I want to start reloading 28 ga and 16 ga. Do I need to get 2 reloaders or can I get one with interchangeable parts?

I used to reload on a MEC for my dad many years ago, but it was only 12 ga.

MEC sells die sets to convert the 600 JR from one gauge to another, I suppose that if you were going to to set up and load a years supply of one gauge, then shift over and load the other gauge, the couple hours it would take to change over would not be a big deal. If you are swapping every week it would be a PITA to do.

Sooner or later you will have two presses

Only have to go and swap 1 time before you realize how stupid that is. Serious, I've bought used mec 600 Jr's. for $40 -50 at gunshows. Sometimes they are missing a part or 2 no big deal 600 jr parts are availible. I have 1 in 410, 2 in 20 ga( 7/8 & 1 oz setup) 2 in 16(1 & 1 1/8), 3 in 12 ga and 2 in 10ga.. I keep a full spectrum of bars and bushings all bought cheap. No sense in paying full price for a loader and buying new dies to change it for more money than a used loader costs...mb

What the others have said. I bought a conversion kit to 10 ga and once I got it set up, I decided buying a second 600 Jr for the original gauge was a better idea than trying to swap back. When I set that reloader to load some 3" shells, a third reloader was purchased as I didn't want to mess with the settings again. At least that was one of my reasons for the third to be a progressive...

Ebay has some 600 JR's most of the time.

Search for the 2 you want. One loader and extra parts would be fine if you only change 1-2 times a year.

HM

I have bought MEC 600 Jr's for $50 to $75 on EBay in the recent past, but the ammo shortage has driven the prices up considerably.

I’m pretty sure you can buy one loader and change gauges. I load four gauges and have a MEC Sizemaster for each. Thats a whole lot easier than converting for each gauge.

One loader for multiple gauges is a pain. The swap and adjustment is time consuming. I would look for a loader for each gauge unless you are only going to change dies once or twice a year.