I'm getting old and lazy. I hate changing my shotshell loaders from one load to another. I have a bunch of MECs, accumulated over the years at bargain prices. My 9000 is permanent mounted on a heavy bench and set for 17.8 Red Dot and 1 /8 7 1/2. I've picked up a few B&D Workmates over the years and they make great loading benches. A Grabber got set up for 1 oz of 8 1/2s yesterday (great singles 16 yard load). The other Grabber is going to be set up for #9s for skeet. Shooting three leagues plus a fall skeet league requires a lot of handle pulling so I decided not to waste time on changeovers. A couple of 600 Jrs are reserved for 12 and 20 ga slug loading. Later we'll talk metallics. My kids are gonna crap when I kick off.
Diversifying my MEC setups
- Thread starter PapaG
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Barbaroja
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Before the pandemic Used Mec machines could be had for next to nothing. Like yourself I prefer to have machines set up for the loads I use most. Had 4 600jrs but gave one up to a family member recently who wanted to load 20ga. I usually shoot the same hunting loads for nearly everything so I keep one set for 1oz 20 gauge loads and 1 for 1.25oz 12ga loads. The third machine sits idle waiting for me to get a 16 gauge shotgun and die set.
FROGO207
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LOL I also have multiple MEC's set for GA and loads, they are a pain to change at best.. it is easier to change a charge bar with bushing set up for a dedicated load. Seperate loader for GA and hull length works best.
Barbaroja
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Even with set machines I still enjoy using the adjustable charge bars vs. the bushings so I can dial it in just right. ( and hopefully leave it there) without having to have a big collection of bushings.
FROGO207
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I do have one adjustable charge bar that I use to make test loads to use. They are handy. I heard that they are no longer being made though. Haven't checked into this yet.
Blue68f100
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I keep my Mec 600's setup, 1 for 12ga the other 20ga. I have all the bars and appropriate bushings for any loads I may need. Years (decades) ago I looked at an adj charge bar but did not get it since I had all the bushings and bars I needed.
Barbaroja
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Ballistic products has recently come out with one of their own to fill the gap in the market. Which I’m happy to see as I prefer them.
I came at it from the other side and picked one up when I got my first machine so I never went down the other path of bars and bushings, had I been in your shoes i wouldn’t see much of a need.
entropy
Member
I plan on getting a 600 Jr. set up for 16 ga. 2 1/2 shells. I was hoping to find an old 16 ga 600 Jr. and just putting the short kit on it, but after the run on all things reloading, not so easy. I might pony up and buy a new one and short kit. I'll decide when the flat of RST's is almost gone.
Pretty much the only large volume shot gun shooting I do is skeet. If I do something else, I'll buy shells.
I have four MEC 600jr's, one each for 12, 20, and 28 gauges and .410 bore 2-1/2"
The .410 loader is the only one with an adjustable charge bar. I found the bushings did not come close to the charge I wanted.
In the early days, I had more time than cash and the MEC600jr's made skeet loads fast enough to keep up with my shooting.
Recently, I bought a Dillon 900SL with the three gauge set-ups (.410 not available). For the amount I shoot these days, I can have about one reloading session a quarter for a couple evenings to keep me supplied in ammunition...assuming components are available.
I have four MEC 600jr's, one each for 12, 20, and 28 gauges and .410 bore 2-1/2"
The .410 loader is the only one with an adjustable charge bar. I found the bushings did not come close to the charge I wanted.
In the early days, I had more time than cash and the MEC600jr's made skeet loads fast enough to keep up with my shooting.
Recently, I bought a Dillon 900SL with the three gauge set-ups (.410 not available). For the amount I shoot these days, I can have about one reloading session a quarter for a couple evenings to keep me supplied in ammunition...assuming components are available.
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