Mec

[okietwolf]

Spotted a MEC shotgun reloader with bottles and tools 175... In a thrift store. Should I go back and spend Christmas money? Grabbed a pic I'll put up later

[dverna]

Depends on the model. A 600 is worth $60

[MOA]

Yup, depends on model and gauge. The 410 commands a higher price regardless of model.

[okietwolf]

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[okietwolf]

Sorry pics not best but trying

[TNsailorman]

That is a Model 650 which is a rotary (manual) style reloader. I have owned 1 of them and it gave excellent service and was a breeze to reload shells on. The only drawback is that the 650 does not re-size the hull brass. Some auto's need the re-size feature to chamber reliably and some don't. The Grabber is the next reloader up in price and its operation is the same as the 650 but it has a different base and it has the re-size feature. That 650 is missing the re-prime system, a replacement will run you somewhere between $50.00 and $70.00. I would point out that missing part and try to bring the price down a little but it is still not a bad price. I would not be too worried about that 650 if you are using a single barrel or a pump. A auto would depend on the make and model. Very few auto's will not cycle shells reloaded on the 650 but there are a few. My Remington 11-87 will recycle shells loaded on either the 650 or the Grabber. My 2 model 870 Remingtons will cycle with about anything shoved into the chamber. My experience anyway, james

[TNsailorman]

The 600 MEC is an excellent press but it is not a progressive press, it is a single stage press. The 600 loads 1 shell at a time, the 650 and Grabber load 5 shell simultaneous. The 600 will load just as good of shell as the 650 or Grabber, just more work and less price. However, I have not seen a 600 press in excellent condition sell for less than $100.00 for some time now. james

[Shawlerbrook]

Price seems a little high to me. I also love the MEC 600.

[okietwolf]

This is a 650

[MOA]

Spotted a MEC shotgun reloader with bottles and tools 175... In a thrift store. Should I go back and spend Christmas money? Grabbed a pic I'll put up later

This is what you should be thinking. What are you shooting, how many shells do you shoot during the fall hunting season, or are you a trap or skeet shooter? Here's my two cents. Unless you shoot a few thousand rounds for sport clay bird shooting, or load for you and 3 or 4 other shooters also , than wait till you find a deal on a good MEC 600 that needs no extra purchase of shell resizing equipment in order to accomplish a shell that will load into any gun and function. A good used 600 should run $135-155.

[toallmy]

They are nice loaders but be prepared to purchase the Mec sizer in the future if you load heavier loads , I would try to negotiate a bit a 25-50 discount would make it a done deal but honestly it's a good price if you have a use for it . If it was a grabber it would run you a another 100 easy .
It looks like it has the adjustable charge bar already ....quite useful .

[okietwolf]

I was thinking about a hundy for an offer and try and get the older load manual laying beside it too. The manual is a 50th edition, but I don't remember who's...lol

[okietwolf]

But....then again for the same money, I can get a Lee load all 2 for 12 gauge and one for 20 not have conversion parts to lose, just not the option of progressive loading. I don't shoot that many shotshells a year...it's all about preparedness.

[jaguarxk120]

A loadall is like comparing a push cart to a race car!!

[toallmy]

The Mec is a much better loader it will make good shells and last a lifetime easily , the cost of that loader is about the same as 4 sacks of shot .
I have and have used a lee load all since the early 80s but it is not even close to a Mec .

[dbosman]

Before purchasing a shot shell press, check into pricing of components in your area. I have MECs and I have a Littleton shot maker.
I can occasionally buy Winchester or Remington trap load for less than the cost of components. IF Walmart keeps selling shot shells, the small cases are often right at my cost of components.

[TNsailorman]

Good advice that debosman is giving you. Most of the guys and gals shooting trap and skeet at our club on Thursday night buy shells now instead of reloading them. We have a 55 gallon drum that stays full of once fired hulls and the club no longer tries to sell them because no one seems to want them. 90% of them hits the trash can eventually. My Grabber is about 30 plus years old now or I probably would not be buying a machine and components now. james

[okietwolf]

That's why I said I might just grab a couple cheap Lee's. About the same money, no extra parts to lose to convert sizes and they size on the press. It's all about being prepared in my book. I don't shoot shot that often, but would like to be able if things dry up yet again.

[Muddydogs]

The Mec 650 does resize but it needs done in a separate step. From the pics the resizer tube isn't present but its fairly cheap to purchase, its the same system as the resizer on the 600 jr. The resizer is screwed into the press where the decapping rod is. I own 3 650's but I do all my resizing on the old Mec case conditioner. Even with 2 Mec 9000's I still use the 650's as I find them just as fast as the 9000 since I box my shells its either box as they come off the 650 or box 500 after I'm done cranking them out on the 9000.

