The dreaded "Is shotshell reloading worth it" question

[Andy]

Interesting Harold. I suppose I could do that as well. This is all new to me, I've only loaded handgun loads before. Still waiting on the Lyman book, EVERTHING is hard to get these days. Thanks for the insight. I like simple.

[Harold Pickens]

Lots of reloading data on line with Hogdons and Alliant reloading sites. There used to be a "LOw pressure 16 ga group, I down loade all their info to my computer, its pretty slick

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Andrew Sacco

Looking at the MEC600 Jr, I don't see a short kit for 12g. Is that able to load 2 1/2" shells? My VHE is 2 5/8" chambers, plus you never know when I might pick up an English gun. Handled a Thomas Wilde a month ago and damn nearly bought it except I didn't have an extra 6 grand laying around. I think i'm just going to order 1 or 2 600's off the MEC website and wait.

Just a thought, if you're likely to be loading for multiple guns in a given gauge you might consider spending the extra scratch for a Sizemaster that's equipped a sizing collet as on the MEC 9000. Hulls that were fired in different chambers will vary in diameter and should be resized to fit the minimum chamber. Same with good hulls picked from buckets or off the ground at shooting places. The Sizemaster also comes with an auto primer feed.

[edgarspencer]

The principal component of the short kit is the 1/4” spacer plate, so I just move it over to the 12ga. press when I load 12s. If I recall, the kit also has a spacer ring for the primer seating cup, and, there again, I just swap that over. I roll crimp all my 28ga. so, not using the final two stages, I don’t need the short kit on that press. I only load 2 1/2” now.

[Andy]

Got it Edgar and Frank. Good advice I clearly didn't think about, but doesn't the 600 resize as well? Thank you.

[Cold Spring]

I was able to make some good scores over the past two days to include another brick of Cheddites, 4 pounds (partial jug) of 20/28 powder, a barely used MEC 9000 Progressive in 20-gauge, and all those once-fired Remington hulls shown in 32 gallon containers. Two right places at the right time and everything bought at very good pricings. The hulls were almost free. I really don't need the 20 press but just couldn't pass it up at the price; I'll probably move it on to a friend once the 12/20 Ponsness I've had on order is delivered.

[Harold Pickens]

Nice score Frank, I PICKED up a few lbs of 20/28, 3 bags shot, anda brick of primers last week , at normal, not inflated prices. Good score on the hulls also. Wish I could shoot more often. Closest SC is Hunting Hills, a great venue, but 70 miles away. Best friend just bought a wobble trap this fall and that sure is fun. Perfect for light 3/4 and 7/8 loads.

[Andy]

I'm never in the right place at the right time : (

[Carvel]

I have been reloading for 60+ years. I have had many different presses, all got the job done, some better than others. If you don’t need volume, it is hard to beat the Mec 600 jr. I currently have mec 600’s and 650’s in every gauge and a PW 900 with gauge change kits for 12, 20, 28 and .410. Short kits for 2 1/2 and 2 inch shells I made myself which were simple to make. I also have RCBS rockchucker and a Dillon 450 for rifle and pistol. Reloading supplies are hard to come by now, however I did get 15 bags of shot yesterday. $45.00 per bag, a far cry from the $5.00 I use to pay when I first started reloading. Hopefully things will become more available soon. Who knows.
Carvel

[Stan Hillis]

I bought a MEC Super Sizer about 20 years ago, when I began loading for a "short ten". I didn't load many and didn't even buy a press. Over the years I have added the other gauge collets for it. Now, when I load in any of my presses without a collet sizer I just run all the shells through that Super Sizer first. Quick and easy.

I love it, and would do the same thing all over again.

Andy, the 600s resize, but with much more effort, IMO. They force the base of the hull through a die (ring), then back out. Takes much more effort when the hulls were previously fired in a gun with large chambers. The collet sizers are effortless.