mec charge bar question

[gunhawk]

For the MEC single stage shotgun reloader, (12gauge) I have a charge bar that is stamped on the end 12ga. 9
Its an older charge bar; does anyone know how much charge it throws ? What weight of lead shot ? I realize the powder would be variable depending on the powder used, but the amount of lead shot it drops should be a fixed amount. Thanks for any info.

[cwlongshot]

Is it a 502 or 302 bar?

[243winxb]

Hope this helps- 2 3/4 plastic casing. Green Dot, 21 grs , 1 1/4 oz shot. Plastic unit.

[gunhawk]

Thanks. By the way, no other stampings on it besides the 12ga. 9
Doesn' have a marking 502 or 302 on it, I guess its from before those stamping were put on. And no interchangeable powder bushing capability.

[TNsailorman]

The 502 and 302 identify the MEC machine they are to be used in and you must select the correct insert for powder and shot for the load you want. The older gauge and numbered bars are not drilled for inserts, but are drilled for powder and shot weights for individual loads. james

[porthos]

or, you could weight the charges

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

or, you could weight the charges

+1.

[garandsrus]

It’s probably going to throw a charge of 1 1/8 oz of #9 shot. I am surprised it doesn’t have a powder bushing. It must be designed for a specific charge of a specific powder. Probably for skeet or trap.

[Dave W.]

These were older charge bars, each bar would only throw one charge of shot and one of powder. The bars with interchangeable bushings did not come out until later.

[Walks]

Mec 302 are for single stage presses; 600jr.
The 502 are for Progessive; 650.

[243winxb]

The 600 jr press powder charge needs to be weighed on a scale, after going thru all cycles of the press.

The same bushing will drop more powder with a single stage press, then a progressive press.

[Patrick L]

Competition bars were drilled for the weight of specific shot size listed. "Regular" bars would just say a weight like 1 1/8 which was "about" 1 1/8 oz, or close enough with all shot sizes. Your bar is more precisely bored, should drop 1 1/8 oz of #9 shot. Surprised its not cut for powder bushings, never saw that.

[farmbif]

powder bushings are only for the newer bars. the older ones had fixed size holes. Ive a stack of them. if you are not sure how much they throw you just weigh the shot and powder charge that is dropped from them. there were different bars for small and large shot sizes. there used to be a service that would drill out older bars for using the newer powder bushings

[DDriller]

That charge bar was for 23 grains green dot and 1 1/4 ounce shot. It is an older bar before the 302. You will have to weigh the charges to see what it throws with the powder you are going to use.