12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Talk about 10 12 & 16 gauge shotguns here.
Post Reply
User avatar
kythunter
Posts: 339
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 1:24 pm
Location: Western Kentucky

12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Post by kythunter »

Are there any options for fold crimping a 12ga 3.5" hull besides a MEC?
I do not trim my 3.5" hulls and currently roll crimp. Some shells are okay and other too long to cycle in an auto.
I've tried trimming hulls but couldn't find a consistent method.
Nothing against a MEC but don't want to spend the money just to fold crimp.
User avatar
Hoobilly
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 13335
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 10:15 pm
Location: Argos Indiana
Contact:

Re: 12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Post by Hoobilly »

Nothing cheaper than a used Mec. I bought a regular Jr and set it up for 3.5”

A steel master 3.5” is about twice the price
Don't start none, won't be none!

https://foxtrotammo.com/
User avatar
Southern Sportsman
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 1314
Joined: February 24th, 2013, 12:32 am
Location: West TN

Re: 12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Post by Southern Sportsman »

Cheap, easy, and consistent method for hull trimming:

http://www.gobblernation.com/phpBB3/vie ... 18&t=16241

Load a new, untrimmed hull and mark it with a pen at 1/4” above the OS card. Unload the hull. Insert your dowel rod to the bottom of the hull and drill a small hull on your mark through the hull and into the dowel. Insert exacto blade into the hole in your dowel rod angled very slightly towards the hull. Twist the hull towards the sharp edge and slide the dowel down. Voilà. Perfectly trimmed hull to exact length in about 1 second per hull. You’ll have about $3 in the whole operation.

If the load calls for the thicker clear OS disc, you can use a cardboard OS and save a little length since you’re trimming anyway.
Last edited by Southern Sportsman on March 17th, 2020, 10:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
I go stubbornly into error by myself, and reach my own fallacious conclusions using my own faulty data. ~Tom Kelly
User avatar
kythunter
Posts: 339
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 1:24 pm
Location: Western Kentucky

Re: 12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Post by kythunter »

Hey hoobilly and Southern Sportsman thanks for the feedback.
I do use the cardboard osc. Given both options I'll have to figure out the best route. May try trimming hulls again.
User avatar
Southern Sportsman
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 1314
Joined: February 24th, 2013, 12:32 am
Location: West TN

Re: 12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Post by Southern Sportsman »

I don’t shoot them anymore, but I’ve trimmed many of the 3.5” hulls like this for use in Benellis and never had a problem. You don’t have to trim much either.
I go stubbornly into error by myself, and reach my own fallacious conclusions using my own faulty data. ~Tom Kelly
User avatar
kythunter
Posts: 339
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 1:24 pm
Location: Western Kentucky

Re: 12ga 3.5" fold crimp

Post by kythunter »

Southern Sportsman wrote: March 17th, 2020, 11:10 am I don’t shoot them anymore, but I’ve trimmed many of the 3.5” hulls like this for use in Benellis and never had a problem. You don’t have to trim much either.
:thumbup: I'll check it out.
Post Reply

Return to “Big Bore”