The dreaded "Is shotshell reloading worth it" question

[Andrew Sacco]

I use a turret press now for .45 for bullseye pistol and 9mm fun shooting, and a single stage for some occasional .38 and 30-30 reloading. ASSUMING (not wise) that we will eventually be able to get components, do folks find it economically worthwhile? I'm not looking to save a lot of money, just looking to not be in this situation again. Since I'm turning into a 16 and 28g guy, I find these harder to get, and expensive, and I would probably only load these. I would have to buy a press and tools but I'm thinking of the future and how to keep these Parkers fed a steady diet. I have enough shells now but find myself not shooting because I don't know when this will ease up. Finally, if anyone could recommend a good resource to learn about shot-shell reloading, whether a great video or good book I'd appreciate that.

[Daniel Carter]

Yes it is, the reason being that you can make what suits your needs. I load 3/4 oz. 12 ga. for skeet and 7/8 for everything else. 5/8 in 28 and 3/4 in 20. I am not aware of any common factory ammo in those weights. The cost factor is secondary to me. The fact that i can tailor the load to the gun and too who is shooting it is the important factor.

Women and young people starting out are recoil sensitive and with these loads i have not lost one yet to the '' it hurts''. Have seen a lot of them cured of shooting by clods who give them a light gun with max. loads

[Andrew Sacco]

Yes it is, the reason being that you can make what suits your needs. I load 3/4 oz. 12 ga. for skeet and 7/8 for everything else. 5/8 in 28 and 3/4 in 20. I am not aware of any common factory ammo in those weights. The cost factor is secondary to me. The fact that i can tailor the load to the gun and too who is shooting it is the important factor.

Women and young people starting out are recoil sensitive and with these loads i have not lost one yet to the '' it hurts''. Have seen a lot of them cured of shooting by clods who give them a light gun with max. loads

Thank you Daniel. I love RST shells, but try to get anything now, and in 16 and 28 it sure adds up. I just spent $385 with shipping for two flats of shells. The next order I'm going to wait for is $1500 and that's not a whole hell of a lot of ammo. Can you load 2 1/2" shells at home?

[Dean Romig]

Yes Andy, I reload 2 1/2” cheddite (RST empties) in 28, 20 and 16 gauge.





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[Daniel Carter]

Andy you can load anything you want, any length or crimp style. Shotgunworld reloading forum is a great resource for all loading machine malfunctions and adjustments. ALWAYS use reliable powder company data and follow the recipe.
On the other side you can if you want find max. loads for specialty loads like slugs, buckshot and non-toxic loads which are hard to obtain.

[Matt Buckley]

Reloading really opens up the possibilities for low pressure and non toxic loads that you just are not going to find factory loaded, even in 12 and 20 gauge much less 10, 16, and 28. Reloading is a whole hobby in itself. I started out with a given to me mec jr 600 press in 12 gauge that spent a few years in a barn. I brought it back to life and started reloading and today I also own a 10, 20, 16, and 28 mec jr presses. It will definitely pay for itself in the gauges like 16 and 28 and it gives you an excuse to buy a whole assortment of new stuff for your reloading hobby.

[Andrew Sacco]

Oh boy, I think I'm going to end up getting into this now too. I appreciate the feedback. I think it's going to be a while to get any primers/shot..etc but I may order and wait for a 600jr to come in. I have been looking at presses and reviews on line today but open to any suggestions. I don't want to spend a ton, I have to save for my next Parker : ) I am not a prolific shooter but I found that when I reloaded handgun ammo I sure shot more.

[Jay Oliver]

Hi Andy,

This time last year I wasn’t too worried about reloading either, as you can see from the picture I have changed my mind. Like others, my main reason was customization and if you saved money it was a bonus(I do think I will save money reloading 410 shells). Now though, I think having the ability to make shells to shoot(when the shelves are empty) is important too.

