Lite 2.5" recipe and press - newbie reloader

[Bill Graham]

I've never reloaded before, but would like to learn for learnings sake, and also have an easier and cheaper time keeping myself in low pressure 2.5" 12ga shells suitable for older damascus.

Tight budget, and the MEC 600 JR seems economical, and they have a short shell kit. Any other press recommendations at that price point, or less? The budget would appreciate the LEE Load All II, but I do not see any modification to it for short shells.

If there are particular recipes that you all like that would fit the bill, I'd appreciate hearing about that as well.

[OH Osthaus]

nothing wrong with the Jr. I have several in different gauges/lengths

for recipes - do a search here and check the powder manufacturers websites

[J. A. EARLY]

If you check Craigslist in your area you may pick up a MEC 600 Jr. (maybe even with supplies) for the price of the Lee. I've bought several that way.

[Bill Jolliff]

Mr. Graham,

For your consideration, here’s what I use for 12 gauge low recoil loads of ½ and ¾ ounce using RST 2 ½” hulls, Alliant Extra Lite powder, Claybuster 6100-12 wads for straight walled hulls and a MEC Sizemaster loader.

My load data for 2 ½” hulls:
½ ounce (0.500 actual): RST 2 ½” hulls; Winchester or Remington 209 primers; 14.0 grains of Alliant Extra Lite powder (MEC #26 bushing); CB6100-12 wad; 0.125” card wad in bottom and ½ ounce lead shot from a tweeked MEC charge bar.
3/4 ounce (0.729 actual): RST 2 ½” hulls; Winchester or Remington 209 primer; 14.3 grains of Alliant Extra Lite powder (MEC #27 bushing); CB6100-12 wad; no card wad in bottom and 0.729 ounce lead shot from MEC 302 75 Charge Bar.

That 0.125 inch thick card wad I get from Craig Smith, Circle Fly Wads in PA. They cost about $15.00 per 1000 including postage or about 1 ½ cents each. It is a 20 gauge diameter nitro card wad that fits nicely in the bottom of the CB shot wad.

I use a MEC Sizemaster and for the 2 ½” hulls in the crimp start and final crimp stations, all that I did was use a 1/4" thick wood spacer at those stations to raise the hull to the 2 3/4" height. See picture below.

I use the same recipe for my 12 gauge low recoil 2 ¾” loads of ½ and ¾ ounce but use a mixture of Winchester AACF, AAHS and the common Remington hulls (STS’s, Nitro Gold’s, Gun Club’s, etc) and the Claybuster CB 0175-12 ¾ ounce pink wad for tapered hulls.

My load data for 2 ¾” hulls:
½ ounce (0.500 actual): Win or Rem 2 ¾” hulls; Win or Rem 209 primers; 14.0 grains of Alliant Extra Lite powder (MEC #26 bushing); CB0175-12 wad; 0.125” card wad in bottom and ½ ounce lead shot from a tweeked MEC charge bar.
3/4 ounce (0.729 actual): Win or Rem 2 ¾” hulls; Win or Rem 209 primer; 14.3 grains of Alliant Extra Lite powder (MEC #27 bushing); CB0175-12 wad; no card wad in bottom and 0.729 ounce lead shot from MEC 302 75 Charge Bar.

I sent samples of my 2 ¾” 12 gauge ½ and ¾ ounce loads to Tom Armbrust for pressure and speed testing. Those loads run about 5000 – 6000 psi at a speed of around 1300 fps. They sound good, burn nicely and break clay pigeons at reasonable distances with a mild recoil.

Those light 2 ¾” loads is all I shoot in my 12 gauge 110 year old early A grade Fox that I’ve had for 48 years and the 2 ½” shells in my H & H Hammer gun with steel barrels with 2 ½” chambers.

Definitely worth a try if you’d like to try some low pressure, low recoil loads.

[john pulis]

Ebay has 600s and Versamecs. You may not need a short kit. Some of the 600s and Versamecs have threaded main shafts and can be moved down to accommodate short hulls. Check the one carefully before you buy. The newer 600s, jnrs., and Older Versamecs can accomodate the auto primer while you may hve to ream the primer to allow the primer drop tube. Parts for all these are still available via Mec. Look at their website. Manuals and parts list are free and downloadable. i have four 600s, one each for 12,16, 20, and 10. All are set for Remington hulls. Like Bill, I use 3/4 oz. Clay Buster but Clay dot or 700x. Low recoil for 120 year old damascus hammer and hammerless. Have not tried 1/2 but might using Bill's specs. Use 3/4 DR wads in 16 with 20/28, Universal, PB, and 7625, what little I have left. Very low recoil. Had the 20/28 tested 5000-6000 range, with speeds in the 1100-1200. works for me. RST 16 hulls on a mec 600 with the shaft lowered. Hope this helps.

good shooting,
John

[Bill Jolliff]

Like John mentioned in his notes above, I have used 700X for 3/4 ounce loads and they are very nice loads. Mild recoil but will get the job done on those nasty clay pigeons.

[Bill Graham]

Thanks Fellows.

I'm considering modifying a Lee Load All II for 2.5". The two crimp stations being the ones where the length seems to matter most, like Mr. Jolliff, I could raise the platform to the right height, in this case with a 1/4" washer. I think that would be a decent way to give this a try.

The question would be around matching the powder load to their bushing chart. Their manual for this unit doesn't have 7/8 or 3/4 oz in the their bushing selection chart.

[Dean Romig]

Go on the websites of the major powder manufacturers - more specifically, the website of the powder manufacturer you'll be using - and you'll find sufficient load data for your purposes. If not, the information you need is here for the asking.





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[john pulis]

If you have not, you should buy a digital electric scale. There are many on ebay for between 10-30 dollars. You can weigh bushing drops no matter Lee, Mec, et al. to stay within a grain or two of the manufactuer's recommendations.

Good loading,
John

[Paul Harm]

You definitely need a scale. I have everything from 600s to 9000H. I also at one time owned a Lee. If I was just starting out again it would be the 600 over the Lee hands down. Some guys don't like them, but I would also but an adjustable charge bar for the 600. Then you can load any shell without worrying about different bars. Make sure it's for a singe stage press, not a progressive. When using my 600 I hand feed the primers. Sizemasters are nice, but the less costly 600 will do the same job, IMHO. If you go to the third page on this forum under "reloading tips" I posted a good thread that applies to all Mec single stage presses. Good luck.