Maybe the coolest thread ever ?
- Thread starter blarby
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WestKentucky
Member
And for those who don't catch Mrs Blarbys screen name, it's a little honda bike, precursor to the honda rebel. Stay windy.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Yes, MEC is probably the best shotgun reloading equipment on the market. It's high quality and if he wants to reload for the 410 then that's a very good B'day present.
The 600 Jr. Mark V is a very good press and the 650N is a progressive press that will load a lot of shells very fast. Since the 410 isn't usually a high volume shooting gauge you probably won't need to buy the progressive press. I'm sure the 600 Mark V will be perfect. You can use the extra money to buy a few accessories like the "Ez Pack' (shotshell holder) and a press cover.
Good luck finding something you feel good about giving as a gift. A MEC press would be one good choice IMO.
MILLERTIME
Member
I think your on target with the mec600jr. I have one in 12ga and as long as your only loading 100-200 a week it will be perfect. I load about 100/hr without an auto primer. Look into the adjustable charge bar and powder baffle (comes as a set) can be found anywhere MEC are sold. Don't forget the primers, wads (shell type/brand specific), and shot. If he shoots A LOT MEC also has progressive presses but I like my 600.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Never mind, I made a mistake reading the post so my answer was wrong!
tightgroup tiger
Member
cm250c, this may be academic but he does have a set of reloading die for .357mag doesn't he.
Hard to believe he wouldn't but just asking.
Hard to believe he wouldn't but just asking.
tightgroup tiger
Member
I just found a post of his where he need bullet molds for .357mag and bullet sizing dies.
Quote from Blarby:
Finally on the .357 bandwagon- and its a shooter !
Colt trooper in .357.
Only one bullet mould, a .358 158gr GC SWC, do I possess !
Wife also got a nice all wood furniture mini 14, AND a browning lever ation in 7-08.
Its starting to get out of control over here.... it really is.
Upside- she finally wants to take reloading "seriously", which means actually doing it, not just watching !
*stoked*
Quote from Blarby:
Finally on the .357 bandwagon- and its a shooter !
Colt trooper in .357.
Only one bullet mould, a .358 158gr GC SWC, do I possess !
Wife also got a nice all wood furniture mini 14, AND a browning lever ation in 7-08.
Its starting to get out of control over here.... it really is.
Upside- she finally wants to take reloading "seriously", which means actually doing it, not just watching !
*stoked*
You can't go wrong with a Mec loader. The 600jr is a nice single stage press that would work great if he is not looking to load a ton of shells. The Grabber is a nice progressive press but runs $510 at midway. If used is ok, would be with me, there is a nice unit on ebay for $285 with 3 days left. Maybe a great gift would be a 410 loader, some hulls and wads to get him started.
If interested let me know and I will check around for some decent priced once fired 410 hulls for ya.
If interested let me know and I will check around for some decent priced once fired 410 hulls for ya.
LiveLife
Member
Mrs. blarby, I feel for you. After 19 years of marriage, my wife has difficult time buying presents for me and now simply ask point blank, "What do you WANT?" so long as I act surprised when I receive the presents. My wife is often perplexed that some of things I WANT are simple items that I NEED and use often (like #2 Phillips bits, LED light bulbs for the bench lights, etc.).
Since you have some time, how about asking him his top 5-10 WANTS and "surprising" him with the present(s) big and small?
Since there are many options, you probably need to finalize the purchase with him. These are some of the options.
- Hi-Tek coating - http://www.bayoubullets.net/Coating.html
- Powder coating - http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=powder+coating
- Powder coating will require a powder coating gun available from Sears or Harbor Freight - http://www.sears.com/search=powder coat gun
Since both methods require a toaster oven (375-400F), it could give you an excuse to give him the old toaster oven and buy yourself a nice new one.
Of course, you could find a used one at yard sales.
Good luck!
Since you have some time, how about asking him his top 5-10 WANTS and "surprising" him with the present(s) big and small?
One possible option is a setup to coat lead bullets. He has posted that he's been thinking about getting into coating lead bullets and I myself have been referencing the "mega" subsection at Castboolits - http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?184-Coatings-and-Alternativesblarby said:
Since there are many options, you probably need to finalize the purchase with him. These are some of the options.
- Hi-Tek coating - http://www.bayoubullets.net/Coating.html
- Powder coating - http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=powder+coating
- Powder coating will require a powder coating gun available from Sears or Harbor Freight - http://www.sears.com/search=powder coat gun
Since both methods require a toaster oven (375-400F), it could give you an excuse to give him the old toaster oven and buy yourself a nice new one.
Of course, you could find a used one at yard sales.Good luck!
LiveLife
Member
Oooops. Darn, scratch the 5-10 want list idea ...blarby said:
He may still be interested in bullet coating.
