12 GA reloads

[dadof56]

I am very new to reloading, and I just bought a 600 Jr. It appears to be set up for reloading 12ga. I reloaded about 50 rounds and everything seemed to worked ok, but every now and them when I punched out the primer and sized the shell the machine would catch on the low base shell and smash one side of it. This does not happen often just now and then. When I went to the Range and shot the rounds that I reloaded, they would not eject properly from my 870.
They would get stuck in the extractor. They would almost eject, but not quite.
The shells that I reloaded were New Federal and New Winn. (shot once/low base) I anyone can help me figure out what causes this problem please let me know....

[Cowboy T]

We see a similar issue at work even with certain brand-new Federal factory ammo and *newer* Remington 870's, particularly the pink Federal hulls. The metal bases will expand enough to actually get stuck in the chamber and not extract! This might be what's happening to you. We do not see this with the high-wall shells or the non-pink Federal shells. It happens only every now and then. We try the same cheap ammo through the Mossberg 500, or an older (early 1980's) Rem 870 and no problems. Go figure.

[AAShooter]

As I recall, the recent 870's have some machining marks in the chambers that sometimes cause this problem. It seems simply polishing the chamber solves the problem. You might want to search for extraction.

Also realize the MEC Sizemaster is does a much better job resizing brass and so many people go with it over the 600.

[NoNOS67]

The shells that I reloaded were New Federal and New Winn. (shot once/low base) I anyone can help me figure out what causes this problem please let me know....

What flavor of Winchester hull are you using? Post some pics of the hulls when you get a chance.


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[Revoman]

Yeah, it matters if the base is brass or steel.

Brass being so malleable it's not a problem, but steel doesn't flex like brass and usually if a chamber is slightly over-size, then the steel will stretch to the over-size and not shrink back enough to allow you to resize as it's slightly too large. Even though you're lucking out with most of them.

Try using brass base hulls, if you're not already and that should take care of the issue.

[bumpo628]

Did you buy this used?
You may not have it properly adjusted. I found the manual here: http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/mec_600jr.pdf

[Cheep]

You may have to resize the base of these shells to fit into your press and chamber. Mec makes a collet resizer.

[AAShooter]

Here is a link to Mec's Super Sizer: http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/SuperSizer.asp

[dadof56]

Yes I bought it used.. I tried to adjust the machine. The manual explains how to adjust the various stations but not where to adjust it too. now, on the last and final crimp the shell seems to squash. I am hopelessly lost on this machine...

[NoNOS67]

You're not trying to reload Winchester Universal hulls, are you? Post some pics of the hulls...will make it much easier to help you out.

[AAShooter]

You're not trying to reload Winchester Universal hulls, are you? Post some pics of the hulls...will make it much easier to help you out.

I think so. Good for a reload or two. I think are listed under this heading in the Hodgdon manual: 2 3/4" WINCHESTER POLYFORMED PLASTIC GAME SHELLS (PLASTIC BASEWAD)

[dadof56]

yes, Winchester Universal and Federal. Both steel.

[NoNOS67]

yes, Winchester Universal and Federal. Both steel.

Yeah, that's what I figured. Personally, I would recommend against reloading either of those. Both use a separate base wad that can come loose and lodge in the barrel, creating a dangerous condition if another round is fired without clearing the obstruction. Many have also found that they have trouble extracting the Winchester Universals, even on their first firing. I stick to Winchester AA hulls and anything in Remington. Hope this helps!

[9mmrevolver]

The cheap winchester I would agree to stay away from. Had lots of issues in my 590. The federal is all I use. It in abundance at the range. I do however resize all of them. Figured that out with the first batch. Most of them shot but were tight. Some didn't chamber.