Like Matt, I started out on a used 12 gauge MEC 600 Jr. Then someone gave me a used MEC progressive press in 28 gauge, but I didn’t like it(too much going on at once). When I discovered how much fun a Parker 10 gauge could be, I bought another MEC 600 Jr. in 10 gauge. In the past 3 months I bought a press in every other gauge I shoot(10-410) all MEC 600 Jrs. I set up the 28 gauge at my Dad’s place as that is all he shoots and he wanted to load some for the both of us.

Since you already reload for pistol and rifle it will be an easy transition. I have also been able to get components recently. I have bought powder locally. From online, I just received an order of 20 and 16 gauge wads and primed hulls. If you see primers certainly get them. I am not necessarily using my preferred recipes given I can’t find some powders, instead I am making due the components I can get. I am making it work and I am enjoying it as well.

I just bought my MEC600 Jr in 410 directly from MEC. I have gotten the others, from reloading companies and the 20 and 28 I bought in like new condition off Ebay. If you do buy one, don’t forget to order the short kit(people make their own, but I always take the lazy way out on this).

This forum is a great resource for reloading help as well. I have asked reloading question about every gauge Parker I have and our great members have pointed me in the right direction.

Good Luck!

[keavin nelson]

I started out wtih a Mec Jr in 12ga, for $85, then bought a second in 10Ga from someone on this forum for $85, bought the short kit (if your clever you can make the riser yourself) and a set of 16'Ga dies. So I have one set in 12 and one in 16. If I want 2 1/2" just put the riser in and make other adjustments. The are other requirements like powder and shot bushings.

[Andrew Sacco]

I see the MEC Jr is a popular press. I started with an RCBS Rock Chucker and it's been great. I like simple. And besides, a bank of MEC Jr's look cool to boot. Thank you everyone!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I lucked into reloading. I was given a Mec 600 in 12 ga--didnt even use it for 4 yrs. I was also given a Mec 600 in 16 ga, and picked up a well worn but functional Mec 600 in 20 ga for
50 bucks at a gun show. Not rocket science to learn to use them, and if you have a friend who can show you the ropes , you will be comfortable with it quickly. I bought a Mec short kit for 16 ga , to make 2 1/2" shells and found it fits on my other 2 also. I mostly load short shells for my damascus 16's. In my steel barreled 20's I load AA and Gun Clubs, they are a little short anyway, and I load low pressure 3/4 and 7/8 oz. Grouse and clays dont require loads going 1300+ fps. Once you start shooting 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads in a 16, you wont like those 1 oz anymore( 'cept maybe for pheasant).
Now, as in a few years ago, reloading components and ammo are getting hard to come by. Hopefully this will pass. I'm not a hoarder, but I'm set for a couple yrs, plus I've got so much loaded already, I dont think I'll need to reload this year.
If you are going to reload short 16's, I'll even spot you 100 short hulls.

[Andrew Sacco]

Harold you're a gentleman, thank you. I have a bucket of hulls from RST and others in various gauges so my immediate problems will be press/shot/primers/powder. I shot my VH12 last week for the first time at Rock Mountain with 2 1/2" RST Falcon Lite I think, dang that was fun. Didn't hit anything but sure was fun. It's more fun when you load them yourself so I'm looking forward to it.

[Dave Noreen]

About 1971 I started out with a Versa-MEC, sort of a deluxe MEC 600 Jr. and had dies for my four skeet gauges. By the time I was about seven years in, I'd worn the threads out from changing dies, so sent it back to MEC with the 20-gauge dies in. In the meantime I checked out a 12-gauge MEC 600 Jr. loaner from the Potomac River Gun Club, and ordered new 28-gauge & .410-bore 600 Jr Mark Vs from Gander Mountain. Near as I can tell MEC put a new machine on top of my old base plate and sent it back gratis. I still had the clubs 12-gauge press when the commanding officer threw us off the base. The President told me to just keep it when we auctioned off all our assets and divided the money up among the life members. Eventually added a 16-gauge 600 Jr. Mark V to the heard. I have the old dining room table from my folks house in the man cave and have a plywood board with screws set in to attach a loader. I use three C-clamps and secure it to the corner of the table and load while watching my big screen.

