Need Comprehensive low pressure reloading how-to

[Keith Doty]

I use old Pacific 226s, one for each gauge I load, been using one since high school and I'm comfortable with them, got lots of parts and bushings. MEC is probably the most used brand but I'm guessing. You can go from basic/simple up to high dollar/really nice, kinda depends on how deep in the $$ you want to get and what volume of production you need. I WOULD recommend a good powder scale whatever brand you go with. I have found many times the "published" charge for any powder bushing may be less than accurate. I always check by weight any charge bushing I'm using before I believe the published! I'm sure others here will offer educated opinions.

[John Cleveland]

Keith,

I have been trying to look at shot shell reloaders. In my preliminary searches, most references are to handling 2 3/4” to 3”. Are there specific machines for 2 1/2 or do people just make some adjustments to 2 3/4?

[Keith Doty]

I have heard mention of "short kits" for some presses (MEC I think). My Pacific 266s were never offered in anything but 2 3/4" and 3". I simply machined 1/4" off the final crimp dies and adjusted all the other stations to match, pretty simple with that old, "obsolete" system, especially if you own a lathe and mill. The 10 ga. required shortening up the crimp die 5/8" (die was originally for 3 1/2", I needed 2 7/8"), boring out the primer seating well out about .020 as that press was never offered in 10 ga and the hull rim wouldn't go down on the spring loaded seat. I have seen pics of some guys shimming up the shell holders in the required stations to allow for 2 1/2" hulls. I guess they could adjust the dies to work that way.
I don't know of any new presses specifically for 2 1/2" ammo but there may be some or as mentioned, kits available to modify the units. My experience has been very good with calling the manufacturers tech people for help and advice with reloading issues over the years. I own old Pacific units for shotshells and RCBS for all my pistol and rifle needs. Both have been very helpful with parts and advice.

[Keith Doty]

Just took a look, MEC has several "short" kits in stock at several vendors (Midway and Precision is where I looked) , it looks like, all gauges. Recommend a call to their tech guys, tell them what you want to do and let them guide you to the proper combinations. I don't know the MEC line well enough to say. I do know a lot of our members use MEC units with great success.