#2278248 - 06/27/08 05:14 AM
Shotshell reloaders
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mcshunatona
Campfire Regular
Registered: 05/17/05
Posts: 418
Loc: Grayling, MI
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I have been reloading rifle and handgun for several years now but have not done any shotshells at all. Other than a basic knowledge of the components req to do it and some reading I have done I know very little. This is about to change, my wife has decided it is time she learn to hunt upland(hooray for me)and as such is the proud owner of a new Benelli Montifeltro youth model in 20ga 26" bbl. I am going to probably trade in my workhorse 12ga and get a 20 as well so as to eliminate some of the duplication of cost.
This all being said, what is a good reloader that we will be able to load 4-8 boxes of shells a week in a timely manner for skeet and trap shooting at the local range. I know many of the brands available but have no personal experience to draw from.
The obvious beginner unit the Mec seems alright, but will I be happy with it in a year from now? Is the Dillon worth the money or any progressive style worth the money?
Thanks in advance for any help you can be,
Mark
_________________________
What part of "Constitutionally !!LIMITED!!" don't you understand?
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#2278909 - 06/27/08 11:21 AM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: shrapnel]
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mcshunatona
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Registered: 05/17/05
Posts: 418
Loc: Grayling, MI
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That is quite the reloading room you have there mister.
(Read as....drool,slobber,slobber,drool)
Thanks for the info.
Mark
_________________________
What part of "Constitutionally !!LIMITED!!" don't you understand?
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#2279045 - 06/27/08 12:33 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: mcshunatona]
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Redneck
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Registered: 01/28/01
Posts: 8635
Loc: TAXHELLWI. USA
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I guarantee if (not when) you get a good reloader you'll be shooting more than 4-8 boxes/week..
I would strongly suggest a MEC 650. Not going to drain the checking account and you can easily reload 4-8 boxes in a couple of hours.. I have four MEC 650s and a 9000H.. The 'H' is my main 12 ga competition reloader and can do 1000 rounds/hour if I'm in the groove...
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Target moving date to Belle Fourche, South Dakota: May 1st, 2010, then I'm OUTTA TAX HELL WISCONSIN! NRA Endowment member Ex - USN(SS) (USS Razorback) '66-'69. 
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#2279156 - 06/27/08 01:49 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: Redneck]
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shrapnel
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Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 761
Loc: Bozeman, MT
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That's a big emphasis on "in the groove" as you can pinch your fingers real easy if you get going too fast and get out of synch!
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I never considered myself a failure, I started out at the bottom and happen to like it here!
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#2283233 - 06/29/08 05:38 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: mcshunatona]
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LeonHitchcox
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Registered: 05/16/05
Posts: 454
Loc: Pikeville, TN
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The MEC 600 jr. is reliable and almost foolproof. It is all you will need for years to come. I don't think I would start out with a progressive, they are more complicated and more likely to get out of whack.
Leon
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#2283292 - 06/29/08 06:05 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: mcshunatona]
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Duckshoot
Campfire Regular
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 365
Loc: Nimpo lake B.C. and Winfield B...
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Having loaded shotgun shells for hunting and competition for almost 40 years I would say go MEC, there is nothing that comes close in my opinion for Value, simplicity, cheap readily availible parts ( if you ever need any) and Mec offers great fast service. I have used a single stage mec press but if your loading for two people I would say get a grabber ( like a 650 but with collet sizing of the brass heads that you will need for a autoloader) The grabber can also be used as a single stage press when getting started. Any other brand of progressive press's that I have seen people use just cost more ,do not make any better loads( if as good) and are fairly comlicated to set up and change loads. I have 12 and 20 gauge grabbers and load for break open trap guns, auto loaders ect and the reloads work in them all.
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#2286324 - 07/01/08 12:07 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: Duckshoot]
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mcshunatona
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Registered: 05/17/05
Posts: 418
Loc: Grayling, MI
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Thanks for all the feedback guys.
I more than likely start with a Mec 650 based on personal reading as well as all of the info I have been deluged with.
Mark
_________________________
What part of "Constitutionally !!LIMITED!!" don't you understand?
