Mec will custom build the press for the 2 1/2 shell. I doubt you could modify the existing press but you might be able to buy the parts from Mec.

I really don't know but when I get a chance later this week I will set it up beside my 12 or 28 and see if I can tell. I do know that there is no short kit for the Grabber. If we cannot figure it out might not be a problem to call the and see what they say or see if they will do it. They are very friendly.

Thanks Eric,

I know that they are permanent mods and it will be a dedicated press, which is fine with me ,

If you could look at them side by side that would be great . I thought about calling them to see if they could modify a 2 3/4 press also but then I think I might be better off just getting a new one from them . I think if I had one to look at I could figure it out , ( I don,t know any one close that has one either) Don't think it would be too complicated .

I appreciate all the Help !

Mark

I took some pictures but they were bad and would tell nothing. Only thing to do would be disassemble dies and compare to a standard 2 3/4. One could still try to adjust for the 1/4" but not sure how that would work in the first 3 stations. Sorry I couldn't shed more light on this.

I have talk to few others about try to convert one and have come to the conclusion that it would be to much trouble to do it . also talk to the guy at MEC and he did not shed to much light on it , but did say that if I sent the 2 3/4 press that they would the conversion , but by the time I shipped both ways and paid to get done it is not worth it . So I will order a new 2 1/2 press and be done with it .

Eric, I appreciated all your effort .

Thanks .........Mark

Has anyone tried using PB in a 16 Ga 2 1/2 with one oz.? interested in a loading if you did.

Just curious.

Chip Beckford

I'm guessing, but I would think the only mod needed is to drill a new hole in the main bar to lower all the dies a 1/4". Maybe with the existing holes it isn't possible and a new bar with no holes is used. At least with a single stage press when going from 3" to 2 3/4" shells all you do is change what holes are used. Just an idea.

Has anyone used a Cheddite primer with this load?

I’m out of W209 primers, but I have plenty of Cheddites. I’m getting some other loads ready to be tested by Tom Armbrust, so perhaps I’ll add this load with a Cheddite primer to the group.

I have a load for 7/8, w/ PB, but nothing throwing an ounce.

Thanks for the data.
I am just starting to load for the short 16ga shells to feed my VH 16ga. w a twist barrel. I am extremely leery of psi
I have set my MEC 600 Jr up to crimp the short shells and will also use the in a pre-war Sauer & Son 16 I own. I have found very limited data for the 2 1/2" shells
You've been extremely helpful