Colt Faro, SASS #54579 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 After 18 years in the sport I’m finally considering reloading shotgun shells. We’ve been shooting factory Remington STS 1145 fps all this time. Who makes the best for the money progressive shot shell loader that does a great job etc. Tips tricks and advice is welcomed. I probably don’t want to spend the money for a Spolar. How about the Dillon 900? Thank you! Colt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fretless Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 There was a thread back in September that covered this pretty well. I'd start there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixgun Seamus Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I use a Mec 9000. Bought it used 7-8 years ago and it has served me well. As with any piece of machinery, understand what each part is supposed to do and keep it adjusted properly and it works great. I can easily load 300-400 per hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingSnake Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Ponsness Warren 800+. The only other I would consider is a Spolar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireball #7709 Life Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Hornady 366. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Spade Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I also load on a Ponsness Warren 800 plus. Great machine and turns out loads that look like factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G W Wade Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Another vote for P/W Have a 375 that is fabulous but manuel. Other machine is 800C which is great but can get finicky once in a while GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Mulo Vaquero, SASS #55942 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Another vote for Ponsness Warren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I hope you saved lots of those STS hulls. They really reload well. I load with an RCBS Grand. It makes nice hulls but is no longer cataloged by RCBS so I would avoid one. I am concerned about parts availability in the future. Powder and wads are available. The only 209 primers readily available are Cheddites. They load and shoot well so you should investigate loads using them. Shot is scarce these days. Start shopping for shot now. I bought shot from Shootin Fox at both EOT and Land Run. However, he could not fill all his orders for Land Run because he ran out of lead and could not resupply. With low recoil, low noise shell now selling for $12-15 a box you will save by reloading. More importantly you will have a reliable supply of shells suitable for CAS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawdog Dago Dom Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Like most other stuff in this sport, find a shooter or shooters that have the models you are considering. Watch them crank out some shells and see if that's the set up that works for you. P/W and Spolar are top end machines, but you may find a better fit with another loader. I picked up a MEC 650 a few years ago that I was sure I would dump after a year or two. But I like how it works, and I feel well within my comfort level using it. Good luck on your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Faro, SASS #54579 Posted October 21, 2022 Author Share Posted October 21, 2022 Thank you for all the great input! Luckily I have saved STS hulls over the years and have several thousand of those. I also found a Mec Jr in a box in my garage. Obviously it’s not a progressive and I’ve never used it so that’s why I asked about progressive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I will chime in as well. I use a MEC 9000 GN these days. Learned on a MEC Sizemaster. The 9000 is capable of 400 rounds (maybe more) per hour of factory looking shells. Only drawback to the Sizemaster was output was limited to however fast you could move the shells from station to station (for me about 120-150 per hour). Really like that both resize the base and make nice crimps. Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Dot, 14911 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I like my Dillon, but it took a while to get adjusted the way I wanted it. Like all machines it has its quirks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Gun Cole Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I would suggest the MEC 9000-E or the MEC 9000-G I loaded my shotgun ammo on a 9000-G for the last 25 years. Bought the electric one in March 2022 from Midway. It produces ammo that looks like factory STS ammo The electric one loads very smooth, ie: push two buttons to cycle. As it returns up you have just enough time to watch the primer and place a hull & wad, Takes roughly 3-4 minutes to load a box of shells. Good luck, 3GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Cornelius Gilliam, SASS#5875TG Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I load smokeless shell on a Dillon 900SL and black powder on a MEC Grabber. They both work well and make high quality shells once adjusted. I like each one for different reasons. I still case gauge every hull loaded to cull the out-of-spec shells. The Dillon takes a bit more knowledge to adjust correctly, but once adjusted it is faster by far with the automatic hull feeder. It makes really nice crimps and produces high quality reloads. Since the MEC is not auto advance or auto hull feed it is easier to setup and does not have as big of crashes when there is a problem. Believe me, you will encounter minor problems that cause machine crashes with any press, its the nature of the beast. The MEC also makes nice crimps and high quality shells. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Colt Faro, SASS #54579 said: Thank you for all the great input! Luckily I have saved STS hulls over the years and have several thousand of those. I also found a Mec Jr in a box in my garage. Obviously it’s not a progressive and I’ve never used it so that’s why I asked about progressive Those once-fired STS hulls are worth about 10-cents each. I too have a MEC Jr and use it for BP shotgun shells. It makes very nice shells using STS or Nitro hulls. I have no trouble loading 3-4 boxes an hour with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I too started with a 600jr., Now using an old Grabber. I like the last station that rounds over the crimp end. I also gauge them all, however, I usually only have 2 or 3 that won't go completely into the gauge. These I take and try them in my Stoeger barrels and Ellie's 97, they always just drop right in. Have never had an issue at a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rance - SASS # 54090 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 When I started reloading shotgun I found a used MEC Grabber.. a retiring trapshooter had it for sale.. I bought it and have used it fer about 10-12 years.. and I can’t keep up with it.. Not big money invested but it works for me.. Just sayin… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackaroo, # 29989 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 7 hours ago, Colt Faro, SASS #54579 said: Thank you for all the great input! Luckily I have saved STS hulls over the years and have several thousand of those. I also found a Mec Jr in a box in my garage. Obviously it’s not a progressive and I’ve never used it so that’s why I asked about progressive Hi Colt, I've got 2 MECs 600 and they are both great. Had one for over 20 years and used all the time. I tried a MEC 650 and didn't like it, if you miss something or have hassles you can end up with a mess. BTW do you have any Outlaw Gang stuff lying around by any chance? Cheers Jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 I load on an old Mec 650 which isn’t made anymore. It works well for me, but the sizer on it stinks, necessitating a Mec Supersizer. The Grabber has the collet sizer built in. If I was starting out, I’d recommend the Grabber. Sizing your hulls is essential for clean extraction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Church Key, SASS # 33713 Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 My suggestion is to try out the MEC Jr. that you have as it's almost klutz-proof and makes excellent shells. Is also an excellent learning tool. If you are only loading for CAS it's fast enough. I loaded about three boxes an hour which is my time limit as I get bored. I went from it to a MEC Grabber when new shells dried up as I also shoot trap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 11 hours ago, Colt Faro, SASS #54579 said: Thank you for all the great input! Luckily I have saved STS hulls over the years and have several thousand of those. I also found a Mec Jr in a box in my garage. Obviously it’s not a progressive and I’ve never used it so that’s why I asked about progressive No excuses... now you can start loading BP, get MB a pair of cap guns and strive for top gun as a Frontiersman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painted Mohawk SASS 77785 Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Flip a coin ! There are a lot of good brands out there..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Spade Mikey Wilson Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 I had both the MEC650 & 9000G at one time. I went back to the MEC600jr. The progressive shotgun presses are great when everything is working correctly, but one hiccup and you have a mess on your hands. Too many things for me to keep an eye on when using a progrssive shotgun press. The time it takes to clean up and fix the hiccup I can load a box of shells on my 600jr. Takes me about 10 minutes to load a box of shells on the 600jr and I don't recall ever having a hiccup with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackrabbit Joe #414 Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 MEC 9000 Its fantastic in my book. Also added Quick Loader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 I load smokeless on a MEC 9000 works well for me. But I have it sitting in a baking pan when I bolt it down as things happens and shot and powder is confined to one spot. I mostly use a MEC jr for my bp shells or a PW375 both of which are single stage. The Mec jr would be a good place to start and its simple to use. Especially since you already have one. Hochbauer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Faro, SASS #54579 Posted October 22, 2022 Author Share Posted October 22, 2022 Thank you all for the input! This gives some things to consider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 On 10/21/2022 at 9:40 AM, El Mulo Vaquero, SASS #55942 said: Another vote for Ponsness Warren those are nice looking reloadds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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