Best 12 Ga reloading press?

[BP707]

I have been reloading rifle and pistol rounds for a few years now and want to start reloading 12ga rounds. I have been thinking about getting the MEC 9000G Progressive Press, I want to spend around $500 to $700 for a press. Any reason I should not get one of these presses?

[Revoman]

In my opinion, MEC makes an excellent press no matter which one you buy. I lean toward the less 'options' side of things as there are simply more things to go wrong with a fancier press, meaning progressive. While the basic 600 is too slow and will not keep up with any kind of real reloading for the games, still being a good press though, I looked at the 650 as a middle of the road press.

I ended up liking the first one so much that I bought all of the gauges I shoot in that line.

While it's no progressive, it can put out some really good ammo in a short amount of time. On a normal loading without rushing, and having everything ready and accessible, a box of 100 every 20-25 minutes is fairly easy. The 650 has a turret table and does six operations with one pull. Comes with the auto-primer and a resizer tube, which I don't use, I prefer the separate resizer. A 650 is basically a 9000 without the automation as you turn the turret manually. I only shoot about 8,000 rounds a year and the MEC's keep up without issue.

There are much better presses out there, Ponsness and Spolar are two that come to mind, but they will cost a bunch more and in my view anyway, don't warrant the extra cash....unless perhaps you're a competitor that shoots 20K plus annually.

[freonr22]

http://www.hornady.com/store/Loader-366-12-Ga-Gas-Asst-2-3-4-1-Each/

I always wondereded about these. I don't know anyone that has one

[cpatbay]

The hornady looks too complicated. I would also look at the shotshell press by Lee.

[Coyotegunner]

I have many thousand rounds loaded on a Mec Grabber,and recommend it highly.
My Mec Jr is for sale cheap.

[RugerNo1]

After researching Mec, RCBS, and Hornady for seemingly endless weeks on end we could never really make a decision on a press. We shoot a round of Sporting Clays almost every weekend and wanted something a little more durable/substantial. There is a pretty thriving community of shotgunners in my area so I began asking around for recommendations and was led to Ponsness Warren (PW). We ended up getting the Patriot model and could not be happier as it is very "industrial" looking and quality is tough to beat. However, I can understand peoples' budget constraining them so one may want to look for used Ponsness Warrens (I have seen them for sale from $500) as some come up for sale from time to time. Usually, the sellers are either retiring, upgrading to a new PW, or getting a Spolar press. PW still makes parts for their older models and even retrofit kits to give them some of the new features.

Maybe that helped?

[BP707]

Has anyone used or own a RCBS progressive shot press?

[lpspinner]

I own a Ponsness-Warren Duomatic Model 375. One day I'll learn how to use it.

[1in9twist]

Anyone used the Dillon offering?

[ghostrider]

"Spolar" the Daddy of shotshell reloaders

[Sanderhawk]

I know this is the simple press but I just bought the Lee load all 2 for 12ga ($43). I have already load a few hundred shells and it works great. I even load the primers by hand and I can knock out 50 shells fairly quick. I know you want a fancier press but this one I got works and you would have a boat load of money left over to buy your reloading supplys. JMO

[BigBronco]

I have had several Mec Grabbers over the years and have loaded thousands of rounds on them. They are great presses. I recently upgraded to a Pre owned Ponsness warren 801-B, Hands down a superior press. If you are shooting your reloads out of multiple shot guns you should get one that re-sizes the brass. If your time is of any value or you shoot a lot, do not get a single station. Unless it is just to learn on.