Mec 650

[bob weeman]

Does a Mec 650 have enough adjustment to load 2 1/2 inch? I am looking at one currently set to do 2 3/4 and it appears it can be adjusted enough to crimp 2 1/2 correctly. It is in good shape and seems like a fair price of $120.
Anyone ever adjusted one for 2/12 inch?

[Harry Collins]

Bob,

MEC makes a "short kit" to put on the crimping station to load short shells. I have one on a 10 gauge reloader to crimp 2 7/8" shells.

Harry

[Peter Clark]

Mec 650 is my favorite loader. I have 4 of them and have used one since the mid 70's. I have never loaded short loads but have seen the kit.
I have been loading nice shot with stellar results. Attached pic is of my grandads 1894 Remington CEO purchased by him in 1902.
Ducks were taken with 1oz. #5 nice shot loaded in fed paper shells. Six ducks, seven shots, including a nice double. Stuff works great and can give exact recipe if you want. Low recoil, great performance.

3275

-plc-

[bob weeman]

Thanks Peter....nice picture!.....it surely looks like you had a great day hunting with an old family gun........can I use the same wads, powder and shot in 2 1/2 inch shells? I would like to find some 2 1/2 inch recipes for 1 ounce to 1 1/16 loads for grouse hunting....

[Peter Clark]

Yes Bob, a good day with "old stuff" (including me). I use lead recipes for nice shot and keep the pressures a little lower than the lead recipe by cutting back powder a little. Precision Reloading is working on a nice shot manual. I know I have seen 2 1/2" recipes in the Balistic Products manual and I think, in the Precision Reloading material too. Look those companie up on the internet. Sorry, don't have mine in front of me and its snowing too hard for me to go out to the shop and find at the moment! I've learned the big bangs are not needed (or wanted by me).

[Tim Kisieleski]

bob, what is your intended purpose(mostly clays?) and what gauge is the gun? I shoot 3/4 and 7/8 loads at grouse and woodcock, and haven't had any kind of issue with not having enough lead. I usually buy rst stuff to hunt with, but shoot a crap load of clays. I load low pressure 20's and 16's , in 2 3/4" configuration with no issues.... in fact we have shot my 2 3/4 lp stuff out of John Dunkles little damascus barreled sweety, and it is noticeably softer than factory lp stuff . there are a few articles out indicating the overall length isn't much of an issue(pressure spike wise) more the payload and speed, which produce the pressure

[Paul Harm]

The Mec short kit is for a 600JR, not a 650. I've never tried shorter shells in a 650 - the start crimp could be adjusted enough - not sure about the two final crimps. Try it and let us know if it works. Paul

[Harry Collins]

Paul is exactly right. I don't know where my mind was. Guess I was thinking 600 Jr.

Sorry, Harry

[Richard Flanders]

I'm guessing the short kit won't work on a 650 due to the rotating shell plate on the base. I use one on my 10ga Sizemaster and it works great. Not sure what mods you'd have to make for a 650. May have to be a single stage press to work.

[Paul Harm]

On my 600jr I've loaded 2" shells by just adjusting the crimp stations. I don't know why you couldn't load 2 1/2" on a 650 by adjusting the crimp stations. The 8 point crimp has enough adjustment, and I would think - not sure - the final crimp could be adjusted enough. Give it a try. If you count how many turns down you go, you can always go back to where you started.

[Craig Smith]

If you pull the bolt that holds the mast in place, and lower the press 1/4", you will see there is room to drill and tap and new hole in the mast. This will lower the whole machine, and still allow adjustment back to 2 3/4" or 3". You will have to re-adjust the drop tubes.

I have a 650 with this done to it, and it works perfectly.

[Pat Dugan]

I also have a 650 for 12 ga and a 650 for .410. the only negative thing about these machines is they don't re size without a separate attachment and a separate operation.. I reloaded thousands of shells with no problem shooting them in Parkers, but they wont fit well in modern guns and the empty shells have to be resized before reloading in a separate operation. It takes about two minutes extra per box with a re sizer. BUY A GRABBER THE NEXT STEP UP AND YOU WILL BE A LOT HAPPIER, DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE I MADE.

PDD

[Craig Smith]

I have found that too, Pat. If I keep a particular batch of shells dedicated to a gun, I have no problems. It's when I use the same hulls in different guns, that I really need to do the separate resizing step.

[Paul Harm]

I have 10 SxS's [ the only shotguns I own ] and the wife has 6 counting her O/U's and have never had a problem with resizing. The only problem is with the daughters Berreta- with picked up shells that may come from someones auto some won't fit.

[Eric Grims]

Will the short kit on the MEC JR do 2 1/2 in 20 gauge?

[Bruce Day]

Call MEC. They had a booth at last Pheasant Fest and I talked to them about some of our members liking to load odd sizes for old guns. They said they would be pleased to help and recommend. They have a help line in Mayview Wisconsin and the tech is right there, not Pakistan or Vietnam.

[Eric Grims]

Thanks - sent a note to their FAQ and on another matter found that they are one of those companies that actually get back to you.

[Eric Grims]

I sent an FAQ to MEC and they assured me that the 600JR and other non progressive loaders with the short kit will do 2 1/2 star crimp. I really want to go this way.
- Does anyone reload the 20 gauge RST 2 1/2 inch shells to a star crimp with low pressure recipe?
- If so can I have the recipe?
- If not do you use another 2 1/2 20 ga. hull?
-recommended Wads??
Thanks

[E Robert Fabian]

Try these http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.ecotungsten.com/online-store.html
You should be able to find any low pressure load you need.

[Eric Grims]

Thanks. I have loaded tons of 2 3/4 but never 2 1/2 inch. All recipes listed are 2 3/4. Do they work safely for 2 1/2?

[Eric Grims]

If so do the components fit?

[Eric Grims]

I received two e-mails of load data and I am very appreciative. I have read elsewhere that Gamebore shells use Cheddite hulls. Is this true? If so can I use reload recipes for cheddite in the Gamebore hull?

[Paul Harm]

Eric, you'll have to get plastic wads made for shorter shells or use paper wads. I reload 12 and 10ga shells and cut them down all the time. The load recipe doesn't change just because the shell got a 1/4" shorter. When I do go to shorter shells I'm useing paper wads and that alone is lowering pressure because they don't seal as good. Circlefly.com sells paper wads. Tell Graig what you're doing and he'll set you up. Paul

[Eric Grims]

Thanks Paul - my winter project is shaping up!