I have MEC reloaders for 12 and 20 gauge reloading. That I use for my high volume reloading needs. I sometimes like to shoot one of my 16 gauge guns and find it is becoming difficult to find 16 gauge shells and they are more expensive ($2 a box) than the same brand in 12 or 20. I would like to be able to load maybe 15 boxes of 16 gauge reloads a year to shoot at my club. Has anyone used the Lee Load All and what did you think? I can't really justify spending the money for a MEC in 16 guage for my limited 16 gauge reloading needs.

I have several MEC loaders and love them. But like you I like to shoot my 16 ga.'s on ocassion. Ammo for the 16 has always seemed hard to find and expensive. Two years ago I picked up a used Lee Load-All in 16 ga. on E-Bay for $15. Came with all the bushings and was in almost new condition.
It works GREAT ! Lots of different load options and never any problems.
If you can find one used ( They still make new ones I think for under $ 100 ) you will not be dissapointed .
I just looked and there are TWO 16 ga. Lee Load-Alls ( both NEW)
on E-Bay. Both are "buy now" options for under $60.00 !

Rabbitdog

Thanks Rabbit!

300 Savage

The Lee's are $44 at Midway. I have used a couple of Lee Load All IIs and have been satisfied with the results. That is after I got used to them. Unlike the Mecs and others, the Lee does not have a bump stop. Everything is by feel. I ruined about half of the first dozen loads, but after I got the hang of the press I did fine.

The Lee is slow with the removable sizing ring, but for low volume reloading it is fine. I especially like that the Lee comes with all the powder and shot bushings you will need.

BTW, I am in the same boat as you. I just bought a 16 gauge and find the ammo hard to get and expensive, but I cannot justify buying a Mec for two or three boxes of loads a year. A friend has a Lee Load All II that I am swapping an old scope for.

I've been using a 16-gauge Load All II for at least a decade with no problems.

I have a lee load all and it does just fine, seems that after a few hundred rounds been through it has some wear on the crimp but for $40 bucks who can bitch

I used a Lee Load-All since the last five years, and i got a MEC 600 Jr in the last two years only. I found that I got a lot of damaged hulls with the Load-All, moreso as it aged. There is some flex in the press, and that is what gave me problems, I believe. It is a little more difficult to use than the MEC, and it seems to require more effort. The leverage is better with the MEC. I still have a Load-All I use for 20 Ga., but all things being equal I had take the MEC. I don't want to go back to the Load-All for my main loader.

I'm not much of a shotgunner and what little I use one it's my nice old Ithaca double in 16 ga. All I've ever owned is a Lee Load all and I'm more than happy with the results. If I was as serious with a shotgun as I am with rifles and handguns I'd probably have something different but it works just fine for my needs.

I have one and have been very satisfied with it. A friend loaned us his MEC when my son had a 20-gauge and (unlike everybody else) I found it a pain to use. I have found that when reloading for a single gun, I do not need to use the sizing ring. Just as a note, I started loading with a Lee hand loader for the 20-gauge and my first press was the Lee Load-All Jr. for 12-gauge.

Nice item to have. I have one for 12 ga. and it's a gem. I can load a few boxes of shells at the kitchen table w/o the better half getting upset with me being in the man cave with the Sizemaster. ;-)