[barnabus]

A loadall is like comparing a push cart to a race car!!

lol Lee is junk

[bdicki]

I'd pass on that, 12 ga is not worth reloading unless you all ready have a lot of components on hand. Most of the guys I shoot trap with get shells at Walmart. 28, 16 or 410 are another story.

[jaguarxk120]

I shoot casual trap at a local public range. I do not need factory shells and load 7/8 ounce.
I break the clays and have a good time doing it. A custom load will give me extra shells from 25 pounds of shot.
Less recoil and more shooting time.

[rtracy2001]

But....then again for the same money, I can get a Lee load all 2 for 12 gauge and one for 20 not have conversion parts to lose, just not the option of progressive loading. I don't shoot that many shotshells a year...it's all about preparedness.

While it is possible to convert a Mec reloader between gauges, it is not a good idea or really cost effective to change back and forth. Each load requires adjustment of the press and usually some trial and error. If you are constantly switching between gauges, then you have to redo the adjustment every time. It is a royal pain in the butt to adjust for a load (especially with the adjustable charge bar). Once it is adjusted, it is best to leave it that way as long as possible, the adjustment will hold as long as the load is the same (same hulls, same primers, wads, shot charge, etc.) With a Mec die set costing nearly as much as a press, there is just no advantage to changing gauges often on a Mec machine.

I have loaded some on my father-in-law's lee press, and I find it better than trying to do it by hand, but not much. I generally like Lee products, but I see nothing that would induce me to buy one of those loaders. The plastic dies look and feel sketchy and the general feel of the unit just didn't sit well with me.

I currently have three presses, a Sizemaster 77 in 12 ga, a Sizemaster 82 in 20 gauge, and a 600 jr. in 410 bore. I also invested in Mec's base plate so I can just slide a dedicated machine onto the bench, knock out a few hundred shells, then slide it back under the bench until next time. I really don't shoot enough to invest in a progressive press for shotgun, but that may change with the new 5-stand building at the range.

The way to make shotshell reloading worth the time and effort is volume production and sub-gauges. The only reason I load 12 gauge is because I pick up lots of components cheap at auctions and estate sales and that makes it pay. The 410 bore is another thing altogether. Even though the 410 uses half the shot and powder of the larger gauges, the factory ammo cost is usually more than twice that of 12 ga. For example, right now, I can get 12 ga target loads for about $6/25. 410 target loads are $13/25. The last time I did the math on my reloading costs (some time ago), purchasing all components except hulls, I can reload 12 gauge for about $6/25, but that price drops to closer to $4/25 for 410 because of the price of shot and powder (410 wads cost about the same as 12/20 gauge wads)

Back to the question at hand, it looks like used complete 650s are selling on eBay auctions anywhere from $80-$120 + shipping. There was one with free shipping that sold for $220 on a buy it now.

If you are interested in reloading shotshells make an offer and see what they say. On't be afraid to walk away if they don't want to accept your offer.

As always, YMMV.

[okietwolf]

Well since this is difficult to swap, too much to fit my needs and the Lee is "junk" but thousands of people load thousands of rounds on them....what sits in the middle that's usable and decent for "S.H.T F times?

[okietwolf]

I have a 12 in 3&2-3/4" 20 gauge in 2 3/4"&3" that I need to cover for. The general consensus is correct that right now it's too cheap to bother reloading it, but times change. That's why I have dies for 223/5.56 and 7.62x39mm too cheap to load but things change....

[dverna]

Well since this is difficult to swap, too much to fit my needs and the Lee is "junk" but thousands of people load thousands of rounds on them....what sits in the middle that's usable and decent for "S.H.T F times?

For that...a MEC 600. SHTF means you will not be shooting much. Doing box an hour is adequate.

Lots of used ones cheap as, like stated above, reloading 12 ga for busting clays is not much of a cost savings.

[turtlezx]

12 and 20 ga arent worth reloading can buy cheep new shell for about the same $$

410 and 28 are the 1s to reload 1/2 the componates and 2x the $ of 12ga

[rtracy2001]

Well since this is difficult to swap, too much to fit my needs and the Lee is "junk" but thousands of people load thousands of rounds on them....what sits in the middle that's usable and decent for "S.H.T F times?

