used shot shell press?

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How much can be expected in savings per box of 25 12 gauge target shells when you reload?
Does Lee make one of those simple reloading kits they have for rifle & pistol for shot shells?
 
Lee is zinc and plastic and has no way to adjust anything.
You will either save money by loading a better quality shell for the same price as the cheap crap, OR you will load something that is not available. I reload a 3/4oz for both 12 and 20 - cheap to make, easy on the shoulder. By buying components in bulk, my reloads cost about $3.50/box
 
Lee is zinc and plastic and has no way to adjust anything.
You will either save money by loading a better quality shell for the same price as the cheap crap, OR you will load something that is not available. I reload a 3/4oz for both 12 and 20 - cheap to make, easy on the shoulder. By buying components in bulk, my reloads cost about $3.50/box
ya i shoot game loads most time, usually the cheap black remington #6s but there getting pricy and i like reloading. i would like to try to make some 2 3/4 turkey loads one day to. after i get a press then i can look up what hulls and wads to buy, what ones do you use.
 
I use Remington, any of them will load using the same data. Winchester AAs are also tapered like the Remingtons, but the other Winchesters are NOT. Euro hulls like Fiocchi, RIO and Cheddites are straight-walled hulls and require wads designed for straight-walled hulls. Federals are straight-walled and most Euros and Federals will take the same wad.

Where I used to live my club bought all of their targets from Gamaliel in Kentucky and so when we wanted reloading supplies, we went through the club and the stuff was just added onto the truckload of targets. This saved us LOTS on shipping and hazmat fees. You might see if a local club does something like that as well, or if there is a group of guys you can go in on a bulk purchase of powder, primers, wads and shot - that will help save money as well.

When I buy, I buy primers by the sleeve of 5,000, wads by the case of 5,000 and powder in 8# jugs - 2/case.
 
I use Remington, any of them will load using the same data. Winchester AAs are also tapered like the Remingtons, but the other Winchesters are NOT. Euro hulls like Fiocchi, RIO and Cheddites are straight-walled hulls and require wads designed for straight-walled hulls. Federals are straight-walled and most Euros and Federals will take the same wad.

Where I used to live my club bought all of their targets from Gamaliel in Kentucky and so when we wanted reloading supplies, we went through the club and the stuff was just added onto the truckload of targets. This saved us LOTS on shipping and hazmat fees. You might see if a local club does something like that as well, or if there is a group of guys you can go in on a bulk purchase of powder, primers, wads and shot - that will help save money as well.

When I buy, I buy primers by the sleeve of 5,000, wads by the case of 5,000 and powder in 8# jugs - 2/case.
ya i figured a taper wad is best and it being a one pease shell. i don't have any shotgun power other the unique if guy even use that anymore.i normally drive to pa it's only 10 miles away. the one shop has some good prices to, most powder is cheaper then what midway lists. the owner bird hunts so maybe if i did a big order he would help out. is it still ture remington and winchester AA are some of the best hulls, i seen guys using those pink wads for i believe the AA hulls.

last year i made a mini shot maker prototype. worked fine and fast enough for my needs, i have to mess with the dripper size and the height to the water and the angel of the ramp where the lead rolls.

on powder, is there a number one used, cheap for me is best. me loading game loads would that require a different powder then the guys who only loads for shooting clays.
 
Shop around on internet for MEC parts, MEC sells them higher than some of the distributors. lots of used mecs around !
MeC shotshell reloaders are good equipment, Lyman plastic not very good but useable.

Bull
 
Actually I try to duplicate the loads I buy at Walmart: Win. AA Super-Handicaps, and Rem. Nitro 27's. Yes, I save about a buck a box, but I don't do it for that reason. A word of caution; There are 2 types of AA hulls- compression formed (CF) and High Strength (HS). the HS hulls have a separate 'cup' in the inside base. This takes up some of the powder space and WAA-12 (Winchester standard white wads) sit too high in them with some powders (Larger flake fluffy powders like Green Dot) and the resulting stack height will result in poor crimping and the wad petals folding over the top. I have a bunch loaded as such, and while they pattern decent, they probably have high pressure. The Remington STS Nitro 27, and Nitro Gold hulls don't have this problem, nor do the AA CF hulls.
 
