Advice on shotshell reloaders and shot makers

S

Skyhawk

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Ottawa
I find shotguns are great fun, but the only thing that has kept me from getting into the various shotgun sports more seriously was the cost per round (can I call them rounds?). I then thought that reloading was the answer to make it cheaper, until I saw the price of components! :eek:

But I figure with around a ton of lead ingots in my garage, I could donate some to the cause of shot making if I had a shot maker. There are two I'm considering: Magma's "Littleton Shotmaker Model 65", and James Stewart's "The Better Shotmaker". Anyone with experience with one of these? They cost a lot (over $600 once shipping and taxes are accounted for), but I plan to offset the costs somewhat by either selling shot locally to Ottawa area shotshell reloading folks (if there are any), and/or renting out the machine.

I also of course need a reloader/press. Again, I'm looking at two choices - either the Mec 9000c or the Hornady 366 Auto. Any input into which is better would be welcome!
 
Both presses you list I have had and used. Both work very well but for me I was just more comfortable with the MEC so stuck with them. I currently have four 9000G all gauges except 16.
 
Thanks 3macs1, you can tell I'm a little out of my element on this one. I'm looking at the MEC products page, and they have two current presses in their 9000 series - the 9000GN and the 9000HN. There is only a $50 difference between presses, and for the life of me I can't quite figure out what the extra $50 buys you. Where is the best place to buy this? Also, will I need anything else other than the components and press?
 
In Ottawa, Bowmac (Stittsville range store) is a MEC distributor. They don't keep the expensive progressives ones in store as far as I know but can bring it in from their warehouse if it's in stock (they usually have very good stock, unlike LeBarons.)

You will need the components (hull, primer, wad, shot, and any overshot/powder cards you are using) as well as the proper bushing for the powder and shot volumes if the press doesn't have an adjustable one. Also remember to measure what weight the bushings throw as the charts are often quite a bit off.
 
How many can you load per hour with those more expensive progressive models compared to the less expensive MEC ones? Perhaps I don't need to go that far. I looked at all the Lee Load-All youtube videos, and it seemed I wouldn't be able to load even 60 per hour. My time is important to me because I need time to enjoy other things, like bullet casting. On the other hand I get frustrated with complicated systems that screw up often.

Off topic: Our whole house smells like roasting turkey. I'm so hungry, I think I might faint any minute and it's only 2:30 pm.
 
Skyhawk said:
How many can you load per hour with those more expensive progressive models compared to the less expensive MEC ones? Perhaps I don't need to go that far. I looked at all the Lee Load-All youtube videos, and it seemed I wouldn't be able to load even 60 per hour. My time is important to me because I need time to enjoy other things, like bullet casting. On the other hand I get frustrated with complicated systems that screw up often.
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I use a Lee Load All 2 and can load about 50/hour without too much effort. If I go as fast as possible I can hit maybe 60-75/hour but ended up with a squib once. I only reload buckshot and slugs though so 50 shells is quite a bit compared to target load. I have read (but have no experience) that the good progressive shotshell presses can hit 300+/hour with a good rhythm. The turret shotshell presses like the 600jr can easily pump out 150+/hour.
 
Thanks LUTNIT. Perhaps the 600jr could do me then since I doubt my wife and I would shoot more than 300 a week between us (I'm reloading for 2). I'm also considering reloading buckshot, like #4 at first. Does that make a difference?
 
Skyhawk said:
I'm also considering reloading buckshot, like #4 at first. Does that make a difference?
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You have to stack the buckshot into the wad by hand but other than that the rest if the same. Generally you can put in enough pellets for one layer, push them down with your finger and they will settle into a layer, and then put in the next layer. There are some very good YouTube videos on it if you search and also Lyman's Shotshell Reloading Handbook is really good. Includes data for target, steel and other non-toxic, buckshot, and slugs.
 