UziLand
Member
Mrs B. Here is a link to a spot where you can get a MEC 410 650 press for $329.00 I have the 12ga and 20 ga and love them.
http://www.greentophuntfish.com/shooting/reloading/reloaders/where/gauge/410-ga..html
I have never had to resize a shotshell, But this press will do it. But there are inexpensive gauges to check them with.
http://www.greentophuntfish.com/shooting/reloading/reloaders/where/gauge/410-ga..html
I have never had to resize a shotshell, But this press will do it. But there are inexpensive gauges to check them with.
Vol46
Member
Mrs. B - I have a Sizemaster in 12 GA. & love it. The sizing operation is a bit more elegant than a 600 Jr. - Sizemaster uses a collet type sizer that squeezes the brass back to factory specs. , the 600 has a ring sizer that slides down over the brass. Otherwise, the other stations are pretty much the same on both models.
It is possible to get the parts to change from one gauge to another, but from what I understand, it is a lot of trouble ( I never tried). Most folks just keep different loaders set up for each gauge. The lack of an auto primer feed would not be a deal killer for me - I used a 600 & a Sizemaster for several years before getting the Autoprime for 12 & 20 and placing the primers into the reprime station by hand is not that big of a deal once you get a rhythm going.
It is possible to get the parts to change from one gauge to another, but from what I understand, it is a lot of trouble ( I never tried). Most folks just keep different loaders set up for each gauge. The lack of an auto primer feed would not be a deal killer for me - I used a 600 & a Sizemaster for several years before getting the Autoprime for 12 & 20 and placing the primers into the reprime station by hand is not that big of a deal once you get a rhythm going.
The MEC600 Jr is what I've used for .410, 28ga, 20ga, and 12ga but each was set up with dedicated dies b/c changing dies is time consuming and to be avoided. But if you get one for .410, he can compare with the Lee and then decided whether get a a second MEC for 12ga... for his next birthday?
Manual primer feed is really no problem, but the high dollar progressive machines are nice if you're shooting alot.
gamestalker
member
I'm thinking some 296, some longshot, xtp's/gold dot's, CCI-550's or like, some Starline brass, 357 die set, shell holder, and that's about all I can think of at the moment.
I know you do some shot shell stuff too, but that's a hard call without knowing any specifics of the recipe's involved.
I don't know, I kind of think it appropriate to focus of the new addition to the bench, that being the new .357. But for all I know, your already set up for that cartridge?
BTW, my wife made me write a list of the components I use, my birthday was on 4/23. Got some powder and bullets.
GS
I know you do some shot shell stuff too, but that's a hard call without knowing any specifics of the recipe's involved.
I don't know, I kind of think it appropriate to focus of the new addition to the bench, that being the new .357. But for all I know, your already set up for that cartridge?
BTW, my wife made me write a list of the components I use, my birthday was on 4/23. Got some powder and bullets.
GS
Field Tester
Member
Mrs B,
I'm in agreement with you, do not get him powder, primers or shells. These things are consumable. Get him something that he will use more than once, that will make him think of you each time he uses it. I had a loved one buy me a shotgun and I think of her every time I'm out busting clays. The happiness that shotgun brings me is equated to her every time after a range session.
Good luck!
I'm in agreement with you, do not get him powder, primers or shells. These things are consumable. Get him something that he will use more than once, that will make him think of you each time he uses it. I had a loved one buy me a shotgun and I think of her every time I'm out busting clays. The happiness that shotgun brings me is equated to her every time after a range session.
Good luck!
jwrowland77
Member
You're not going to go wrong getting a MEC press for reloading .410. That would be a pretty awesome b'day gift.
Does he shoot a lot of rifle? If so, another really nice gift would be a Kestrel to get weather conditions while shooting. It's really nice. All models. You can get a lower end (which is still really nice) for your price range.
Does he shoot a lot of rifle? If so, another really nice gift would be a Kestrel to get weather conditions while shooting. It's really nice. All models. You can get a lower end (which is still really nice) for your price range.
au_prospector
Member
Do this!!!! I have a MEC 600 Jr Mark 5 in .410 and love it!
Another option for shotgun press is a Ponsness Warren 375C. This is a single stage press and will cost about as much as the progressive from MEC. The advantages are you can reload whatever gauge you want as long as you buy the tooling, can reload both lead and steel, can be used for different length rounds all the way up to 3.5 inch (with extension), fully resizes the hull and supports it through the entire reloading process. Downsides are cost, it does not have a primer tray so you have to manually place a primer in the machine, and it generally is a little slower than a MEC. What you get is an incredibly versatile machine with quick (1 min) gauge changes, about the best taper crimp out there which is especially nice for pump and semi-autos. New they are around $400 for one caliber. An extra one will run 80 - 100. Used with multiple caliber sets, you should be able to pick one up for between $200 and $300 on eBay or other local source. If you do go this route, just make sure it is the C model and not one of the earlier ones without the taper crimp dies.
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