Actually I try to duplicate the loads I buy at Walmart: Win. AA Super-Handicaps, and Rem. Nitro 27's. Yes, I save about a buck a box, but I don't do it for that reason. A word of caution; There are 2 types of AA hulls- compression formed (CF) and High Strength (HS). the HS hulls have a separate 'cup' in the inside base. This takes up some of the powder space and WAA-12 (Winchester standard white wads) sit too high in them with some powders (Larger flake fluffy powders like Green Dot) and the resulting stack height will result in poor crimping and the wad petals folding over the top. I have a bunch loaded as such, and while they pattern decent, they probably have high pressure. The Remington STS Nitro 27, and Nitro Gold hulls don't have this problem, nor do the AA CF hulls.
are used hull the way to go, id get the rem sts or the win AA's the cheap new hulls are all strate hulls.
 
ya i figured a taper wad is best and it being a one pease shell. i don't have any shotgun power other the unique if guy even use that anymore.i normally drive to pa it's only 10 miles away. the one shop has some good prices to, most powder is cheaper then what midway lists. the owner bird hunts so maybe if i did a big order he would help out. is it still ture remington and winchester AA are some of the best hulls, i seen guys using those pink wads for i believe the AA hulls.

last year i made a mini shot maker prototype. worked fine and fast enough for my needs, i have to mess with the dripper size and the height to the water and the angel of the ramp where the lead rolls.

on powder, is there a number one used, cheap for me is best. me loading game loads would that require a different powder then the guys who only loads for shooting clays.

See if these guys are close:
https://cacassociatesinc.com/pages/contact

Excellent pricing on products and good service
 
rem sts or the win AA empty used hulls are generally the way to go. The thing to do is go to a sporting clays range or gun club. and check the dumpsters offer to help clean up-- free hulls are always better-- try to go after a big tournament. avoid paper basewad hulls. Rem gun club hulls are usually very good to reload. avoid rainy weekends because most hulls are brass washed steel and will rust. Once you get set up try to standardize your reloads as different hulls may take adjustments to the press. 410 and 28 ga hulls are easy to sell so if you come across them save em to sell or trade for hulls you want.

Good luck,

Bull
 
I have a couple of 366’s, MEC and an old Lachmiller.

If you are just loading your standard “field load” for 12 ga, save your time and just buy them by the case when they go on sale, once a year.

Used MEC 600 jr’s are cheap, the last one I received was free but add everything up before you spend the first dollar. If you were going to load .410, 28ga or “special” 20/12ga the math would be different.
 
How much can be expected in savings per box of 25 12 gauge target shells when you reload?
Does Lee make one of those simple reloading kits they have for rifle & pistol for shot shells?
No savings at the present time with shot at $40, primers at $30+, and powder $20/lb. Gun Clubs and Fed trap loads are just about always on sale for $5/box.
 
Shot is $43 and primers are $4.45 at Cabela's in Michigan!

You will save money when shooting non standard loadings or the smaller gauges (28 & 410).
I shoot 3/4 oz. in 20 gauge and a light 7/8 oz. in 12 gauge.
I've bought powder and wads at Estate sales and gun shows much cheaper than over the counter.
 
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i am looking to maybe get a shotshell press, hope to keep it cheap so used is the way to go. like to find a mec 600 jr set up for 12ga. i don't shoot many shells and only 2 3/4 small game loads with #6 shot. the 600 jr looks like all i need, or should i just get a lee loader. only think i will load around 500 a year.

i don't know much about shot shell presses, i used them when i was a kid some. now i am loading brass shells with bp for my old shotguns but that's a different world. is the 600jr a good start. thanks for any help.
I bought a used 600 Juni inor.
The important thing is to know which 600 you're looking at---the oldest versions are no longer supported by MEC.
Also if there are any missing parts and which powder bushings & crimp starter you'll need for the loads you want to build(high end target hulls like Remington STS, Winchester AAs and Federal GMs---these will be the longest lasting hulls--- take 8 pointers).
For loading 12 gauge, it's nice to have the capability to reload, but currently there isn't any discernible savings to be realized that I can see, unless you're reloading 10s, 16s, 28s or .410s----then the savings can be very substantial!
 