There is little money to be saved by loading 1 or 1 1/8 ounce 12-gauge shells or 7/8 ounce 20-gauge shells. The real place reloading pays is for 28-gauge and .410-bore. And of course any "specialty" loads like my favorite 7/8 ounce 12- and 16-gauge loads.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I shoot 7/8 oz in my 12 ga also in Gun Clubs. I use them in my Fox pin gun and a WW Greener 12 ga sidelever damascus. Recoil is about nonexistant.

[Daryl Corona]

I dropped down to 3/4oz. in the 12, 16, 20 and of course the 28 when this shortage hit a few years ago. Found out I don't miss the extra pellets but certainly don't miss the recoil.

[edgarspencer]

Some people drink when they get bored. I reload when I get bored or antsy. That, and wait for the Fedex truck with more wads and hulls from BP or Precision.

[Andrew Sacco]

Are there manuals for shotshell reloading like there are for metallic cartridges? Went to our local Barnes and Noble today but not one book there on reloading. I always find I have X, Y, Z components and recipes call for A, D, F. Specifically where does one find "low pressure" or low recoil loads for shorter shells? A few weeks back I burned up a mixed bin of 20's. You know, Dove loads, pigeon loads, game loads, probably 20 years old. I shot about 50 of them with my Citori and felt like I fought Rocky Marciano. Hurt more than my COVID vaccine shot the next day.

[Daryl Corona]

Some people drink when they get bored. I reload when I get bored or antsy. That, and wait for the Fedex truck with more wads and hulls from BP or Precision.

And then some people drink while they are reloading. I know because I shoot with one or two of them.:whistle:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Yes, there are, and can also be accessed on line. I have alot of low pressure 16 and 20 data downloaded on my computer

[Daryl Corona]

Are there manuals for shotshell reloading like there are for metallic cartridges? Went to our local Barnes and Noble today but not one book there on reloading. I always find I have X, Y, Z components and recipes call for A, D, F. Specifically where does one find "low pressure" or low recoil loads for shorter shells? A few weeks back I burned up a mixed bin of 20's. You know, Dove loads, pigeon loads, game loads, probably 20 years old. I shot about 50 of them with my Citori and felt like I fought Rocky Marciano. Hurt more than my COVID vaccine shot the next day.

Lyman 5th edition shotshell reloading manual would be a good place to start. Search Hodgdon's and Alliant's web site for recipes as well as forums such as 24 hour campfire, Shotgunworld and the like. You could post here what you are looking for and I'm sure someone has a proven recipe for it.

[Dean Romig]

Download the reloading recipe charts that the powder companies offer online.
I’ve done that and printed them and heep them at my reloading bench with the loads I use highlighted for future reference.





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[Dean Romig]

And then some people drink while they are reloading. I know because I shoot with one or two of them.:whistle:

That’s a huge NO-NO





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[Andrew Sacco]

Thank you folks. I looked and all I could find online was 2 3/4 data. I'll wait until I actually get a press and then start mining for load data. Shoot straight in the meantime.

[Pete Lester]

There is little money to be saved by loading 1 or 1 1/8 ounce 12-gauge shells or 7/8 ounce 20-gauge shells. The real place reloading pays is for 28-gauge and .410-bore. And of course any "specialty" loads like my favorite 7/8 ounce 12- and 16-gauge loads.

The really big savings is found reloading the big bores. There is nothing wrong with RST shells but 25 of their 2 7/8" 10 gauge shells is running $37.50 using their current price for a case of 100. Last time I ran the calculator using components I have picked up over the years I was loading 2 7/8 10 ga for $9 something a box of 25. For most people if you don't reload for a 10 ga you probably won't shoot it much.

[edgarspencer]

Ballistic Products has several manuals. The Advantages manual has loads of 2.5" and they also have a decent manual for small bores.

