Old shotgun presses, any idea?

[Coopaloop86]

So I picked up 2 older shotgun presses that someone had squirreled away in their garage. Was wondering if they are worth salvaging? One has no discernible markings and one just says "Super Jet" so basically I know nothing about them. Any help would be appreciated, my google machine isn't coming through for me on this one.171401171402171403171404

[Lightning22]

The top one looks like a Lyman Easy (or Ezy) with the charge bars, top cover and bottles missing, the bottom one is a new one on me.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I had two MEC 650s and I couldn't give them away. I sold them in a yard sale for five bucks each. Later a friend gave me a new one, still in the box. I passed it on to my nephew. I don't shoot or reload for shoguns but I think you can buy the ammo cheaper than you can buy the shot. Some others are no doubt better informed than me.

[roysha]

Check out this: eBay item number: 201615699058

I believe that may be you unknown "Super Jet"

[MT Chambers]

I had two MEC 650s and I couldn't give them away. I sold them in a yard sale for five bucks each. Later a friend gave me a new one, still in the box. I passed it on to my nephew. I don't shoot or reload for shoguns but I think you can buy the ammo cheaper than you can buy the shot. Some others are no doubt better informed than me.
Gopher: You are right, however these old presses (and new) are interesting and are also why many of us are making our own shot and reloading, as shot is the most expensive component. I prefer my reloads to the cheapo imported trap loads, they seem to bust the target better and are more consistent.

[jrmartin1964]

LEC (Lachmiller Engineering Co.) Super Jet. Missing the powder and shot hoppers. Probably early 1960s.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284500901437624305/

The others are right. You all but can't give old shotshell loaders away. I ended up several years ago with three MEC loaders, two 600 Juniors and a 250, all of them complete with shot and powder bottles, charge bars, and an assortment of bushings. Tried to sell them, finally just gave up. Eventually gave one of the 600s away, and decided I'd just keep the others. Kinda cool, load a few with them now and then for a nice walk down retro-lane.

[roysha]

I sure wish I knew where you guys were a couple of years ago when I was looking for some economical single stage presses to use when I wanted to load just a few or something odd and didn't want to setup/change my progressive presses. For dang sure I didn't get them given to me nor did I purchase them for $5.00. Oh well, c'est la vive.

[jimkim]

Unless you make your own shot, you don't really save on 12 ga shells, unless it's slugs or buckshot. IDK about 16, 20, 28, or 32 ga, but you can load 410 shells a lot cheaper than you can buy them. I still load 12 ga just because i have the presses and still have a little bit of free shot left. I wish I could find a 410 press for $5.00. Around here about the lowest I've seen 12 ga MEC 600 JR's go for is $45.00, and at one time, everybody had one.

[Coopaloop86]

Its looking like these are about to go back onto the shelf of history and I'll just pick up a cheap shotgun press... These came from a really good friend of mine that threw them on top of 5,000 primed high brass hulls so I couldn't say no.

[Fishman]

I wonder if any of these old presses that are incomplete could be modified to functionwith a gas check making die in lieu of an arbor press?

[Lance Boyle]

A lot of shot gun shell presses are on the market here. There are about 5 index cards on the club bulletin board now. All about priced about 80% of new but not moving. We can still buy shot through the club but it's not much cheaper than the gunshop. 12 and 20 are simply not worth loading your own dollar wise. If you shoot 28 and 410 they probably still are. I have a 12 ga grabber that I reconditioned after trading my BIL for it, and a 28 ga 9000G. I sold the Lee load all 20 gage as I didn't like using it. It tended to break the plastic base and Lee were not real friendly when I explained my problem with it so I got the new base part and just boxed it up where it sat for 15-20 years before I sold it off. Lee told me they'd only replace the base this time after that it was on me. Not much Lee stuff in my loading room and I have a few thousand dollars worth of gear accumulated over the years. Heck in fact I think the only lee item I have is a Lee universal depriming die.

[Ole Joe Clarke]

Have you looked on flea bay recently? Some of those old Hornady and Pacific shotshell presses are bringing big bucks.

[10x]

Shot shell reloading is only worth it if you are loading shot weights that are not available from the manufacturers. I load 5/8 oz and 3/4 oz with #9 shot in 12 gauge for Ruffed Grouse. They work very well at 16 yard trap too. My score with them is 22 to 24 - same as with 1 1/8 oz loads

The advantage of these is low noise, low recoil, and far fewer pellets in the meat on upland birds.

[Don Fischer]

I had two MEC 650s and I couldn't give them away. I sold them in a yard sale for five bucks each. Later a friend gave me a new one, still in the box. I passed it on to my nephew. I don't shoot or reload for shoguns but I think you can buy the ammo cheaper than you can buy the shot. Some others are no doubt better informed than me.

12, 20 and some 16, yes they are to inexpensive to load field load's or target load's with, at least around here. 28 and 410 field loads can be a bunch less expensive than factory loads. When I got my 28 I also got a flat of Rem target ammo, I think it was about $11 a box. At the same time the most inexpensive field loads I could find were $18 a box. I reload them for about $6 a box!

[seagiant]

Hi,
Here is my rebuilt, Lachmiller Super Jet.

It was in not much better shape than yours!

Had to make a part for it to get it running, but it makes a beautiful shell now!

[Taylor]

172880172881

Does my Texan count? Would like to find a set of 410 dies to go with it.

[thegatman]

I used to buy old shotgun presses to refurb and give away to new reloaders. Price of shot is through the roof now so I just look for sales.

[3006guns]

[QUOTE=Lance Boyle; I have a 12 ga grabber that I reconditioned after trading my BIL for it, and a 28 ga 9000G. [/QUOTE]

Lance, could you explain how you traded your brother in law for a shotgun press? I have a brother in law that I'd love to trade off.........:)

[Pressman]

Taylor, I just picked up a Texan like yours for $15 bucks on flea bay. Kind of dirty, not real pretty like yours but the seller says it is complete. Shipping was reasonable so I thought I would go for it. Should be here next week.

Ken

[seagiant]

Taylor, I just picked up a Texan like yours for $15 bucks on flea bay. Kind of dirty, not real pretty like yours but the seller says it is complete. Shipping was reasonable so I thought I would go for it. Should be here next week.

Ken


Hi,
I think "Texan's" were better made than MEC's! (my opinion!)