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NUshooter
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 26 October 2007 |
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| Posts: | 81 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | rifle |
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Posted: 8 December 2007 08:01 PM |
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| Not sure if this question will be ok in this forum or not but didn't know where else to put it. I was wondering if any of you guys reload for shotshell. If so what presses do you use. I am going to buy one for christmas for my younger brother and want to get one that reloads 12gage 2 3/4 to 3 1/2. I know the Mec sizemaster can do all three sizes if you buy an add on part. I have since seen an RCBS that will do all three sizes on Midway. If anyone hear has any suggestions or opinions I would really appreciate it. thanks
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Rockydog
addicted handloader
| Joined: | 26 July 2005 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 440 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 9 December 2007 03:55 AM |
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NUshooter, I've been reloading shot shells for about 10 years. I've put as many as 5000 through my MEC Grabber loader in a year. If you've never done it before I'd start out with the single stage size master or a 600 JR. Until you get your feet wet there are just too many things to watch with a progressive like the Grabber or 9000G. IMO MEC is the only way to go. Their products are sturdy and reliable but not overbuilt to the point that price is an issue. The best selling point is their customer service. They will accept phone calls and help diagnose problems over the phone. Walking you through adjustments etc. If you need parts they send them to you with a bill !!!!! I asked how they could do this in this day and age. The reply.. Guys who reload shotgun shells aren't the kind of guys who'll stiff you. I don't know about 3.5" shells but my 600 JR goes from 2.75 to 3" with the change of a bolt. RD
Almost forgot a warning for new shot shell reloaders. NEVER SUBSTITUTE COMPONENTS IN RELOADING RECIPES !!!!!!! Shotgun powders are extremely fast burning and you can get pressure problems and destroy guns, lose eyes and limbs etc. in a heart beat with no warning signs like loads in rifles. If it says CCI primers use CCI primers. If it says Windjammer wads it means Windjammer wads. RD
____________________
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson ~
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NUshooter
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 26 October 2007 |
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| Posts: | 81 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | rifle |
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Posted: 9 December 2007 04:21 PM |
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Thanks for the input. It is always good to get opinioins from guys who have experience doing what you plan to do.
Thanks, Greg
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buffybr
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 31 October 2006 |
| Location: | Bozeman, Montana USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 9 December 2007 07:06 PM |
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I started reloading shotgun in 1971 with a single stage "Honey Bair" press. Several years later when I got interested in Trap shooting I was spending more time reloading on that single stage press than I was shooting, so I upgraded to a Pacific 366 progressive press. I kept the Honey Bair, and still use it for field loads. Both of these presses are 12 ga. When I got serious about Trap shooting, I was loading 10,000 plus shells a year. About 1985, we put in a Skeet range at our club, and I got hooked on Skeet. I then added another Pacific 366 and two Hornady 366 presses to my bench, so I can load the small gauges (20, 28, & .410). For a while, I was shooting both Trap and Skeet competively and was loading up to 15,000 shells a year. I even started making my own shot. I don't compete any more, but I still load at least 5,000 shells a year.
I have never used a MEC press, but I have friends that have. MECs look flimsy, but they work good.
Somethings you have to consider before buying any press are:
What will you be loading for? Loading for lead shot and loading for steel or non-led shot require different powder and shot bushings, different dies, different wads, and different powder.
How much will you be reloading? 10 boxes a year or 20 boxes a week?
All hulls load differently. Some reload good, others not so good. Progressive reloaders are more finiky about hulls. My 366 for 12 ga is set up for the "old style" AA hulls and it must be re-adjusted to load any other hull, including the "new style" AA case. By the way, by changing components (powder, wads), I reload 12 ga 2 3/4" AA hulls with 7/8, 1, 1 1/8, 1 1/4, 1 3/8, and 1 1/2oz lead loads.
Many presses will reload 2 3/4 and 3" hulls, but not 3 1/2" hulls. How many 3 1/2" shells do you actually shoot in a year?
Another thing alot of people don't think about, is that some shotguns (pumps and semi-autos) may not shoot reloads. Especially low quality hulls that do not reload to perfect shape will jam in these guns.
Also the cost of reloading components is getting rediculously high. I recently went through Bass Pro in Denver. They were selling lead shot for $67.00/25# bag, and 209 primers for $3.99/100.
I hope I didn't get too "doom & gloom" in this post. I enjoy reloading, and a 100-straight in Trap or Skeet, or a full bag of roosters is a little more special to me with my own reloads.
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.45 COLT
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 7 February 2005 |
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| Posts: | 109 |
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Posted: 10 December 2007 04:11 AM |
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I've been using MEC presses for a long time - my first was a Super 250, bought new around 1960 or thereabouts.
If you want to do 3 1/2" shells, I'm guessing that you will want to load both Lead and Steel shot. If that's the case, I'd recommend the MEC Steelmaster. Essentially a Sizemaster with a few different parts. Single stage, so it doesn't have the output rate of a 650, a Grabber or a 9000, but if it's mainly for hunting loads, it's plenty fast enough.
DC
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NUshooter
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 26 October 2007 |
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| Posts: | 81 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | rifle |
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Posted: 10 December 2007 01:37 PM |
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Thanks for the info. I hope to load lead, steel, and buck. The single stage is just fine with me. I don't need the volume as much as the tailor made rounds.
Thanks again, greg
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Hi Ball
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 29 September 2007 |
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| Posts: | 166 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 16 February 2008 02:03 AM |
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NU-shooter.....I been using a 20ga & 12ga MEC since 1969-70 there a bouts! I later on went to a Progressive type reloader for my shotshells, as it is a lot faster. They have done a great job for me and I have never had any down time because of breakage etc. or failing to do their job.
A person can really make a shotgun come alive by simply finding out what that particular gun likes and how it patterns. It does take time and patience but it is well worth the wait in most cases.
Last edited on 16 February 2008 02:05 AM by Hi Ball
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