Progressive Reloaders ?

[littlewing6283]

Hello

I've got the reloading bug. I picked up a used Mec 600 Jr which is great but I am now jonesing for a progressive. (Its been pretty hot lately so I am looking to cut down time spent outside) Reloading is more of a necessity than a hobby for me. I figure I can always just dedicate the Mec 600 for 7/8oz loads.

So far I'm looking into

MEC 9000 (trapperjohn reccomended this to me)
Hornady 366 (this seems a little harder to find)
Mec 650N

Any thoughts about these machines ? Any feedback is appreciated

Thanks

[Tom-ADC]

Another vote for MEC 9000 I had two of them never a problem

[W.R.Buchanan]

Go over to www.trapshooters.com You will find what you are looking for much easier.

A used Hornady (formerly Pacific ) DL366 is going to run between $150 and 300. They work well and will last you forever. I paid $150 for mine, brought it home, cleaned it up and have been using it ever since, That was 15 years ago.

Randy

[trapperjohn]

There is no doubt the Hornady is a well-built, quality reloader. The ONLY downside is that if you want to resize the hull bases every time, it requires manual removal of the hull from the resizer, and transfer to the first station.

[littlewing6283]

Annnnnnnd a swing and a miss hahahhaah

Called Phillips and Rick had a prog press, I should have had him hold it because when I got there it went out the door before I got there.

and so it goes , the search continues

[russ69]

The savings reloading shotgun shells is very minimal. You can often find quality shells on sale at very favorable prices.

[BOBGBA]

The savings reloading shotgun shells is very minimal. You can often find quality shells on sale at very favorable prices.

That's probably true for 12 & 20 gauge.
However, it gives you the opportunity to make your own custom loads that may not be readily available.

I load 7/8 ounce 12 gauge loads, which aren't easy to find. I haven't done the math, but I may be saving a little bit by making them myself.

Not true for 28 gauge & .410 bore.

[whutsup40]

I reload 3 different gauges,20, 12, and 16, so I can taylor my loads for each gauge and also for the games that I play, my guns pattern them well, I checked the reloading calculator, and mine are about 4.70 a box for 12's, I save even more for the 16 gauge!!

[littlewing6283]

Another vote for MEC 9000 I had two of them never a problem

Seems like a good option since I already have a 600 Jr as well

Go over to www.trapshooters.com You will find what you are looking for much easier.

A used Hornady (formerly Pacific ) DL366 is going to run between $150 and 300. They work well and will last you forever. I paid $150 for mine, brought it home, cleaned it up and have been using it ever since, That was 15 years ago.

Randy

I'll look into that site, thanks

There is no doubt the Hornady is a well-built, quality reloader. The ONLY downside is that if you want to resize the hull bases every time, it requires manual removal of the hull from the resizer, and transfer to the first station.

thanks trapperjohn thats actually a big consideration

[russ69]

...Not true for 28 gauge & .410 bore.

I'm an avid reloader. I often buy dies before I even have a gun to match but I've never even looked into reloading shotgun because the savings were not substantial and I could buy the loads I wanted. I even buy my 28 gauge shells. You should do a accurate cost analysis and see if it is really worth it for the amount of shooting you do.

[Thefeeder]

Hello

I've got the reloading bug. I picked up a used Mec 600 Jr which is great but I am now jonesing for a progressive. (Its been pretty hot lately so I am looking to cut down time spent outside) Reloading is more of a necessity than a hobby for me. I figure I can always just dedicate the Mec 600 for 7/8oz loads.

So far I'm looking into

MEC 9000 (trapperjohn reccomended this to me)
Hornady 366 (this seems a little harder to find)
Mec 650N

Any thoughts about these machines ? Any feedback is appreciated

Thanks

Used and still using MEC's for decades in all the gauges. The 9000 is THE machine. They can be a PITA when out of adjustment, but easy to tinker with to get them right or adjusted. Mec parts and support are everywhere

Keep in mind when choosing : the 650's do not resize, a separate resizer is need if you load non brass hulls, shoot an auto or use different guns.

With the 9000, I would disconnect the auto indexing bar and manually index until you get a hang of the machine and its dialed in. Saves a lot of grief and cleaning up.

