Inherited a MEC -think it is a sizemaster

[Bill Holcombe]

I just inherited this press along with a mess, and I do mean mess, of other reloading odds and ends. I have a Mec 650 already that I have toyed with the idea of sending back to mec to setup for 2.5 inch shells but now I have this other press as well. The 650 is a more or less progressive press and the sizemaster is obviously not.

I am possibly contemplating selling both and getting mec to make me a a 2.5 inch press, but if I do that which press should I get. I don't shoot a lot of rounds a year, would love to shoot more of course.

[Jerry Harlow]

Just buy the 2 1/2" kit for the Sizemaster. That's all you need to do.

[Victor Wasylyna]

Based on your post, I think you should keep the sizemaster and buy this:

https://www.mecshootingsports.com/short-kit

-Victor

[Bill Holcombe]

I am guessing the 3" to 2 3/4 kit? I don't see a 2.5 " kit.

[Jerry Harlow]

I am guessing the 3" to 2 3/4 kit? I don't see a 2.5 " kit.

If your loader is set up for 2 3/4" it converts it to 2 1/2".

[Bill Holcombe]

Cool. It may currently be setup for 20 gauge. Trying to determine gauge I tried to put a 12 ga in the shell holder and it wouldn't fit. There were both 20 and 12 gauge hulls with the reloading equipment.

[Bill Jolliff]

If your MEC Sizemaster is set up to load 2 3/4 inch hulls, you can easily make a 1/4 inch thick spacer to use at the last two stations for your 2 1/2 inch hulls.

I've done that to both of my MEC Sizemaster's, 12 and 20, and it works fine.

(You may notice I set up my MEC for loading in that box with sides all the way around to catch those little BB's (shot) that seem to get away.)

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

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

[James Halvorson]

If your loader is set up for 2 3/4" it converts it to 2 1/2".

Yes, it's just a 1/4" spacer. Easily pops in and out under the black shell plate.

[Bill Murphy]

Bill, I think a metal cookie sheet would be much more elegant and fitting for your stage of life than the cardboard box for catching stray shot.

[Bill Jolliff]

Bill, I think a metal cookie sheet would be much more elegant and fitting for your stage of life than the cardboard box for catching stray shot.

I tried that Bill. My wife suggested if I want home made cookies, to get that cookie sheet back in the kitchen.

"Yes dear".

[Richard Flanders]

I'm getting closer all the time to putting a cookie sheet under at least my most used of my 5 presses. I'm tiring of chasing loose shot and powder around the bench top and the floor.

[James Halvorson]

I'm getting closer all the time to putting a cookie sheet under at least my most used of my 5 presses. I'm tiring of chasing loose shot and powder around the bench top and the floor.

I did under the MEC9000. Drilled a hole through the tray and the counter below. Shot is just pushed down the hole into a bucket that is hanging from a hook.

[Paul Harm]

If your 1/4" spacer went under the whole shell holder it would work better. The station for dropping everything and inserting the wad would also be higher. Also the shell holder has a lip for the last two stations keeping the shell located properly, but most of all the shell catching under a lip keeps it down where it belongs when lifting the handle after the final crimp. Many times, at least for me, the shell has stuck in the last die making removal hard when the shell slipped out of the shell holder. One time I had to order a new shell holder because the old one didn't work properly. I have also on the back side drilled a clearance hole for a 1/4X20 machine screw so one could be used to hold everything down and tight. The press plate already had a 1/4X20 tapped hole in it. If I remember correctly the spacer plate from Mec has a 1/4" clearance hole already in it. Bill, you could make it look a lot neater by just tracing around the shell holder, cutting out the wood and inserting the piece of wood underneath the shell holder. Just a idea.

[Bill Jolliff]

Hi Paul,

Good suggestion and I did just that.

Rick Losey/OH Osthaus loaned me his MEC Short Kit Plate and I traced it out on a piece of 1/4" inch thick maple and used that for awhile.

For some reason I went back to that Rube Goldberg Cheap and Dirty version pictured above. I don't load too many 2 1/2" 12 gauge loads so it does the job for me. And when I do, and as you pointed out, that last station for the final crimp, occasionally the loaded shell stays in the top piece but easily comes out.

I just went looking for that 1/4" thick wood simulated MEC piece that I made but couldn't find it. You got me motivated to try and find it and try that again.

For Science, if nothing else.