MEC 410 reloading press - 600 Jr or Sizemaster?

[Chief Rick]

The Sizemaster is about $100 more than the 600 Jr Mark 5.

 

I use a Sizemaster for my 12-gauge because I may be shooting one of several different shotguns.

 

I only have one 410.

 

Am I going to regret "NOT" getting the Sizemaster for the 410?

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

The Sizemaster includes the primer feeder that is an extra cost accessory on the 600 Jr.

 

That closed the price gap somewhat.

[Lucky R. K.]

I think it would depend on the volume of .410 you shoot. If you are competing in a .410 skeet league a progressive press would probably be a better choice. If, on the other hand you just shoot a box occasionally, the 600 Jr. would suit you just fine.

Lucky 

[Elkhorn Ernie]

I started out using a 600jr. to load .410s. I now use a sizemaster and much prefer the sizemaster. It is a lot easier to resize the brass on the shell. As far as a progressive loader, I won't recommend it. The main issue with loading .410s is the bridging of shot in the drop tube. To prevent that while I am loading, I will raise the handle a bit after seating the shot cup before moving the bar to drop the shot. I will then give drop tube a light rap with a small brass bar to make sure that all thee shot had dropped into the shell.

[Chief Rick]

39 minutes ago, Lucky R. K. said:

I think it would depend on the volume of .410 you shoot. If you are competing in a .410 skeet league a progressive press would probably be a better choice. If, on the other hand you just shoot a box occasionally, the 600 Jr. would suit you just fine.

Lucky 

No progressive for me.

 

I would like the ability to tailor loads to my grandkids or other youth shooters.

 

Probably just a few boxes per year.

[Uriah, SASS # 53822]

6 hours ago, Elkhorn Ernie said:

To prevent that while I am loading, I will raise the handle a bit after seating the shot cup before moving the bar to drop the shot

I learned this on a Sizermaster 20 ga, after a half dozen times! What a mess!
 

Uriah

[Dacotua]

When I started loading shotshells, I used a Dillon SL900. The press was really good and I did load a lot of #8 dove loads on that press. I ordered some Mec 600's because I wanted to do "custom" loads on the press and Mec was MUCH easier to do so.  I liked the Mec so much, I bought one in 12ga, 20ga and 410 bore. I found myself just using the mecs, I sold my Dillion SL900. Maybe if I was trap shooting and going thru hundreds of shells a week, a progressive would make more sense.

 

For *ME*, the Mec 600's work just fine. I have 3 of them bolted on my bench side by side.  I just found the Mec 600's easy to load anything I want to load, bird shot, buck shot, steel shot and even black powder (I use a dipper set for black powder).

 

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

I had both the MEC 9000G & the MEC 650 Sizemaster progressive presses. Got rid of both of them and got MEC 600 jr. in 20 & 12 ga. Put auto prime on both of them and never looked back. Just a whole lot less hassle for me in the long run. Takes me about 10 minues from start to finish to load a box of shells.

[Red Oak]

YMMV, but I'd go with the Sizemaster.  To me it just makes life easier, and, for me the finished rounds on the 9000 and 650 just look better.

[Lead Monger]

I like the Sizemaster for both 410 and 12 gauge.