Going to start shotgun reloading cuz I was given a mark V

[mikwa]

A friend gave me a mark V so I'm thinking this will be great for my 16 gage since it's a fading gage and my Mossy 500 would like it too. Never bothered to think of reloading shotgun till now. Anybody know if the mark V is worth tuning up.

 

[Lafitte]

It will probably serve you well if it is complete. Mec 600 jr has been a really decent machine. Probably wouldn't be worth it if you have to change to a different guage.
Lafitte

 

[12Bravo20]

My first suggestion is to get a reloading manual or two and read them, especially if you are new to shot shell reloading. Shotgun reloading is a little different than reloading metallic cartridges. You will need to stick with published loads, powder chargers and components. You can NOT substitute components in shot shells like you can with metallic cartridges.

The next thing I recommend you do is to download the manual for your press so that you know how to set it up properly. They aren't hard to set up but there are a few small tweaks that are needed to get the perfect crimp.

After that decide on what hulls, wads and powder you want to use and start stocking up. Stick with one type/brand of hull and wad. Hopefully 209 primers will be a little easier to find compared to all other primers.

The advantage of reloading shot shells now days is in reloading smaller or hard to find gauges such as the 16, 28 and 410 if you are wanting to save money. There is no money savings in reloading 12 or 20 gauges.

Other than that enjoy and stay safe. Also do not be afraid to ask questions.

 

[mikwa]

Thanks for the info I know there different. The loading books seem have been the had part right now reading out of stock is getting old.

 

[PapaG]

Shotshell primers are scarce around here.

 

[George P]

Is it a 16 gauge machine? If not, you will to get a conversion kit; then you will need wads, primers (hard to get now), powder and hulls.
Alliant and Hodgdon both have loading data. Determine your hull first and then pick what wad and powder will work.

 

[Barbaroja]

Mec jr 600s are great! I’ve got two older ones and 2 Mark V I like the older versions with the steel dies but parts are more available for the mark v series. I got into reloading by casting and reloading 12ga slugs it was my only non rimfire gun at the time.
If all your loading is 7.5s for clays it’s probably not worth it but if you like to hunt with a scatter gun it can definitely be useful even in 12 and 20ga.
The example I like to use is with larger shot sizes like #4s and 5s. They are my preference when it comes to most upland hunting but they are rarely available in anything other than heavy pheasant and duck loads. Way overkill for squirrels and bunnies, but thanks to my mec loaders I’ve got anything I need.
Best of luck on your hunt for components.
Check out these sites if your unfamiliar.
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/mobile/
https://www.precisionreloading.com/

 

[jmorris]

You can get the primers and other stuff here. https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Shotshell-Primers/products/290/

Cheddite 209’s in stock $29/1000.

 

[12Bravo20]

You can get the primers and other stuff here. https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Shotshell-Primers/products/290/

Cheddite 209’s in stock $29/1000.

I'm glad that I checked this thread. Thank you for the heads up on the Cheddite primers.

I have 500 new primed Cheddite 3" 410 hulls and can now reload them. Yes the Winchester 209 primers work but are looser that I would like especially since I am loading 000 buckshot loads with them.

 

[dieselchief]

i use a sizemaster in 12ga. load 7 1/2 clay loads with what is referred to as hard or magnum shot with good quality wads.
.....might be no money savings compared to junk ammo sold at big box stores. however compared to premium AAs or other top of the line trap ammo there is.

 

[entropy]

With 16 ga there will be a savings, but finding components to load what you want can be a challenge. I've been researching it for the past 6 months weighing buying a loader and setting it up for 16, or just buying a flat of RST every year. (the gun I am buying is a 2 1/2 " chambered 16.)

 

[mikwa]

I'm hunting turkey and grouse mostly on the side to my deer hunting. I want to go duck don't have friends that like birds so I'm going at it a bit blind here in North Idaho. when I lived in western Washington I liked snow geese. The 16 was my fathers he got his first deer with it. thanks for the info guys

 

[George P]

With 16 ga there will be a savings, but finding components to load what you want can be a challenge. I've been researching it for the past 6 months weighing buying a loader and setting it up for 16, or just buying a flat of RST every year. (the gun I am buying is a 2 1/2 " chambered 16.)

If you're only shooting a flat a year, it is easier to just buy it.

 

[12Bravo20]

The advantages to reloading 12 or 20 gauge is that you can tailor the loads for your use. Reloading small or oddball/obsolete gauges is where you save the most money, like in my case reloading 410 or Entropy wanting to load 2 1/2" 16 gauge. It also depends on how much you shoot too.

For the OP, it sounds like the 16 gauge has a bit of sentimental value to him and since he was given the reloading press he might as well use it.

I do find reloading a bit therapeutic for me whether I am saving money or not. The ability to tailor my different loads (shot shell and metallic) is nice.

 

[rbernie]

A friend gave me a mark V so I'm thinking this will be great for my 16 gage since it's a fading gage and my Mossy 500 would like it too. Never bothered to think of reloading shotgun till now. Anybody know if the mark V is worth tuning up.

It's a solid machine - clean it up and use it!

The loading books seem have been the had part right now reading out of stock is getting old.

The Lyman shotshell reloading manual is a must. As far as components go, Ballistic Products is still my go-to source for shotshell reloading :

Hulls : https://www.ballisticproducts.com/16-gauge-hulls/products/77/
Wads: https://www.ballisticproducts.com/16-gauge-wads/products/88/
Primers : https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Shotshell-Primers/products/290/ (Looks like Cheddite are still in stock)
Shot : https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Magnum-Chilled-Lead-Shot/products/68/
Powder : https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Shotshell/products/718/
​

I used a lot of Green Dot and Unique for 16ga and 20ga, and both are still available in most places.

 

[George P]

I have no need for paper books when sites like Hodgdon and Alliant have current data available online - then again I am not loading anything but basic target and hunting loads.

 

[12Bravo20]

Paper manuals or digital downloads come in handy when reloading less common loads. I went through that when starting to load my own 3” 410 000 buckshot shells. Hodgdon doesn’t list load data for 410 buckshot loads on their website.

 

[entropy]

I like having both options. I have the Lyman 5th edition, (which is starting to get old) and I regularly refer to the powder manufacturer sites. I also ask on the shotgun forum I am a member of, though sometimes it can get a bit rough. (no mercy shown on that site!)

 

[Barbaroja]

I’m all for having as much data available as possible. Nice to be able to cross reference

 

[12Bravo20]

I’m all for having as much data available as possible. Nice to be able to cross reference

Having multiple sources helped me out greatly when I decided to reload 410 buckshot shells. Hodgdon doesn't have any load data for 410 buckshot loads on their website. I bought a couple of digital manuals from Ballistic Products and have the Lyman 5th edition Shot shell reloading manual. And the data was a bit different between the Lyman manual and the two manuals from Ballistic Products.