rbernie
Contributing Member
For someone just starting out to reload light practice 12ga shotshells, which would you choose and why?
Used MEC Jr 600 or new Lee Load-All 2?
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NCsmitty
Member
The Lee works good and is the lowest priced and might be the answer for you if you're not sure if you will be dedicated to reloading for the long haul. There is no doubt that the Mec is superior in performance and is a bargain in the smaller gauges that Lee does not make. I have both, only because I bought a used Lee in 20 ga. for $18 on evilbay. It works good and makes quality loads, although a lot slower than my Mec.
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
snuffy
Member
It depends on if you plan on shooting the loads in a finicky auto shotgun. The lee loaded shells will have a poorly shaped crimp that MAY NOT function through some autos. There's add-on parts available for mec's, but not for the lee. Such as adjustable charge bars, primer feeds, and pro-checks.
My crimps are good on the Lee, although it takes more care than the MEC.
My Lee shotshells cycle in the Rem 1100, but I had to be really careful with the loads and resizing the base like Snuffy mentions.
I can adjust the Lee bushings to get the charge I want, but it sure takes a lot more fiddling than the MEC.
Once you fill powder and shot in the Lee, it's extremely difficult to change bushings, or change powder, or change shot size, or do anything else until the powder and/or shot are used up.
I can load just about anything I want on the Lee, although surely the MEC is better. No doubt about it.
But the MEC costs a LOT more. So if you're a beginner, you may want to check your wallet. If you've got an extra hundred dollar bill, buy the MEC. If you don't, buy the Lee and patiently learn how to load shotshells. The Lee does work good enough, and if you decide shotshell reloading is not for you, you haven't lost a lot of money.
Currently I load 25 field shells for a dollar or two less than a box of dove/quail loads. So you may decide shotshell loading is not valuable unless you want to load extra special shotshells that normally cost a lot more at the store. Like trap loads that pattern just about perfectly for your particular shotgun. Or 28 gauge. Or soft and light 16 gauge for the kids to shoot. Or 20 gauge 3" magnum duck loads. Now that's worth the money, because any of those would cost twice as much.
My Lee shotshells cycle in the Rem 1100, but I had to be really careful with the loads and resizing the base like Snuffy mentions.
I can adjust the Lee bushings to get the charge I want, but it sure takes a lot more fiddling than the MEC.
Once you fill powder and shot in the Lee, it's extremely difficult to change bushings, or change powder, or change shot size, or do anything else until the powder and/or shot are used up.
I can load just about anything I want on the Lee, although surely the MEC is better. No doubt about it.
But the MEC costs a LOT more. So if you're a beginner, you may want to check your wallet. If you've got an extra hundred dollar bill, buy the MEC. If you don't, buy the Lee and patiently learn how to load shotshells. The Lee does work good enough, and if you decide shotshell reloading is not for you, you haven't lost a lot of money.
Currently I load 25 field shells for a dollar or two less than a box of dove/quail loads. So you may decide shotshell loading is not valuable unless you want to load extra special shotshells that normally cost a lot more at the store. Like trap loads that pattern just about perfectly for your particular shotgun. Or 28 gauge. Or soft and light 16 gauge for the kids to shoot. Or 20 gauge 3" magnum duck loads. Now that's worth the money, because any of those would cost twice as much.
I have the Lee Load All II for 12 and 20 and like them both. I can crank out some very nice loads with great crimps if I take my time and pay attention. If you are starting out and want to learn to reload some great shells the Lee is hard to beat. I do have a MEC on order for my 2 1/2' 410 and am looking forward to reloading with it.
Lee is like that little 72 Nova I had in the 70's. Not real fancy but that little Chevy could do.
Lee is like that little 72 Nova I had in the 70's. Not real fancy but that little Chevy could do.
jfrey
Member
I have nothing against the Lee loader, BUT get the MEC. I have had a 700 Versamatic for 25 years or so and it just keeps churning out the shells. I don't know how many tens of thousands of shells I have loaded. The powder bushings and bars are all interchangeable and it is simple to operate and reliable. It is definately a good investment.
CHEVELLE427
Member
i have not reloaded for shotgun yet but did buy a lee load all as a first press,
after i got it i didn't like how it seem to work, like getting the shot and powder bushings set if you use the wrong ones and need to change them out looked to me i would have to dump all the powder and shot out just to do this, and it could make a big mess,
just looked like a pain to me so i sold it.
and now IM looking into a mec jr instead, used there in the $65 range. and looks a lot stronger, too me. just my .02
after i got it i didn't like how it seem to work, like getting the shot and powder bushings set if you use the wrong ones and need to change them out looked to me i would have to dump all the powder and shot out just to do this, and it could make a big mess,
just looked like a pain to me so i sold it.
and now IM looking into a mec jr instead, used there in the $65 range. and looks a lot stronger, too me. just my .02
OP
OP
rbernie
Contributing Member
If I wanted to load 410 and 12ga, is there any press that can switch between the two, or am I always going to have to buy multiple presses?
