Getting back into 12ga reloading --new/used?

[btg3]

Leaning toward a MEC 600 Jr Mk-V. There seems to be a regular supply of used presses on ebay. Are these things tanks, or might there be some hidden gotcha's that justify a new press?

Any advice and/or equipment for sale is appreciated.

As a teen, 40 years ago, I reloaded 12,20,28 and 410 regularly to supply skeet and dove loads for me and my dad. He had it all set up and I provided the labor. For 12ga, we had a screamin' progressive of some make and the rest were MEC. So, I have some applied experience from long ago, but want to learn the setup for light target loads and home defense rounds on the newer MEC.

Is the primer feeder a good add-on or not?

The Lyman Reloading Handbook seems to be frequently recommended, but I've not been able to ascertain whether it's for shotshell, metallic, or all reloading; and if there may be a better reference for shotshell reloading? Are older editions okay, or do I need the latest?

Again thanks for any help.

 

[oneounceload]

Besides my progressive, I also have several MEC Jr's. Very reliable - less parts means less headaches - but the tradeoff is lower output. I have the primer feed on all of them as well as the Universal Charge Bar on each. The UCB seems to foster a love/hate amongst reloaders - I love mine

Depending on how well used it is, about the only thing that could be worn would be the main spring, but also check the cam on the crimping station to make sure it isn't worn as well.

When I get the rhythm going with those, I can get 6 boxes reloaded, versus about 12 with my progressive.

Since powders have changed, you'll want the latest, but you can also go to Hodgdon's and Alliant's website for reloading data

 

[Red Cent]

The Mecs are great Chevies. I have had a 600 for 20 or more years. I also have a P/W 800 Plus that I cuss at sometimes. It is not forgiving at all.

The Mecs are somewhat simple tools that turn out good rounds.

I'm thinking about a Mec 9000G.

 

[HOWARD J]

Best manual I have seen is RCBS shotshell Reloading

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#shotshell%20reloading%20manual____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

You can download any MEC reloader owner manual from their website.

I have a MEC Grabber 12 ga reloader--about 36 years old--runs like new.
here is acouple rounds I ran off it last winter--about 2000

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[oneounceload]

I'm thinking about a Mec 9000G

A good machine and I had one for a long while. When I moved ammo was $30/flat, or about .01/round more, so I sold it.

My only issue with it is the dropping or powder and shot - you'll want to mount it on a tray like a cookie sheet or a fast-food restaurant sized one to catch the spills. It was the MAIN reason when I got another progressive, to go with the RCBS Grand. It can't drop powder or shot unless a hull is in position in those stations. Not a cheap machine, but I bought it used from a friend and also got the 20 gauge conversion kit. With limited space NOT having 2 machines on the bench is helpful.

Also good to consider are the presses from PW, and if you got a really fat wallet, the Spolar is the Rolls Royce of reloaders - it's about $1600 or so new

ALL progressives, IMO, have their quirks, and in my experience, it always seems to be the worst in the primer feed area. Surprisingly, the primer feed on the MEC Jr. works great and really helps speed things up

 

[eastbank]

i have a 9000-G i bought for 85.00 at a auction, it was all dusty from setting. i bought a new wad guild and tuned it up and its a wonder to me,before i had been loading on mec 650. i don,t load fast ,i just sit down with a suppy of cases and wads and put a case in and a wad and pull the handle and watch a loaded shell fall into the ben. i load about 100-125 then i reprime,add powder and lead and start again. when i,ll done i leave the press ready to start again by inserting a new case and put the cover over it. so when i start to load again i just insert the wad and i,m off to the races. i load 18grs red dot a rem rpx wad and a win 209 with 1-1/8 shot of #8 shot for trap,five stand and sporting clays. i try to buy all my supplies at gun shows to save money. eastbank.

 

[Dave McCracken]

MEC 600s are the 870s of reloaders. Little goes wrong with them, and what does is easily fixed.

