MEC reloaders

[AJBarney]

I've come into possession of some reloading equipment, including 3 MEC reloaders. Ive not reloaded before, but they appear to be set up for 20ga, 12ga, and a rifle caliber (perhaps 30-30 or .270).

Other than 12ga, I dont shoot these calibers, but Ive not seen where I can get different dies/whatever that would allow me to change over to different calibers. I'd like to set up for pistol calibers, primarily.

Do these dies exist for MEC reloaders? Are MECs good equipment? Where would I get what I need to set these up for different calibers?

Thanks!

 

[snuffy]

First, welcome to THR and reloading.

Mec,(Mayville Engineering Company), are ONLY shotshell reloaders. The one you have that looks like a rifle caliber is probably a .410 bore reloader,(shotshell).

No way possible to make any of them reload rifle or handgun cartridges.

 

[Shadow 7D]

http://www.mecreloaders.com/
They pretty much ARE the game for shotshell reloading,
I guess kinda like the RCBS or Hornady of shotshell

I haven't heard of them having a metallic line, I believe they just do shotshells, Are you sure the metallic press is a MEC?

 

[AJBarney]

Ah, you could be right, that the smaller one is a .410. Makes sense.

I guess I will be looking to get a different press for rifle and pistol - I will do some searches/research for the recommended brands in that arena. Thanks for the info, and the welcome!

 

[USSR]

Are MECs good equipment?

They are the Ford AND Chevy of the shotshell reloading world.

Don

 

[snuffy]

I guess I will be looking to get a different press for rifle and pistol - I will do some searches/research for the recommended brands in that arena. Thanks for the info, and the welcome!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

For a good start look at/read this sticky right here on the reloading forum. Then when you have questions not covered in there, come back, we'll be as helpful as we can.

If you do not ever want to reload shotshells, those loaders are worth quite a bit of $$. You didn't say which number they were, but if they're 600 JR's. then they're worth about $75.00 each in good condition and no parts missing. One part on most mecs is loose, the primer seating die. It falls out if tipped over, gets lost because nobody (that never loaded shotshells on a mec) knows what it is. If they're a higher number like the 600 super, 650 versamec, steelmaster, then they're worth more.

 

[AJBarney]

I know one of them is a 600 jr, and another (I think) is a 761R? If that makes sense....don't recall off hand what the third one is. I will look at them this evening and make sure.

Thanks for the link, I will read up! I appreciate the help very much...Ive been a gun guy for many years but have never reloaded before, and Im looking forward to it

 

[gamestalker]

Ah Mec.! I have been loading forever with Mec. and think they make the best shotshell loader on the market for the money. But to the best of my knowledge(questioable), they don't make metallic reloading equiptment.

 

[oneounceload]

As stated, no metallic for MEC - used reloaders are easily sold on your local Criag's List, or even at garage sales for reasonable prices

 

[wolfe]

MECs ate the BEST...... low maintenance, high quality and reliable. Been loading 12 ga on the same piece of equipment for over 20 years and loads better loads now then when I bought it..

I have 3 old single stage in 20, 28 and 410. Bought them online and there are a few little things off with them but still GREAT pieces of equipment.

 

[rfwobbly]

AJBarney -

Welcome to THR and reloading.

• The MEC machines you have can be easily sold here on THR for free in the "Buy, Sell, Trade: Reloading" forum. The three of them sold individually might be enough to get you one fairly nice pistol/rifle reloading setup, which you might just find in the same place. First thing to do is to have someone positively identify what model machines you have. The gauges are easily identified by the size of the shell holders.

• In metallic reloading, it is much better to first identify how much ammo you want to make each week. The makers of the various reloading machines tend to have each carved out a niche of features which relates to the volume of production. Once you can identify a number of rounds and the calibers you want them in, then we can tell you where to look. That will get the list of 25 down to 3 and make your search much easier.