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Well, I ahven't bought one yet, but the Sizemaster is going to be my 16ga reloader. I have four 600Jrs and they are fine. I just want the collet resizer for the 16 to make the shells better able to be digested by my LC Smith.

My vote is for the Sizemaster.

some thoughts for comment:

tonight I went to a well know store in Maine - not that one, the lesser well known one, KTP...

Anyway, it's loaded with second hand guns and reloading equipment...I passed up on a Lee Laod-all in 16 for $25 (a brandy new 12 ga was $37)

There were a few adjuastable powder bars, a couple MEC 600/650 in 12 & 20, a 410 sizemaster, etc, etc.

On the way home I was thinking how I passed up on the Lee for $25 and wish I had the $$ to buy a 600/650/sizemaster and a set of 16 dies...

Then I though I shoulda got the Lee - I mean, would it be that bad to piss away $25 to find out I need something more and then give it away later?

There's a certain amount of $$ that I expect to burn in getting set up, part of the learning curve so to speak.

And I'm sure if I posted up a free press, somebody here would be nice enough to take off my hands...

Sprocket, here's a little tip. MEC often has reconditioned presses for sale direct. Their prices can be excellent. give them a call. They are on the web. If you can get a grabber, grab it. If not, a Mec Sizemaster.

I'd pass on any 16 ga press that does not have a collet type resizer, because steel rims don't resize easily or always well in a ring type resizer. The Lee unit is plastic and won't take the added strain of resizing steel rims for long. They were a good cheap unit in their day when most shotshell rims were made of brass. That time has passed. You did the right thing.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Sprocket,

When I first got into reloading, everyone told me to start with the MEC Sizemaster. A single stage unit. This is a great unit for a couple hundred shells a month. I sat down one night to load up about 750 shells to take to the Mich. U. P. shoot. You have to pull that stupid lever 6 times for every loaded shell. So, after countless hours and about 4500 pulls of the lever I was done. Never again! I went and bought the Grabber the following weekend. These units can be set to act like a single stage unit until you get the hang of loading. Then flip a little switch and it becomes a progressive press. I loaded shell for every pull of the lever. The only thing I load on a single stage press now, is 10 gauge.

thanks All for the continued input - seems like the MEC/Lee debate is almost as fun to watch as the Elsie/Sterly/Citori banter...

I'm heading up that way again soon - it's the Lee is there, I'll get it and if it's a failed experiment it will be my own fault for not listening - think of it as the inner teenager in me acting out - stamps foot spins, buys a Lee load-all press screaming "All I want is to be accepted!" - (WHAO, my inner teenager is a girl voice? WTF? pass the bourbon please).

I'll at least get the right book too, now that I know the title...

I'm a little sleep depraved right now.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

With a single stage, you have to pull the handle 6 times for each shell.
You manually move the shell from one station to the next, and pull the handle again. and again, and again. Wink

And again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again.... Laughing

So I get you have to move the shell manually to each position.

Can you have multiple shells on the press at one time - even if you place them by hand?

Nope. Doing so will screw up the different height adjustments. These presses are designed for one at a time and have enough leverage only for that operation.

If you are at all time challanged---and who isn't, get the Grabber. You will not regret it. you will load em quicker and easier, and will shoot more--always a good thing. Just shop for the best price.

Oooh - oh.

I get it. Volume is a factor...by six or so.

Thanks 16GG - and All

Maybe I should change the title to "FAQ's for the Uber Noob"

(Why do I think that reading the dang book would have prevented many of these Q's?)

Because you are a typical American male type person. Our creedo: "When all else fails, read the damned directions." Laughing