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Did some searching abt Mec Press. I haven't done any reloading in a long time. I have a Mec for 12ga but I'm wanting to reload for 20ga. Question is, in order to load 20ga. Does Mec presses have inter- changeable dies or are the Mec presses dedicated to the different gages. I'm thinking that they are dedicated. [smilie=b: tia
I think the 600s are interchangeable. Check out MECs website.
Haa.. As of right now I'm not sure sure of the model I have. I know it's the base model
You can order a set of dies for the 20 gauge. It is probably a basic 600 model.
Might almost be worth the cost of a used MEC set up with 20 gauge dies to not have to swap out dies on same press :-)
May depend on how you reload, really large batches of same load, where once you complete the batch you are set for that gauge for a long time, or smaller batches of different loads on more of a few boxes of a load on an as needed basis.
I have found that used shot shell presses can be a good deal used. Old Pacific presses can be especially value priced. Competitive with a new Lee shot shell press with more quality. Will say that MEC parts/support is great no matter what age the press is. If they can help they will.
The 600 series can have die sets changed. If it's charge bar has a 302 stamped in it, it can be changed. If the charge bar has 502 stamped in it, it's a "progressive" press. Probably not worth the effort.
Progressives are the 650 and 9000 series. Also I believe the "Grabber" or "Hustler". MEC doesn't recommend doing a gauge conversion on these.
I have, it's a lot of work and it doesn't work perfectly. But it does work. I did a 12 gauge 650 to a 16 gauge 650. If I didn't have the 12 gauge 650 as a spare and had a part set from a 16 gauge 600 press to start with, plus 40+ years of MEC experience and having owned 3 dozen plus MEC's over that time, I never would have tried it.
I would never try a 12 to 410 the difference in the track the hulls slide in is too great.
12 to 16 was close enough to work OK.
If you have an active trap/skeet club with the emphasis on SKEET, post a "want to buy" for a 20 gauge press. You'll probably get a couple of offers.
Before you step too far into shotshell reloading, you may want to check on component availability. I just bought 2 cases of 209 primers last week. They have been unavailable for going on 3 years. Ended up buying an import brand because that was what was available.
I suspect that they are going to turn back into unobtainium shortly.