Kind of a silly question...

P

Phil Boyles

New member
My predator hunting buddy and I would like to reload some 12 gauge shells and customize them to our needs. We both reload brass and I wondered if there is a way to reload 12 gauge plastic shells on a single stage press? Does any of the reloading equipment companies make a set of dies for that. We don't need volume or another press on the bench, a set of dies sounds like a good idea to me, but I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it.
 
I loaded my first shotshells ever over the weekend. The only thing the press was used for was the crimps (new primed hulls). Maybe a tool out there that just does crimping? Well, heck, now that I think about it, for sure there is if you want to use roll crimps. Had I used them this weekend, my new to me Mec press would not have been touched.

- DAA
 
Yeah, MEC is by far the most popular brand - MEC 600 is the model you'll see most in single stage. If you want a used one to start out on, PM me - I have several and only need a couple for my different gauges anymore. Could sell some.
 
I knew an "old timer" who had one that mounted to a single stage press about 30 years ago...wow, 30 years ago, now I'm an "old timer", anyway, he's long gone......check Ebay you may have some luck there.


Here Kitty Kitty
 
Lee hand loader in 12 ga works just fine.

This is a Lee next generation over the hand loader that I just use to insert wads and then roll crimp. This is for my 2 1/2 waterfowl loads with ITX. I weigh both powder and shot for them.



If you just use new hulls all you need is a roll crimper.

My roll crimping set up.



You can usually find MEC 600 12ga loaders for $50 bucks or less in yard sales, I've picked up a 12, 16, and 20ga over the years. I've set up the 12 and 16 with short shell kits to load fold crimped 2 1/2" target loads.
 
One thing that you need to know is that there is no tweaking loads here and there. You need to use published data for the hulls, wads, shot, and primers that you are using. Shot shell reloading is a lot different than reloading rifle and pistol roads. If you change your hulls, primers, and wads you need to find a published load for that and don't venture off the data. You will not see the pressure signs that you see on brass. Just giving you a heads up. Loading shotgun shells are the same basic principal but different.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I have reloaded a lot of 12 gauge in the past. I sold my Size Master like a dummy a few years ago. I load a lot of brass too. I'm not a risk taker, believe me. Thanks though.
 


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