Looking to Move into a Progressive shotshell loader...

[DaleCooper51]

I've had my Mec Sizemaster about 5 years now. It's a mid 70's 12 ga model that I picked up for $30 used. The only piece I had to replace was the wad guide as the plastic fingers were missing when I bought it. It served me well, but since discovering skeet last year I've been shooting about a flat a week. While doable with the single stage press, I just don't have the time to load that many shells.

After speaking with some friends at the club, I was able to come up with two options right away.

The first is a Hornady and is $300. The gentleman selling it is a machinist. He said he would take it apart and give it a thorough cleaning, make sure everything is in working order, and help me set it up for my load.

The other press is a Ponsness Warren Progressive. I'm not sure which model number, but it is at least 30-35 yrs old. Due to a shoulder injury, he hasn't shot anything other than a .410 in a number of years and hasn't touched the press since. He was asking $275 for it and said he would go through it and make sure everything was in good shape.

I don't know much about either press, but don't have a problem buying a good quality older press as long as there are bushings available to change shot and powder drops and parts available should I need them.

I'm not committed to either press yet, but would like some opinions.

Other suggestions are also appreciated.

 

[TomADC]

Never used or been around a Hornady but the Ponsness Warren is just plain quality, should last forever.
I have two MEC 9000G's a 12 & 20 they have loaded 1,000's of rounds with zero problems.

 

[batex]

I'm in the same boat and just went through the same decision making process. I've been loading on a MEC Sizemaster, but now that my son is involved in our clubs youth trap program, I can barely keep up loading on the single stage sizemaster. I finally decided to buy a MEC 9000GN progressive. I've heard no complaints about the MEC, they sell tons of them, and there customers seem happy. They also have outstanding support when it's needed. A Ponsness Warren is a very impressive piece of equipment, but I couldn't justify a new one and have not found any deals like what you describe. My concern about a used one was that parts for some older models seem to be lacking and I wasn't impressed by what I heard about support from the company. The Hornaday may be a good machine also, but they don't seem to be nearly as popular as MEC or even PW. Just my .02.

 

[DaleCooper51]

Thanks for the replies guys.

When I first started looking, I figured I would try and find a used MEC progressive press. I guessed that I would most likely find a used grabber or with some luck a 9000 at a good price. It's just that these two presented themselves. I was really impressed with the customer service at MEC the one time I called them.

My only experience with Hornady is a stretch at best. I have an old Pacific press for metallic reloading, but it was made a couple decades before Hornady bought the company. It's never given a lick of trouble.

Batex, I will have to do some reading on Ponsness Warren. I definitely could not spring for a new one, but if this one is in good shape, it could be a deal. I will have to see what model it is and if parts are available. I really don't want to be stuck with a boat anchor a year down the road because I can't get a part. The lack of support scares me a bit, but I can't much blame them for not making parts for a 30 year old machine.

 

[Hawk]

I haven't heard anything evil about any progressive reloader - all the players seem to go out of their way to keep their customers happy.

But, I should admit I'm extremely happy with the Dillon SL-900.

Pros are that it's virtually impossible to dump powder or shot accidentally and the shot hopper is a breath of fresh air - it resembles a kitchen bucket and it's comforting to know that I'll never again have to pour shot through a hole the size of a quarter.

Cons include size (it's bigger and heavier than I would have guessed from the pictures) and the fact that it doesn't make a lick of sense without the case feeder.

 

[fase3]

Have 8 presses. 2 old MEC single stage,2 of the 650's (small volume loading) and 4 of the Hornady 366's. I have had them 25 yrs and loaded countless rounds through them. When it is time to get serious about reloading that's where I turn. All machines are different and have likes & dislikes. I guess that's why they make more than one brand. Good luck in your progressive reloading.

 

[ArmedBear]

The old Ponsness machines are EXCELLENT. I'd grab it. Those are the ones to have if you have a line on one in good condition.

I had two Mec 650s and I sold both of them in frustration. They're a great way to get shot all over the floor, crush hulls, and get inconsistent loads. Never again. Actually I traded them for a nice takedown buffalo gong target, and I think I got the better end of that deal by a long shot.

I LOVE my Mec Sizemaster, though. And I'd get a 9000 series loader without hesitation. I would avoid any of the cheaper Mec progressives like I avoid putting my face into a bucket of vomit.

