Just bought a shotshell press

[Chris M]

If feels a little funny saying this, but - My wife convinced me to buy a 20ga shotshell press. I picked up a MEC 600 Jr Mark V yesterday. I don't yet have any of the components or additional tools (besides the metallic reloading stuff I have).

She's got a 96 year old Winchester Model 12 2.5" 20ga shotgun that my father gave her, and she wants to use it. I haven't been able to find any ammo locally for it. Online, it's $11/box + shipping. According to my calculations, I can load it for less than $5/box, paying full retail for components.

This MEC seems like a pretty nice press, and I'm sure I'll get some good use out of it. I'm trying to find out if there's a way to convert it to reload 12ga...not sure it's worth it though, and may end up just buying a second press eventually.

I think soon the only factory-loaded ammo I'll ever need to buy will be .22lr.

[Southpaw45]

The Mec 600 is a great press. Mine has been spitting out ammo since 1982 and the only thing that worn out was the bottles. Check Mecs web site to see if it can be converted. As far as the Mod 12 goes, you can have the forcing cone lenghten by a smith so you can shoot 2 3/4 inch shells safely...

[Chris M]

The Mec 600 is a great press. Mine has been spitting out ammo since 1982 and the only thing that worn out was the bottles. Check Mecs web site to see if it can be converted. As far as the Mod 12 goes, you can have the forcing cone lenghten by a smith so you can shoot 2 3/4 inch shells safely...

I thought about lengthening the chamber, but decided not to.

I checked the site, but was unable to find anything about a conversion kit. I figure it'll probably cost about 1/2 as much as a new press, and will take a considerable amount of time to convert the press back and forth each time I want to use it. It may be worth spending a few extra $$$ and just get a dedicated 12ga press. I should probably use up the ~50 boxes of 12ga I've got sitting around first, though.

[rmblaster]

You can change it over to the other ga's but the kits run around 75-80 bucks like you say it would be easier to just buy another press for 12 ga the part # for the conversion kits is 8452

rmblaster

[LGB Loader]

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You can change it over to the other ga's but the kits run around 75-80 bucks like you say it would be easier to just buy another press for 12 ga

Yup.

LGB

[Southpaw45]

I had the forcing cones lengthend on three Winchester 1897s that I have and it was the best thing I did to them concerning any modifications. They all had 2 1/2 in chambers. This job even helps on felt recoil and the cost was only about 30 bucks per gun. You can barely notice if any mod to the chamber was ever done. You wont have to worry about buying components to load 2 1/2 inch shells and it will function just fine with the longer shells.

[IrishPirate]

your wife sounds cool

[Chris M]

Regarding lengthening the forcing cones - where did you go to get it done for $30? I called around about a year ago, and couldn't find anyone to do it for less than $200, because the gunsmiths that I talked to didn't have the tools to do it, and reaming chambers in 20 gauge shotguns isn't in high demand.

[Southpaw45]

It was done by a guy who I do Cowboy Action Shooting with here in Tracy. he works out of his workshop at his home and he does alot of the gunsmithing for the shooters in our club. I misplaced his phone number but When I find it, I will give him a call or I will see him on the 28th at our next shoot in Manteca. Im almost sure hes got the 20ga reamers because I know he has them for the least popular 16ga. I will drop you a PM if you like when I get more info..

[Chris M]

It was done by a guy who I do Cowboy Action Shooting with here in Tracy. he works out of his workshop at his home and he does alot of the gunsmithing for the shooters in our club. I misplaced his phone number but When I find it, I will give him a call or I will see him on the 28th at our next shoot in Manteca. Im almost sure hes got the 20ga reamers because I know he has them for the least popular 16ga. I will drop you a PM if you like when I get more info..

Absolutely. If you could PM me this guy's contact info, I'd really appreciate it.

[Chris M]

your wife sounds cool

She is. She doesn't mind me reloading (unless I'm out there until midnight), and she loves shooting almost as much as I do.