Mec 650
 

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?

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

mec 650
 

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.

Attachment 3275

-plc-

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....

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).

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

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

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

Sorry, Harry

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.

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.