Shotgun Reloaders

[acespawnshop]

Looking for insight and information on these things. I came across 6 reloaders for various shotgun sizes. Here's a list of what I got. What I'm trying to find out is are they considered to be decent stuff, are they older or outdated models? Do you know if they're still popular or being widely used? Should I keep them or sell them? I really have no clue about these things. Any input would be helpful.

So here's what I bought....

MEC 600 JR Mark V for 28g
MEC Model 8567 Grabber
MEC 9000 Series 20 g
MEC Sizemaster SM82 for .410
MEC Model 8567 20G
Mec with no model or markings.

They all appear to be working and seem to have all the parts. Thanks for the time guys. Let me know if I came up on a gem or a turd.

[bigbossman]

MEC is a well thought of company, with great customer service and a pretty good stock of parts for their product line - both current and obsolete. In general, all of these are more or less current, factory supported, fairly popular, and have a good sized user base. This assumes that they are in good working, fully functional shape, clean, and not missing any parts.

The only one I'm personally familiar with on your list is the 600jr. Decent press, single stage, well built and supported by the manufacturer. Used ones go up for sale at around $100, but typically they don't move until they get closer to $50. 28 gauge is an "off" caliber, mostly used on skeet fields and such, so you might have trouble moving that one along because of the narrow prospective customer pool..... and also because most sport shooters like the convenience of a progressive press because they might shoot 3-4 rounds of skeet at one go.

I have a "like new" 28 gauge Sizemaster that I recently paid $100 for.... that's anecdotal so probably not too much use to you.

The 9000 and 8567's are progressive machines so worth more, but I see used MEC 650's sell around the $100 mark (a lesser MEC progressive press). Also - I see older used progressive Posness Warren presses come up all the time in the $250 - $300 range, and they are more desirable machines to the high-volume shooter.

Probably not too much help to you, but that's all I have. Maybe folks with more direct experience will chime in........

[JagerDog]

Boss covered most.

As to keep or sell, that would require a lot more info. I'd reload if it cost me the same as cheapo factory, but many don't want to deal with the small savings in 12 and 20g target loads. Significant saving in 28g and 410.

I'd be interested in the 20g 9000 if you decide to sell.

Other than the no markings, they are all current albeit there may have been some upgrades over time.

[jericho89]

for the most part I have found that (unless you want specific loads) it is not worth loading 12 ga. the others are worth reloading cost wise if you have that shotgun. MEC is a well known brand and is widely used, but most shotgun reloading equipment is not that expensive ( a few hundred dollars). if you can use them keep them, if not sell them. they are quality machines but I do not see them going up in value.

[acespawnshop]

WOW THANKS! Super responses Calguns! I knew somebody on here would know about these things. I think I probably will keep a few of them. But If I decide to sell you will see them pop up in the forum.

[Pardini]

MEC' s are great. I started reloading 12 ga in Jr High on a 650 Jr. Used it for decades before I bought a 9000.

Shotshell loaders work best if you set them up for one brand of hull. In most cases switching hulls requires slight adjustments that can be a PITA to deal with if you have only a few boxes of different brands. If you research a bit you can find wads that will work in more than one hull.

The least frustrating approach is to get a Lyman book and either collect or buy one type of hull or if you score a big lot of one brand find a load for it. You can use different wads in any one brand of hull for different payloads.

[SunsetIE]

+1 for Mec. Ive got a 600 jr Mark V from the late 80s thats been used to load over 10k rounds of 12ga. Infact I used it as a scout in my scoutmasters garage with my friends (his sons) to load shells 15 years ago when we used to go trap shooting. Been on my workbench for 4 years now.

[Carcassonne]

I have a MEC 3-1/2" Steelmaster. It is like a Sizemaster, but it came with a steel bar and a steel shot container. The drop tube may also be different.


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[bruce381]

check the MEC website the progressives sell in the $500 range new.

[BigBronco]

MEC makes a great shotshell press I have loaded several thousands of 12ga on a grabber.

[SunsetIE]

check the MEC website the progressives sell in the $500 range new.

$603 on midway for the 9000gn, the 9000hn $1115. Mecs website is even more, $650 for the 9000gn and $1345 for the 9000hn.

Coincidentally I just upgraded from my 600 jr to a 9000gn. Progressives are amazing once dialed in