Request for info re: Mec 600 Jr

[Matt Dillon]

Folks, I have been recently given a MEC 600 Jr. All the instructions and information that I have found on the Internet refer to a MEC 600 Mark 5. The unit that I have has no reference to Mark 5. What is the difference between a MEC 600 Jr. and MEC 600 Jr. Mark 5?
Does anyone have any advice concerning this unit? I believe it is set up to make 12 gauge shells, but have no idea of the capacity of the bushing rod. I'll have to try it and and weigh what comes out of the bushings in order to see if it fits my 12 gauge recipes. Thanks so much in advance, and I appreciate any advice and help!

 

[warddc]

I have a mec jr

Matt,

The mec 600 jr came out way long ago. I bought one in 1977. The mark 5 is similar with some changes and updates. I think the 600 jr was discontinued in the 80's. MEC still sells parts for the jr. on their web site. I just replaced a bunch of parts on mine after 27 yrs! Some parts were worn some were rusty. It still works great. The unit is worth fixing up. The bushing that came with it for 12 ga is setup for 1-1/8 oz lead loads and whatever powder bushing you want. I think the powder bushings that came with it were 28, 30, 31, 32 or such. Fits most of the shotgun powders for typical loads.

This page shows the discontinued models an parts lists. It looks like 1985 was the beginning of the mark v.

http://www.mecreloaders.com/Order/order.asp

dave.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks, Dave, for your reply. Are the bushings pretty accurate in their measurement of powder? I need to clean this up and throw some powder through it, then weigh it to see how much the bushing that is in this unit throws.
I have Lee loaders for 20, 16, and 12 gauge. Is this unit particularly better than the Lee loader? I'm concerned that the Lee loader is 99% plastic, and I'm certain that this unit will out last the Lee loaders. I notice that there is no primer attachment with this unit. I guess that I can deprime, size, and prime my shells on the Lee unit, then use this unit for the other steps.
Does anyone have an opinion on where the accessories for the MEC 600 Jr. can be purchased at the best price? Some of the accessories I have seen cost as much or more as the entire Lee loader. Thanks so much in advance for your help, Richard

 

[shooter1]

My 12 ga 600 Jr came with the "O" charge bar. This is a solid bar with no bushings. It was set up to throw 1 1/8 ozs shot and aroud 18.5 grs of Red Dot if memory serves. I later bought a micrometer adjustable charge bar to make it more versatile. I highly reccomend them. I have two 600 Jrs, both are over thiry years old and still work fine. The wad guide fingers are the only parts I have had to replace.
str1