shotshell reloader advice needed
- Thread starter kbg77
- Start date
The honest question is why reload shotgun shells? It used to be feasable years ago before the steel shoot crap came into being. I can reload a box of trap shells for about 3.25 a box and I can buy a box for 4 bucks. The huge difference is the shot price. When I was reloading years ago a bag of shot was 8-15 bucks and now it was more than double and close to tripled in price and the shells at the gun store have actually reduced in price. I can see reloading if you make your own slugs and want to reload them, other than that there isn't much point and if you feel the need to reload then I would buy a used machine that was very cheap because it would cost a lot of boxes of shells to pay for itself. Do the math, say 150.00 for the machine and then the wads, powder, primers and shot will run you about another 100.00 and assuming you have the hulls for free it would take about 300 boxes of shells before it would even pay for itself and that is on the conservative side. Just my 2 cents.
I started with a MEC Jr. after looking at the Lee Load All and don't regret the decision. I think the MEC is a better unit. Eventually I moved to a MEC 9000G progressive and it was worth the money to me because I can load shells faster.
Another poster here recently suggested that a new loader should buy a 9000 progressive, disconnect the auto advance, load shells one at a time until you became comfortable with how the machine worked and then move into loading progressively. I've never considered that before but it does make some sense in hindsight if the shooter is going to be doing high volume clay shooting. If however you intend to load small lots of hunting loads then the single stage MEC is all you really need.
The question about reloading 12 gauge in the first place is a good one. Financially there is little to gain on target loads if you are satisifed with the Federal Top Gun or the low priced Winchester offerings. I continue to reload however because I can tailor a load to my own specifications using better components and lead than are used in the cheap shells.
Another poster here recently suggested that a new loader should buy a 9000 progressive, disconnect the auto advance, load shells one at a time until you became comfortable with how the machine worked and then move into loading progressively. I've never considered that before but it does make some sense in hindsight if the shooter is going to be doing high volume clay shooting. If however you intend to load small lots of hunting loads then the single stage MEC is all you really need.
The question about reloading 12 gauge in the first place is a good one. Financially there is little to gain on target loads if you are satisifed with the Federal Top Gun or the low priced Winchester offerings. I continue to reload however because I can tailor a load to my own specifications using better components and lead than are used in the cheap shells.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
I've used a mec junior and the lee. The mec has a better feel hands down and will outlast the lee ten to one if your doing a lot of reloading. Then nice thing with the lee is it's cheap and does a good job if your not reloading thousands of rounds. Dad bought them in 20 28 and 410 so he could load those gauges. The 28 and 410 are gone, still have the 20 hanging around.
JohnC
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
the mec
600 is a good beginner's press and is quite sturdy. That being said as hunter 64 said with the price of shot gun ammo it's hard to justify for straight target loads or grouse hunting loads where you can still use lead. The economics are better for .410 where factory ammo is still quite expensive but I've found I have to weigh and put in #6 or bigger shot by hand because of bridging.
600 is a good beginner's press and is quite sturdy. That being said as hunter 64 said with the price of shot gun ammo it's hard to justify for straight target loads or grouse hunting loads where you can still use lead. The economics are better for .410 where factory ammo is still quite expensive but I've found I have to weigh and put in #6 or bigger shot by hand because of bridging.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Used a predecessor of the Mec 600 Jr. for about 25 years - no problems, replaced wad fingers about half a dozen times and a cam-roller twice.
Loaded thousands of shells on it. Eventually went to a MEC9000G and then
on to Ponsness-Warren. Have had the PW for 5 years.
The Mec 600 Jr. should do all you want to load bismuth, but you should be able to buy Kent Impact for about the the same price as your reloads. Last I checked, retail on bismuth shot was +/- $ 175 for 7 lbs + applicable taxes - that's about $ 201.25 here in Onatariariario. That will yield about 112 sells for you ( 1 oz. loads ) or about $ 1.79 per shell or about 89 shells if you load 1-1/4 oz. at $ 2.26 per shell, which does not include the empty hull, powder or wad !
Loaded thousands of shells on it. Eventually went to a MEC9000G and then
on to Ponsness-Warren. Have had the PW for 5 years.
The Mec 600 Jr. should do all you want to load bismuth, but you should be able to buy Kent Impact for about the the same price as your reloads. Last I checked, retail on bismuth shot was +/- $ 175 for 7 lbs + applicable taxes - that's about $ 201.25 here in Onatariariario. That will yield about 112 sells for you ( 1 oz. loads ) or about $ 1.79 per shell or about 89 shells if you load 1-1/4 oz. at $ 2.26 per shell, which does not include the empty hull, powder or wad !
I use a 600 Jr, and am very happy with it (but I don't load thousands of rounds on it either). I've tried the Lee, and have to say I prefer the MEC for ease of use and quality of the finished shells, but if you get one, do yourself a favour and get the adjustable charge-bar for it; it makes things so much easier than those ****ing bushings.
