reloading shot shells?

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hawk-i

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What's your shot shell reloading set up?

I've reloaded for rifle since the early 80's, thinking its time to get into shot shell reloading but have no idea on where to start.

Lee load-all starts at around 120.00, or Mec 600 Jr for a little over 400.00.

What do I gain with the Mec 600 Jr over the Lee?

And If the Mec 600 is a lot better is it advisable to spend another 150.00 or so and go with the Mec size master?
 
Used MEC 600 can be found for $100.
MEC is a big step up from the Lee Loadall.
Many, many shells have been loaded on a Loadall, but it's slow, and takes a practiced hand to do good work.
 
I have two MEC 9000 presses, one in 28 gauge, one 410. For the 28 and 410, I can save about 50% over factory target loads. A fully progressive 9000 will easily do 250-300 rounds per hour, a single stage MEC600, more like 100 rounds per hour, which is okay for hunting loads, but too time consuming for a large amount of target loads. I don't bother with 12 gauge,or 20, because the cost savings just isn't enough to justify buying the press, and spending the time, for target loads. And although factory loads have increased greatly in cost, so have primers, powder, and lead shot, so the cost savings have not increased a great deal. And primers and powder, can be a challenge to find.
 
don't buy the lee (flamesuit on for the incoming lee fanboys lol).

Get a mec, more fine tuning options and just simply better built.
If you plan on loading more than a few boxes a year consider a progressive. This saves you about 80% in times having to crank the handle.
 
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I have experience with both presses more so the MEC 600 jr though.

If you are serious about getting into shotshell loading I would recommend the MEC as it is a far superior press, in functionality and overall quality. MEC parts are a lot more common if anything breaks. The 600 press is a lot more streamline. I mostly use my 600 for 20ga sporting clay loads and once I get a flow going I can pump out about a case an hour. I haven't had the opportunity to do that much loading on the load all but I definitely, wouldn't be able to do a case an hour.

As another person commented you can find used 600's for $100-$200 so its even more reason to go for the 600. If you do go for the 600 I would HIGHLY Recommend the MEC Jig fixture. its a mounting plate so you can easily mount and remove your press from your bench with just a few turns of a hex key. it saves me a lot of space on my bench its my favorite mounting system by far. https://x-reload.com/mec-8958.html
 
I have been loading on a single stage mec since 1974 700 versa mec basically the same as a 600 they are both single stage presses
At this point a load bismuth for waterfowl and some lead for upland mainly because I like to Taylor a load to a specific gun
If plan on loading steel don’t waste your time just buy factory ammo
I may as well comment on other presses the other press I have loaded a half a million rounds on is a pasific 366 progressive press 400-500 rounds a hour trap and skeet loads great press .
 
struff55 said:
I have been loading on a single stage mec since 1974 700 versa mec basically the same as a 600 they are both single stage presses
At this point a load bismuth for waterfowl and some lead for upland mainly because I like to Taylor a load to a specific gun
If plan on loading steel don’t waste your time just buy factory ammo
I may as well comment on other presses the other press I have loaded a half a million rounds on is a pasific 366 progressive press 400-500 rounds a hour trap and skeet loads great press .
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How much are you paying for a pound of Bismuth?

I see it listed at 35.00 a pound here in Canada and 17.00 USD from RotoMetals in the states, they also said they ship to Canada all the time.
 
I use a mec 600jr in 410 and use lee load all's for 12ga. I basically only load 2.5" shells now but for 20 years or so loaded more rounds on the Lee's than I care to count. My 5 yo daughter can easily use my lee load all's and make good consistent ammo

Use good hulls no matter what press you buy. You don't want to be that guy holding up the squad because your reloads aren't fitting into your gun
 
I have a few questions on the Mec loaders:

1st: The Mec Sizemaster uses a collet sizer instead of a ring sizer, is this a worthy upgrade?

2nd: When you get to the Mec Grabber and above they have a 3rd crimp die, the taper die how important is the taper die?
 
hawk-i said:
I have a few questions on the Mec loaders:

1st: The Mec Sizemaster uses a collet sizer instead of a ring sizer, is this a worthy upgrade?

2nd: When you get to the Mec Grabber and above they have a 3rd crimp die, the taper die how important is the taper die?
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The collet sizer is a good idea if you use the loads in different shotguns, or use hulls fired in other shotguns, chamber dimensions do vary from gun to gun.
 
saskbooknut said:
Used MEC 600 can be found for $100.
MEC is a big step up from the Lee Loadall.
Many, many shells have been loaded on a Loadall, but it's slow, and takes a practiced hand to do good work.
Click to expand...

I have used a Mec 600 Junior since 1970. Works great. Yes , a used one for about $100. is all you need.
Primmers from France are available. Cost of the shot is your biggest issue. $ 67. ( tax in) was my recent cost.
 
hawk-i said:
I have a few questions on the Mec loaders:

1st: The Mec Sizemaster uses a collet sizer instead of a ring sizer, is this a worthy upgrade?

2nd: When you get to the Mec Grabber and above they have a 3rd crimp die, the taper die how important is the taper die?
Click to expand...

The collet sizer sizes smoother than a ring sizer, especially with steel base hulls (almost all of them are steel nowadays), worth it imo.

About the grabber, this would be a big step up from a sizemaster if you are thinking of doing some volume. Not so much for the crimp die but on the Grabber you don't need to move shells from station to station, just rotate the shell holder, add hull and wad and crank.
 
Reloading target loads only and this set up does everything I want. MEC Grabber on left with upgraded primer feed for one oz loads , Versamec centre and a 9000 on the right . The Grabber and Versamec have been in use 25 years or so and the 9000 added a few years ago.

The MEC’s have been trouble free in many thousands of rounds loaded.

View attachment 672126
 
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if some body is selling a MEC JUNIOR FOR $400.00
AVOID HIM LIKE THE PLAGUE
I HAVE LOADED OVER 40,000 SHOTSHELLS IN 410, 20 AND 12 GAUGE, WITH 3 MEC JUNIORS
BEST PRESS YET
I TRIED 2 LEE SHOTSHELL PRESSES IN 20 AN 12. I WAS NOT SATISFIED
 
hawk-i said:
Who has the best prices on Mec loaders?
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buy a used one, imo best bang for your buck. Just keep your eyes open and jump on a good deal when you see one.

There are always people getting out of it because of the shot price or loose interest or pass away.

Yesterday a 12ga grabber popped up on GP for only 150 bucks. I did not need it but it was a good deal for sure. Got sold of course.
 
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