Want to get into shotgun reloading

[mike.h]

I have an old Mec 600 Jr, 12 ga. that hasn't been used for years if you are interested.

[rsrocket1]

Resizing the base of the hulls and putting a taper on the crimp (or at least making a guarantee that the crimp doesn't taper out too much) is very important for competition shotgun shooting where a jammed round could cost you. Make sure your rounds feed properly and smoothly.

I got into slug and buckshot loading from the other side. I shot trap and skeet like crazy and the difference between a $3.50 box of reloads and a $5 box of new ammo recouped my reloading in the first year. I got a used Mec 9000GN and some extra accessories for $350. Since then I've cranked out many thousands of great target and hunting loads.
I was also a rifle, handgun and muzzleloader caster so learning how to load slugs and buckshot was a natural progression.



Casting slugs is no more difficult than casting bullets. It's a little slower because you cast only one slug at a time instead of 2 rifle or 6 handgun bullets and there is a bottom insert that needs to get up to temperature as well as the mold body itself.

Slugs were easy, a Lee slug mold cost me $30 so it paid for itself with the first box of shells I made. It fits in a 12 gauge wad and you load it just like you would lead shot except it takes a little more TLC to put it into the hull before crimping the hull. It crimps with a standard folded crimp, no roll crimp necessary.

Here's a cutaway view of a 1 oz slug with a Claybuster Lightning wad (thin wad petals help).



and a picture of what a loaded slug round looks like



My main adversary for these slugs
Always haul out your trash when you leave



For buckshot you can also use the Lee mold but there may be better ones out there. I still haven't decided on which mold to get. I like #4 buck if I ever wanted to use it for HD rounds but 00 looks tempting too.

I've only loaded Hornady buckshot in #4 and 00 myself and both worked fine.

Load Data

Most buckshot and slug load data out there is for hunting loads where you often want the hardest hitting projectiles possible. They tend to use slower powders like HS-6, Unique or similar powders to get 1400-1500 fps. This is fine for a one shot hunting load, but it gets pretty fatiguing when you're shooting 25 of these at the range.

Disclaimer: You should not use load recommendations other than published data

This is what I've learned, not what you should do.
I load slugs to about 1200 fps (using a chrony) and they are much easier on the shoulder. I use regular target (fast) powders and target load data for standard 1 oz shot and get the same velocities as the published loads for shot as I do with slugs.

Don't do this unless you know what you're doing. Look for published loads for 1200 fps slugs if you can find them.

Yes, the high velocity Unique loads were a bit more accurate this day but I only have a vent rib gun with a front bead so the sighting is not the best



Disclamers off.

A single stage press is all you need. I have to load slugs or buckshot by hand at the shot drop stage but I can still use the progressive for all the other stages so I can still produce one shell per handle pull, it just takes longer while I load the slug/buckshot.

Hope that helps

[skyline]

Thank you all that is a wealth of information
I am going to look into casting next i ended up purchasing a mec 600 Jr from another cal guner
For cheap i have to rebuld it and knock off some of the surface rust and re paint but its a start

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[bigbossman]

When I'm getting someone into non high volume shotshell loading I suggest a Mec Sizemaster. Has collet resizer, does 2-3/4" or 3", primer dispenser. Easy to take shells in/out which you'll be doing for buck and slugs.

I used to load on a 600jr, and had the separate MEC base sizing tool. The thing is, I never used it because I never ever had a problem with reloaded shot-shells feeding and/or chambering in any of my shotguns. If I ever figure out where I stashed the base sizing tool, I'm gonna toss it up on eBay. I graduated to 650's a long time ago for 12 and 20 guage, but still occasionally use a 600jr for .410.

To the OP, used MEC 600jr presses in 12ga are all over and can be had for cheap - $50 or so. Check eBay or your local CL. They are mechanically simple, robust, and easy to adjust and use. Parts and support abound.

[JagerDog]

I used to load on a 600jr, and had the separate MEC base sizing tool. The thing is, I never used it because I never ever had a problem with reloaded shot-shells feeding and/or chambering in any of my shotguns. If I ever figure out where I stashed the base sizing tool, I'm gonna toss it up on eBay. I graduated to 650's a long time ago for 12 and 20 guage, but still occasionally use a 600jr for .410.

To the OP, used MEC 600jr presses in 12ga are all over and can be had for cheap - $50 or so. Check eBay or your local CL. They are mechanically simple, robust, and easy to adjust and use. Parts and support abound.

I used an old Texan for decades. 600 jr works similar. I still prefer the sizemaster as I prefer the collet resizer and the included primer hopper. Adding the hopper to a JR puts you in the range of a sizemaster.

Currently I have 9000GN's in 12 and 20. I have a PW 375 for my "specialty" loads.

[bigbossman]

I used an old Texan for decades. 600 jr works similar. I still prefer the sizemaster as I prefer the collet resizer and the included primer hopper. Adding the hopper to a JR puts you in the range of a sizemaster.

Currently I have 9000GN's in 12 and 20. I have a PW 375 for my "specialty" loads.

LOL - I had a Texan, too.... then I "graduated" to a Pacific DL-105. From there I went to the 600jr's, and settled on the 650's years ago. At the time I was shooting a lot of Trap and Skeet, and 20 minutes/box on the 600 was just too slow. No sure about now, but there was a time when used 650's could be bought, complete with the primer feed mechanics, for $100 or less.

I toyed with getting a PW for a time, but then fell out of the Skeet League world and couldn't really justify the cost.

[BajaJames83]

I just went down this road not too long ago myself but I had a press from a trade some years ago. I loaded up some #1 and #4 buck #1s are really nice and stack in hulls/ wads nice as do #4s.
The only reason I went down this road was because this wonderful state has imposed illegal regulations on us for purchasing ammo so like I have done with rifle and pistol for many years I will do with shotgun and reload. Even though 12ga doesnt save much if any money when loading. What it does do is give me some flexibility to pick and choose different loads which is pretty fun. #1 buck is great!