 

[Steve C]

Get the Ponsness Warren, its a great machine that runs around $750 new. I doubt if you will ever regret it.

 

[algrayjr]

Grab PW Loader

Grab the PW Loader, You can trade it for two of most others and still come out ahead. I load the 800 in 12 ga and its a jewel. Order a manual from PW for $10 bucks and study. Most parts are still in stock. The 800B's are getting old and the parts may go away soon but you can load up and have a life time of loading.

 

[atblis]

Dillon SL900 with a case feeder. Had one. Loved that thing. Could crank out 1000 in an evening. I thought the case feeder would be troublesome, but it in fact worked nearly flawlessly. If you get one, get the low powder alarm. That thing saved my but so many times.

 

[algrayjr]

PW Website

Iforgot to include the website.

http://www.reloaders.com/

Goodluck and happy reloading

 

[DaleCooper51]

Thanks for the input guys. I hadn't even thought about dillon. Will have to check them out also and see what is available used.

I get to look at the reloader this weekend and I'll let you know what I do. What if it is an older moldel with out parts available but is in good condition? Would you still buy the PW at that price?

 

[Clarence]

I've loaded 50k or more rounds on my Mec 9000 with no complaints, and would highly recommend that model.

 

[DaleCooper51]

Ended up buying a Hornady 366 for $200. Will pick it up Saturday.

I love the sizemaster, but I can't wait for the new press.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Dale,

I have two MEC Sizemasters (12 & 16), a MEC Junior in 20, and three 366s (2Hornady in 12 and 16 and one Pacific in 20). All of the presses are very old, all of them work quite well, and I use them all at different times. When running big batches of a load, I use the progressive units. There are other times, however, when I am testing a few rounds or whatever, and I find it much easier to make them up on the single stage presses. My recommendation is that you keep your Sizemaster to use in addition to your new 366.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[DaleCooper51]

The sizemaster was my first press and isn't going anywhere. It makes some nice shells and the collet sizer is great. It's got at least another 30 years of loading in it.

I picked up the 366 this morning and I have to say I am impressed with it. It's nicely made machine. D ownloaded and printed the manual. After reading through it there really wasn't much tweaking to get it dialed in. Aside from additional bushings, the only upgrade for now is the spring loaded primer seater. It looks like a must have to me.

Loaded my first box of shells this evening and only spilled powder on myself once.

Can't wait to get out and see how the shells do.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Dale,

Like I said earlier, I have had my three 366s for nearly thirty years. I also had a Pacific DL 300 or 350 before my first 366. The DLs were not auto indexing, but were essentially the first generation of the Pacific autoloaders. The 366s were the next generation, and included new features such as: auto indexing, and the capability to cut off dispensing of powder & shot. Other than those two features, I don't think there was a whole lot of other difference to the 366s.

From the time the 366s came out about thirty years ago, I think the first improvements made to them were the spring loaded primer seater and the primer shut off feature. Both of these features came in the last ten years under Hornady's tenure. That really isn't a whole lot of engineering improvement over all that time, but I added both features to my 366s (at my expense), and I find them to be very useful in practice.

My biggest criticism of the 366 is that shells cannot be removed from the shellplate once they have started through the stations. If you have a problem with a shell, you have to stop loading, shut off shot, shell, and primers, and then back each shell out by turning the shellplate in reverse. I would think they could have come up with an improvement to the shell plate in all that time.

Now, having said what I don't like about the 366, I will go on to say that I still love my machines. They are exceptionally strong and will last over many lifetimes of reloader generations. I have yet to wear out any parts on any of them. Then again, that is also true of my MEC single stage reloaders.

You mentioned upgrading to the spring loaded primer seater and I wholeheartedly agree with that upgrade as well as the primer shut off feature. With the spring loaded primer seater, it seems I can reload almost any case without adjusting for the primer, and that is a great convenience.

I have made a lot of powder and shot spills over the years, and it is always a pain to back everything out, clean up, and get started again. In every instance I think, it could have been avoided by going a bit slower and taking the time to make sure each station is working properly. I can reload and carry on a conversation with someone when loading on the single stage presses. When it comes to my progressive presses in both shotshell and metallic, however, I find I must give the operation my full attention. I simply cannot reload and talk to someone at the same time.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile