Which 12 ga loader?

OverUnder725

OverUnder725

Regular
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Location
Next door to my neighbour
I know I can buy the cheap target loads from our club for likely less money than I can load them for but thats not the deciding factor for me. I enjoy loading, been doing rifle for a few years now absolutely love it. I bought a sporting 12 ga and have been shooting, on average, 15 rounds of either skeet, trap or sporting clays per week all summer and thought it would be fun to load my own shells. Now, what I am wondering is what style of loader to go with. I will likely buy a MEC product but am not sure if I should go with a progressive or more of a single stage set up. From experience, what are the pros and cons you see in either type of machine?
 
It is all about the volume and time you have
I have all MEC's in all guages and take my time and can reload 5-6 boxes with a single stage vs 20-22 boxes per hour in my 9000G
If you go MEC single stage get a sizemaster. They do a much better job in hull brass resizing and come fitted with the primer feeder which you have to add to a JR
Progressive it is 9000's for me. Had the rest over the years right back to the 650's and sold them off once I got the 9000
All I do now in single stage is my steel reloads and a few lead hunting loads like 16ga and buckshot
Cheers
 
I use a Sizemaster but I am nowhere near a 15 boxes a week habit. The singles stage require 6 pulls of the handle to make one shell that would get real old quick at your rate of consumption. I agree with the 5-6 boxes an hour rate on the sizemaster.
 
At the volume you're shooting ( mine is/was the same or a little more ) a progressive makes more sense.

About 20 years ago I went with a Ponsness/Warren 950 Elite (wanted something a little better than the MEC 9000 I had for 410) and have never looked back. If $$$ isn't a big factor, I'd take a hard look at the Spolar Gold . Still use the MEC Jr.s for the small gauges, but much less volume. I did replace a couple of parts on the P/W and updated the primer system from the old wire "hook" to the machined bar, but otherwise, "nada" in the last 10 years ! P/W is easily accessible by phone for assistance, their customer service is great, parts relatively inexpensive and are
usually "in hand" within 10 days of order. Be sure to get some of their STOS lube (grease) if you do get one ... best stuff ever !

Living in Central Ontario, I make a couple of "pilgrimages" to the Hamilton area and buy components in bulk. Shot, 1/2 ton at crack, powder in 8 or 10 lb. cannisters, wads by the case (5000) and primers by the sleeve (5000). Makes the trip worthwhile and the savings add-up.
 
If you are shooting 1-2 flats/week you would be best served with a progressive. It is a fun hobby and I like loading too, but I only load special light loads. Loading 1 1/8 target loads isn't worth it to me and I just use factory. I mostly shoot 7/8 loads but sometimes 1oz too. Once you are really rolling you can load 2flats/hour with a 9000. You need a good supplier because loading $60/bag shot is not economical.
 
beretta boy said:
At the volume you're shooting ( mine is/was the same or a little more ) a progressive makes more sense.

About 20 years ago I went with a Ponsness/Warren 950 Elite (wanted something a little better than the MEC 9000 I had for 410) and have never looked back. If $$$ isn't a big factor, I'd take a hard look at the Spolar Gold . Still use the MEC Jr.s for the small gauges, but much less volume. I did replace a couple of parts on the P/W and updated the primer system from the old wire "hook" to the machined bar, but otherwise, "nada" in the last 10 years ! P/W is easily accessible by phone for assistance, their customer service is great, parts relatively inexpensive and are
usually "in hand" within 10 days of order. Be sure to get some of their STOS lube (grease) if you do get one ... best stuff ever !

Living in Central Ontario, I make a couple of "pilgrimages" to the Hamilton area and buy components in bulk. Shot, 1/2 ton at crack, powder in 8 or 10 lb. cannisters, wads by the case (5000) and primers by the sleeve (5000). Makes the trip worthwhile and the savings add-up.
Click to expand...

