Whats a good shotshell reloader

[218bee]

I first started reloading about 42yrs ago when my dad and I drove up to Wisconsin and went to MEC and bought a shotshell reloader. Loaded many thousands of shells with that thing and as years passed really didn't shoot much shotgun anymore and sold it. I tried trap, skeet, and sporting clays games and enjoy them and the price of a box of shells nowadays makes me think I may want to add a shotgun press back to my bench. I realize shot and components have gone up with everything else but it still has to be cheaper than buying a box every time I want to shoot. I am thinking I want a progressive press even though I could probably get by with a single stage like I grew up with. Don't really want a top of line Ponsness-Warren at $700+, but see Hornady makes one for around $400 or so. Always looking for used also....what say ye?

[Recluse]

I'm happy as I can be with my MEC 650. Will probably add a Jr to the bench for 20 guage.

:coffee:

[cajun shooter]

It's not a progressive but the Mec Sizemaster will give you plenty of control and if you shoot CAS you can load BP shotshells. It's plenty fast and can load a box in a few minutes for around $220

[Bassleg]

Hornady 366 is the best for the money I and had a Mec 9000 and it was ok but after useing
the Hornady 366 I give the mec to a friend.

[218bee]

I saw a similar post as this one elsewhere and most guys seem to think a single stage is the way to go and highly recommend the MEC 600 or sizemaster. Maybe I should go that route and use the money I save for shot and such

[hammerhead357]

I bought a Hornady about 8 months ago that had about 400.00 worth of conversions and powder and shot bushings for a total price of 350.00. I have it set up on the bench but haven't done anything with it but clean it and lube it.
I am going to have to breakdown and but some once fired shells and start loading. Just been to tied up with other things right now....Wes

[shotman]

If you are going to stay with one ga then a mec 9000 If you want to change then the 650 or size master. Stay with mec you get the adjustable bar and your set. I had a 366 It is not worth the wasted money. Too many problems and you cant load 16ga

[R.C. Hatter]

:violin:Just my 2 cents worth, but I started in 1960 with a MEC 250, loading thousands of rounds on it, then later switched to a VersaMEC 700, which I still use today. The 700 is similar to the MEC 650. MEC tools are, in my judgement, well made, long wearing, and a good value for the money.

[hammerhead357]

Well I didn't say I didn't like MEC loaders I just don't have one now mine got stolen a few years ago and I replaced it with a Hornady 366. I loaded for a long time on the Sizemaster for trap loads and never had a problem. I just happened on to the Hornady so I bought it. I hope it will work as well as I think it will. Just have to devote a little time to it...Wes

[Firebricker]

I'm very partial to Mec and use a 9000 now. I don't know what the RCBS costs but it looks
like a pretty good setup. FB

[curiousgeorge]

Started out with a Hornady DL-155AP with 12 ga and 20 ga dies. Picked up a 366 in 12 ga a few years ago for a steal. Now keep single stage in 20 ga only. Several parts are interchangeable (shot / powder bushings, wad fingers, primer feed system, etc.), so for me above has worked very well.

Have to admit that the 366 took a little tinkering to get timed correctly, but after a few initial glitches (some my own fault) it runs and loads smooth. Good machine, just a little quirky at first.


skt

[smkummer]

Used a used (20 years old) sizemaster for 10 years and the collet finally broke. It was over $55 to replace the one part but its a fine machine. I really don't think you need a sizemaster for low base shells and I wouldn't pay the difference. Primer feed is really a nice assec.. I just picked up a used 366 auto and after fine tuning it to AA hulls, it would be hard to go back to single stage. I believe it is a heavier and possible better made machine than a 9000 but both have their positive and negative points. I load about 2500 shells a year and also make my own shot. Keep watching on ebay and craigslist for used machines. Mec 600 or juniors show up on ebay all the time. I have a pacific DL 105 for 20 gauge it is almost as good as a mec junior. Hornady does carry some parts for the older pacifics.

[jmorris]

I have an old RCBS (I think) up in the attic, it looks like a cast aluminum version of what Lee sells now. I like it better in the attic than to reload with it. I have an MEC 600 that I use for the "odd ball" loads I have. The two 366's I have are way faster than the first two. I would go for the Dillon if I already didn't have them but I think money being no object a Spolar loader would be my pick.

[mister gizmo]

For me, it has to do with your personal situation. If you shoot a lot of 12 and 20 gauge, like in tournament and league shooting, the MEC 9000G does the job. If you don't shoot a lot, then the price of the MEC makes it a poor value, unless you can get one in the used market.

If you're real wealthy, buy factory Federal paper shells ;-).

gizmo

[Huntducks]

I have 6 mec reloaders 5-600 10-12-20-28-410 and 1 steelmaster 12ga I really like the steelmaster it's nothing more then a sizemaster that will load steel or lead I bought it used with the 2.3/4" adaptor so when I want to load a few box's of lead I use it.

I sold 2-650 that I had could not see any advantage in them, you still have to hand turn the shell plate, I also had a 9000 in 410 sold it also (ebay) bought it used new still in box for next to nothing $150 I did not shoot enought 410's that the 600 could not handel, the 9000 is one fine press IMO better then the Hornady 366 which I test drove for a week.

My main 12ga press is a Ponsness/Warren 800 B it's like any progressive press you need to stay a wake when reloading on it, I bought the powder adaptor that allows me to use Mec bushings which I had a ton of, the primer feed is a little picky needs to be adjusted every 50 or so box's if you can find one used which I see a fair number of for $300 or less it a great press and the new PW 900 are even better but not cheap.

All that said and I was an average meaning number of shells fired shooter/hunter the mec Sizemaster would be my choice it collet sizes the brass has a smooth auto primer feed and easy of use.

If your running through lots of ammo you can't beat the 9000 mec for Use & Price and a step up would be the PW 900 or the Dillon 1050.

[jmorris]

If your running through lots of ammo you can't beat the 9000 mec for Use & Price and a step up would be the PW 900 or the Dillon 1050.

No shot shells on the 1050 Dillons shell loader is SL900.

[Dan Cash]

+ a bunch for the MEC. Quality and function for a reasonable price. If I were into producing thousands of shot shells I would go Dillon or PW.

[Huntducks]

Sorry for the error on the dillon #

35 box's of shells in about 5 hrs on my PW, and i'm slow in my old age.