although I've rolled many a load for my rifles, i have never loaded or had any mentor on shotshell loading....i know i want to go progressive, and have been looking at the mec 9000, but cant seem to find if it will do what i want it to....at this time i want to load 12g low brass #6-8, 2 3/4(for dove and clays), high brass #6, 2 3/4(for quail and squirrels),3" #6 shot(for turkey) and #4 buck 3" shells(for the preds)...can this be done on this machine? or should i be looking at something else?
shotshell reloading
- Thread starter shanedogg
- Start date
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
A Mec 600 Jr would be better for the 3" shells. You can't run buck shot through any shotgun shell reloader that I know of.
I have a Mec Grabber that I reload all of my Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays shells on but I use a Mec 600 Jr for the 2-3/4" mag and 3" magnum loads on.
All of my coyote and goose loads that I reload I put the shot in the shell by hand, I don't use the shot bar because the pellets are too big.
I have a Mec Grabber that I reload all of my Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays shells on but I use a Mec 600 Jr for the 2-3/4" mag and 3" magnum loads on.
All of my coyote and goose loads that I reload I put the shot in the shell by hand, I don't use the shot bar because the pellets are too big.
I do not believe that any of the Mec progressives will do 3" shells.
I also use a grabber for my trap, skeet, sporting clays and silo pigeon loads. I have found that #6 shot can be ornery about bridging in the shot drop tube, at least the bag I tried was a pain.
I use a size master for the stouter loads and have been hand weighing shot charges rather than dropping them with a bar, but for those kinds of loads I an generally only loading a box or two at a time.
I also use a grabber for my trap, skeet, sporting clays and silo pigeon loads. I have found that #6 shot can be ornery about bridging in the shot drop tube, at least the bag I tried was a pain.
I use a size master for the stouter loads and have been hand weighing shot charges rather than dropping them with a bar, but for those kinds of loads I an generally only loading a box or two at a time.
Mr. Outdoors
Member
The MEC Steelmaster does well up to BB shot size, beyond that I agree with derbyacresbob about the need to put the shot in by hand. I have also have the 2 3/4",3" conversion plate for my Steelmaster. So that way i can use one reloader for all the 12 gauge lengths 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2 shells. The difference with the steelmaster when comparing other MEC reloaders is the drop tube is larger in diameter, which helps with the larger shot sizes.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
Yes they can be all done on the same loader. It doesn't sound like you do enough loading to warent a progressive unless you do alot of clay shooting. If you do I would get a loader and keep it set up for your clay/dove load and get a Mec 600 Jr for everything else. you can set it up for 3" and get a small plate adaptor that slides under the charging, crimp-start and crimp stations to reduce frome 3 to 2 3/4. I use it on a 2 3/4 machine to reduce for 2 1/2" 12 ga shells. It slides in and out in a couple seconds.
Will post pic in a minute.
It's the 1/4' thick black plate, you just lift on the spring and the plate slides under the shell guides.
You can load a lot of shells on a 600, I used one for many years until my wife and I started shooting three nights a week and on the weekend and started buying shot by the ton. Once you get in the rythem you can knock out a box in a few minutes.
Will post pic in a minute.
It's the 1/4' thick black plate, you just lift on the spring and the plate slides under the shell guides.
You can load a lot of shells on a 600, I used one for many years until my wife and I started shooting three nights a week and on the weekend and started buying shot by the ton. Once you get in the rythem you can knock out a box in a few minutes.
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derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: shanedogggood info AWS....but i want a progressive cuz i'm lazy...just want to be able to yeild a couple hundred rounds in an hour or so on a sunday afternoon and be done for a few months if you know what i mean.....
I agree with AWS. A MEC 600 jr can reload shells pretty fast. If you are only going to shoot 100 to 200 shells a month I would start out with a 600 jr and then get a progressive later if you need to or want to.
You have to buy your wads, primers, powder and shot in large quanities at the right places or you won't save much money at all by reloading shotgun shells.
I agree with AWS. A MEC 600 jr can reload shells pretty fast. If you are only going to shoot 100 to 200 shells a month I would start out with a 600 jr and then get a progressive later if you need to or want to.
You have to buy your wads, primers, powder and shot in large quanities at the right places or you won't save much money at all by reloading shotgun shells.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
good info AWS....but i want a progressive cuz i'm lazy...just want to be able to yeild a couple hundred rounds in an hour or so on a sunday afternoon and be done for a few months if you know what i mean.....
With a auto primer feed, a well layed out bench with hulls and wads easily handled 200 rounds an hour is not out of the question, thats only 3.5/min
With a auto primer feed, a well layed out bench with hulls and wads easily handled 200 rounds an hour is not out of the question, thats only 3.5/min
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: ackleymanI would not go progressive on your first go round, a Mec Sizemaster is a whale of a machine. Load a box every 7 minutes.
I agree with Ackleyman...
I have a Ponsness Warren 375C, cuz I load for .410, 28ga, 12-2/34", and 12-3".
It is easy to convert (in few minutes).
If you load a ton for trap or skeet, then a progressive makes sense, but if you don't load tons of the same thing, then progressive machines make no sense.
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I agree with Ackleyman...
I have a Ponsness Warren 375C, cuz I load for .410, 28ga, 12-2/34", and 12-3".
It is easy to convert (in few minutes).
If you load a ton for trap or skeet, then a progressive makes sense, but if you don't load tons of the same thing, then progressive machines make no sense.
.