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Progressive VS single stage
Unread 01-19-2020, 02:55 PM   #1
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Default Progressive VS single stage

I have been using Mec 9000 presses in 16,20,28 and 410 for years and invariably sooner or later they have some kind of issue. When they mess up it's a big mess. Right now I have a case stuck in the depriming/resizeing colette. I'm beginning to think it would be much faster and a lot less hassle to go back to the single stage press.
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Unread 01-19-2020, 06:04 PM   #2
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Rich, that's a good idea. Reload a couple of flats with the single stage and you'll remember why you appreciate the 9000.
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Unread 01-19-2020, 07:17 PM   #3
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I'll probably end up sending this to Mec to have it fixed...again A couple of years ago I asked them to make me a 9000 in 12ga for the 2 1/2 inch case (all my presses are 2 1/2 except the 28) and they declined saying they wouldn't do that anymore. Right now I'm glad I still have the single stage 12ga press.
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Unread 01-19-2020, 07:29 PM   #4
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I sold my Mec Grabber, & two 600 Jrs,

Now running two Ponsness Warren 375 machines.. The two PWs are set up for 2 3/4, 12 & 2 7/8 10. 2 3/4 20 & 2 1/2 16. Covers my Parker’s.

Problem with the progressive it was difficult to change loads and jammed often.

If I shot a lot of one gage would Probably get a PW 800. Would not get rid of the 375s. Slower but no malfunctions. Key to the single stage is don’t load a lot at one time. Mounted in my basement shop, pass to take the dog out or wait for the coffee pot load a box full.

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Unread 01-19-2020, 08:59 PM   #5
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When I first started loading shotgun shells almost forty years ago I started with a pair of Ponsness Warren 800B’s in 12 and 28 quickly followed with a pair of 800C’s in 20 and 410 . Eventually I upgraded the pair of B’s to C’s and added a PW 375C with two heads one for 16 and the other for 10 gauge 3 1/2” . When I thought I was done with shotgun stuff I sold them all . I still think nobody makes better machines than PW . But now I’ve got a pair of MEC 9000 12’s a 9000 16 a 9000 20 a pair of 9000 28’s a 9000 410 , Grabber 28 , Grabber 410 , 650 12 , 650 16 , Steelmaster 12 3” , Sizemaster 10 , 600JR 10 , 600JR 12 , 600JR 16 , 600JR 20 and 600JR 410 . All of those except four were bought used at what I consider a great savings . I use the 9000’s for skeet,trap,sporting and birds . I use the Sizemaster 10 for all 10 gauge stuff and wish they made a 9000 10 2 7/8” , I use the Steelmaster 12 for all 3” , 600JR 12 for buckshot slugs and Bismuth , the 600JR 16 again for buck slug bismuth , 600JR 20 for buck n slugs . I had a 600JR 28 that I sold to a friend before I decided to try buck and slugs , and was about to get another 600 or Sizemaster for the 28 but I’ve been using the Grabber 28 that had been setting there doing nothing . Now with all that being said if money were no object all the 9000’s would be gone and replaced with PW 800 Plus machines as well as a PW LS-1000 for 10 gauge 2 7/8” and a LS-1000 12 gauge 3” . But I’d still have MEC Sizemaster’s for the 10 , 12 , 16 , 20 and 28 for buck and slugs . While I like the PW 375C it’s not as user friendly for placing buck and slugs as a Sizemaster/600 are . Now before someone says the obvious , I’ve got way more presses than one guy needs however if they come my way in good shape and cheap I tend to pick up duplicates from time to time hence the reason I’ve got a pair of 9000’s for the 12 and 28 .
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Unread 01-19-2020, 11:35 PM   #6
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One reason I have gone to two gauge PW machines is bench space. Bolted to a heavy table with lead & shot on a bottom shelf it’s rock solid, 4 presses in a row, The pair of PW presses, Lyman Turret press set up for two rifle calibers & a Lyman TruLine Jr converted to carry 7/8 inch pistol caliber dies.

That’s all the space I can give to loading equipment. Other machinery & benches share the 26x24 foot shop. Should say none of the presses or other machinery was purchased new. Some needed extensive refurbishment all needed some work.

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Unread 01-30-2020, 03:24 PM   #7
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Rich, have you tried to push/force the ring around the collet back down ? They do take some grease occasionally. Maybe go over to www.shotgunworld.com and on their reloading forums are a couple of guys who " wrote the book on Mecs ". Not really, but it seems like it. They are very strong on Mecs and there are many guys who could help. Curly even has a couple of stickies on fixing them.
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Unread 01-30-2020, 03:29 PM   #8
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Another thought, do you keep a tray for used primers under the machine that maybe filled up and is stopping the action under the machine from functioning properly ? Maybe you already have, but if not a hole drilled in the table under the primer drop will allow the spent primer to fall through and alleviate the problem. Your floor will look like $hit unless a bucket is used.
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Unread 02-02-2020, 07:05 AM   #9
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They do not recommend grease for the collet sizer but, instead, "never seize" (anti-seize compound). I hate messing with the stuff as I often get it all over me, as carefully as I try to apply it, but it's all I use for that.

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Unread 02-02-2020, 09:40 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Hillis View Post
They do not recommend grease for the collet sizer but, instead, "never seize" (anti-seize compound). I hate messing with the stuff as I often get it all over me, as carefully as I try to apply it, but it's all I use for that.

SRH
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