Help me evaluate 2 shotgun presses

[JoyfulJoker]

I bought someone?s shotgun reloading gear from his son when he passed. It was an all or nothing deal. I just wanted primers and a decent Model 12, but ended up with 2 Shotgun Presses , 2500 wads, 2500 AA hulls ,150 lbs of lead shot etc .

I finally took a minute to check out the presses.

The first is a Mec Jr. Mark V that I?m pretty sure is set up for .410 as I found the instructions for .410 Bore in with the Mec paperwork. It?s missing part number 16 Primer cup, 17 spring primer, 18 Spring Pad and 19 Primer catcher as well as shot and powder jugs.
Does anyone even shoot .410? The cost of changing the parts to 12 g is almost the cost of a new one.

The second is a Hornady 366 Auto that functions except for one broken spring . It needs some loving. Rust on both presses. I gave them both a cleaning with Ballistol.

I don?t shoot a lot of shotgun but wanted to load slugs and buck shot. Is it worth keeping the 366 ? I know it only loads birdshot , but new it?s worth $1200. This is probably worth half that . Is there are a market value for these? I?m on the fence.

I reload pistol and rifle on an XL 750.

Thanks ,

https://imgur.com/a/Cj1HbMa

PS ? the slow load times are maddening , but good for not wasting time online

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Both presses are decent presses. I'd keep them both and learn how to use them for the heck of it. Not sure where you are located but if you are in NOr Cal I'd be interested in a couple hundred of those wads and 2-3 bags of your lead. I am new to shot loading as well. It's a new animal I got into it primarily for slug and buck It's fun and addictive!! PM me if you are interested in letting go a few items Thanks

[Revoman]

If they were rusty, you did an admirable hob cleaning them.
The MEC 600 appears to maybe be a 20 gauge (?), I don't think that it's a .410 at all.
MEC, or many other places sell parts for those machines, so easily fixed by any rookie. There are also videos on how to use/repair/etc, out there. And if your Google-fu is good, there are many secrets to repair and especially adjustments.
The MEC 600 is worth perhaps $75-$100 if it is fixed, if not, maybe $40.
The Hornady is a nice machine, but you'll never get $600 for it, maybe $300-$350 (IMO).
They would be good to keep.

[JoyfulJoker]

BHilliker: I usually shoot Action Pistol at the RRGC (Richmond) if I?m not working . I?ll shoot you a PM when I have a chance with the wad type. I?m not sure how far north you are.

Revoman: thank you. it is a 20? the stamp was on the shell holder. The Mec is an easy fix . Just the priming station parts and jugs. I don?t own a 20 gauge. I?ll sell it. A set of 12 gauge dies is $199.00. A new 12 gauge Mec JR is $300.00.

I?m leaning toward fixing the Hornady . I found a video series on complete dissembly and reassembly. The broken spring is $4.99. It probably needs a few new parts. If I don?t use it, I?ll sell it.

[ar15barrels]

It's not worth converting a Mec JR.
Sell it and buy one in the gauge that you want.
People do reload 410 because factory ammo is so expensive since it's not as popular.
You would have no problem selling the press and then obtaining a 12ga press for likely less money than you sold the 410 press for.

The first is a Mec Jr. Mark V that I?m pretty sure is set up for .410 as I found the instructions for .410 Bore in with the Mec paperwork. It?s missing part number 16 Primer cup, 17 spring primer, 18 Spring Pad and 19 Primer catcher as well as shot and powder jugs.
Does anyone even shoot .410? The cost of changing the parts to 12 g is almost the cost of a new one.

[BIGOX]

If it was me. I would sale the 366 and use the mec 600jr to learn on. You could sale or I'm sure someone would trade a 12g mec 600 for a 20g. I would but im down south . I sale used 12g conversion kits cheap

[NickQuick]

They are both very good presses. The 366 is for someone who is into trap/skeet etc. That's a very sweet machine if you get to know it better. The junior is a good press for one hull at a time.
If you plan on loading slug and buckshot you should stay with the junior. In fact you don't really need a press for slug or buckshot but that junior might give you a hand.
If you don't plan on start shooting a lot of trap etc that 366 will sell well and you can buy with the money molds for slugs and buckshot and also components for that type of reloading.
That's my take on this matter.
And BTW your presses looks great.

[JoyfulJoker]

Nickquik: thanks. The previous owner was a trap shooter who had a variety of Model 12’s. I’ve got his 12 gauge. I don’t shoot a lot of shotgun and lean toward defensive shooting and USPSA pistol.
A Mec Jr would serve my needs.

[NickQuick]

Clearly he was a trap shooter otherwise he wouldn't have a progressive shotshell press. That 600 will not sell for more than 150$ in a good day so no reason to sell it. Keep it and it will prove useful in the long run for minor shotshell reloading needs.
Find a new home for the 366 and buy slug molds or powders or whatever that will be more helpful for you in the future.