I can confirm this, which is why I bought the Boom tool. I tried making my own(without notches) and it did nothing. I hear using a drill bit works well too but it's was worth it for me to buy something that looks nice and it's a one-time purchase. Plus finding a drill bit that is long but doesn't tear a lot of the tobacco out seems like it would be difficult.
You don't really need a super long one like Don has, you can knock off the ask and go in through the foot.
BTW, I store mine in my Shuckins bomb tube which is plastic and adjustable.