Also, the 650's and the 9000 are gauge specific, can't turn a 12ga into a 20 reloader like you can with a single stage 600

Hornaday, or any other....never used one so no comment

[BOBGBA]

I'm an avid reloader. I often buy dies before I even have a gun to match but I've never even looked into reloading shotgun because the savings were not substantial and I could buy the loads I wanted. I even buy my 28 gauge shells. You should do a accurate cost analysis and see if it is really worth it for the amount of shooting you do.

Essentially, for 12 & 20 gauge it is pretty close to break even.

Since 28 & .410 shells (WIN AA) cost $8 (when there is a rebate, otherwise its $10 (or more) a box, it's pretty easy to see that there is a good cost saving. You save by even more than just the increased cost of the shells, because the amount of lead used (only loading 3/4 ounce (28 ga) or 1/2 ounce (.410), further reduces the cost.

I bought my .410 reloader before I had a .410, because I knew it would be worth it.

So, yes it is worth it to me.

[littlewing6283]

I'm an avid reloader. I often buy dies before I even have a gun to match but I've never even looked into reloading shotgun because the savings were not substantial and I could buy the loads I wanted. I even buy my 28 gauge shells. You should do a accurate cost analysis and see if it is really worth it for the amount of shooting you do.

I already reload shot. I was mainly inquiring on what machine to step up to. If I only shot 1 1/8 it wouldnt be a problem but I prefer 7/8 and 1oz loads. Also availability can be an issue at times.

For me its worth it, I just want to do it faster.

Nobody using Ponsness Warren?

I'll look into it, thanks

Used and still using MEC's for decades in all the gauges. The 9000 is THE machine. They can be a PITA when out of adjustment, but easy to tinker with to get them right or adjusted. Mec parts and support are everywhere

Keep in mind when choosing : the 650's do not resize, a separate resizer is need if you load non brass hulls, shoot an auto or use different guns.

With the 9000, I would disconnect the auto indexing bar and manually index until you get a hang of the machine and its dialed in. Saves a lot of grief and cleaning up.

Also, the 650's and the 9000 are gauge specific, can't turn a 12ga into a 20 reloader like you can with a single stage 600

Hornaday, or any other....never used one so no comment

Thank you so much for that info. The press I missed out on was a grabber and from what you said the 9000 seems to have a lot more of the "little" features I would like.

Essentially, for 12 & 20 gauge it is pretty close to break even.

Since 28 & .410 shells (WIN AA) cost $8 (when there is a rebate, otherwise its $10 (or more) a box, it's pretty easy to see that there is a good cost saving. You save by even more than just the increased cost of the shells, because the amount of lead used (only loading 3/4 ounce (28 ga) or 1/2 ounce (.410), further reduces the cost.

I bought my .410 reloader before I had a .410, because I knew it would be worth it.

So, yes it is worth it to me.

agreed

[Red9]

For what its worth? I have a few reloader for 12. I mainly use my grabber. No auto index but its fast enough for me. Makes nice rounds. They work in semi or over under.

I resize off press with a mec resizer. Using adjustable bars as well. Never wanted to reload shotgun but .... I really like 7/8 and 3/4 loads and they are hard to find. Also nice to have available ammo.

If you reload 12s just think how cheap buck amd slugs will be. I cast slugs, soon buck. Kinda fun.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

[littlewing6283]

I reload 3 different gauges,20, 12, and 16, so I can taylor my loads for each gauge and also for the games that I play, my guns pattern them well, I checked the reloading calculator, and mine are about 4.70 a box for 12's, I save even more for the 16 gauge!!

Agreed, I think im close to that cost in 12. I like being able to shoot the load that I want versus being ok with what the store has. If we could still order online I may not be as motivated to reload.

For what its worth? I have a few reloader for 12. I mainly use my grabber. No auto index but its fast enough for me. Makes nice rounds. They work in semi or over under.

I resize off press with a mec resizer. Using adjustable bars as well. Never wanted to reload shotgun but .... I really like 7/8 and 3/4 loads and they are hard to find. Also nice to have available ammo.

If you reload 12s just think how cheap buck amd slugs will be. I cast slugs, soon buck. Kinda fun.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

thanks for the feedback. I need to see if the grabber has the final station where you can fix the edges. Im not sure what that stage is. Its Pre Crimp, then crimp, then the stage that you can adjust the roundness