Shotshell press suggestions

[jb7706]

I'm researching shotshell presses. I used a MEC in high school, no clue what model. It got the job done and if you were loading with a buddy you could really knock out some ammo. I own an XL 650, so I am familiar with the quality of Dillon gear.

Are there other options I should be looking at? Does anyone have any experience with the current MEC offerings? I will not be shooting as much shotgun as I do pistol, so I don't necessarily need the high output and cost of an SL900, but one can't have too many blue presses I guess. I do want to keep a reasonable output rate, so 200-300 rounds per hour would be acceptable.

Suggestions or opinions please.

[Revoman]

While I have limited experience with the higher end MEC loaders, I do have first hand experience with the 600, 650 and Grabber units.
The 600's are a little slower and you most likely cannot get the quantity of rounds out that you are talking about. It's a great press and they have loaded millions of rounds, but it is a little on the drudgery side since you are basically loading a single round all the way through. Although there is an attachment to resize, it's faster to use a resizer for that purpose. (Another tool.)
The Grabbers are basically the same, the difference is that they will resize the brass to assure that the finished round will fit in your chamber. So, they have the same draw-back, a little slow.
The 650 is similar with the exception that you are using all stations at every pull, 6 different operations, so every pull of the handle will produce a finished round. They are simple to operate, if you choose, you can use them as a non-progressive type press by moving the hull from one station to another. Putting out 200 rounds in an hour would be easy. On average I put out close to 300 in an hour, or about 100 per 20 minutes. It's automated, but not. These also have a sizer, but again, it's better to use the actual tool that's made to size.
The upgrades from there are automated and if something goes awry, they are bearcats to remedy because they are more complex than the above machines. They also cost more money.
There are a lot of used machines available for decent prices, I would highly rercommend that route no matter what you choose as a substantial amount of money can be saved.
I do have a friend that refurbishes used MEC's, that's all he works on, and he sells them for very fair prices.

[wilit]

Been thinking of picking up a reloader for .410. Waiting to see some more responses.

[mike100]

I have Mec Sizemasters in two calibers. They are fine for 50 to 100 rounds at a time. I usually do light or heavy loads, maybe 150 rounds in one sitting and they are fine for that. the sizemaster has the resizing collet on the first station with the deprime function. The sizemaster also has the primer feed tray.

I hear bad things about the SL900, but mainly I'm all about finished cost per shell for shotshells so reasonably priced gear factored into my decision to stay non-progressive and simple.

[morphius]

I don't know of anyone with a Dillon SL900 and most guys I shoot with use a MEC. 200-300 rounds of shotshell is pretty high volume for a single stage, so I wouldn't recommend that. I use a MEC 9000G. It is the most popular progressive model since it has auto indexing, like your Dillon 650. The Grabber doesn't have auto indexing like a Dillon 550 and a bit cheaper. I researched and for the little added cost rather have the auto indexing.

[bohoki]

i still have yet to see the economic advantage in anything but the .410 they use a lot of powder a lot of lead you need a also need a wad cup

of course i may do it one day once i get a lee slug mold

[Revoman]

Although there is some work involved, my way of thinking is that reloading is more of a hobby than a cost savings. Don't get me wrong, I like the savings part too, it's just that if you are getting into loading simply for the savings, you are not going to save an enormous amount in shotshell loading.
Reloading shotshells does save money, but not a lot. The real pleasure in loading shotshells is in the fact that you are loading as both a hobby and an ammunition enhancement. You can load much better rounds than the factory, plus it enhances your shooting experience by knowing more about the ballistics and how a round actually works.
It does for me anyway.
I like the fact that I have taken the time and energy to load my own and they all go bang and produce the outcome that I desire.

[jb7706]

i still have yet to see the economic advantage in anything but the .410 they use a lot of powder a lot of lead you need a also need a wad cup

of course i may do it one day once i get a lee slug mold

Aside from the reasons Revoman gave (I agree with) for me it is a matter of being able to be independent of retail outlets stocking the loads I want to shoot. Having to change up your ammo once you are accustomed to it can mean the difference between breaking 40+ clays in a round of trap or wanting to wrap your shotgun around a tree. It also gives me a way to spend time with my father and brother in law or my boys. That "man time" is very therapeutic to me.

Thanks for the info provided so far. Please keep the press info coming, there is nothing like first hand experience to paint a picture.

[mike100]

I save a little money loading 1 oz loads vs. 1-1/8oz (using the walmart 100pk birdshot price as the benchmark), but the other advantage for 12 gauge comes in when you are making stout loads for handicap or sporting clays equivalent loads for 4.50 to $5 a box instead of the nearly $8 you pay for new. Plus you can tweak it up or down just a bit to suit your SG and your shoulder just perfectly.

I only load 100 at a time, usually so the cheaper presses are fun for me.

[cdrxls]

not trying to thread-jack, i've been meaning to start reloading shotshell but....

i have a Hornady 366, how does it compare to the MECs? any pros-cons-suggestions

[jb7706]

not trying to thread-jack, i've been meaning to start reloading shotshell but....

i have a Hornady 366, how does it compare to the MECs? any pros-cons-suggestions

Does that mean you have a 366 or you want to know more about it? If you have one please let us know what you think of it. It's a model I have not seen yet and I'm definitely curious to know more.

[cdrxls]

Does that mean you have a 366 or you want to know more about it? If you have one please let us know what you think of it. It's a model I have not seen yet and I'm definitely curious to know more.

i have the hornady 366 stored away in my cabinet, i wanted to start reloading shotshell but never got around to it....i was going to get some hulls, shot and powder but again....one of these days i'll start

it's progressive, auto prime, auto powder/shot, etc. built like a tank, very solid and well built. i heard alot of the MECs and 366s, both have it's pros and cons, i read most of the reviews online but wanted first hand opinions from those who actually uses one, not from those who reviews them one time and that's it.

here's a pic

[jb7706]

Another calgunner made me aware of these:http://reloaders.com/index.php. Anyone know about these guys? I have never heard of them.

[Revoman]

[advocatusdiaboli]

SO funny as in odd...

I used the search feature and got... well ... nothing. So I posted my own query on this same subject and now after asking I tried other combinations of words and found a few. Sheesh. My apologies all.