How's the MEC 600 Jr?

[1776J]

I got my great grandfather's MEC 600 Jr. from my Dad yesterday as he never did any reloading and I'm going to start soon.

I wanted to see how they are, who's actually had experience with them, and if anyone has anything (dies, etc.) they'd like to part with for that machine for reloading 30-06, Winchester 30-30, .38 Special, 9mm and .32acp.

thanks fellas!

 

[Iansstud]

is it for sale?

 

[lgbloader]

MEC 600 Jr's are for handloading shot shell only, not metallic cartridges.

I use it and love it.

LGB

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I still have the one my Dad bought me when i was about 12 or so i think. Plus a few more. Great loaders but not so good that they can load rifle cases.

 

[mgkdrgn]

If what you are looking to do is reload rifle cartridges, it will make a great doorstop.

If you are looking to reload shotgun shells, it should serve you well for the next 30+ years. That's how long I've been using mine.

 

[PikeStaff]

Actually, I'm pretty sure he's looking for parts for the MEC. Willing to trade brass reloading stuff for MEC parts.

1776J, LOTS of MEC parts available in a lot of places - not to worry. And the 600jr. just might be the very best place for you to begin reloading shotshells, as it is a single-stage press that requires you to perform each and every step separately.....meaning, you will come to understand just exactly what and how reloading is done. After some time you might enjoy this enough to start looking for a progressive reloader, too.

Enjoy. And do not worry about parts - they're readily available.

 

[1776J]

Fellas,....

Thank you very much for your input, knowledge and so forth.

I'm brand new to reloading and so I'm looking for a good reloader for both shotgun shells and rifle/pistol cartridges,.... so I'm new to this, bare with me! Now at least I know!!

Thanks guys!

....now on to finding a good reloader for everything OTHER than shotgun shells!!!...

 

[1776J]

My apologies if this was not posted in the right area. Never meant to upset anyone.

 

[PA Freedom]

Im also a big fan on the 600jr. I loaded thousands and thousands of shells on one when I shot on a local trap leauge. Never had a part break or anything malf. You can't go wrong. BTW- Lymans Shotshell Loading Handbook 4th edition has step by step instructions including pics for the 600jr. In any case, you need a manual to get started. Stay safe and don't be afraid to post questions.

 

[sm]

*smile*

We all start at the beginning.
I personally chose to reload shotgun shells, and I never got into metallic reloading per se'.
I am 54 years old, yanked down my first lever at age 3.
Yeah I yanked a few Rockchucker handles when I was young, but my deal has always been shotgun shells.

I did the shotgun shells, others did the metallic in my tight circle.

Re: Metallic
I know RCBS is green, Lyman is orange, Lee is red, and Dillion is blue.

Trust me, I ask some questions I feel dumb asking, still Art Eatman, Johnny Guest, or nobody else I have communicated with in private, has called me an idiot .


MEC is Mayville Engineering Company.

http://www.mayvl.com/

These are the nicest folks to do business with.
Here is the Reloaders :

http://www.mecreloaders.com/

Now I am old school, and will suggest you hold onto that Old MEC, if for nothing else sentimental reasons, as it was your grandfathers.
Online, MEC has diagrams and everything you need, plus speaking to someone is easy, and getting parts in - a snap.

If you are wanting metallic, then my suggestion is to start with a single stag. Personally, I want a Rockchucker.
Why? Because mentors used them, and I like the color green, and there is that sentimental bit.

I also want a Lyman tong tool.


Dead Serious.
Two of the most civil and polite sub-forums here at THR are Handloading & Reloading, and Blackpowder.
I know less about BP than I do Metallic reloading. I can shoot the darn things, and have taken game with BP shotguns...
I could get spoilt with a "gun bearer" . I like this shoot the darn thing and hand it back. *lol*

So I suggest you do some searches, and read some posts. You will figure out whom knows what about what you have a question about.

You can always PM a Moderator of a forum and they can assist, or suggest another member to assist as well.


Metallic folks, yeah well they drop just one bullet, or maybe tump a tray of 20.
Huh!

Spill a 25 pound of shot, or MEC shot tube, or even just one shotgun hull with 1oz of #8 shot.

Metallic folks got it easy...

*razz*

 

[Peter M. Eick]

It works well as a shot gun reloader but I have to say it is slow.

I have just crossed 2000 rounds loaded on the 600jr and can see a progressive in my future. Keeping 2 sporting clays guns fed takes a lot of time and effort with the 600 jr and right now time is more valueable then the money it would cost to replace the loader.

They are great for learning on, but not for speed.

 

[tjj]

Shot my Rem 1100 trying out my buddy's new automatic clay thrower today. First time shooting clay in years.


I have a 600Jr from the old days when clay targets were a dollar a case, powder was $2.50/lb, wads were $2.25/250 and shot was $8.00/25lb bag. Loaded enough 20ga to fill one of those cardboard 4lb powder kegs full with used primers. I think I still have some 209 primers from the late 60's. Haven't loaded any more shells in decades but I do remember that MECs reloads always fed well in any shotgun. It's well designed and well made equipment.

 

[sm]

My serious competition loads were always done on a MEC Single Stage.

Anyone remember the 700 Versamec?
How about the ones before the 700 Versamec?