[Frank Srebro]

Just a comment on availability of reloading presses. Three weeks ago I decided to buy a new Ponsness for 12-gauge and with a 20-gauge interchangeable head. Delivery was quoted at 3-4 months and went ahead with the order since my old MEC 9000 progressive still works ok though I have to keep tinkering with it. Last evening I was on the P-W website and delivery of new presses has gone to 5-6 months. Good time to be in the reloading press biz!

[Richard Flanders]

I find the Lyman shotshell loading manuals to be about as good as you can do for learning general reloading procedures; they lay it out pretty well. It helps to get their older editions for loading older hulls you might obtain, especially paper, and for older powders that might not be made any longer, but are still in circulation amongst folks like in the PGCA.

[Jay Oliver]

I also like the Cheddite Manual from Ballistic Products since I reload a lot of RST shells.

Pete is right about reloading the short 10 as well. I forgot about that, you need to be reloading to enjoy that gauge and there are so many wonderful Parker 10s out there.

I do still buy RST shells for most of my Parker Gauges for a variety of reasons. For example I just bought a case of their 16 gauge made for the A5(which are nice and I didn't feel like duplicating this recipe) and some fiber wad 20s(because they were in stock and I wanted to try them), but then reload the empties.

You'll figure everything out faster than you think.

[Andrew Sacco]

I just looked at what I have in powder. I have 3 unopened canisters, 4lb each of Red Dot, American Select and Bullseye and see if I can use any of these. I'm going to try piece by piece to get things together. I appreciate everyone's help on this.

[Jay Gardner]

Some people drink when they get bored. I reload when I get bored or antsy. That, and wait for the Fedex truck with more wads and hulls from BP or Precision.

I don’t reload shotgun shells but I have been reloading rounds for my rifles. I’ LL shoot 20-30 rounds/year which doesn’t make reloading it a financially sound decision but to me it’s like tying flies: it’s something to do I. The winter when I’’m bored after I’ve wiped down my rifles for the ??? time. It’s also therapeutic, a bit like doing crossword or sudoku puzzles that require focus and concentration.

[Dave Noreen]

Through my competition NSSA skeet shooting career I lived by the Winchester Western Ball Powder Loading Data --

92638

Filling my compression formed AA hulls with the loads that had the * next to it indicating it duplicated the factory AA. Still using them for my old 20- & 28-gauge AAs and my supply of compression formed 16-gauge UPLAND and Dove & Quail hulls.

In recent years the powder companies have put out these combined manuals.

92639

Often stacks of them at local gun clubs and reloading component stores.

My beloved 7/8 ounce 12-gauge load in the Remington STS hull and 3/4 ounce 20-gauge in the STS or Gun Club hulls from here.

Got my 7/8 ounce 16-gauge loads from the 16-gauge site --

http://www.16ga.com/forum/index.php

[Andrew Sacco]

OK so I'm popping about our basement and found 4 bags of Lawrence Brand Chilled Lead Shot #7 1/2. So I have 100 lbs of that. I totally forgot I bought it YEARS ago for $10 a bag only to use as ballast on my Lead Sled. Is this better for bird hunting rounds or clays? I know it's between magnum and plated shot from the Ballistics Products web site. Certainly would like to use it up. Sorry but this is all new to me.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

7 1/2's are fine for clays or small upland game like grouse. Currently 4 bags of shot would probably run you $150 or more. I use 7 1/2's or 8's indiscriminately for sporting clays or grouse. 7 1/2's a little more downrange effective

[Richard Flanders]

I use #8 or #9 shot for all my closer in clays shooting but sometimes put a #7-1/2 load in the left barrel if I'm letting a clay go wayyyy out there where #8 will just chip them but #7-1/2 will break them. Same with grouse hunting; a central body hit with a single #7-1/2 pellet will kill a ptarmigan out to at least 50yds. For longer range trap shooting I'll use #7-1/2. And Harold is right; you'd pay a hefty price for that shot now, up to $42/bag up here I think.

