Loading press for 2 1/2" shells
 

If you are loading 2 1/2" shells -- just wondering what press you are using?

I use a MEC 600 Jr with a Short Kit. It's slow going, but makes a wonderful shell. The short Kit is swapped out on several 600 Jr's for 2 7/8 10 gauge and 2 1/2 12 & 16 gauge.

I use the 600 Jr. too.





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Same here, 600 Jr.

10, 12, 16 & 28 all MEC Sizemaster's short kits where appropriate. They do a nice job putting up reloads. With several different guns in the gauges, the re-sizer is a nice feature All trouble free with one exception.. I broke 1 finger off on the 12 collet and a replacement was quickly obtained and back in action (A whole bunch of 12's were run through that machine!) Very good products!

Next question: I cut down and skived 100 Fiocchi hulls then loaded them with a very light load. After one loading the primer pockets won't hold a new primer. The hulls seem very weak -- they easily crush when crimped and the brass is like tin foil. Do you have a preferred hull?

And: Have you tried using brass hulls? If so, what do you think?

Ron what gauge are you loading? Some euro hulls in small gauges are one and done I have found. 28 Rios and 410 are the worst in my experience.

Ron,

I use a MEC Sizemaster in 12 and 20 gauge for loading 2 1/2" shells using RST hulls and a MEC Sizemaster. I like the hull resizer and primer feed feature of the Sizemaster. (I got my 20 gauge form our Chuck Bishop at Mike K's September shoot in PA several years ago. Thanks again Chuck.)

I didn't have a MEC short kit handy so I made a simple one for the final two stations as pictured below. It worked fine for the 12 so I made another one for the 20. Picture of my 12 below.

You'll notice that I have my MEC sitting in a shallow box to capture the loose shot that manage to find a way out of the loader.

Hope this helps.

https://i.imgur.com/zPD0NQB.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/C7KRxFS.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/JtX5xOk.jpg?1

I use the Ponsness Warren 375 for 12b 2.7"5 & 2.5"; 10b. 3.5" & 2 & 7/8";16b & 20 b.
Started with the Mec but quickly changed to the PW and have never looked back!
Jim

I’m loading 2 1/2” 16 gauge