Skyhawk said:
Thanks 3macs1, you can tell I'm a little out of my element on this one. I'm looking at the MEC products page, and they have two current presses in their 9000 series - the 9000GN and the 9000HN. There is only a $50 difference between presses, and for the life of me I can't quite figure out what the extra $50 buys you. Where is the best place to buy this? Also, will I need anything else other than the components and press?
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The N is new to me not sure what that means but my 9000G's are manual hand operated machines and the 9000H I have seen were hooked up to a hydraulic powerpac and foot pedal. Not sure where to buy today. I always bought mine from Irv's shooting supplies in ONT but he retired this spring and closed the business.
 
Skyhawk said:
Thanks LUTNIT. Perhaps the 600jr could do me then since I doubt my wife and I would shoot more than 300 a week between us (I'm reloading for 2). I'm also considering reloading buckshot, like #4 at first. Does that make a difference?
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Put out the extra bucks and buy a sizemaster if you are going to stay single stage. Much better brass resizer in the collet design plus it comes with the auto primer tray standard.
If I am alone and focused doing target loads I can do 150 max on a JR or sizemaster both with auto primer trays, I can do over 500 a hour on the 9000g.
Buck shot and all my hunting loads I do one at a time and weigh out every powder and shot charge. Don't trust the charge bars for my hunting loads. I do maybe 2 boxes a hour of buck shot or hunting loads.
What else you need a good scale like a rcbs 505,510 or 1010, a mec shell guage, a known weight to calibrate your scale or a second scale, a mec easy pack in the right guage, couple wooden shot shell blocks for doing your hunting loads, good funnels, old cookie tray and 3/4 plywood mount for the loader( tray will save the shot when you screw up and you will), vernier, lyman shotshell manual. I guess that is about it
Oh yes be careful one loader becomes 10 and so on very quickly.
 
Thanks 3macs1, just for that I'm even more motivated to move back home to Nova Scotia and perhaps live next to you so that I can borrow your presses at any hour! Hey, if you load pistol, you can borrow my Dillon 650 if you like ha ha.

But seriously thanks for the info. Shotshell reloading isn't exactly an art that's discussed much on any reloading forums. I actually find it a bit surprising.
 
I have a Lee Load All 2 and I usually do about 75 or so per hour on new primed hulls. Some time is saved with the new primed hulls. I always decap, resize and prime my shells before I run a batch for hunting. I would guess that if I was doing it all at one time it would easily drop my speed to 50 - 60 hph. I like the LA2 so far since I do not have to do many shells for waterfowl hunting.
 
Skyhawk said:
Thanks 3macs1, just for that I'm even more motivated to move back home to Nova Scotia and perhaps live next to you so that I can borrow your presses at any hour! Hey, if you load pistol, you can borrow my Dillon 650 if you like ha ha.

But seriously thanks for the info. Shotshell reloading isn't exactly an art that's discussed much on any reloading forums. I actually find it a bit surprising.
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Not a problem drop in any time. Hunting, shooting and taxes sucK here but great people and much slower moving than Ottawa that is for sure. Great place to raise a family. take care
 
Well I found someone willing to part with their MEC 9000G for about $350. Should I jump on that deal? Anything I should ask or look for in particular?
 
Missing parts. Ask to test it out before buying it perhaps. I have heard so many horror stories of people buying used progressive presses to find out some random little springs or bits are missing that are difficult to replace.
 
Sadly the guy isn't local. How is MEC's service if I run into trouble? Anything like Dillon, Lyman, etc.? If so, then little missing parts shouldn't be a problem, no?
 
Skyhawk said:
Sadly the guy isn't local. How is MEC's service if I run into trouble? Anything like Dillon, Lyman, etc.? If so, then little missing parts shouldn't be a problem, no?
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Nothing on a mec you cannot fix yourself Mec's service is fine but their prices direct are very expensive since they protect their distributors. Like I said always bought my mec stuff from Irv's shooting but think there is another large stocking distributor in Ont maybe humm or lawr not sure.
That price you quoted is fair for sure if the machine is complete.
 
If you make shot in Ottawa, I will buy some (as long as it's round :p) #4, 6, 7, 7.5 and 8
Will even help you make it if you need the help! (I've never made shot, but I can be a good labourer!)
 
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