Man on man. The dude has never reloaded shotgun before and he should take a hard look at a Spolar Gold??
I like if dollars isn't a factor.:) Lets see about 1800 US plus, plus vs picking up a good used MEC 9000g on the EE for 500 or less to your door
What if he doesn't like reloading shotgun, etc etc
I don't know but I guess to me???? Mec would be a good starting point IMO .
Probally since I have a 9000g now in every gauge including 16 yes even 16 and they have reloaded more shells than I can count with many 25,000 round years of 12ga and once you get used to them they work just fine but I have blinders on

Yes there was a time in my life I loved p/w and they are a fine machines but they are all sold off now since I could not get parts locally for them
and there was no online shopping then
Also the Mecs have improved since you have had one in 410 20 years ago. Probally had the old orange metal/ plastic wad guide set up that old puppy :)
To each their own I guess but this is a new reloader to shotgun
Cheers
 
Last edited:
I taught myself how to reload shotgun with the step-by-step instructions in the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook and a used MEC Jr. Eventually I went to a MEC 9000 and am very glad I went to the progressive only after I learned how to reload on the single-stage.
 
Claybuster said:
I taught myself how to reload shotgun with the step-by-step instructions in the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook and a used MEC Jr. Eventually I went to a MEC 9000 and am very glad I went to the progressive only after I learned how to reload on the single-stage.
Click to expand...

That is the tough way to do it for sure by yourself. I agree 100% with you and starting on the single state would be the ideal route to take but one would get tired quickly with the volumes these guys are talking
I was very lucky that the old man was a trap shooting junkie and had me pulling reloading handles probally when I was 8-10 years old. I was not really reloading then just normally removing primers or resizing but probally rolled my own at 12 since I was doing a fair bit of shooting then.
Cheers
 
I have owned just about every make of reloader ever made. I love Ponsness Warren but for a simple cheap 12 guage reloader, single stage Lee Loadall is about as good as any. For your volume, you might find it a bit tiresome though.
 
Well, he does say he absolutely loves reloading rifle which he's done for a few years.

I've no problem with MEC at all, but at the rate he;s shooting, I gotta believe he would outgrow a 600 Jr. in a hurry, and would really recommend he consider the 9000G as he says he's likely going to a MEC anyway.

Last I looked, there's not a huge difference between a new MEC 9000G and a P/W. Not so sure I'd want a "used" of either make without at least a two week trial.

With some, basic equipment is enough ... I still reload rifle on a vintage single stage RCBS Rockchucker. Shotgun volume put me into progressives, and I have never regretted the P/W.
Would still love to have the Spolar .... $2k for a loader isn't of great significance to some who are burning up $6-7-8k or more in factory loads a year with a 5 figure shotguns. I figure I save more than $2k a year by NEVER playing Golf !!!
 
beretta boy said:
Well, he does say he absolutely loves reloading rifle which he's done for a few years.

I've no problem with MEC at all, but at the rate he;s shooting, I gotta believe he would outgrow a 600 Jr. in a hurry, and would really recommend he consider the 9000G as he says he's likely going to a MEC anyway.

Last I looked, there's not a huge difference between a new MEC 9000G and a P/W. Not so sure I'd want a "used" of either make without at least a two week trial.

With some, basic equipment is enough ... I still reload rifle on a vintage single stage RCBS Rockchucker. Shotgun volume put me into progressives, and I have never regretted the P/W.
Would still love to have the Spolar .... $2k for a loader isn't of great significance to some who are burning up $6-7-8k or more in factory loads a year with a 5 figure shotguns. I figure I save more than $2k a year by NEVER playing Golf !!!
Click to expand...

Golf, the other 4 letter word! Lots of good advice her guys, thanks.
 
Well, here is what I ended up with, kinda on a whim. I bought a 366 in 12 ga, Versa-Mec in 20 ga, 60lbs of #6 shot, 25lbs of #7-1/2 shot and a garbage can full of AA hulls. Oh, and the old fella insisted I take 3 zucchini and a bag of potatoes and beets.


 
Better check and make sure those Double A hulls are the old style, not the crappy new style. Where's the pic of the veggies? :)
 
I knew I would get called on not posting a pic of the veggies! Unfortunately, there are no pics to be had, they were for supper last night. The hulls are the one piece design. About 1/4 of them are shot out, 1/2 seem to be ok with no cracks or splits and 1/4 look once fired. Great guy to talk with, he is getting out of shooting and just wanted it to go some where it would be used. I got it all for $300.00, figure I did alright.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom