Project MEC's worth it?

[Ateam]

A guy on armslist has this lot of 5 mecs and various bars bottles etc for sale, one is functional and the rest need parts or are rusty. I am looking to get into loading for shot shells and was wondering if these are worth what he wants for them. How is part availability? Thanks experts.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/7446791/lower-peninsula-michigan-reloading-for-sale--mec-reloading-equipment-5-realoaders-bars-bushings---parts

[rancher1913]

the price is good but you need a lot of time to get them back in shape. if it was me and I had more time than money I'd go for it. the presses sell new for about 3 bills each and parts and manuals are easy to get.

[M-Tecs]

Parts available here https://www.mecshootingsports.com/shotshell-reloaders

[Ateam]

I am a fabricator, and have a full metal shop here at the house, so restore would not be hard. The price seemed too good to pass on.

[Hogtamer]

You can probably wind up with 2 out of that. Parts are pretty cheap.

[turtlezx]

ebay would get that $$ for 1 press

[Ateam]

Sounds good, I had him hold them for me, I guess I will go pick them up and see what I end up with. Thanks for the input everyone.

[longbow]

I'm a little late but I would have said "Go get 'em!" anyway. For the price I don't think you'll go wrong.
"

[County Hunter]

^I agree, good price, a lot of the key parts look to be there. I have an old MEC and bought parts from the MEC site listed above.

[sawinredneck]

There’s even a guy on evilbay that for $50, plus parts, will rebuild them to like new condition.

[Boolit_Head]

If they are whole and the gauge you want they are good. You can run up quite a lot to change gauge or replace parts.

[sawinredneck]

If they are whole and the gauge you want they are good. You can run up quite a lot to change gauge or replace parts.

As I recall, it’s $80 and shipping for a gauge change. I was looking into it and told to just buy another used press in the gauge I wanted!

[Boolit_Head]

That is for a fairly current press, if you want one for a versamec 700 or one of the older 650's they can run more. For something like 75 bucks each I picked of older 650's in 20 ga and another in 28. Only had to replace bottles on one and crimper on the other. They paired up with a 12 ga Versamec 700 I have had since the 80's. Whole any one of the three could go for about 125 bucks on the high end. But to get and convert one could run much more.

[copdills]

I like it it would be nice if they were all different gauges lol

[Ateam]

apparently one of them is in 410. I dont know if it is the complete one or not. I shoot mostly 12, but 20 and 410 also. we will see, I will pick them up tomorrow I think. He also mentioned he has a ton of old components he wants to get rid of. Might be a good score.

[Ateam]

He also said he has a ton of paper hulls, which are of no interest to me. Someone here have a hankerin for paper? Let me know, I will try to get some pictures.

[copdills]

sounds like a score

[Duckiller]

Some one better recheck prices. Maybe me. These are 600JR.,they sell for less than $100.00 new. Gauge changes are considerably less than $50.00. Reguardless the OP got a good deal. Would suggest that you get adjustable charge bar instead of a bunch of fixed bars and sleeves. Not worth if you only shoot one or two loads but if you shoot trap.skeet, grouse rabbits woodcocks and an occasional trip to southern MI for phaesants you definately need an adjustable charge bar.

[EMC45]

They're fun to tinker with. I had a guy ship me a MEC Sizemaster for free. I think it was on THR website. He said he was getting ready to put it out by the curb. I paid shipping and he sent it. I have been tinkering with it for a few years now. Needed some TLC and it was up and running. As old as it it and the tinkering I had to do, it still turns out some nice shells.

[bob208]

you should be posting look what I just bought. not should I buy it.

I have one for 12 gauge it makes good shells. I would like to get one for 20 gauge.

[skeettx]

Looking forward to a progress report
Mik

[copdills]

me too , sounds like alot of fun getting them together

[rsrocket1]

Some one better recheck prices. Maybe me. These are 600JR.,they sell for less than $100.00 new.

I'd like to see a Mec 600JR for under $100 new :holysheep

Most places charge nearly double that for a new Mec 600JR

[kens]

I just checked, a new one is at $200
a gauge change is at $100

If all you gonna shoot is the standard Walmart type shells, ie 12ga 1oz 7.5 or 8 shot, then it just as cheap to buy the shells

Same with 20ga 7/8 oz 7.5 or 8's, cheaper to buy the shells

However, if you want heavier loads, you can load them cheaper.
Price out a box of 12ga 1 1/4oz and see the price !!!
same for 20ga full 1oz load, they are pricey

likewise if you want anything heavier than 7.5 shot, it would cost you a lot more just to buy #6 shot at the store.

[Ateam]

I just bought them today. They ended up being;

model 400 in .410 -needs the most parts
two 600jr's- one is rusty, one is perfect, 20ga and 12ga
a versamec in 20 ga, perfectly good condition
and a model 250 in 12ga

The one that was supposed to be frozen freed right up with a little kroil. I need to look at a parts diagram to make sure I know what is missing from each model, I am not well versed in shotgun loaders. I have not had time to really get into them as I had to take the kids trick-or-treating as soon as I got home. I will put some pics up tomorrow when I get into them.

[CastingFool]

As far as I know, the only difference between the old 600 Jr and the Versamec, was a small angle piece (pro-check) that bolted on to the charge bar. I think it was to keep you from double charging a shell. The Versamec was discontinued, and the newer version of the 600 Jr. included the pro-check.



https://www.mecshootingsports.com/700-versamec-parts

[6pt-sika]

I'd like to see a Mec 600JR for under $100 new :holysheep

Most places charge nearly double that for a new Mec 600JR

Dealer cost for a new 600JR in 12 or 20 is about $140-150 now . I bought new 600's in 10 and 16 in the last 5 or so years and they set me back about $180 each and that as I said was dealer cost NOT retail .

[Ateam]

having trouble uploading pics, please stand by for a word from our sponsors...

[Ateam]

Here is the 400 super speeder in 410.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-8xEnnbONuOZEhhamRiSHU3VkU

Anyone familiar with these? I thought it would have some shell holders like the 600's etc. But the few pics I have seen dont seem to show anything, cant find an actually parts diagram (have not tried very hard yet).

[skeettx]

You will need to use one of the other presses primer seating assembly.
And I think the crimping sleeve was in the bunch of stuff
you got in the yellow box.
What fun
Mike

GREAT READING
https://www.mecshootingsports.com/Content/documents/400.pdf

[Boolit_Head]

As far as I know, the only difference between the old 600 Jr and the Versamec, was a small angle piece (pro-check) that bolted on to the charge bar. I think it was to keep you from double charging a shell. The Versamec was discontinued, and the newer version of the 600 Jr. included the pro-check.



https://www.mecshootingsports.com/700-versamec-parts


The 700's are a different beast. They take different dies and the press frame is taller. I've got one of each at home in different gauges. Mine has the Pro Check as well.

[Ateam]

You will need to use one of the other presses primer seating assembly.
And I think the crimping sleeve was in the bunch of stuff
you got in the yellow box.
What fun
Mike

GREAT READING
https://www.mecshootingsports.com/Content/documents/400.pdf

Wow, great resource, some of those pictures saved me hours of trial and error, thanks.

[kens]

Wow, great resource, some of those pictures saved me hours of trial and error, thanks.

Have you called Mec yet?
I got a couple old 600Jr from fleabay, and Mec was quite helpful for me.

[Ateam]

I have not really gotten into them to know what is missing yet. I cleaned up the versamec in 12 and the 600jr in 20, and they are complete and functioning well (loaded a few shells with the versamec lat night). Pictures are being a pain, I will try to get some before and after pic on here soon. Busy in the shop these days.

[762X51]

I'm wanting to get back into shotshell reloading. Could you please direct me to these new <$100 machines?


Some one better recheck prices. Maybe me. These are 600JR.,they sell for less than $100.00 new. Gauge changes are considerably less than $50.00. Reguardless the OP got a good deal. Would suggest that you get adjustable charge bar instead of a bunch of fixed bars and sleeves. Not worth if you only shoot one or two loads but if you shoot trap.skeet, grouse rabbits woodcocks and an occasional trip to southern MI for phaesants you definately need an adjustable charge bar.

[skeettx]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmec+600+pres s.TRS0&_nkw=mec+600+press&_sacat=0

[jsizemore]

When I got my first MEC it was missing a few things. I called MEC and the tech walked me through checks that the online instruction manual didn't cover. He was very patient while I set down the phone to go through an operation and check that required 2 hands. Great help.