Shotgun Reloading, version 2

[56FordGuy]

My buddy came up yesterday, and we took a look at the shotgun reloading gear he picked up.

The press is a MEC model 650. From my research, it seems like these are gauge specific. Does anyone know if that's right?I'm going to try to contact the manufacturer tomorrow and see about getting an owners manual, because I'm not quite sure how this thing works. Likewise, it came with a small box of what I assume are dies.

Lastly, in among a box of various shotgun loading components was a box of Remington #97 shotgun primers. Someone mentioned before that the older primers are a different size than the newer hulls, are these suitable to use with modern hulls?

[leroy]

The MEC 650 is gage specific. I believe that you can reference all the data of the MEC website. I used to load lots of 12 gage back in the mid 70's with a buddy of mine. We used 207 primers with Winchester AA trap and skeet hulls. We loaded thousands of them with that old press. I've never seen any 97 primers. Maybe some of the other guys can help you with that.

I do remember that the MEC loader doesn't like changing components. That means to use one specific brand hull and wad. When you start changing the components, you start having to readjust all the stuff on the loader (wad pressure, ect); and that can be a pain. We always used Winchester hulls and winchester wads. We loaded thousands of them; they all shot well in automatic shotguns like the old Winchester model 50 and the Franchi recoil operated shotguns.

We quit reloading for shotguns when shot went to $5.00 per 25 lb wholesale; thats been a long time ago!!

Have fun.

Kind regards,

LEROY

ps -- them little shiny things are powder and shot bushings. Make sure you get the right one for the powder charge you want to use (they are marked) and the right shot bushing. That's another reason not to change the loader around after you get it up and going.

[56FordGuy]

Thanks for the info. We haven't looked at any of the cost/ etc for shotshell reloading, he just happened across this stuff somewhere. Once I get more information, we'll figure out where to go with it. The press came with a lot of 16 gauge hulls, there's a chance it's a 16 gauge press I reckon.

[VERO1]

I think the last 25# bag of shot I saw was priced at $40+ !!

[enfield]

Thanks for the info. We haven't looked at any of the cost/ etc for shotshell reloading, he just happened across this stuff somewhere. Once I get more information, we'll figure out where to go with it. The press came with a lot of 16 gauge hulls, there's a chance it's a 16 gauge press I reckon.

It's easy enough to tell if it's set up for 16 gauge -- if a 16 gauge shell will fit in the shellholder in the crimping station, but a 12 won't, then it's set up for 16 gauge. You can change the gauge of the press (at least you can on a MEC 600 Jr) but it's expensive and time-consuming. I did it once and then bought separate presses for 20 gauge and .410.

[enfield]

P.S. - you'll need a reloading manual, probably a Lyman's. It'll tell you if/where you can use the 97 primers which are, as I recall, specific to Remington hulls only.

[Worriedman]

MEC reloaders use a bar that is specific for weight of shot, and the bushings are for different powders. I have no idea what the black rubber looking things are, they have no function with the 650, I think they have been used to cushion the powder bushings.

The 650 is gauge specific, and is a fine entry level progressive loader. It does not however, really resize the brass or steel head of cases. If you mix between shotguns, you might need to pick up a Super Sizer to bring the cases back to factory specs.

The Mecca of shotgun reloading is:

Shotgunworld.com • Index page

Scroll down to the reloading forum, guys really know their stuff. Several vendors for wads and powder supply frequent the forum. Do a search on their site, all your questions will be answered correctly.

Edited July 7, 2009 by Worriedman