MEC Question

[Lowdown Larry]

Howdy, I'm going to start reloading shotshell to duplicate the Winchester Low Recoil ammo. I'm looking at the MEC Jr 600 or the Sizemaster. Question is what is the real difference between the resize ring on the Jr. and the collet resize ring on the Sizemaster, I'll be using a coach gun, will one effect the shucking of the shells over the other. Thanks Lowdown 

[Nickel City Dude]

The Sizemaster will be a better choice.  It uses a collet to size the brass and IIRC the 600 jr. does not size the brass.  Also, to improve shucking in a SxS you should also get the tool that sizes the top of the shell and gets rid of the mushroom effect that often develops when crimping.

[August West, SASS #45079]

Yes, sizing the metal base of the shells is essential to fast double gun operation in my experience.   Sizing the base is a lot faster when using a Sizemaster than when using a Jr. and a separate sizing machine.   I have owned both and the Sizemaster is a much, much better choice for making ammo that you're going to use on the clock!

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

The sizing ring on the 600 Jr DOES SOME resizing, just not as much as what many coach guns need.    That is why some folks who bought a 600 Jr then also bought a Super Sizer tool, which is the collet sizer as a separate tool.  Resize the empty hull on the Super Sizer, then run it through the loader.  Kinda slow.  More expensive getting those two than it is to get the Sizemaster.

 

Agree, the Sizemaster (or even stepping up to a Grabber) is a better, faster way to load.

 

I would advise you also get a loaded shell checker if you are wanting to shoot a side-by-side quickly.  It's a gauging tool that makes sure each loaded shell is loose in the chamber before you use them in a match and have a fat one stick. Several companies carry them, here's where I usually get them:

 

https://uniquetek.com/shop/ols/products/slix-shotshell-checkersizer-combo

 

WELL worth the price.   GJ

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

My 1978 made 600jr sizes just fine 

Never any issue, in any SG, my loads have been used in.

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

I've had both of those presses as well as a 9000G. Now I only use 600 Jr in both 12 & 20 gauges. The sizing ring on the 600 Jr does just fine for my two SxS Stoegers. Those progressive presses are great and fast when everything is working correctly. One litter glitch though and powder & shot get dumped all over the place. I just prefer the simplicity of the 600 Jr, plus my 10 & 12 year old grandsons like to reload shotshells and I'd never let them load on a progressive.

[Griff]

4 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

My 1978 made 600jr sizes just fine 

Never any issue, in any SG, my loads have been used in.

Likewise.  When adjust to size all the way to the rim.   I've used hulls sized on my 600Jr in several brands & models of pump, at least one auto and  several doubles since new in 1975, hulls fly out of 'em all with ease.  Did I mention "properly adjusted?"  That's kinda crucial... 

[Go West]

Uniquetek has a shotgun die that gives the finished shell a 3 degree taper that is compatible with MEC Sizemaster and others. Called the Quickloader. 

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

The Sizemaster includes the automatic primer feed that is an extra cost accessory on the Junior.

[Captain Clark]

The Jr series are great machines. With proper setup and reasonable maintenance the ammunition quality is top notch. The sizing ring on my 3- 12 gauge machines do a good job as the loaded shells will always pass through a shell check. I don’t have a shell checker for the 16 gauge, but it really isn’t needed IMO. 

When my 41 year old Junior wears out, maybe then I’ll look into setting up a progressive 

[Nickel City Dude]

6 minutes ago, Captain Clark said:

When my 41 year old Junior wears out, maybe then I’ll look into setting up a progressive 

You are going to be waiting a long time LOL

[Sedalia Dave]

I have both a 600jr and a Grabber. Both presses will turn out shells that will work just fine in your SXS with a couple of caveats. Chief among them is that have to be properly adjusted.

 

Be mindful of the hulls you pick up off the range. Some side by side chambers have had too much material removed from them that they severely distort the metal bases of the shells when fired. The 600jr may not be able to resize these sufficiently enough to work in your gun. I have run across some so bad that they barely fit into my Grabber. 

