Ponsness Warren
 

I probably will never get away from my Mec Loaders, but I have seen many ads lately for used Ponsness Warren Loaders. Curious how popular they are with folks on this forum? They look extremely well constructed.

I've been reloading on P-W 375s for over five decades now, they are extremely well-built robust machines. When my father gave up reloading with his four P-W's, an 800B, an 800C and two 900's I ended up with all four and sold them preferring the 375s. I typically only load approx. 2500-4000 rounds of shells/year. (If I shot more than I do I would probably would have kept my father's progressive machines). I have a shooting buddy that loads on 4 MEC 9000's that let me try them out. Comparing the P-W machines to the comparatively lighter weight stamped parts of the MEC's it felt as if the metal would bend on the MECs every time I pulled the handle. I realize the MEC machines are proven and load a good shell, however; they're just not for me.

My two Ponsness-Warren 375s, one set up for reloading 28ga. & .410, the other for 12 & 20ga.

When I was in high school I used to go over to the local gunsmiths house with my father they were old friends . Anyway i developed an intrest for shooting skeet and was contemplating reloading . He was an older fellow then but in his basement shop in the next room he had his den/gunroom and on an old metal desk he had four Ponsness Warren 800B's 12-20-28-410 . He looked me dead in the eye and said boy start with a PW and you'll never want to upgrade . So i first bought a used 800B 12 then an used 800B 28 and started cranking out shells . Shortly thereafter I ran into Jim Cunnigham at Fredricksburg R&G and bought 800C's in 20 and 410 . Jim used to reside in Florida I believe and drive a big Winnebago up each spring staying at the various gun clubs in MD and VA then heading south in the fall . He was also a PW rep/dealer . Me being me I couldn't stand that they weren't all 800C's so I sold the 800B's for profit I might add and bought 800C's to match from Jim Tyrell then the manager of Fairfax R&G . Also bought a 375C from Tyrell with heads for 10 and 16 . When I quit the trap/skeet competition I sold all the loaders thinking I wouldn't load shotgun stuff anymore . Wish I hadn't done that I like PW's far more than a MEC . Only PW I have anymore is a Metallic II for loading rifle and pistol stuff .

+1 for Ponsness Warren, we use a few and they're just solid machines. Customer service is also excellent.

Do not have recent experience with the Mec 9000, so maybe I can't offer you a true opinion. I know some fellow shooters who love them.

Spolar is also out there, beautiful machines if you want to spend the money.

Like Craig, I was good friends with Jim Cunningham and Jim Tyrell, but I had been using a quartet of PW 800Bs for many years when I met those two. I am still using 800Bs in 12, 20, and 28, but have destroyed my two .410s and the broken parts are way too much money and effort to fix. Long story short. Of course, I loaded tens of thousands of .410 shells on those two loaders, so they are paid for many times over. I'm back to loading .410 on a PW 375, where I started back in the sixties.

Jim would set up at the Harry Wright and sell some components and shooting glases I believe. I think he also molded ear plugs.

I first pulled the handle on a MEC loader somewhere around 1965. That was on a model 210, in the years since I've owned & used a 650, grabber, sizemaster and a 9000.

Then I did the mistake of getting a PW-375 and never looked back. Once you've driven a Cadillac it's really hard to think about going back to a Ford Pinto. I have two 375's set-up on my bench which can load 28's through 12's being as each press has two different gauge tool heads which can be swapped over in a matter of a few minutes. One press does 12's & 16's the other 20's & 28's. I'm not bashing MEC in any way, they are proven great presses, but the PW's simply are a step above them at the next level.

Another mistake I made was I bought two PW progressive presses and have never set them up because I like the 375's so much. I really should list them in the for-sale section & pass them on to someone who could use them.

I have that exact same setup except one is 12 & 16ga, and the other is 20 & 28ga! I've been using them for at least 30 years.

I have been using mec reloaders for a long time and still do but about 12 years ago a friend gave me PW-375 with 12 and 20 dies. Since then all my 20ga's have been reloaded on that PW . If I were to buy machines again they would all be PW-375.

I have a 12 gauge PW 800 Plus and its reloads are excellent, hard to tell from factory fodder. Easy to use and turns em out in a hurry as long as I don’t get distracted and forget to insert a hull or wad. That’s with Remington and Winchester hulls with real brass bases. It’s much harder to cycle with steel base hulls like Remington Gun Clubs and I use my MEC 9000 with its collet sizer for those.

My PW 375 has been with me for 50+ years
use it for 10, 12 & 16
Much prefer vs MEC

Like the others I use PW 375 loaders, two mounted side by side. Used to load 12/10 on one 20/16 on the other. Components became difficult I sold off my 10 & 16 guns now have one of the PW machines set up for 12 other 20. Had a PW 600, dabbled in progressive loading but it did not suit my needs. Loading a gauge for Parker’s and Beretta Gas operated guns need to alter the recipe . Quick change with the 375’s.

I had Mecs and they worked well but I just like nice machinery. Shop is equipped with good quality American machines, two Lathes Mill & Drill press Band saw, Arbor press. All mid 1950’s vintage. Heavy iron no stamped metal. No reason to do anything else loading.

As a result of this post I purchased a PW 12/20 gauge 375 loader. After a short learning curve I am loading factory like rounds. Now I know the attraction of this brand. Absolutely solidly built and operates smooth as silk. I am very pleased with it.

As stated earlier I started with PW machines and later in life got a bunch of MEC’s to replace the PW’s I’d sold years earlier . To me it was kinda like changing from a fine machine (PW) to a damn Rube Goldberg (MEC) . Even after loading maybe 60,000 shells on MEC’s I’ve not changed my original opinion .

My buddy uses a RCBS Grand, and has for years.

Does anyone here have a personal opinion on them? Are they more substantially built than a MEC?

Welcome to the PW club Steve!

I load 28 gauge on my 375. Soon I’ll be able to load 8 gauge when my custom dies from board member Bruce Duckworth arrive. PW is a quality product but I also like MEC.

I load 28ga with my PW 375 as well. Do you ever have any issues with shot bridging in the drop tube on yours?

I've found that even when loading #8's I really have to watch for shot bridging and hanging up in the drop tube. I've tried several solutions but finally landed on tapping the tube lightly with a small brass hammer every time I drop the shot to prevent this from happening.

If you have the same issue--what's your solution?

Baby powder

Have had an 800 Plus 12 gauge for years. Sent it back once for a tune-up, which was done well and quickly. Custoer sevice is great.

I utilize quite a few RCBS products for reloading rifle plus Redding products, but I have never used nor do I know anyone using RCBS for shot shells.

I’ll second Stan’s comments .

Thanks.

As an aside, I have used a MEC 9000G (not hydraulic) for going on twenty years for my regular 12 ga. sporting loads. When it is lubed and adjusted properly I have loaded nearly 700 rounds in an hour on it.

I built hoppers for the empty hulls and for the wads not long after I got it and, with everything laid out and at hand, and the door bolted shut with no distractions, I can pull that off occasionally.

I had an RCBS Grand. Very sophisticated machine with more stations than a MEC 9000. I loved how smooth it was. Unfortunately, many small parts with little springs that would break easily. RCBS would send any parts I needed for free at the time. I sold it out of frustration and went completely to MEC. I have 3 9000's, a few 600's and two Sizemaster and one PW 375. The 375 makes beautiful shells and is very smooth however the Sizemasters are quicker and work well enough. I would never buy another RCBS Grand.