While the 600 jr. mark IV is adequate for what you have, you could probably get into a Sizemaster for not much more money if you watch eBay/gun shows/estate auctions carefully. The principal advantage of the Sizemaster is that sizing collet that squeezes the case head back to size. Properly adjusted, you can hit new shell dimensions that will cycle through even the most finicky of shotgun (a definite SHTF advantage).

Another, often cheaper option is the Honady/Pacific DL-105 machines. They are on par with the 600 JR, though parts can be somewhat harder to find as they are no longer current production. Powder and shot bushings are still available (same as the Honady 366 progressive) and there is even an adapter to use Mec powder bushings available. There area a couple of complete looking machines on eBAy right now for much less than $100. I would have one still if I hadn't picked up my first Sizemaster at auction for a crazy low price. In fact, if I found a complete DL-105 in 410 bore, I would probably retire my 600 jr. The only down side is the fact that it uses the same style sizer as the 600 Jr., a steel sizing ring that has a hard time sizing the case head back to specs. For most guns that isn't a problem, but there are finicky guns out there.

[Three44s]

I have a plethora of shot shell presses and a lot of them were given to me. .... and I am not even wild about loading for them. Go figure!

Now while it is true you can presently buy “cheap” shotshells for about what just the components, there are a couple of things to remember:

Times change

More specialized factory loads cost more

Some gauges are quite expensive

There is a value in being self sufficient

Shotguns are said to not be individualistic as rifles and handguns can be but that is not entirely correct. You can pattern a particular shotgun with factory shells and find a load that stands out .... or not find one. With shotshell loading you have many more choices.

I personally would not give that much money for a MEC 650 at the present due to the cheap ammo but I have two 650’s and they are a nice loader. All you need is the separate base resizer tool from MEC (also they sell inserts for different gauges for it) and you have the same capability as the MEC Grabber but in two steps. I think the OP is right about offering a lower dollar figure.

It is a buyer’s market for shot shell presses, keep that in mind. The tag on that press reads back in April, that is a strong hint.

One more tip: If someone hollers 410 shotgun run away. I have a Sizemaster in 410 and a Stevens 311 in the same. I wish I had never crossed paths with the 410 ga. as getting good crimps is the pits!

Good luck

Three44s

[Petrol & Powder]

I have a couple of MEC presses and they are solid machines. However, they came to me used and one was free. I would be reluctant to spend more than $100 on ANY used MEC press and that number would drop considerably if it was missing parts.

You can get just about any part you need for a MEC press but generally not for free. So if it needs parts, consider that when you make your offer.

As for the single stage operation, I don't object to it as much when loading shotgun shells. I have loaded thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of 20 ga. shells on a MEC Sizemaster. Because the machine performs all of the functions without changing the machine, albeit one function at a time, it doesn't seem as cumbersome as say loading handgun rounds on a single stage press.

I also tend to find "The Load" and never reconfigure the machine after the machine is configured for that load.

[Muddydogs]

The only down side is the fact that it uses the same style sizer as the 600 Jr., a steel sizing ring that has a hard time sizing the case head back to specs. For most guns that isn't a problem, but there are finicky guns out there.

The 600 jr or an Mec sizing ring has no trouble sizing case heads back to spec, if yours isn't its time to replace the sizing ring as they can wear out. I have yet to see any shotgun have a problem with cycling rounds loaded on a Mec.

[toallmy]

If you’re going to load a box or so every once in a while for hunting the lee will do it just fine . Make sure you get the little container that fits on top with the powder and shot bushings . I have loaded a lot of 12 gage shells with one + you can get the 20 gage conversion to swap out . A sports car it is not but riding a bike would be better than walking .

[okietwolf]

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/585026382311788/?ref=browse_tab&search_query=Mec
So this is worth more?

[okietwolf]

Where will the bidding stop in the last hour? Askin for a friend...lol

[EDG]

Shipping on that one is over $50.
A lot of ebay loading tools will end about 25% higher than the initial flurry of bids.

There are always exceptions- items that people overlook or forget to bid on. And then there are uninformed types and ebay addicts that bid stuff out of sight.



Where will the bidding stop in the last hour? Askin for a friend...lol

[megasupermagnum]

The only single stage press MEC has ever made that actually works is the Sizemaster. Everything else is junk. My 600 JR. just sits in the corner now, I still use my Lee LoadAll, it's a far superior press. Life is too short. I would never pay over $75 for a used MEC.

Take my word, I lost a lot of blood, sweat, and tears fighting to make MEC work. By the time you gather up all the extra accessories you need to make them function, a Ponsness Warren is cheaper. Or just use a Lee LoadAll II, they work well enough.

