MEC JR 600 help

[Birdmang]

I think I have a MEC Jr 600 Pre 82. It has a foil label on the base, but it is all scratched/faded out. On the mec website the 82-85 model is engraved, and the pre 82 has foil.

The dies I have are for 12 gauge, I want to load .410.

Will the .410 dies/charge bar for the mec 600 jr Mark 5 work on the pre 82 that I have?


Thanks

 

[HOWARD J]

Call MEC Tech Support

1-800-797-4632 8-4 CST

 

[gamestalker]

It can be converted, but to do so is nearly completely rebuilding the press. the depriming station, priming station, shot/powder/wad drop tube, crimp start and finish stations must all be converted. Also all of the shell plate must be replaced. It's very different than working with metallic reloading which only requires changing dies which takes only as long as it takes to thread a different die in.(single stage press). honestly speaking, you've got quite a task on your hands considering your not familar with a 600 Jr.. You'll have a good bit of adjusting to the frame as well.

 

[cfullgraf]

As gamestalker said, converting a MEC 600jr to another gauge is a big change. If you are planning a one time change, it might be worth doing. But, if you are considering being able to swap between .410 and 12 gauge, the change is too extensive to be convenient.

MEC 600jrs are low enough cost, I would either get a new .410 600jr, look for a used .410 600jr, or buy any used 600jr and do a one time conversion to .410.

I have 4 600jrs, one each set up for 12, 20 and 28 gauges and .410 bore. They stand by themselves so i store them on a shelf and get out only the one I am going to use. That is how I do a gauge change with the MEC 600jrs.

 

[Birdmang]

I gotcha, thanks for the info. I emailed mec and they said I would need to buy the old parts. Looks like I will be looking for a .410 reloader!

 

[cfullgraf]

An added note, I find loading the .410 is a little more time consuming as loading the larger gauges. It is probably due to the small hull. My rates are 80-90/hour with the .410 while 100+/hour with the larger gauges.

Also, of my four MEC 600jr presses, it is the only one that I regularly use a universal charge bar. I could never get my powder charge dialed in for the .410 with powder bushings so the adjustable charge bar filled the bill. I find the universal charge bar a bit more difficult to load with than the standard MEC charge bars.

Compared to 12 gauge, powder and shot supplies seem to last forever.

I load 2-1/2" .410 shells for skeet.

 

[243winxb]

New model 600jr Mk5 in the 410, there is a shell holder type item that pulls the new once fired case off of the primer seater/station No.2, this is very handy as once fired cases stick on the primer seater.

 

[snuffy]

I think I have a MEC Jr 600 Pre 82.

Me too. I thought I could just order the change out dies from midway to convert my 12 gauge to .410. The dies I got were for the newer mark 5, they won't fit on the older models. I already have a 12 gauge in the Hornady 366, so I could do without the 600 12 ga.

Since I live close enough to Mayville Wi., I'm gonna make the pilgrimage to have them set it up properly. Might just do that next week!