Progressive loaders

[William Davis]

I don't know if a grabber will load 2 1/2 inch. 600 Mec's will. Main column has holes to adjust how high it rides, my 20 Mec 600 does anyway. I may set up a 600 to load 2 1/2 inch Black powder 12s for my Lifter. Seems to me single stage dedicated to special shells, Progressive for volume is the way to go.

Bill

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

Whenever you get into one of the older discontinued models you have to expect problems of one sort or another. One of the reasons the old ones are out of the catalog is the maker got tired of trying to correct design problems.

FWIW, back when those oldies were sold as part of the inventory, we weren't concerned with running 500-1000 reloads an hour. Everything was done at a leisurely pace and if we got 100 shells loaded while listening to Jack Armstrong, the All American boy on the radio, it was a good thing. Now we want to fill a wooden ammo box full of reloads between gin and tonics, and the oldies just can't keep up with that demand.

Speaking of old reloaders, without any kind of primer feed. Here's an old home made reloader able of doing 12 and 16 gauge on the same platform without changing any of the tooling parts. I found it at an estate sale. The builder was 93 when he passed and this was in his garage under a pile of old starters and generators. This design gives new meaning to progressive. Load some 12s for Grampa and then the boy can reload some 16s for his rabbit or pheasant gun.

Some of the parts look like those currently available from Lee Loaders. Haven't tried to reload anything on it, but one of these days . . .

[charlie cleveland]

john thats a fine looking loader there you got.. charlie

[gman]

A grabber really cannot be converted to 2 1/2". A fair number of folks have wrestled with this to no practical success that I know of. MEC will make a 2 1/2" for you.

[wayne goerres]

I came across this grabber with three bags of shot and about four pounds of solo powder for $80.00. Couldn't pass it up. It looks pretty decent shape. Was actually looking for a 650jr.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by wayne goerres

I came across this grabber with three bags of shot and about four pounds of solo powder for $80.00. Couldn't pass it up. It looks pretty decent shape. Was actually looking for a 650jr.

Three bags of shot wholesale are a touch over $120 . Four pounds of Solo 1000 I would think were about $90 wholesale .

[William Davis]

Got the PW 600 home and set up. Been running it beside my old 76 Grabber. Either one does the job and both loaders have there quiks. The PW seems to require less effort on the handle, and turn out a more consistent shell. Way it supports the case as they go around I suppose.

It does have the disavantage of not being able to remove a shell until it's finished. My Grabber when loading spreaders remove after I charge with shot stick the spreader in with my thumb then put the shell back in for crimping. Going to have to figure out how to do it on the 600

Ablity to cut off the shot and powder hoppers on the PW seperate is a nice feature, as is the hopper dump ablity.

Think I am going to keep the Ponseness sell off the Grabber. Keep my eyes open for a PW 375 for one off jobs like the spreader shells.

Bill

[Paul Harm]

Gee Bill, never had or have any of the problems you listed - guess I'm just lucky. What I don't like with the PW 900 is if a mistake is made you ain't getting the shell out unless you take the press apart. With a Mec you just pull it out, no problem. My 900 is still for sale.

[Bill Murphy]

Bill, use the PC Post wad eliminates the problem of inserting spreader thingys.

[William Davis]

Could be just my Grabber it’s real old. That lack of shell removal is a disadvantage for the PW. Get a problem you have to let the shell cycle through to eject while remembering which one it was so you don't throw powder or shot in it.

Thanks for the offer on the 900 but will pass. Now that I have the 600 running for volume loads found a nice PW 375 set up for 12 & 20 . I don't load much 20 so it will serve. Will use the 12 side when I am doing special jobs like Spreaders or trying new powders and loads. Like to try ¾ oz for my Damascus 1 Frame GH without changing over the progressive

Found a quick sale for my two MEC's yesterday am committed to PW now

Bill