I use a Lee Load-all. Not quite as quick as a mec. I do not expect to save anything compared to Gun Clubs. I build low pressure loads for my older guns, hot loads for five stand, 7/8 loads for trap. None of these are as cheap as Gun Clubs, but if I want something at 1300 FPS at 7300 PSI, it’s make it or pay a premium. Many hunting loads are more expensive than Gun Clubs.
 
I use a Lee Load-all. Not quite as quick as a mec. I do not expect to save anything compared to Gun Clubs. I build low pressure loads for my older guns, hot loads for five stand, 7/8 loads for trap. None of these are as cheap as Gun Clubs, but if I want something at 1300 FPS at 7300 PSI, it’s make it or pay a premium. Many hunting loads are more expensive than Gun Clubs.
ya that's pretty much what i want to do, i don't shoot much, just hunt. id like to make some #5 2 3/4 turkey loads to.
 
I've get a MEC 600 Jr myself. It's a good press that you can get at a pretty good deal used (I think I paid $75).

The Lee machine will certainly work, and I have no experience with their shotshell stuff (I have a lot of their metallic loading stuff though), but IMHO from what I've seen it just looks "flimsy" in its operation. IE, it's going to work, but its got a lifespan and will wear out someday. The build quality on the MEC is such that unless you intentionally mistreat it, it'll outlast the user.
 
I've get a MEC 600 Jr myself. It's a good press that you can get at a pretty good deal used (I think I paid $75).

The Lee machine will certainly work, and I have no experience with their shotshell stuff (I have a lot of their metallic loading stuff though), but IMHO from what I've seen it just looks "flimsy" in its operation. IE, it's going to work, but its got a lifespan and will wear out someday. The build quality on the MEC is such that unless you intentionally mistreat it, it'll outlast the user.
i hope to find a used mec, but most seem to be missing something. i don't mind one or two small pieces but anymore it gets closer to a new ones price.
 
i hope to find a used mec, but most seem to be missing something. i don't mind one or two small pieces but anymore it gets closer to a new ones price.
I had to replace the priming cup assembly and the catch tray, and replaced the bottles (I had some, but new ones I could see through were nice), and got the one I used as a kid running again for under $40. I did buy some additional bushings, and a new 1 1/8 oz bar (actually went back to the old one without the rubber insert), but they weren't necessary. If you can find one for under $100, even having to replace a few parts, you'll still be $$ ahead.
 
I wonder if the threads on a plastic pop bottle are the same as the ones the MEC uses.
Looked at my bottles but don't have an empty pop bottle to check.
The bottles on mine rotate backwards so they would not have to be filled from the top.
Odds are there is a plastic bottle that was used for something out there with the right threads if you could just find it.
After a pop bottle made an empty charcoal lighter fluid bottle???
(of course now that I want an empty one of either I don't have one around....)
My little MEC has always worked well, no primer feed, not progressive but loaded 1000s of shells fine back when I was shooting a lot of shotgun.
 
I wonder if the threads on a plastic pop bottle are the same as the ones the MEC uses.
Looked at my bottles but don't have an empty pop bottle to check.
The bottles on mine rotate backwards so they would not have to be filled from the top.
Odds are there is a plastic bottle that was used for something out there with the right threads if you could just find it.
After a pop bottle made an empty charcoal lighter fluid bottle???
(of course now that I want an empty one of either I don't have one around....)
My little MEC has always worked well, no primer feed, not progressive but loaded 1000s of shells fine back when I was shooting a lot of shotgun.
my dad said the soda bottles work, we had 4 or 5 mec presses but were lost in the 2011 flooding.
 
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