[Andrew Sacco]

Thank you folks. That's what I thought, I'll have a bajillion late season grouse shells to use : )

[CraigThompson]

Through my competition NSSA skeet shooting career I lived by the Winchester Western Ball Powder Loading Data --

92638

Filling my compression formed AA hulls with the loads that had the * next to it indicating it duplicated the factory AA. Still using them for my old 20- & 28-gauge AAs and my supply of compression formed 16-gauge

]

We pretty much went down the same road it seems ! I’d go to Fairfax R&G in January or February each year and buy 40 bags of shot a case of wads for each of the skeet gauges initially all WIN wads then changed over to PC knockoffs . A ten pounder of 452AA a ten pounder of 473AA an 8 of 540 and an 8 of 296 . As well as 10,000 WIN 209’s . Later when WIN brought out the AA16 and WSF that got added as well but most of that came from Green Top in Glen Allen ,

[charlie cleveland]

a 25 lb bag of shot has cost me 50.00 for a long time you boys in the north have it made...charlie

[Pete Lester]

OK so I'm popping about our basement and found 4 bags of Lawrence Brand Chilled Lead Shot #7 1/2. So I have 100 lbs of that. I totally forgot I bought it YEARS ago for $10 a bag only to use as ballast on my Lead Sled. Is this better for bird hunting rounds or clays? I know it's between magnum and plated shot from the Ballistics Products web site. Certainly would like to use it up. Sorry but this is all new to me.

At normal shotgun ranges I have never worried much about chilled vs. magnum shot. If I am shooting long range handicap trap I would stick with magnum shot but other than that chilled shot works great.

[CraigThompson]

a 25 lb bag of shot has cost me 50.00 for a long time you boys in the north have it made...charlie

When I first started loading shells shot was $9 or $10 for regular chilled and $1 more for magnum . At the end of my competitive career the rooskies were hoarding lead snd shot was up to $20-22 a bag and we thought that outrageous . If I order shot now I can usually get it for about $35 a bag with shipping added . If you buy I think it’s $500 worth they ship for a little of nothing . I have however been picking it up from folks selling it that a loved one had left over etc and would get it anywhere from $20-35 @ bag . Hence I’ve got a rather sizable pile of bagged shot . Mostly all 9 , 8 or 7 1/2 . But there is a bag of 7’s I got for the heck of it the last time I ordered and 2-5 bags of 4’s and 6’s .

[Stan Hillis]

I really am insistent about not using 9s for much of anything. I used to use them to load my own spreaders for very, very close rabbit targets and crossers, as my sporting clays comp gun has fixed .020" and .020" chokes. Then I discovered Fiocchi Interceptors and stopped loading them myself. They're probably fine for skeet, but I don't shoot that discipline.

Number 9 shot just sheds energy too quickly for me to be comfortable with it, even on smaller birds like quail and doves. Because of that, 9s almost never pass through a quail or dove. I hunt quail a lot with a close friend who believes in 1 oz. of 9s for quail. I've cleaned, and eaten, his birds shot with 9s and mine shot with 7 1/2s. I almost never bite into a 7 1/2 pellet, but it's common to with the 9s. If nothing else, that reason alone is enough for me to not use them on birds.

I've got three bags of 9s that were given to me a few years ago by a good buddy. I use them to balance my Allison XTB boat when I'm driving it alone and want to run it at high speed. The Allison doesn't seem to care what size the shot is, but having not tried 7 1/2s in it, I can't prove that. :whistle:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Feel the same about 9's, Stan. Have several cases of old AA's in 9's. They are fine for quick, close shots at sporting clays. One year I shot them on grouse, and I had to throw away too many breasts, they were just shredded. Straight #7's make a really effective killing load.

[Daryl Corona]

I like to simplify things as much as possible in life. I shoot nothing but 7 1/2's and tight chokes. 9's to me are cripplers on game and targets. Putting more pellets in a load doesn't make it a more lethal load . Putting the shot charge slightly ahead of the bird is what makes X's.

