Pennsylvania Game News - February 2022 - 25

and/or wad to aid lubrication down the
barrel. Use any over-shot cards necessary.
The crimping stage - one of the last;
you're almost done - comes next. Most
shot loads call for a fold crimp. This
means that in the crimp start station of
the press, an inverted cup with tapered
star-shaped fins inside will press against
the edge of the hull mouth, creating sixor
eight-fold lines and beginning the fold
process.
Six folds are typical for hunting loads,
while eight are used mostly for target
loads. There's a lot of talk about why
that is, with some suggesting that shells
with eight folds feed better in semiauto
shotguns and others saying that shells
with six folds last longer and allow for
more reloads per hull.
That's a debate for another day.
In our situation, once the crimp has
started, a finish crimp station will put the
final folds in, creating a nice-looking,
factory-quality crimp on the end of the
shotshell. It will include a slightly raised
rim around the edge.
If you want to take things one step further,
you can place a dab of blue Loctite or
something similar in the very center of the
crimp and give the shell a little spin. That
disperses the liquid and seals the crimp
for waterfowling.
Another option is to finish your shotshells
with what's known as a roll-crimp.
That's the type of crimp generally seen
in slug ammunition, where you can see
the end of the slug as the hull mouth rolls
over to press tightly around the slug end.
This crimp can also be found in some
recipes with the use of an over-shot card
stiff enough to hold the shot in place and
not deform when the roll-crimp is applied.
If you are thinking of going this route,
follow the procedure called for with your
desired load.
FEBRUARY 2022
HIGH BRASS SHELLS
We've all seen, heard about and maybe used
" high brass " shells, well-known for their bigger
" oomph. "
But what's the deal with that extra brass,
really?
Years ago, high brass bases served a specific
function. Namely, they were used with heavier
powder charges to protect the lower walls of
paper hulls from burning out as the powder burnt.
That extra brass isn't as necessary anymore.
Modern plastic hulls aren't prone to burning up
or rupturing the same way.
But it still has a purpose. These days, " high
brass " bases remain to serve as a visual indicator
for " hotter " or heavier powder charges.
Oh, and no matter what you try, read
the owner's manual for your press to get
information and instruction about how to
operate it. A press need not be expensive;
simple-but-effective ones can be had new
for less than $100. Or you can certainly
spend more and get a press that almost
seems to load your shells while you relax
and read the paper.
An important point to remember is that
shotshell presses come in a specific gauge.
You'll need to acquire additional parts to
convert to a different gauge in the same
press. Many reloaders will have at least
one press in each desired gauge rather
than purchase conversion kits.
Also, the manner to change charge and
shot weights to different loads will vary
based on your press manufacturer. Be sure
to read and follow the owner's manual for
your press.
Most importantly, whatever press you
get, make sure you know how to use it.
Learn how it works, pair good hulls -
new or used - with known load recipes
and follow instructions as to components,
amounts and procedure, and your loads
will turn out fine and safe to use.
25
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2022

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