 

The collet sizer of the grabber will not work properly if it is not properly lubricated. It will also have issues if you accidentally get a piece of shot in it. It will snash a piece of shot so thin that you will have a hard time seeing it but that sliver of shot can cause problems. When you spill powder or shot (Trust me you will) be sure you get it all out of the sizer.

 

I mount my press with a small cookie sheet under it to catch all the spilled powder and shot. makes cleanup 10000% easier.

 

Even though the Size Master is more expensive than the 600jr, I think it is worth the extra money.

[Lowdown Larry]

13 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

I have both a 600jr and a Grabber. Both presses will turn out shells that will work just fine in your SXS with a couple of caveats. Chief among them is that have to be properly adjusted.

 

Be mindful of the hulls you pick up off the range. Some side by side chambers have had too much material removed from them that they severely distort the metal bases of the shells when fired. The 600jr may not be able to resize these sufficiently enough to work in your gun. I have run across some so bad that they barely fit into my Grabber. 

 

The collet sizer of the grabber will not work properly if it is not properly lubricated. It will also have issues if you accidentally get a piece of shot in it. It will snash a piece of shot so thin that you will have a hard time seeing it but that sliver of shot can cause problems. When you spill powder or shot (Trust me you will) be sure you get it all out of the sizer.

 

I mount my press with a small cookie sheet under it to catch all the spilled powder and shot. makes cleanup 10000% easier.

 

Even though the Size Master is more expensive than the 600jr, I think it is worth the extra money.

The hulls that I'll be using are the Winchester AA once fired. Not really sure about using range hulls. I'm new to shotshell reloading but been reloading for rifle and pistol for sometime now.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

AA hulls reload well.  If you can get once-fired AAs from other shooters reload them.  Range hulls discarded by others often are not worth reloading.  Those shot with black powder may not hold a crimp.  By just reloading one brand of shells you can keep your press adjusted for good crimps.  Not all SG shells have the same dimensions.  (I just reload Remington hulls for CAS.)  Gage your reloads for an important match just like you gage your metallic cartridges.  Some may not load easily.

[Hoss]

I’d definitely get the Sizemaster. The primer feeder alone worth it!

if you just shoot out of one shotgun the base brass will form to that shotgun, no big worry. But having the shell checker tool that allows you to squish the crimp of shell as needed. 

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Sedalia and others,

 

Plus one for the cookie sheet deal. The guy I got my first shot shell press from told me about the cookie sheet and I went a step further by hanging the edge of the sheet beyond the edge of the bench and drilling an approx 1'2 inch hole in a corner of the sheet which I plug with a cork. I just sweepi the shot into the hole with a cup under it. Works great and saves a bunch of time when (not if) you spill some shot.

 

Rev. Chase

[Lucky R. K.]

Here is the setup I use for all my shotgun presses. When I have a spill I just sweep everything into the hole. There is a bottle below that receive3s everything. I use a mesh screen to separate everything.

Lucky 

[Eyesa Horg]

2 minutes ago, Lucky R. K. said:

Here is the setup I use for all my shotgun presses. When I have a spill I just sweep everything into the hole. There is a bottle below that receive3s everything. I use a mesh screen to separate everything.

Lucky 

Just curious, is there a reason you didn't center the press on the pan? As the inevitable seems to happen every now and then, I've been thinking about putting one under my Grabber as well.

[J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526]

35 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Just curious, is there a reason you didn't center the press on the pan? As the inevitable seems to happen every now and then, I've been thinking about putting one under my Grabber as well.

I use a metal picture frame around my Mec presses.  Buy at a craft store, thrift store or cheaper from a yard sale.  It's flat on all edges, sits flat on my bench top, and when I need to clean up a spill all I do is pull one corner off the bench to sweep everything into a container. 

 

[Lucky R. K.]

23 hours ago, Lucky R. K. said:

Here is the setup I use for all my shotgun presses. When I have a spill I just sweep everything into the hole. There is a bottle below that receive3s everything. I use a mesh screen to separate everything.

Lucky 

Notice the black magic marker marks on the left side of the tray. they indicate the area where I line up 25 shotgun hulls ready to be loaded. In other words it gives me room to lay out hulls to be loaded readily at hand.

Lucky