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wahoo
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 12:52 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 22 Jan 2015
Posts: 345

Well, looks like if I am gonna shoot much 16 ga, I’ll have to add another reloader to my bench. I’m not averse to finding a good used one and even send it off to be rebuilt if I have the right machine. Seeking recommendations on what I should start shopping for. Primarily for 16ga but might move into 12 later as well.

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1929 Thomas Bland 16ga SxS 28"
1947 Browning A5 16ga 28"
1948 BRNO 16ga SxS 27.5"
1949 Stevens 530 16ga SxS 28"
1950 Stevens 311A 12ga SxS 30"
1952 BRNO 12ga SxS 28.25"
1963 Superposed O/U 12ga 27"
1968 V Bernardelli SxS 12ga 28"
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skeettx
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 12:56 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 15 Apr 2007
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Location: Amarillo, Texas

Which reloader are you currently using?

For LOTS of ammo

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013172512/mec-9000gn-progressive-shotshell-press-16-gauge-2-3-4

For less lots of ammo Smile

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/440418/mec-sizemaster-single-stage-shotshell-press-16-gauge-2-3-4


Last edited by skeettx on Wed Feb 06, 2019 3:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
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fn16ga
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:40 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 09 Jan 2013
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Location: Florida

I really like my MEC's I have progressive and single stage , if buying a single stage get a sizemaster because it has the collet resizer , I dont like the ring type.
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wahoo
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 2:45 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 22 Jan 2015
Posts: 345

Skeettx I’m currently only reloading center fire rifle ammo using a single stage RCBS loader. I also have a Hornady progressive loader for pistol ammo. No shotgun shell reloading anything yet.

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1929 Thomas Bland 16ga SxS 28"
1947 Browning A5 16ga 28"
1948 BRNO 16ga SxS 27.5"
1949 Stevens 530 16ga SxS 28"
1950 Stevens 311A 12ga SxS 30"
1952 BRNO 12ga SxS 28.25"
1963 Superposed O/U 12ga 27"
1968 V Bernardelli SxS 12ga 28"
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wahoo
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 2:55 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 22 Jan 2015
Posts: 345

What are your thoughts on the Ponsness Warren machine?

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1929 Thomas Bland 16ga SxS 28"
1947 Browning A5 16ga 28"
1948 BRNO 16ga SxS 27.5"
1949 Stevens 530 16ga SxS 28"
1950 Stevens 311A 12ga SxS 30"
1952 BRNO 12ga SxS 28.25"
1963 Superposed O/U 12ga 27"
1968 V Bernardelli SxS 12ga 28"
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skeettx
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 3:44 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9455
Location: Amarillo, Texas

Which one?

The 375 is good but SLOW

The 800 Plus is good but pricy

https://www.reloaders.com/collections/new-machines/products/800plus-w-metal-ez-seal-top-plate-16ga-28ga-410ga

The 800/LS is good but pricy but convertable to 3 inch + hull lenghts

https://www.reloaders.com/products/copy-of-800plus-ls-16-20-28-410ga


Last edited by skeettx on Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:05 am; edited 1 time in total
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BigCreekMI
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 3:51 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Posts: 582
Location: Great Lakes

I would look for a good low use MEC Grabber.

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WyoChukar
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 4:15 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2124
Location: Hudson,Wy

I own 650's and 600 jr's. I need to load some 10 ga. goose ammo today and really wish that I had a 10 ga. progressive press. It goes so slow after whipping out 16 ga. stuff on the 650. I may have to build 10 ga. dies for a 650...

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Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter...
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skeettx
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 4:39 pm  Reply with quote
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Be careful, the 650 was made for 2 3/4 inch ammo ONLY

To go to 2 7/8 or 3 1/2 might be beyond the capabilities of the 650


Last edited by skeettx on Thu Feb 07, 2019 7:35 pm; edited 1 time in total
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WyoChukar
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 6:43 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2124
Location: Hudson,Wy

The post positions are there. I set my 12 to load 3" when I need it. The 650 appears to share the exact same post and frame hole adjustment options as the single stage presses.

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putz463
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 3:27 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 06 Oct 2007
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Location: West MI

fn16ga wrote:
I really like my MEC's I have progressive and single stage , if buying a single stage get a sizemaster because it has the collet resizer , I dont like the ring type.


Ditto, if new to shotshell reloading I'd promote learning on a single stage. Reference, for target and hunting these days I load ~1k+ shells a year, 28,24,20,16 & 10ga, mostly 16 & 10. The Sizemasters keep up with that throughput very easily. A 600 would do as well but the collet resize in the SM is worth the uptick. I promote MEC in part due to the (employee owned) customer service is tough to beat.

Enjoy your new hobby and don't be shy, there is a wealth of generous reloading experience hanging around this forum.

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byrdog
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:28 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 22 Aug 2011
Posts: 1498
Location: the Moosehorn

I used Mecs for about 10 years. Then I got a PW for 10 ga goose and crane loads.Never looked back. Now I have 8 PW's some single stage some Progressive. Have used them for 30+ years and can make perfect like new ammo with perfect crimps in all gauges.

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16'er
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:09 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 08 Oct 2006
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Location: Tappahannock, Virginia

I keep dreaming of one of these, they are just so dang pretty!:

https://spolargold.com/spolar-gold-premier

Load mostly on my MEC Sizemaster, but I don't load enough to warrant a progressive. I have a PW 375, but have not messed with it too much yet... seems to be very nice so far.
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df
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:10 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 962
Location: Minnesota

I like my sizemasters, all four of them.
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sneem
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 2:37 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 477

I have MECs in all the gauges except 10. Unless loading a huge amount of ammo, I like the single stage. I know progressives are faster but I had one and I always seemed to mess something up. Unscrewing a progressive in the middle of reloading is a PITA. The singles aren't that much slower once you get rolling on a run. Get one with the collet resizer.

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