243winxb
Member
mec 600jr , I seem to remember something about a sizing ring on the Lee that was a problem.
You can buy die sets for the Mec 600jr to change the 12 ga to 410, BUT is a lot of work to do it, and all the dies have to be readjusted. Switching back and forth NOT a good idea.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
Generally speaking, for any brand of inexpensive (relatively speaking, here) shotshell press you can buy, you're about as well off to buy another press as you are to buy the setup. Which is what I would do if buying multiple calibers. It becomes a more reasonable thing to do when you go to the progressive shotshell reloaders.
My vote is the used Mec, especially if you can get a good deal on it.
Regards,
Dave
My vote is the used Mec, especially if you can get a good deal on it.
Regards,
Dave
243winxb
Member
3 different models of Mec 600Jr
http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/Product.asp If you check the website, the current model 600Jr mark 5 is the one that you could get die sets for. I have the 600Jr Mark 5 that i changed dies on, 12ga to 410. I ended up buying a used410, new 28ga. and a new20ga, to go with my 12ga. to shoot skeet. The older models should have a sticker or marking with a serial number on it , that would help you know the model year . The old ones have metal dies, Mark5's have nylon/plastic type. As for speed of loading, 4 boxes, 100 shells is my speed per hour.
http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/Product.asp If you check the website, the current model 600Jr mark 5 is the one that you could get die sets for. I have the 600Jr Mark 5 that i changed dies on, 12ga to 410. I ended up buying a used410, new 28ga. and a new20ga, to go with my 12ga. to shoot skeet. The older models should have a sticker or marking with a serial number on it , that would help you know the model year . The old ones have metal dies, Mark5's have nylon/plastic type. As for speed of loading, 4 boxes, 100 shells is my speed per hour.
elkhuntingfool
member
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Go with the MEC - I have 2 - 20 and 12ga. The Lee looks like cheap plastic and for the amount of reloading that most of us do - I just wouldn't trust the longevity. Deals can be found. A new Lee Loader was about $50. I found each of my reloaders for about $30 each.
OP
OP
rbernie
Contributing Member
Any issues resizing high-brass or brass-plated steel (promo) heads with the MEC or the Lee?
243winxb
Member
No problems with the Mec when reloading any 2 3/4" or 3" shells.You may want to read about the MEC Sizemaster, it has a different way to size the brass.
I have not used it.http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/SizeMaster.asp
jjbduke2004
Member
Get the MEC
I own a pre-82 600 jr that I picked up from a co-worker last year. It works fine and parts and upgrades (new style crimp, primer feed, etc.) are commonly available.
I got a look at a Load all 2 at the Hamburg Cabelas. It felt flimsy. I'd get the MEC.
I own a pre-82 600 jr that I picked up from a co-worker last year. It works fine and parts and upgrades (new style crimp, primer feed, etc.) are commonly available.
I got a look at a Load all 2 at the Hamburg Cabelas. It felt flimsy. I'd get the MEC.
JPolito830
Member
I agree with most of the posts here, I would no doubt go with the MEC. Never had a problem with mine...Ever.
Poper
Member
I, too, have a Versamec 700 that I got new in 1978 and it is still going strong. Originally set up for 10 ga. 3-1/2" Magnum, I have dies for 12 ga., 16 ga., and 20 ga. A few years ago I finally got around to buying the adjustable charging bar. As far as I am concerned, it is the cat's meow! I wonder why I didn't do it 10 years ago? :banghead: It also helps with gauge change-overs because you don't have to change charge bars and bushings.
If you will be loading high volumes of different gauges, you probably should consider multiple units. Used loaders are readily available at most gun shows at a reasonable price. If you will primarily be loading for one gauge and occasionally a different one, then a single unit with optional dies is probably sufficient.
I hope this is helpful.
JM2C
Poper
If you will be loading high volumes of different gauges, you probably should consider multiple units. Used loaders are readily available at most gun shows at a reasonable price. If you will primarily be loading for one gauge and occasionally a different one, then a single unit with optional dies is probably sufficient.
I hope this is helpful.
JM2C
Poper
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