Home Forums Reloading Shotshells Loaders for different length shotshells

If there's a single webpage I could be looking at to settle my confusion, I'd sure take advantage of it but I can't seem to find it. I've been reloading metallic cartridges since the early 80s, but I am finding the shotgun world to be a little different to say the least.

My neighbor gave me a MEC 12-gauge press several years back, I think it's a 600 Junior or some such. It's not al that hard to use and it never gives me problems loading 2-3/4" shells. But now I need (I WANT, but that is a need!) to load some 3-1/2" ammo. The only suitable press I seem to be able to locate on-line is a MEC Steelmaster. I can't imagine what would be wrong with it, the MEC loader I have is just fine but I want to know that I am making the best choice in buying it.

I believe I saw a kit which would set this press up to load 2-3/4" ammo as well, and that would allow me to sell the 600 to recoup some money but I am not sure that's what I should do.

I'd sure appreciate some guidance!

I have an old Herters press that will load 2-3/4 and 3 but it will not load 3-1/2. Most MEC were 2-3/4 only as I remember but that was before the 3-3/4 shell came out. Keep what you have until you have proved the new one. Then get rid of the old. Or return the 3-1/2 as not useable.

If you want a great press thats versatile, buy a Ponsness Warren 375. It will load 2-3/4, 3, and 3-1/2. If you want to change gauges its really easy, takes about 5 minutes.

Pretty sure my MEC jr for 410 lets me us 2 3/4 and 3 inch hulls....

Thanks fellas. I located a kit provided by MEC to convert the 600 to load 3-1/2" shells. It ran me about $80. I've already installed the kit and as far as I can tell it works. I'll be trying it out once I locate the data and components I need.

Thanks for the responses!

There are also "spacers" that you can get to load the shorter length shells in your MEC press once you have it set up for the longer 3 or 3 1/2" hulls.....I've never used them; I rarely have a need for anything greater than 2 3/4"
I think that they are available from Precision reloading or Ballistic products....can't remember which....if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the tip. I'd rather not be changing parts on my press when I want to load 2-3/4" shells so I'll be looking around for that item.

BPI has the MEC hull length converter (short kits) on p58 of the C119 2014 flyer.

It looks like you can only go from 3 1/2 to 3 in (# 1308850)
or from 3 in to 2 3/4 in (#1308849).

I do not see a kit that goes from 3 1/2 to 2 3/4.