used shot shell press?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Mar 21, 2018
Messages
13,686
Location
Up State New York
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.
 
Last edited:
I used to reload A LOT, but not anymore. I was given a used MEC 700 to start with and it is still ready to go. Only thing it ever needed was replacement wad fingers - several times in fact. I bought a Lee shotshell press for 20 gauge and it worked fine too, just a little slower than the MEC. Also had a Lyman for a while. It worked too. Friend had a hydraulic operated progressive Ponsness Warren, and that was the berries for loading lots of shells.
 
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 the when i was a kind some. now a load 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 have an early used MEC that I picked up and cleaned up. It’s missing the depriming parts, and the bottles. Otherwise it’s in good shape. I’m not using it, but if you want it, you could have it for the $25 I paid plus shipping.

When I got it it was dirty and a mess. I took it apart, cleaned it and such. It’s ready to go as soon as the parts are purchased and installed. MEC still sells them, and it’s just been an issue of time and not shooting shotgun lately.
 
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 the when i was a kind some. now a load brass shells with bp for my old shotguns but that's a different world. is the 600jr a good start. thanks for any help.
It's perfect for what you want to do. I used to have 3 of them, now 2 plus a MEC progressive. One add-on you'll want is the auto primer feed - easy to install and means you're not handling each primer by hand.
 
I have an early used MEC that I picked up and cleaned up. It’s missing the depriming parts, and the bottles. Otherwise it’s in good shape. I’m not using it, but if you want it, you could have it for the $25 I paid plus shipping.

When I got it it was dirty and a mess. I took it apart, cleaned it and such. It’s ready to go as soon as the parts are purchased and installed. MEC still sells them, and it’s just been an issue of time and not shooting shotgun lately.
let me see what parts will cost, what model is it a 600jr.
 
The MEC in any model is the best way to go.
The lee will load shells you can shoot. BUT many of the posts
I have read about it the owners went on to a MEC machine.
Sage advice. I've had both. I still have a handful of MEC 600 Jr, and don't have a single Lee. I think that two of the four MECs that I own were bought new; the other two were bought used. And have no fear in buying used; the 600 Jr is still in production, parts are simple and interchangeable and available, and they generally get more cosmetically ugly than they deteriorate.
 
I used to reload A LOT, but not anymore. I was given a used MEC 700 to start with and it is still ready to go. Only thing it ever needed was replacement wad fingers - several times in fact. I bought a Lee shotshell press for 20 gauge and it worked fine too, just a little slower than the MEC. Also had a Lyman for a while. It worked too. Friend had a hydraulic operated progressive Ponsness Warren, and that was the berries for loading lots of shells.
thanks for the info, the lee feel cheap but like you say they work. hokie offered me his 600jr for $25,but he missing parts are adding up quick.
 
I have an early used MEC that I picked up and cleaned up. It’s missing the depriming parts, and the bottles. Otherwise it’s in good shape. I’m not using it, but if you want it, you could have it for the $25 I paid plus shipping.

When I got it it was dirty and a mess. I took it apart, cleaned it and such. It’s ready to go as soon as the parts are purchased and installed. MEC still sells them, and it’s just been an issue of time and not shooting shotgun lately.
hokie, do you know the exact parts missinging for the decaping parts. the little parts get pricey quick.
 
The $25 and what ever parts needed will be less than the cost of the lee. Unless you find a MEC on Ebay.

Buying the lee will be like throwing money down a rat hole.
the only thing with buy ing the mec used is i dont no what all parts should be with it. just the 2 bottels are $12 each and the decaping punch is $14 if that's all thats missing on the mec hokie's press is missing then that's ok. believe me if i had the money it would be the mec.
 
A lee load all runs from $57 to $75 plus shipping depending on the vendor!

The MEC web site shows all the parts for the 600jr and down loadable
owners manual (most important).
 
A lee load all runs from $57 to $75 plus shipping depending on the vendor!

The MEC web site shows all the parts for the 600jr and down loadable
owners manual (most important).
i am just waiting to see if hokie PHD knows exactly whats missing. i may try to sell my one mauser and use that cash for a new mec if the used one is to many parts.
 
A lee load all runs from $57 to $75 plus shipping depending on the vendor!

The MEC web site shows all the parts for the 600jr and down loadable
owners manual (most important).
And the Lee is junk. Had one when I first started WAY before Uncle Al invented the internet and I was only loading a few boxes of hunting loads. Once I started casually shooting clay targets, it went away and was replaced by a MEC Jr - still have it 35+ years later.
 
When you find out whats missing let us know.I converted a older 600 jr 12 gauge to 410 I got the press for free so it was cost effective.If you can use any of the 12 gauge parts let me know the press was free to me the parts will be free to you.Its the older style pre 82 or whatever
 
When you find out whats missing let us know.I converted a older 600 jr 12 gauge to 410 I got the press for free so it was cost effective.If you can use any of the 12 gauge parts let me know the press was free to me the parts will be free to you.Its the older style pre 82 or whatever
wow that would help out, hokie said it was a older one hope it's the same. 410 press would be nice, reason i got rid off my 410s was ammo cost.
 
I started loading 12 ga on a MEC 600 Jr. before I could shoot 12 ga. ! I had to buy a few parts for Dad's old 600 JR he gave me many years ago when I started getting back into reloading, but well worth it. I have a 20 ga. MEC Grabber for sale if anyone is interested, $75 plus shipping; all parts are there, Dad thought he'd shoot a lot of 20 ga. Trap, but it wasn't worth it for him. I don't own a 20, but if it doesn't sell, eventually I'll buy a 20 ga. O/U for pheasant.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top