RCBS Mini Grand 12ga Press Review

[trapper500]

ive had this Mini Grand press for 5 yrs now & ive loaded a ton of shells with it & its one of the best presses for the $84.00 + S&H that money can buy RCBS has made the Mini Grand so easy to use that my 3 yr old grandson can ues it {with me watching & helping } he loves to load shell with his pawpaw the press turns out factory grade shells crimps that are truly perfect .& i shot my loads in single shots ,pumps,& semi autos & not a single feeding problem with any of the guns used the shot & powder bushings arent very costly at all & The Mini loads the 3& 1/2 " magnums if needed .Over all i give the Mini Grand 5 stars check it out on Midsouth Shooters or Midway Usa the price has increased since i bought mine but still wirth it to me & if needed you can buy a taper crimp die that installs in station 7 it for making sure that the shells feed in pumps & auto loaders but ive never needed one yet because all of the shells ive loaded worked in in both actions

 

[Uniquedot]

I considered buying one back when they were in the under ninety dollar price range, but decided against it because it seemed flimsy compared to my mecs. I also use loadalls which truly are flimsy, but get the job done. I have often regretted not trying one especially due to the fact that they load the 3.5's without hassle, but i seldom load anything longer than 2.75 in 12 ga. anyway. I still may pick one up perhaps for specialty loads, but one other reason i like my mecs is because i use adjustable charge bars from multi scale and don't have to store separate bars/bushings.

 

[oneounceload]

I own the Grand - full size with both 12 and 20 tool heads - very robust, when it is running in tune, it is like a Swiss watch. Like ANY other progressive, they all need their tweaking now and again, but it turns out great hulls and any and all replacement parts are free forever

 

[snuffy]

Good review trapper. It's good to know there's an alternative to the time tested MEC 600 jr. If I didn't already have 2 600 jr's, Id get a mini grand. If they made one in .410, I'd order one today.

Nice to see that it uses the Hornady/pacific shot/powder bushings. I have a wide assortment of them for my H-366.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=443293

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=389536

Looks like it is still $21.00 cheaper than a MEC.

 

[trapper500]

Mini Grand 12ga Press

Ive loaded 1,000 & 1,000 of shells through mine & not a single snag yet , I don't expect no less form RCBS They are the stuff

 

[trapper500]

Mini Grand 12ga Press

Here is a picture of the Mini Grand