[Andrew Sacco]

How many use 9's for 1: Sporting Clays, 2: Trap, 3: Skeet? I imagine more on skeet than anything else. I've been an 8's guy for any clay discipline, and don't shoot trap or skeet so take that for what it's worth : ) But I'm reading that Performance Clays reloading manual from BP and they talk about all sorts of different loads for different targets. I'm lucky if I can find my shells when I show up let alone have multiple loads at my fingertips.

[Dean Romig]

I use 8’s for all clays games and all of my grouse and woodcock hunting except late season grouse when I switch to 7’s. For turkeys and pothole ducks I use 6’s.





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[James L. Martin]

I use #9 shot for 410 skeet and woodcock. For most hunting I use 6 - 7 - 7 1/2. #7 work for most if you can get it. RST loads it and I reload with it.For clays #8 works for most shots.

[charlie cleveland]

no 9 s are being the new turkey load...I got me a box of 5 shells hope to use them this spring....charlie

[Mike Koneski]

Andy, next time you are here I’ll show you my set up. 650 Jr presses for specialty length shells in 10, 12,16,20,28 and .410 along with a Lee press for black powder and a Spolar progressive for standard length 12,20,28 and .410 if I need volume. I can load anything from large ITX and TSS non-tox right up through #10 and #12 lead. Spreaders in every gauge. I am set up to roll crimp too. If that’s not enough take three steps over and we load metallic cartridges too. 😁😎

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, next time you are here I’ll show you my set up. 650 Jr presses for specialty length shells in 10, 12,16,20,28 and .410 along with a Lee press for black powder and a Spolar progressive for standard length 12,20,28 and .410 if I need volume. I can load anything from large ITX and TSS non-tox right up through #10 and #12 lead. Spreaders in every gauge. I am set up to roll crimp too. If that’s not enough take three steps over and we load metallic cartridges too. 😁😎

I want to see it Mike! Holy cow, you act like you own a clays course or something. :p

[Mike Koneski]

I have that je ne sais quoi, just ask Jeff Stegmeier !! :rotf:

[Andrew Sacco]

I have that je ne sais quoi, just ask Jeff Stegmeier !! :rotf:

Is that what they call it these days? :rotf:

[Tom Flanigan]

I bought a MEC 600 Jr. when I was sixteen. Cheaper shells had nothing to do with my decision to reload. Back in the early 60’s it was getting hard to find shells without shot protectors. The shots I took at paper indicated that they tightened patterns in my VH 20 bore. The only way I could get enough shells without shot protectors was to load my own. The coverts I hunted were especially thick with fox grapes, overgrown apple orchards and bayberry bushes. I needed as open a pattern as I could get.

I’ve reloaded ever since. I’ve moved on from the MEC 600 Jr. because I went to progressive machines for volume loading. But it is one great loader for someone beginning to reload. The biggest plus to reloading is that you can get exactly the load you want. Try finding the 12 bore old pigeon and trap load of 1 ¼ oz. of shot at 1200 fps. The 12 bore shines with this load for turkeys, late season pheasants, ducks and geese. I now use 12 bore load of 1 1/8 oz. at 1200 fps with Bismuth for ducks and it does a wonderful job. I would be lost if I didn’t reload.

[Bill Murphy]

For years, I hadn't loaded a shell because I was buying 12 and 20 for about four bucks a box and had enough .410s and 28 loaded to last a lifetime. However, when I relocated (only four miles), four years ago, rather than store my loaders, I lined them up in my new loading room and I've been reloading ever since. I have PW 800Bs in 2 3/4" 12, 20, and 28, a 2 1/2" PW 375 12, and PW 375s in 16 and 10 and a MEC Versamec in ten. I load 8 gauge without a press. Not a bad setup for a guy who doesn't reload and is almost out of shot anyway.

[CraigThompson]

How many use 9's for 1: Sporting Clays, 2: Trap, 3: Skeet? I imagine more on skeet than anything else. I've been an 8's guy for any clay discipline, and don't shoot trap or skeet so take that for what it's worth : ) But I'm reading that Performance Clays reloading manual from BP and they talk about all sorts of different loads for different targets. I'm lucky if I can find my shells when I show up let alone have multiple loads at my fingertips.

