reloading shot shells?

bertn said:
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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Buying used is ok if your experienced enough to know what you're buying, I've never reloaded shotshells so I think for me buying new is the way to go.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Sizemaster and it's 550.00 at Hummason (thx stubblejumper), not to bad I guess.
 
Nothing wrong with used. I just picked up a 600 and a garbage bag full of hulls for $80. By the look of the shot and powder bottles I’m guessing it’s probably 1970’s construction. It’s in great shape and works just great but plan on doing a full overhaul and cosmetic restoration.
 
hawk-i said:
Buying used is ok if your experienced enough to know what you're buying, I've never reloaded shotshells so I think for me buying new is the way to go.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Sizemaster and it's 550.00 at Hummason (thx stubblejumper), not to bad I guess.
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If you are slightly technically inclined (which would also help in setting up and running a press) you should be fine, just buy one that looks complete and is not full of rust.
Not very much can go wrong with them and afaik mec still supplies parts to all their models. Online is a ton of info on how to set it up or you can ask questions here.

But to each their own, I paid $200 for my mec 9000 here on the EE a few years back. Sure beats paying $1000+ taxes in at a mec dealer.
 
I recently picked up a used older Mec 600. I've used Lee Loadalls in 12,16 and 20 ga. up until now. After setting up the 600 on my bench and becoming somewhat familiar with it I'm really liking this outfit. Nice and solid and parts and die sets available for different gauges from many sources. To be honest I wish I had bought one earlier. The Loadalls have served me well but the Mec is a much more substantial piece of equipment.
 
Lately, there are a lot of used 12 gauge MEC presses available, because many people have given up loading 12 gauge shotshells. With components getting expensive, and hard to locate, many people just don't bother anymore. Buying a used press cheap, is about the only way to save money loading 12 gauge, if you have to pay over $1000 for a new progressive 9000, it will take many , many years, just to save the cost of the press. Of course 28 gauge and 410 are a different story, I paid over $700 each for my MEC 9000 presses, and I saved more than enough to pay for the presses the first year, and I save over $1000 per year per gauge , now that the presses are paid for. I load 3000-5000 rounds per gauge per year, so more volume than most people.
 
bjmurata said:
I recently picked up a used older Mec 600. I've used Lee Loadalls in 12,16 and 20 ga. up until now. After setting up the 600 on my bench and becoming somewhat familiar with it I'm really liking this outfit. Nice and solid and parts and die sets available for different gauges from many sources. To be honest I wish I had bought one earlier. The Loadalls have served me well but the Mec is a much more substantial piece of equipment.
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The MEC presses are probably 95% steel so they tend to last a very long time if reasonably maintained. The few plastic/nylon parts that periodically do need replacing also tend to be cheap so maintenance costs are also low.
 
What is Hummason like to deal with, you can't order online and you only get a recording when calling?

Filled in their question form, hopefully will hear back soon...lol
 
hawk-i said:
What is Hummason like to deal with, you can't order online and you only get a recording when calling?

Filled in their question form, hopefully will hear back soon...lol
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They have been around forever old school and 100 % reliable same goes for Lawrys I am lucky only live a few Km from them. Phone during business hours but remember time zone
 
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Hummason are the MEC representative in Canada, so they are the place to go for presses and parts. They also manufacture lead shot, and sell wads, etc. Just down the road is Lawries, which also has a great selection of components. Loading the subgages (eg 28, 410) is quite compelling financially. 12 gage, not so much. Using current best prices (eg lead shot at 59$ for a 25 lb bag), you can load a flat of 1 oz for about 95$. With flats going for 110 to 120$, you can do the math.
Finally, MEC machines require some finesse to set up, so one has to be reasonably mechanically inclined. It also means that every time you change a component, fiddling is required. The Lee is much easier to use, and requires much less fiddling to change load specs. I have both the Lee and the MEC 600 Jr and I appreciate the attributes of both.
 
cosmic said:
Hummason are the MEC representative in Canada, so they are the place to go for presses and parts. They also manufacture lead shot, and sell wads, etc. Just down the road is Lawries, which also has a great selection of components. Loading the subgages (eg 28, 410) is quite compelling financially. 12 gage, not so much. Using current best prices (eg lead shot at 59$ for a 25 lb bag), you can load a flat of 1 oz for about 95$. With flats going for 110 to 120$, you can do the math.
Finally, MEC machines require some finesse to set up, so one has to be reasonably mechanically inclined. It also means that every time you change a component, fiddling is required. The Lee is much easier to use, and requires much less fiddling to change load specs. I have both the Lee and the MEC 600 Jr and I appreciate the attributes of both.
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I am using my MEC9000 presses, just as they came out of the box, no adjustments required.
 
