set up for reloading 28 gauge

[flexible]

Hi everyone; flexible here. I would like some advice on loading 28 gauge shotshells. I have been using a Dillon 550C for handguns & a Redington T7 for rifle so I'm familiar with loading metallic rounds but I've never loaded shotshells.
I have started shooting a lot of clays in the last couple of years (trap, skeet & sporting clays), I have a Blaser F3 in 12ga with 28 gauge barrels on the way and a Browning 725 Citori in 20.
I don't think a MEC Sizemaster will be good for me - single stage, correct? A MEC 9000 is a little steep.
how does this sound:
MEC Graber
AA28HS ammo.
AA28HS hull & wad,
13.0 grains 20/28 power, WIN209 primer,
3/4 ounce of Lawrence high antimony shot.
Does anyone prefer Remington factory ammo & hulls over the Winchester?
is there anything I left out?
thanks
flexible.

 

[Armored farmer]

Single stage loaders are a bit slow if you are shooting hundreds of shells per week.
I have a grabber for my 12ga. I would say that you can churn out 200 rounds in 30 minutes with it, if you are set up to load.
Both Remington and AA hulls are good.
Your load data looks good too.

 

[PapaG]

I vote for the Grabber. I have been using one since 1980 and it is smoother than my 9000. It is about ready for a rebuild after averaging a couple hundred rounds a week for close to forty years. The 9000 has been a little disappointing.
You can find used grabbers for a couple hundred, sometimes less.

 

[rule303]

The Grabber is the best balance between affordability and speed. The 9000 doesn't give you any advantage unless you want to add hydraulics later. I generally like Remington hulls, but in the 28 gauge AAHS are the only way to go. They will last twice as long as Remington or Federal.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use a MEC 600jr for reloading 12, 20, and 28 ga as well as .410. Well, actually four of them, one in each gauge as converting them is a pain in the rear.

When I was competing in competitive skeet on a budget. I could afford to buy the four 600jr for less than half the cost of two of the next level progressive MEC loaders.

Plus, I had time enough on hand to keep up with my ammunition needs using the single stage. I could load two to three weeks worth of practice ammunition in an evening of reloading.

The MEC 600jr are good reloaders.

Any way, the MEC Grabber would be a good step up if you'd like a progressive.

Follow the load recipes in the manuals and things will be fine. I used Unique in my 28 Gauge loads which is similar to 20/28. 20/28 was not available when I was competing.

I shot primarily Winchester 28 ga. AA hulls then and would probably use the AAHS hulls these days. I'd buy factory ammunition by the case to use in the matches and then rotate the hulls to practice use. I probably shot and reloaded some Remington 28 ga hulls along the way. If your reloading and shooting alot, stick with premium ammunition to generate your hulls for reloading. They will last longer than the bargain stuff.

 

[243winxb]

Loaded 100 shells an hour on Mec 600 jrs. In 12,&20. The 28 is a little slower to load. Never shof more then 100 a week. Low volume.

The 410 has its own problems and i would not want a progressive for it.

 

[kudu]

I have four MEC Grabbers lined up on my bench, 12, 20, 28, and .410. The load data looks OK, I would switch to Claybuster AA replacement wads though, considerably cheaper.

I have played with the Ponsness-Warren loaders and the Hornady shotshell loaders when I was looking at presses 30 years ago, but went with the MEC.

Eventually you will spill shot, powder or both. When you get a press and mount it to a bench, mount it on a cheap shallow cookie sheet with a small cut out on one corner so you can direct spills toward it. Or tack a shallow piece of wood molding around the press to catch spills. I only ever did it with one press, just never got around to doing all four, so naturally I rarely spill with that one.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have four MEC Grabbers lined up on my bench, 12, 20, 28, and .410. The load data looks OK, I would switch to Claybuster AA replacement wads though, considerably cheaper.

I have played with the Ponsness-Warren loaders and the Hornady shotshell loaders when I was looking at presses 30 years ago, but went with the MEC.

Eventually you will spill shot, powder or both. When you get a press and mount it to a bench, mount it on a cheap shallow cookie sheet with a small cut out on one corner so you can direct spills toward it. Or tack a shallow piece of wood molding around the press to catch spills. I only ever did it with one press, just never got around to doing all four, so naturally I rarely spill with that one.

Lol.
The cookie sheet idea could save a marriage! The lovely mrs farmer dumped my 200rd shot bottle in our house. The vacuum wont always pick it up. We can still find #7.5 shot in the floorboard cracks, 30 plus years later.

 

[George P]

IF you add the auto primer feed to the MEC Jr., your output is 4-6 boxes per hour; the Grabber will be 6-10/hour. You want Winchester AAHS hulls NOT Remington...........Claybuster clone wads are excellent and cheaper than Winchester; Win 209s are excellent

 

[George P]

As to cookie sheets, I prefer to use steam table trays; they are deeper

 

[Jack Ryan]

Lol.
The cookie sheet idea could save a marriage! The lovely mrs farmer dumped my 200rd shot bottle in our house. The vacuum wont always pick it up. We can still find #7.5 shot in the floorboard cracks, 30 plus years later.

I use a cardboard box with the same hole pattern in it as the bolts through the loader.

 

[flexible]

Thanks everyone; going to order about 5 cases of Winchester AA in 28 gauge and save the hulls. Then I'll pick up: MEC 600 jr, 20/28 powder Win 209 primers, CB wads & some Lawrence lead.
flexible.

 

[Sody82]

I actually like the lee load all 2 for all shotshells except 10ga and .410 but I use a powder measure instead of the bushing style powder measure that is built into the load all.

 

[Milkmaster]

Here's my 600jr setup for 28 ga. I just put a plastic bag over it on a shelf in the garage between reloading sessions.

 

[George P]

With a shallow baking dish, if you have a shot spill, it might still bounce out. You might try adding some of that spongy shelf liner stuff from Walmart

 

[cfullgraf]

With a shallow baking dish, if you have a shot spill, it might still bounce out. You might try adding some of that spongy shelf liner stuff from Walmart

Yes, probably a good idea.

Generally when I've had a shot spill, it rivals the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez. I've only done it once or twice, thank goodness.

Most of the time, I get some flakes/kernels of powder escaping from the charge bare during cycling. The baking sheet would definitely help contain that.

 

[eastbank]

four mec 650,s and two mec 9000,s. the only mec 600 jr I would own would be one in 10 ga if owned a 10 ga(I don,t). it,s not so much about speed, but handleing the case 4-5 times to load one round for me. mec, 9000- put a case in and a wad and pull handle and out pops loaded round. mec 650- put a case in and a wad in and pull the handle and rotate shell holder and out pops a loaded round. I some times watch tv while loading, and durning a commercial I crank out a few rounds and at the end of a hour show I have a few boxes loaded.

 

[flexible]

Thanks everyone, this gives me a lot of info. I have time to make a choice, my Blaser F3 barrels (32 inch, 28 gauge) are on backorder - with luck!!!! i'll have them in early April. My workbench is running out of room - a Dillon 550C & a Redding T7 plus all the extras! LOL
thanks again
flexible