My 12 gauge 600 was made before 1980,they tell me. Total rounds in my hands is over 20K, but I know not how many. I have not the foggiest notion of how many rounds it takes to remove all the red paint off the crimp stations, but it's gone. And it was gone before I bought it.

It has a new resizing ring, crimp starter and bottle holder. Auto Prime was added by a prior owner, a bottle support by me.

I can load 6 boxes an hour without busting a sweat. On my progressive, the same time would yield 10,but I have better control and do not have to pick shot out of the resizer with the 600.

BTW, mine cost $50. Had my money back in a couple months......

 

[oneounceload]

with 1-1/8 shot of #8 shot for trap,five stand and sporting clays. i try to buy all my supplies at gun shows to save money.

You might want to lighten your shot load to 1oz or even 7/8. Olympic trap shooters found their scores going up, and with lead now being the costliest item, every 6 or 8th shell would have "free" lead in it

 

[btg3]

Thanks for the great responses with your experience and recommended resources -- a huge leg up on moving ahead with this!!!

I've found used MEC 600 presses to run $80 - $90 plus shipping and then ran across a $20 promo coupon at Gander Mtn which shipped free. Bottom line, a new Mark-V will be delivered to my door for $130. I've got hulls and a bench, but now need to do my homework on primer,powder, wad, shot.

Again, thanks for your input!

 

[451 Detonics]

Do consider dropping down to 7/8 ounce of shot in your reloads...it really is a money saver these days. I drop my own shot and save even more...I have plenty of pure linotype and a decent source of wheel weights...probably have 6 or 7 five gallon buckets sitting in the garage now along with a couple thousand pounds of linotype. Add my Littleton Shotmaker and I am set for life on shot.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

 

[Dave McCracken]

Another vote for 7/8 oz.

 

[btg3]

7/8 sounds really good. I've been shooting 1-1/8 loads for a defensive shotgun match that started up here this year. The targets are stationary clays at close range, so 7/8 will be more economical and get the job done with much less recoil.

Thanks you all!

 

[johncranack]

I bought my first MEC 600 jr. 12 ga. reloader few years ago. After my experience with the Lee, i went out and got a newer MEC 600 in 20 ga. The 600 jr. is completely manual, 1 shell operation. I can reload a box of shells in about 6 minutes and i have purchased a primer feed for it which works great once you get it adjusted. In my reloader, I have a 1 1/8 oz. charge bar, and i use a #32 bushing for lighter reloads or a #33 for heavier reloads. I use either Claybuster or Pattern Control 1 1/8 oz. wads, and 7 1/2 shot. If you check the reloading manuals, you will see that this is almost a universal load for all popular casings.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I got into reloading shotshells recently on an impulse buy when I saw a MEC press for $25. I've just used it to reload buckshot so far and I'll eventually reload other things.

 

[303tom]

I have been reloading for yeeeears , make regular trips to the range just to pick up empties & when I say empties I mean everything from .22 to 10ga . What I don`t reload , I recycle .

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

How do you reload .22LR?

 

[OldCavSoldier]

If I want to throw 7/8 ounce of shot, I shoot my 20 gage........With a 12 ga and 7/8 ounce of shot, if you want shot density of 1 1/8 ounce, you need to tighten up one choke level....kinda erodes the purpose of a shotgun, if you ask me........just my humble opinion

 

[oneounceload]

No, what it DOES do is reduce recoil by approximately 35% and the targets don't know the difference - but after a lot of rounds, your shoulder will

 

[Dave McCracken]

OLDCAV, my longest run at Wobble is around 70 targets, and I did it with 7/8 oz loads form a 12 gauge Beretta O/U with IC and LM tubes in.

There's no big red S on my chest. I'm moderately proficient at most clay games, but light loads are NO handicap.

I do suck at Skeet, where loads this sparse should be the least handicap at the close ranges of the halved circle.