Name a factory loading and I have had it cost me a bird/pigeon. Sometimes we were required to shoot factory ammo.
Sometimes this ammo is not stored proper and it will cost you if it does not go bang.

I have run Ponsess Warrens.
Just for me and mine, MEC was the way to go. I had 11 MECs up and running at one location alone.
I traveled, and so I had MECs and all the components in other locations.
One place I had 16 MECs.
Six hydraulic 9000, six regular 9000s and four 700 Versamecs

I dunno, someone counted up and said I had 51 MECs of one type or another scattered all over, where all I traveled...*shrug*

WE ordered components by the pallet and did marathon sessions reloading shells.

I did some research, testing and evaluations and other shotgun/shotgun shell stuff over my lifetime.

There was some years I only shot 28 gauge. I felled deer with slugs ( and other critters) felled ducks, geese, turkey, doves, quail, ...competed, taught shooting, from how to shoot skeet, 5 stand, sporting clays, and even defensive shotgun, using the 28 gauge.
Students used 28 ga guns as well, yes, even for Armored Car Guards with required PGO shotguns, undercover police that toted PGOs, Correction Dept folks and J.Q. Public wanting to learn some defensive shotgunning.

One year best remember...just to give an idea of what was "normal" for me and mine.
We had about 300,000 28 ga shells reloads. Plus the new in box factory .

It is said I personally ran through "over 60,000, if not pushing 70,000" 28 ga shells one year, all by my lonesome.


Single Stage is for making damn sure the shell goes bang.
I also used it to work up loads and to work up loads to match barrels/chokes for tasks.
Not to mention teaching folks how to reload shotgun shells.
Lots of kids, teenagers, ladies and single moms were the ones I did this with.

Used to, one could take gun stuff to school. So I have been asked to do demo's at schools, or be someone's guest for a show-n-tell.
Hunter Safety was another place I used MECs and most often single stage.


I can still see in my mind's eye, a high five that I missed, due to a bad factory shell. I was not the only one having fits and cussing that required ammo one day.

I can still see in my minds eye, a pigeon that did not fall within the circle, due to a bad factory loading.
That pigeon was worth $5,000, when all the side bets were tallied up.
This was when you could buy gas for 39 cents a gallon.

By golly the next time, with my reload done on a 700 Versamec , I felled that pigeon and hard, well within the circle. That bird was worth $7000 when all was added up.

Enough of shotguns, it was fun to share, as I will never share in our shotgun forum again.
The Day Kare Kiddies have taken it over.
They ain't worth the sweat off my ...earlobes.

Old code-
Always have a single stage reloader, no matter if doing shotgun shell, or metallic.

Mentors were correct in all this.

 

[Wildyams]

I personally have a 600 jr. It was the first reloader I got when I was about 19. A guy I work with picked me one up at a yard sale for me. I would highly recommend getting the Lyman Shotshell reloading guide (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=887011) It has all the info you need to start. Just start out slow and take your time. It's a lot of fun. As for Metallic reloading I have a rockchucker supreme press, however I don't have a bench to mount it to, just bought the lumber for one yesterday.

 

[mooseracing]

Anyone remember the 700 Versamec?

I'm using my grandfather's Pre-84 700 Versamec, I replaced a few small parts that froze up on it, it has been modfied to fit a primer feed tube, that I can't seem to find others that way.

It work's great, it wouldn't matter if I went to a progressive as I am loading buckshot, he used it for clay comp's though before me. Great little reloader for cheaper more enjoyable shooting.

My only problem is now I am looking at a reloader for my 45.

 

[joedapro]

keep the mec 600 jr. if you have a shotgun in the same gauge. you can really customize your rounds. i am down to shooting 5/8 oz in the 12 gauge. i probably loaded some 50,000 rounds on my mec 600 jr. before i switched to my pw shot shell reloader. i still use the mec for experimental loads.

for a beginner in metalic reloading get a turret. i run the rcbs turret. for all my prep. it is miles ahead of the rockchucker i got rid of. if you don't like the rcbs turret, do not let that stop you from getting a turret, there are many quality brands out there. the turret is a good starting press that you may not out grow depending on your needs. if you need more you are in the progressive realm.

 

[freakshow10mm]

Keep the 600JR. I have one to load 20ga on and love it. I shoot maybe 200 rounds or so for hunting each year. I load for about $3.50/25rds and it's better quality than the cheap import crap ammo at Walmart.

 

[1776J]

Awesome guys!! I really appreciate all the info and good words! Much appreciated!

I'm keeping the MEC,... I have three 12 ga. oldies from the 1920s - late 30s, (I'm into depression era firearms!) so I think it will serve me well.

I'm going to look into the rcbs turret....

You guys make me feel so good to be an American! Good info, sgharing knowledge, etc,... this is what it's all about!

Again, thanks a million fellas!

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I have a Mec600JR. that my father bought in 1969. They are like the energizer bunny, they keep going and going and going. I just ordered a couple new parts from Mec, good people.

I still have the original "O" charge bar for it....lol.

 

[moooose102]

the mec 600 jr is strictly for shotgun shell reloading. i had on years ago when i did more hunting. of feathered critters. it worked pretty good as i remember. you can make a bunch of shells in a fairly short time. i am not aware of any press that you can make shotgun and metalic shells on, but it would not suprise me if someone proves me wrong. in any case, it is a pretty straight forward macine that works well for its intended purpose. welcome to reloading!