? (with old and new style hull alike)

 Bill

[Bob_K]

I'm using enough pressure to make it to the first mark on the scale, but don't remember what that is.  As far as the inner base wad on the new AA hulls, I note that Claybuster now touts their wads as specifically redesigned to fit the new AA hulls without hanging up, and Claybuster is what I'm primarily using.  Perhaps the early problems with the new AA hulls was with older wads.

As far as MEC adjustments for the new AA hulls, see:
    http://www.winchester.com/ammunition/store/new_products/reloadAA.eye

For the 28 and 410, Winchester is saying you need to use a specific High Strength compatable wad.  See:
http://www.winchester.com/ammunition/store/new_products/28_410reload.eye