[okietwolf]

Went back after three weeks and was still there.. offered 70 and got an extra 10 off because I had the 1 yr old grandson with me and he popped a smile for the cutie behind the counter

[1hole]

lol Lee is junk

A common comment. A huge number of people say that opinion itself is junk.

MEC has virtually owned the shotshell loader market for several decades because they are good values. Lee is not in the same league as MEC but then not everyone needs or wants to pay for a MEC.

The key to selecting anything we buy is knowing what we want it to do with it and seeking a tool that can do it. A lot of people buy things I wouldn't but my needs are different from others so I respect anyone's choice; there is a place for simple tools. Push carts and Lee tools are both useful. Seems buying a race car to impress others if all we need is a push cart is dumm. IMHO of course.

[gnostic]

It doesn't pay to load 12 or 20 gauge, you can buy them at Walmart for the same money or less. If you're loading 410 or 28 gauge it's a different story.

[okietwolf]

And when Walmart buckles and stops selling shotshells, or the morons elect another Demoncrap and all preloaded ammo vanishes? It's not about cost, if it were how many would be reloading 55-62 grain 5.56? It's about being ready.......

[toallmy]

I load 10,12,20,&410 it’s more than worth it to me. A few boxes for hunting more than pays for the equipment .

[MOA]

I got my first mec in 1980. A 600 model. A demo missing some parts for 25 bucks. Cost me another 10 bucks and I was ready to go. Still have it and use it. Also 3 more, for doing 10, 16, and 20. Unless your on the circuit, a 600 will do you fine.

[Lagamor]

I load on a Mec 650 just like that. That one looks like it was rarely used. If it has the rest of the priming system I’d go for it. If not you can replace it, but I would definitely haggle for $50 off since the new priming system is $100 if I remember correctly.
I,m biased I like reloading shotshell more than metallic pistol. I will warn you the twelve guage is a pig so you’ll need to buy powder by the keg. I also buy reclaimed lead and buy components on sale.
One thing you should ask yourself is how close do you live to a Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays course? Could you make to one most weekends or would it be a special occasion. I’m twenty minutes away from three great place. If you’re close like me BUY IT!

On a side note, there isn’t anything wrong with a Lee Loadall, but a MEC will run hundred of thousands of rounds long after the Lee is worn out and shot.

[dverna]

I HATE MEC's. Buy a large cookie sheet and bolt it between the press and table. You will understand why after a couple of hours. But I started with a MEC 600 and made useable shells with it. Decent little machine if you do not shoot a lot, but you will not save much unless making hunting loads or 410/28 ga.

I used to load 15-20K 12 ga shells a year and volume shooters still load 12 ga and save money. It is NOT for the casual user if you want to bust 50-100 birds every couple of weeks. It pays if you shoot a lot and buy in bulk. My practice trap load costs $4.09 a box. Over 10k shells than is a saving of $600. I use a PW 800+ and paid it off in my first year.

I use two PW 375 for 12 and 20 ga hunting loads and 28 ga. One of the best single stage loaders out there and it can be set up for two gauges at one time.

[okietwolf]

Well. I fixed the missing primer feed tube, by using an aluminum arrow shaft and Swaging one end a bit, the primer installation punch was under 20 and I have a mec dealer I drive past twice every work day. It now runs with a little cleaning and oil. Found a mec sizer for 35 today close enough to pick up this weekend.

[toallmy]

Well. I fixed the missing primer feed tube, by using an aluminum arrow shaft and Swaging one end a bit, the primer installation punch was under 20 and I have a mec dealer I drive past twice every work day. It now runs with a little cleaning and oil. Found a mec sizer for 35 today close enough to pick up this weekend.

Your hooked now .

[donald duck]

I have a MEC 600 JR in 12 gauge, lots of empty cases AA , Rem, Green, Wads including AA wads. Will sell all for $75.00 but you must live ner Colorado springs. Too much to ship. Call 719-282-3499. or contact dworley790@gmail.com. donald duck

[okietwolf]

Donald Duck....north east Ohio here wanna pick a spot in the middle to meet? Lol

[trapper9260]

I load 10,12,20,&410 it’s more than worth it to me. A few boxes for hunting more than pays for the equipment .

I do the same as you I load the same ones, and it is worth it for me also because I can make up some shorts in 10, 12 and 20 that I will be working on to do soon. but the other 2 I have the data to load and one I made my own data like I will do for 20 , I got my reloaders some time ago , It is worth it for me .