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| Forums10 Topics39,553 Posts562,681 Members14,593 |  | Most Online9,918Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined:  Jan 2008 Posts: 112 Sidelock |  
| OP   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2008 Posts: 112 | 
I`m in the process of customizing my press for 2 1/2" shells. What stages need to be shimed up. I don`t think the de-priming stage will need it but i`m unsure about the rest. I have a Lee Load-All someone gave me.            Burch    
 God bless the fine men and women in the U.S. military
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Joined:  Jun 2004 Posts: 646 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jun 2004 Posts: 646 | 
Not familiar with the Lee Load-All, but on the MEC, you need to shim for the last two stages. The pre-crimp and crimp. I have two units that I was able to get enough adjustment out of, that the short kit wasn't required. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Jan 2008 Posts: 112 Sidelock |  
| OP   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2008 Posts: 112 | 
Yea, I was thinking that the crimping stages needed to be shimmed. This Load-all is pretty simple and cheap. So if I screw it up i`ll be forced to buy something better. I just wanted to get some shells going. The suspence is killing me. Last weekend I did some Snipe hunting with the double i`m trying to reload for using the Westly Richards Classic Game Loads. They we`re pretty mild and I was able to hit some birds with it. So now i`m hook fer sure. I`ve been using my 1952 Ithaca 37 12ga. pump. This double is a whole new ball game. I thought my model 37 had a nice light swing until I hunted with the double. 
 God bless the fine men and women in the U.S. military
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 | 
Only the crimp start and crimp finish stages work off of hull length.  You may be able to adjust the crimping stages down to the hull - I've never worked with a Load-All.  You can also buy a roll crimper head (hand drill or drill press needed) and overshot wads and forego pie crimping on the machine.  Or, you can find a nice low pressure, low velocity, and light shot load for 2 3/4" hulls and forego considerable agrivation. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Jun 2004 Posts: 646 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jun 2004 Posts: 646 | 
There really is no aggrivation at all if your set up for it.I reload short hulls for 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410.
 Maybe a little slower, as must have to be done on a single stage press, but what else is there to do when the snow is blowing? :-)
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 | 
Dave, you are right on - - - mostly.  For those who know, as you surely do, and set up for it, short shells are relatively simple.  However, you gotta admit that there are a few extra steps.  Unfortunately, I don't have extra time and, therefore, appreciate as simple a process as possible.  I do have to admit that unusual gauges and hull lengths are cool. |  |  |  | 
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