The progressive presses are for volume loading. OP never mentioned what the goal was- making some special hunting loads? Making target shells? loading a flat of target shells on a MEC 600 wouldn't be much fun. Buying a 9000 to load a box of bismuth hunting shells once a year is overkill.

Hummason's is an old school place- I make a trip there every so often as it isn't too far for me. Phone is your best bet during their business hours. No nonsense.
 
Yup - Hummason's is old school. Phone ahead for stock/to place a larger order, or walk in. Great to deal with that way, but e-mail is spotty.

I recently got setup to load .410. Waited a few months for stock to come in, then bought a MEC 600Jr. MkV from Hummasons for $385 + tax (whoever posted that you run from anyone selling a MEC 600 for $400 is out of touch with post-bat sandwich insanity). I did a thread on .410 reloading costs. Up a lot recently, but still much better than factory.

A used 600 is definitely an economical option, but unless you understand the machines (or have a friend that does) then be sure the seller confirms the unit is 100% complete and has been reloading well, or it could turn into a headache.

A previous commenter said he can load a case an hour on his MEC 600Jr. That is impressive - I'm new, and granted I'm loading .410 which can be fiddly for things like making sure the #8's don't bridge up in the tube, but I'm only reloading 50 rounds in about 25 minutes or so. Loading 250 rds/hour would be flying on a 600... and I'd debate whether the clocks turned back during that epic hour of single stage reloading. lol

I've got no experience with the Lee Load-All, but they look like a good tool for loading small quantities. I was actually considering one in 16ga. and jigging it to reload 2.5". If I could reload a case a year of 2.5" 16ga, I'd be happy.
 
I just took an extra lee load all head and trimmed a lil at a time off the finish crimp tube untill it crimped a 2.5" shell. Works great. I only do 12ga though. My 5yo actually loads all my ammo on a lee load all 2 and she helps load 410 on my mec 600jr
 
The Baron said:
Yup - Hummason's is old school. Phone ahead for stock/to place a larger order, or walk in. Great to deal with that way, but e-mail is spotty.

I recently got setup to load .410. Waited a few months for stock to come in, then bought a MEC 600Jr. MkV from Hummasons for $385 + tax (whoever posted that you run from anyone selling a MEC 600 for $400 is out of touch with post-bat sandwich insanity). I did a thread on .410 reloading costs. Up a lot recently, but still much better than factory.

A used 600 is definitely an economical option, but unless you understand the machines (or have a friend that does) then be sure the seller confirms the unit is 100% complete and has been reloading well, or it could turn into a headache.

A previous commenter said he can load a case an hour on his MEC 600Jr. That is impressive - I'm new, and granted I'm loading .410 which can be fiddly for things like making sure the #8's don't bridge up in the tube, but I'm only reloading 50 rounds in about 25 minutes or so. Loading 250 rds/hour would be flying on a 600... and I'd debate whether the clocks turned back during that epic hour of single stage reloading. lol

I've got no experience with the Lee Load-All, but they look like a good tool for loading small quantities. I was actually considering one in 16ga. and jigging it to reload 2.5". If I could reload a case a year of 2.5" 16ga, I'd be happy.
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After loading with a MEC 9000, I would like to see someone load a flat per hour with a single stage press. As for shot bridging with the 410, it can even happen with #9 shot. I adjusted my procedure to include a small rubber hammer strike after each shot drop, and I haven't had a bridge for the past 5000 rounds or so. It slows the process down a bit, but it actually saves time overall, and prevents the mess that occurs with shot bridging.
 
I just started reloading 12ga over the last couple months, and all I can say is just go for it. I went with 12ga because I figure components and reloading data are easy to find so it's a good gauge to learn on, and then I'll keep my eyes open for some of the less common gauges in order to save money, or will buy another die set and convert my press. 600jr, the adjustments are easy if you take your time and pay attention to what's happening.

I've also had good luck with Hummason's email, but I'm also a quick drive away so that makes things easy.
 
Wow, shipping sure is expensive now???
Press, wads, powder, shot, primers, and a couple flats of ammo to get started = 375.00
 
That sounds cheap for everything listed… Please tell me you’re not saying that just the shipping costs are $375? Surely this group can help you get a better deal than that though local suppliers.
 
Lee-loadall good for small batch's of special ammo. Must use good hulls, Remington gun club or winchester AA will work. You must learn hand pressure control and do not use ball powder as it will grind and jam. Flake type like red dot, unique, or other flake powder are best. 7.5 or 8 shot is good, #2 shot is bad hard jams.
It has its place if you use it carefully.
 
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