If I've got 9's on hand when I start loading something I load 9's for skeet in all gauges . Also 9's for early dove but then again I go dove shooting so little anymore thats a kinda moot point .

In my mid period when I wasn't shooting competitively and had started loading and shooting again I loaded almost nothing but 8's and to be honest I'd have no issue with 8's for all the games dove and quail .

In recent years I've slowly grown a regard for 7 1/2's at the excercise in futiity (sporting and 5 stand) .

Also been using 7 1/2's and 6's for the tower euro shoot stuff .

Don't ask me why but in the last month or so I got a bag of 7's when I ordered shot . Not exactly sure why but what the hell I can try them on targets and or pheasents .

[CraigThompson]

Andy, next time you are here I’ll show you my set up. 650 Jr presses for specialty length shells in 10, 12,16,20,28 and .410 along with a Lee press for black powder and a Spolar progressive for standard length 12,20,28 and .410 if I need volume. I can load anything from large ITX and TSS non-tox right up through #10 and #12 lead. Spreaders in every gauge. I am set up to roll crimp too. If that’s not enough take three steps over and we load metallic cartridges too. 😁😎

Your infection with this disease may be worse than my own :rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:

I've not been the Spolar route but I was and still am eaten up with the PW is the Rolls Royce of loaders . Sadly my only PW loader anymore is my main rifle loader .

I kinda did this ass backwards from most folks ! I started with PW 800's then sold them when I quit competing . Later when i wanted to get back into shotgun loading I started buying MEC stuff . A lot was used but some was new it's kinda hard finding a used 9000 in 16 gauge LOL's !

[CraigThompson]

I see the MEC Jr is a popular press. I started with an RCBS Rock Chucker and it's been great. I like simple. And besides, a bank of MEC Jr's look cool to boot. Thank you everyone!

I'm no great admirer of MEC products !

However I have MEC single stage loaders for 8 , 10 , 12 , 16 , 20 , 28 and 410 . Obviousley for the 8 and 10 they used for everything . Nut in the other gauges they're used for buckshot , slugs and punkin balls .

For the 12 , 16 , 20 , 28 and 410 I have atleast one 9000 in each gauge . In a couple I have duplicates . If they come in the shop at the right price or with components I want they get purchased . Worse come to worse they can be spare parts .

[Andrew Sacco]

Kind of a moot point, there's nothing out there to buy. And it won't get any better if HR127 gets any traction.

[Tom Flanigan]

And then some people drink while they are reloading. I know because I shoot with one or two of them.:whistle:

I never drink while reloading or twenty four hours before I fly. But I do have the ever present pipe in my mouth when reloading. I know it’s probably foolish, but I've been doing it for many years without a problem. Which isn't to say that tomorrow I might get into trouble.

I had a friend, now deceased, that used to take a flask with him when he flew his J-5 cub. We all tried to talk him out of it but to no avail. He was a second lieutenant and the Captain of a bomber in WWII. He was shot down over Germany on his 47th mission during the war and spent two years in a prisoner of war camp in Bavaria. I guess he still thought he was invincible.

[Pete Lester]

I never drink while reloading or twenty four hours before I fly. But I do have the ever present pipe in my mouth when reloading. I know it’s probably foolish, but I've been doing it for many years without a problem. Which isn't to say that tomorrow I might get into trouble.

I had a friend, now deceased, that used to take a flask with him when he flew his J-5 cub. We all tried to talk him out of it but to no avail. He was a second lieutenant and the Captain of a bomber in WWII. He was shot down over Germany on his 47th mission during the war and spent two years in a prisoner of war camp in Bavaria. I guess he still thought he was invincible.

Your post brought back an old memory. A good friend of mine who passed away a few years ago, he was the man who introduced me to Parker shotguns, was at one time a cigarette smoker. He smoked while he was reloading, until, he had a one pound can of FFg black powder go up. A full fire department response, a ride in ambulance but only minor injuries. He was lucky.

