Want to start reloading shotshells.

[Cowboy Tom]

Afternoon,
I have been shooting a fair amount of skeet and sporting clays using Walmart Federal shells. They shoot fine for me.
But was thinking of getting into reloading my own.
Since this will be new to me, would I be happy buying the MEC 77 Sizemaster as my first reloader?
And also, would it be quite some time before I "outgrew" the loader?
Thanks.

[AMProducts]

The MEC77 is pretty close to the MEC600JR it's a good starting press if you're not loading too much. It probably won't be too long before you want to upgrade to the MEC9000, which I can't recommend enough. I wish any of my dillons ran as good as that press does.

If you are in socal, I would highly recommend making a trip out to phillip's wholesale in covina. Rick (the owner) has been shooting and reloading shotgun longer than I've been alive. He sells used presses, hulls, wads, powder, primers and shot.

It's kinda've a difficult place to find (it's on a side street in an industrial park) but it's well worth the trip. He keeps odd hours so call before heading over.

http://www.phillipswholesale.net/

[PGL]

"Want to start reloading shotshells."

the sizemaster is a good reloader to start with (I did and still have it for hot loads), depending on how many shells you want to load, every shell requires you to pull the handle 6 times on 5 stations, 150 pulls for 1 box of 25 shells, your arm may get tired after awhile.
see video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI5BKdSDRbE
I bought a hornady 366 to load more in less time it does 8 functions per 1 pull
load a box of 25 in 5 minutes, more expensive machine,
I shoot 4 gauges in skeet competition and have 3 366 loaders, still use a mec 9000 for 410 shells. 366 in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwspyx3eS8Q&feature=related

you need to reload alot of 12 ga shells to offset the cost of reloading, 12 ga is the cheapest to buy on sale, see this shell cost calculator $$ http://shootpita.com/reloading-cost.htm
it usually costs me about $4.25/box to reload 12 ga not including reloader.
I'm in norcal-bay area some of the ranges here sell reloding supplies.

[Revoman]

I like the MEC's too. Run four 650's in 12, 20, 28 and 410 bore. The 650's don't have a lot of bells and whistles, but are a progressive loader that is advanced by hand and does 6 operations by a single pull. Little to go wrong because there is little automation.

All of MEC's machines are good, can you buy better, of course....but not for the same money.

I like reloading and load not only for savings, but for the hobby and relaxation that it provides, plus I don't need to go to the store to load up for any shooting that I do.

You will save much more the more you buy in bulk. Lead is very expensive right now though, so the savings will not be that great. The average that I have seen is in the $40-45 range for 25 #'s. You can usually buy cheaper at the local ranges if they offer components.

Graf's and Powder Valley are great venues to purchase from too. Good pricing.

[AAShooter]

It is hard to judge from your post how much shooting you are actually doing. The sizemaster is a great little reloader. Unless you really enjoy reloading, most clays shooter that do it regularly find a progressive reloader more in line with their needs.

For example, when I reload, I am filling 5 gallon buckets . . . it gets tedious with a manual reloader.

[WmWhitfield]

I reload with a Sizemaster but am beginning to think I should switch to a progressive. I am at the point that I am pulling the lever so much that I had some problems in my left arm similar to tennis elbow, the cure for which was to do as much pulling with both hands or the right, but never the left. I got it used off of Craig's list. +1 on Phillips in Covina for supplies. Even if you don't reload, you can by factory loads from Rick at a good price.

The best deal on shot I have found is the Redding Shooting Park or whatever it is called. If you are out that way there is a place called Wurtz for suupplies.

Reloading isn't going to save much if all you shoot is standard 12 gauge target loads. I buy some supplies in larger quantities and have my costs down to about $3.60 a box, which is not a great savings over WallMart Federals. The cost savings come in if you are paying $6 and up to $10 a box for light target loads.

[Cowboy Tom]

Thanks everyone.
Sounds like I want to get a "progressive" reloader rather than the MEC 77 single-stage.
What would be your recommendations for a reloader to start with?

[sargenv]

If the 9000 series is a tad expensive, you can sometimes find the older but just as capable 8567 Grabber press for sale now and then.. it has the same collet sizer as the Sizemaster and 9000 series.. and it is a solid press. I use sizemasters in 10, 12, and 20 and the grabber in 12. I prefer the collet sizer since they are much easier on the brass. The Sizemaster is a very capable press and can turn out about 200 rounds per hour once you get in a rhythm.. I'm not sure about the 650 but the Sizemasters all come with primer feed trays.

[Sideline Shooter]

So what did you decide? Allow me to add some more confusion. Loading shotgun loads can be fun and rewarding, but it will be expensive UNLESS you buy in BULK. Primers are real expensive and buying a few hundred will not cut it. You will need to buy a few thousand primers along with a few thousand wads. I like to support my local vendors but the reality is that the internet deals will most likely be better. If there is a local gun show that can help you also (if they have shotgun primers there!) The real problem will be getting lead shot to your location without paying exaggerated shipping/hazmat prices for it.

The only real advantage is that you can load lighter target loads in 7/8th and 1 ounce loads. The recoil is a lot more manageable and you will shoot more, and more comfortably, thus the learning curve will be more straight for you.

If lighter target loads and getting componets are a problem then buying factory might be the way to go. If so, at least buy the Remington target loads and save the hulls. You can always sell them locally to someone else that reloads or trade the hulls for guidence on your own reloading. PM for any questions.