recommendations for shot shell loading equip

[HokeySon]

I would like to start loading shot shells (12 and 20 ga). Have just started looking at set ups and was looking for recommendations.

[tzahoy]

I have an old Pacific 366 which is now marketed by Hornady, and I've had a MEC progressive as well. The MEC was ok, I used it for loading hunting shells in low volume. I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds on the the 366, and it's so much better it's not even worth considering the MEC if you can justify the difference in cost. They both show up used once in a while on Craigslist.

The old Ponsness Warren machines were excellent also. Parts might be difficutl to get, but I doubt you'd need them as they were built like tanks. I'd be pretty certain it uses standard shot and powder bushings.

[Revoman]

I can only vouch for MEC 650's. (I have four gauges/bores, 12, 20, 28 & 410.) They are progressive, but not overly complicated. If something runs amok while loading they are friendly enough to fix right away, without a lot of extra stuff going on. For the money these are the best option. A 600 single stage, while a good loader, is fairly slow. The 650 can easily put out 100 rounds in about 40 minutes, that's filling the hoppers. I have loaded about fifteen thousand or more rounds on these MEC's with little/few issues, nothing that I couldn't fix anyway. I did call MEC once and was helped by a friendly tech who guided me on one issue. Good support.
I can also tell you that there are many more PW's for sale on the bulletin board at the range than any other. Yes they are supposed to be the Cadillac of shotshell loaders, but at least with the older ones, you cannot remove a round from the carousel and must advance it through the cycle to remove it. A lot of frustration and ultimately sale with those machines.
The best of the best is Spolar, but you will pay a lot for one of those and I have never seen a used one for sale.
RCBS and Dillon both put out shotshell loaders, but I know of no one that uses either of these.
I also always use a separate brass resizer before loading to bring the case into specification.

[SLO_Ryan]

Go to Phillip's Wholesale in Covina. They usually have second hand presses for a good price.

FYI, they are only open Wednesday through Saturday.

[HokeySon]

thanks all! I appreciate it.