[John Dallas]

An Air force pilot who showed up in our deer camp one year claimed "I never smoke within 24 hours, or drink within 25 feet of the airplane". He didn't draw a sober breath the whole camp.
The only worthwhile thing he did was give us an outstanding recipe for a sweet hot mustard which I still use today

[edgarspencer]

I, too, regularly have a pipe in my mouth while loading, but my 600jr spills powder each time I drop the shot and the powder keeps landing in my glass, so I don’t drink and load anymore. In 45 years of using 600jrs, I’ve never double dropped a powder charge. The old Lyman press was not a safe press because they used separate charge bars.

[Daniel Carter]

I, too, regularly have a pipe in my mouth while loading, but my 600jr spills powder each time I drop the shot and the powder keeps landing in my glass, so I don’t drink and load anymore. In 45 years of using 600jrs, I’ve never double dropped a powder charge. The old Lyman press was not a safe press because they used separate charge bars.

Did you consider moving the glass?

[edgarspencer]

Did you consider moving the glass?

Brilliant! See, This is why you're management. I would, however, have to learn how to sip a whisky with my left hand, and that's never worked in the past.

[Daryl Corona]

Brilliant! See, This is why you're management. I would, however, have to learn how to sip a whisky with my left hand, and that's never worked in the past.

But you shoot left handed!:banghead:

[Andrew Sacco]

Did you consider moving the glass?

Someday I aspire to be as witty and clever!! :bowdown:

[Daniel Carter]

Someday I aspire to be as witty and clever!! :bowdown:

You are thinking of Edgar, i am playing the straight man to him.

[CraigThompson]

And then some people drink while they are reloading. I know because I shoot with one or two of them.:whistle:

I vividly remember shooting trap at National Capitol when it was still in Damascus and at Carroll County , there was an older gentleman that I saw at both . Never knew his name or if I did I don’t now as this was thirty plus ago . But he kept a small flask in his offside shirt pocket . If you were on the same squad he’d offer a taste to everyone before each field . I never partook or saw anyone other than him take a sip . Do that now and you’d be told DO NOT COME BACK :whistle:

[CraigThompson]

Brilliant! See, This is why you're management. I would, however, have to learn how to sip a whisky with my left hand, and that's never worked in the past.

If one grew up in “The South” in the 60’ or 70’s one was rather adept at drinking two handed ! And that was while driving a vehicle . Fifth of Jack in one hand and a bottle of chaser in the other :bigbye:

[John Dallas]

Better be prepared for "elevens" when you are participating in a driven bird shoot in Britain. After one or two rotations, you'll stop for a little snack and tilt back the flask, then back to shooting

[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.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I believe I got my short kit from Precision Reloading for about $30. I ordered one for a 16--and it also works on my 12 and 20 Mec 600 jr.
Now, just my opinion mind you--thru a Parker fluid steel 12 ga, I dont shoot short shells, I have loaded some, then gave all my 2 1/2" hulls away. Most of my 12 ga are 7/8 oz mild pressure about 1150 fps--shoot those also in my Greener sidelever damascus also, I use green Rem Gun Club hulls. I have a few cases of 12 ga game loads with 1 oz shot, I shoot those also in fluid steel guns.
In 20's, I used to load 2 1/2", but now just shhoot a mild 3/4 oz load using 20/28 powder in AA's and Gun Clubs. Makes life simpler. In between guitar playing this morning, I loaded 2 boxes of that 20 ga load--I dont hesitate to hunt grouse with it either.

[Andrew Sacco]

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 Lee 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

[Frank Srebro]

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.

[Andrew Sacco]

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

[Frank Srebro]

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 Lee 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.

[Andrew Sacco]

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

[Carvel Whaley]

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.

[Andrew Sacco]

I'm reading as much as I can while waiting for stuff to come back onto the market. Thank you Stan.

[Mike Koneski]

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

That stuff was here Thursday AM by 9:30 and gone by 10:00!!