Help ID this MEC loader?

[Rhys79]

I picked up what I think is a MEC 600 Jr Mk V off of Marketplace for a steal. There's no label or anything on it to properly ID it though. It has an odd primer tube and slider assembly that I don't see on any of the MEC documentation, so I'm not sure. Here's a pic, if anyone could help me figure it out. Pretty sure it's setup for 20ga, but I'll verify when I get home and have a shell to compare it to.

Thank you!

MEC 600.jpg

[Barry54]

I’ve got a couple of similar older ones like that. One of them won’t seat primers deep enough. I guess paper base wads were thicker back in the day vs modern plastic ones.

[Hogtamer]

That or an older Versamec

[TNsailorman]

Looks kinda like an earlier version of the 650. It is definitely not a 600 jr. The 600jr require the shell to be moved from station to station but the 650 has a shell plate that rotates the shell from station to station. The 650 I had years ago looks like that but did not have that kind of primer system. That primer system looks like a home jury rigged system. But I am just guessing on that. james

After blowing the picture up, Rhys79 is right, I could not see on my first look that the press has no shell plate. sorry guys, james

[Rhys79]

This one has a fixed shell plat, so not a 650. The primer thing appears to be a commercial product, if not original to the press, it’s well made. Thinking maybe I should reach out to MEC directly to figure out for sure what it is.

[jaguarxk120]

The primer feed is a MEC product. Have one on a
600JR used for load testing before I go to the Grabber.

[armoredman]

MEC 600 Jr, older version. Someone peeled the sticker/name plate off.

[Rhys79]

Sounds like the consensus is it’s a 600jr like I thought. Any easy way to determine if it’s a pre or post 1985? I checked and it’s definitely setup for 20ga, and I’d like to get a conversion kit for 12ga as well, but want to make sure I get the right one the first time.

[gunther]

You can probably find a 12 gauge press for cheaper than a conversion kit. 12 gauge is by far the most common setup..be patient.

[Sam Sackett]

VersaMEC. I have one just like it. Works great! It became the 600, which became the 600 jr.

The wad fingers are no longer produced and are unobtainable. There are parts available to change it over to the current style.

Also, the crimp starter is all metal. It screws apart and the 8 point or 6 point brass inserts can be changed. The entire assembly can be changed to the newer style too.

Nice pick!
Sam Sackett

[15meter]

Definitely pre-85. By then MEC was using the all plastic "Spindex" crimp starter and nylon sizer, finish dies as opposed to the steel version. The wad starter was also updated to an all plastic unit.

[15meter]

I may have most of the stuff to convert it to a 12 gauge. I converted a 12 gauge MEC 650 to a 16 gauge 650. I think most of the parts are still in the shed.

MEC says you can't do that conversion, but it's doable, just not that easy. I've had probably 2 dozen plus MEC's over the years so it's not something I'd recommend without that kind of experience. I'm just kinda stubborn( or not very bright).

[Rhys79]

VersaMEC. I have one just like it. Works great! It became the 600, which became the 600 jr.

The wad fingers are no longer produced and are unobtainable. There are parts available to change it over to the current style.

Also, the crimp starter is all metal. It screws apart and the 8 point or 6 point brass inserts can be changed. The entire assembly can be changed to the newer style too.

Nice pick!
Sam Sackett

I think what you referred to as the wad fingers are still in good shape. Other than needing taken apart, cleaned, and repainted, it’s functional as it sits now. I have no supplies yet to try using it, it’s my first shot shell loader, so should be a fun project.

[Jack Russel]

It,s a 600jr with the old Mec primer system. I had one just like it years ago. Wad fingers are available on E-bay. By the way, I think that primer system works better than the new one.

[Bill M]

Wad fingers from Hornady also work fine!
I picked up a Versamec 700 several years ago, and converted it to 12ga with the "modern" style plastic dies. Last year I was given an early 600 Jr in 12ga, so I used the 20ga die set, (metal), from the Versamec. I also changed the dies on the 12, to metal, and sold the plastic changeover on CL. Both load nice ammo, although the "flat" primer feeders don't always drop a primer every time.

[Jhon]

I wouldn't say no to a couple of primer systems like that!!

[Shawlerbrook]

Yes the Versamec 700. I still have mine in 16 ga. that I bought around 1970.

[35isit]

I’ve got a couple of similar older ones like that. One of them won’t seat primers deep enough. I guess paper base wads were thicker back in the day vs modern plastic ones.

My loader like this wouldn't seat primers deep enough either. I took the seater to Ace and found a plastic washer to go around and raise it up. I bought a new style plastic starter crimp and final crimper and they worked perfectly.