Sunkin' crimps question

[Big Al 29]

Got the recepie from IMR and using the exact components I am getting sunkin' crimps.  Sometimes shot has fallen out.

I am wondering if i have to make an adjustment on my MEC loader.

Any answers??

My regular 2-2/4 dram load is 17 grains of 700x, Rem. 209 primer, Fig 8 wad in an Remington STS Hull.  Shell comes out with great crimps.

This new load is a low recoil load i wanted to experiment with for 16yd trap.  15.5 grains of 700x, Rem. 209 primer, Fig 8 wad in a Remington STS hull.  Shell comes out with sunkin' crimps.

Obviously the 1.5 less grains of powder is causing the sinking of the crimps.  But IMR must have tested this exact load with their test guns or they would not have published it.

I am looking for answers on what to do besides throw out the recipie and hoping someone reading this has one or a few.

[dave375hh]

If your using a single stage MEC, back off the wad ram so it just seats the wad with little pressure. 700X dosen't need wad pressure to work. Back off the crimp plunger, and set the taper cam down a little to close the holes. The cam is above the final crimp die and is shaped like a porkchop. Move the end next to the allen bolt in very small increments intill the gaps in the crimp close. A change to the Rem. TGT wad may be required if the sunken crimps remain

[Val]

Another option if you don't want to readjust your press whenever you change loads is to put some felt spacers under the shot column. You can purchase the spacers from Precision Reloading. They come in various thicknesses.