Shot shell reloader recommendations

[kgcabs]

What kind of volume are you planning on shooting?

I reload mostly 20ga, and a little 12ga. I have a MEC 600 jr. and a MEC Grabber. I like them both - the 600 is just so simple and easy to use, but take a while, the Grabber is really nice, but it took me a while to get proficient at it. Sometimes a primer would not drop, or the powder charge would not drop due to a stuck bar, and so on.

If you haven't reloaded shotshells before, I would start with a simple loader like a 600 Jr.

My brother in-law was given a progressive reloader, and had a hell of a time learning to use it, since he didn't start with a progressive. Mostly it was problems with the primers not dropping, and he didn't realize it until powder spilled everywhere, and then he had to take off the shell plate to reset everything.

This is my first try at reloading. I am guessing a couple of boxes at a time. I think your advice is solid. It's just a matter of deciding if I need to get the MEC SizeMaster or not. I like the idea of not having to buy a seperate resizer.

Thanks, Karl

[mike100]

I got two sizemaster's (28ga and 12ga). the older one in 12 ga works better. I actually switched primer trays as one worked better on the newer machine... the 28 ga is more sensitive to shell height and the crimp is harder to get right- 12 ga is like auto pilot- you can't screw that up at all.

I already load metallic centerfire on a progressive, but I almost never shoot more than 100 shotshells in one day so I went with sizemasters. I feel safer being non-progressive and I'm not in as much hurry with shotshells either.

[cousinkix1953]

We used to have a Versa-MEC 700 in the 70-80s. It was easy to load a case of 12 or 20 gauge shells, in the evening, once I got used to that press. Some of us just prefer to be in control of the process. We never had a need for an expensive machine that does everything, while you sit there and watch it do it's thing.

Resizing cases is especially critical with Remington shells. Our Lee Loader specials used to jam in the pumps and semi-autos. Not with the MEC...

[Revoman]

You know that there is a sizer that comes with most MEC loaders. It screws onto at the de-priming station, the first station. It has very fine threads and is basically a hollow chrome tube with the sizing apperatus on the end that touches the shellplate. You perform the sizing as a separate operation, then remove the tube and resume making ammunition once removed.

I have never tried this sizer, but since it comes with the loader, at least it used to, it may be worth a try. I think that it fits the 600 Jr IIRC. I think that I still have one in 12 ga laying around if you're interested. I can ship it to you for the cost of the shipping.