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#2289097 - 07/02/08 07:24 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: mcshunatona]
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Dutch
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Registered: 01/28/02
Posts: 2113
Loc: Idaho Falls, ID USA
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If you want a 650 or Grabber in 12 gauge, I have one of each sitting on the shelf, waiting for an offer.... Send me a PM if you decide to pull the trigger..... FWIW, Dutch.
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#2289586 - 07/03/08 06:41 AM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: mcshunatona]
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USAFA71
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Registered: 02/23/07
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I started reloading shot shells on a MEC 600 Jr, and as I got involved in skeet and sporting clays, I upgraded to the progressives in 12, 20, and 28 ga. I have timed myself using the single-stage and progressives, and the results are interesting. Not counting the time to set up the press and refill shot and powder bottles, I can load a box of shotshells in about 8 minutes on the single-stage press, and about 2-1/2 minutes on the progressives. When I want to load a lot of ammo, ie 300+ rounds, I use the progressive, othewise the single stage get the nod. So it just depends on how much time you want to spend at the loading bench. Four boxes at a time is not enough to justify a progressive(at least to me), but once you start, you will probably end up shooting a lot more. Reloading for shot shells is a bit different than for rifles/handguns, so I would recommend the single stage press to start with. If you want the progressive, just start out using it as a single stage until you have enough experience to realize what is happening at each station when you pull the handle. I have spent enough time at the range getting wads out of barrels by using shells with shot and wad, but no powder!
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#2305942 - 07/11/08 08:34 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: USAFA71]
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TexasTBag
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Registered: 07/09/08
Posts: 74
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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I use a cheap Lee All Load and it does pretty well. I can't remember what I paid but it couldn't have been more then 40 bucks. I only load for hunting so I don't load as much as a competition shooter and I have no problems with the Lee.
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Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene.'"
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#2305943 - 07/11/08 08:35 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: TexasTBag]
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TexasTBag
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Registered: 07/09/08
Posts: 74
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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shrapnel, nice reloading room!!!!
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Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene.'"
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#2311480 - 07/14/08 06:23 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: TexasTBag]
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mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3183
Loc: Medford Oregon
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.
Edited by mud_bogger (07/14/08 08:53 PM)
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#2348351 - 08/03/08 06:51 AM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: TexasTBag]
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Mule Deer
Campfire Outfitter
Registered: 07/24/01
Posts: 9953
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I have several shothsell loaders, and for getting started the Lee is pretty darn good. In fact I have one of the very early ones (made in 1977) for 12-gauge and it is stil going fine. Don't know how many boxes I've loaded with it.
I also have Mec and they are fine tool. If you start with the Lee and then decide to upgrade to the Mec, you can leave the Lee set up to load hunting rounds and the Mec for target loads.
_________________________
JB
"New opinions are always suspect, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common." -John Locke
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#2358953 - 08/08/08 10:30 AM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: Mule Deer]
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Planemech
Campfire Regular
Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 711
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I've dumped everything in favor of a Posness Warren 375C. It doesn't reload it remanufactures shells. There is no comparison with the crimps. Crimps are the single most important thing in shotshell reloading. Use a PW and you'll never look at a MEC again.
It's not been stated but implied correctly, progressives are best set up for a single load, like a target load and run with those settings for ever. On a single stage you can operate them in such a way to be able to load many different loads.
Edited by Planemech (08/08/08 10:31 AM)
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#2420255 - 09/07/08 09:17 PM
Re: Shotshell reloaders
[Re: Mssgn]
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catnthehat
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 12/19/03
Posts: 2432
Loc: Alberta
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I have several loaders in all gauges, the most being Mec 600jr's.
I have one of those in every gauge - you can load with them pretty much right out of the box and they are great , about 250 an hour .
I also have a Lyman easy, a great laoder but not made anymore.
Then I have my Posness Warren 880B, a progressive thatt will do 800 an hour in 12 gauge.
I don't use it anymore as I don't shoot 12's hardly at all.
The mecs get used every day.
One thing I would suggest is a Mec Universal charge bar.
it comes with a powder baffle and you can tailor the powder/shot shot a lot easier than with the bushings....
Cat
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