Reloading - How to get started?

[Mills]

Thanks Paul. I am thinking of just calling Precision Reloading, telling them what I have and what I need and then buy what they suggest. I will mention the suggestions here.

[Paul Harm]

As JB said, you have a Versamec. I didn't notice that. Everything is steel which is nice. The little red fingers in the wad guide only cost about 2.50. If you ever need one replaced and you're gonna go to 10ga at some point you'd be better off ordering the kit to go to plastic and get 12ga and 10ga wad guides. I have two 761 Grabbers [ one I convered to 10ga without the resizer working ], three 650's, and three old 600jrs. Just went to Mecs web site and saw charge bars are $20+ and bushings are $2+. For under $40 you can buy a adjustable charge bar and never worry again about buying another bar or bushings. When ever you want to change a setting you just turn a dial, not wait to get something in the mail. The adj. bar allows an exact powder charge to be thrown unlike a bushing that may or may just get you close. My bars now have the inspection hole plugged so they'll throw [ without a bushing ] 94grs of black powder - about 3 1/3 drams - a good stout load with 1 or 1 1/8oz of shot. Back before I got adj. bars I bought two 46A bushings for BP. One was cut off so one throws 75grs and the other 84grs. That's about the only time I still use a bar and bushings.

[Mills]

Thanks Paul. This is all very helpful

[J.B. Books]

Mills, check out the wad guide fingers on the machine you bought before you do anything to it. The older Versamec's came with spring steel fingers (wad guide), that is no longer available from MEC and it is FAR superior to either style of the plastic fingers wad guide.

The newer style (black nylon) that comes with the 600JR is more rugged than the red plastic fingers that are held inside a screw together chrome holder which is an older style sometimes found on the Versamec.

Also, the deprime station on the Versamec and 600JR resizes the brass/steel part of the hull when you deprime, you should not need a separate resizer called the MEC Super Sizer. Be sure this is properly adjusted so that the resizing ring goes all the way to the metal rim of the hull. This is a simple adjustment that I can explain later when you are looking at the machine.

Mills, you have been getting a lot of stuff thrown at you fast, but the process is really quite simple. Another great thing about MEC, when you call their customer service you get a real person who knows the machines and they will take the time to walk you through anything that you don't understand or might not be working correctly. They do this for new and used machines alike, they are great.

[Mills]

Thanks J B. I am probably going to wait until I get the reloader in hand and then see what I need.

[Paul Harm]

The nice thing about a singe stage reloaded is you can't screw up too bad - other than spilling shot or powder, or forgetting a primer or powder - or - well you get it - it's all happened to all of us at one time or another. About the biggest problem people have is trying to put too much in the shell and getting a bad crimp. In a 12ga you'll need about 7/16" from the top of the shell to the shot in it. It may look like the shot is way down in there, but it takes more than people imagine. The shell has to double back over and still have enough to close up the center. Once you get it working with a good crimp, look down in and see far far it is before you do any crimps.

[Richard Flanders]

That press looks like it will be usable. Look up inside the metal dies to check for rust that can scratch the cases and cause premature case splitting. You can take a bronze shotgun brush and clean them out inside if there is light corrosion. I would also suggest that you don't ever get the large shot/powder bottles that MEC offers. Others may disagree but I find them very clumsy to use. You can gladly have the couple that I have on the shelf if you ever need them. Do get the replacement wooden handle too; that is very good advice as those plastic handles lead to much more hand fatigue.

[Mills]

Thanks Paul. The more idiot proof it is the better.

Thanks Richard. It indicates it comes with accessories and I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised about how much is included.

I may go out to Bass Pro today and look in their reloading section and see what is offered.

[Big D]

Bass Pro prices for components are hiigh, but that may be your only choice to get started quickly. Check with your local gun club. Often, they put in quantity orders and are able to get things at a much better price

[Twice Shooter]

Check Graf and Son in Mexico, Missouri. Cheers, Tom