Which reloading press

[tcmech]

I am looking for a reloading press to use for my 16ga. I would like to find a press that is relatively idiot proof. I am new at reloading and would rather not spend a lot of money on this until I get more familiar with reloading and know for sure that I am going to keep at it. I would like to be able to come up with loads for everything from deer to dove so I know that I will be looking for a whole bunch of stuff, wads, shot cups primers, and hulls. If there are any good sources for all the components that anyone can recommend that would be appreciated also. Thanks Craig

[DaveK]

I am sure when it comes to presses, others will have an opinion as well. I have both Mec. Jr. and also Mec. Grabber presses. The Jr. is single stage,close to idiot proof and can be bought fairly cheap. If you want an idiot proof progressive, it is hard to fault the Grabber. Easy to get parts if you need them (doubtful other then the occasional wad guide) and the company has GREAT support. I buy my componets locally. The hazmat fees for powder and the bulk of the wads makes it almost a break even ordeal, so I support the local gun shops.

[Rifleman]

I agree with DaveK on the MEC machines,they make a great press. The 600jr is a fine starter press, but I would consider the sizemaster as well. It costs a little more but I think resizing is easier and a little more consistent with the sizemaster.

[bubba]

BUT, if you are gonna get a grabber, step right on thru the coach section (600 jr) and thru the business section (grabber) and get into first class (9000g) that has a gas assist and spins the turret for you - its also idiot proof, I use it ! Sorry Rifleman, beat you to that one liner !

-bubba

[Rifleman]

I guess that it would make a good press for you then Bubba Touche!

[MarkKw]

I'm gonna jump in here too with a little off-sides comment. First, I agree with the others that it's hard to beat a Mec press however, they are kinda salty in price and if you are not into serious volume and maybe un-sure if you will continue to reload, why not consider a Lee Load-All. These are cheap yet they work pretty good and lend themselves well to doing small lots of different loads. It's a very basic and simple machine yet will produce a good quality round just not at the speed you'll have with a Mec Jr.

Now, wads I'm going to differ with most on because I rarely, if ever, use plastic. I prefer card wads for most all my loadings because I like the way they work for me. Changing powder/shot charges is as easy as selecting a different wad combinations.

[Rifleman]

card wads ? yep you do things different all right, but hey that is ok too. I prefer quick and easy, but thats just me.

[tcmech]

Well I went with MarkKw's advice and bought the lee load all, I even did a little web surfing and found a source of primed 16 gauge hulls. I guess as soon as the reloader comes in I will start to get busy. Now to explain to the wife the extra 4 bills I spent on my new 45 / 22 combo that I just couldn't leave behind at the gun store while I was buying a 40 dollar reloading press. Craig

[Rifleman]

Let us know how the new press works out for you, and tell us about the 45/22 as well please,that sounds kinda interesting

[MarkKw]

Just leave my name out of it when the wife finds out!

Rifleman,

Just a little FYI, most loads will shoot better with cards. Plastic is OK to protect the barrel from steel or other harder than the barrel shot but it ends there. Light target loads I don't think you'll see any difference in but when it comes to serious loads, you can't beat the cards.

I'm not going to quote chapter and verse on loads because I can't recall off hand exactly what I was using but.... 1 1/4 ounce load of #5's in a 2 3/4" 20ga, powder is a slower burn, a thin nitro over powder and matching fiber. Pattern out of my SKB and the old Model 12, both with modified choke is eyeopening to say the least. Last I got any ringneck shooting with these was back in the mid 80's but I waited for dad and brother to waste 6 rounds between them at this rooster before I dumped him at a bare minimum of 45 yds and he had a tail wind too! Hit the dirt like a brick and when I plucked him, counted about 10 solid hits. Same exact load, tried at least 6 different plastic wads and not a one worth a cup of spit past 30 yds.

1.5 ounce load in the 12ga is the same way. No matter what I tried there was no getting a pattern with plastic wads and I'll bet I tried no less than 50 differnt combinations of powders and wads. Finally dusted off some old Alcan cards and loaded a few test rounds. I think this one used a slower powder too but what a difference in the patterns. Using the X-full steel shot tube in my moss-500, she'll put dang near every pellet into the bottom of a 55 gallon drum (24") at 30yds. This load with 7.5 shot and I can powder clay birds, and I mean complete dust (when I do my part) at 40 yds and dang near to powder at 50 when they're barely a foot off the dirt. Man does that get the "serious" trap shooters PO'ed....not hitting them that far but rather the long wait. "PULL"....................................................................................................................................................BOOM. Yep, full house serious hunting loads on the trap range, hey someone has to give these guys something to gripe about. ;D (only do this when there's no one shooting for score, just fun matches.

Really though, give the cards a try, you'll like 'em. I prefer Circle Fly myself www.circlefly.com Craig is a great guy and will definitely take time to answer questions and just shoot the breeze too. First class operation going on there.

BTW, if you want exact load data, let me know but give me a few days to dig it up.

[Rifleman]

I shoot factory on the range, I just sold all my loading stuff anyway. 2 years ago I shot over 20k rounds on the trap field. No way I was gonna load all those. With a good gun and a 3 dram 1 1/8 oz load, I have not found a 27 yd target I cannot break,even on the Annie Oakley 4 th gun shots.

[bubba]

Mark

It has been my experience that faster is usually not better in the pattern dept.

I did ALOT of testing with buffered loads back in the lead waterfowl days.

Copper plated HARD shot is the ticket, along with plastic buffering and a vibrator device to trickle that stuff in the case. We had 1.5oz #4's in a WW 2 3/4 hull with a win 209 and a WWaa12 red wad, WW 571 powder- 1100 fps, I killed alot of ducks with that load, even got a goose with the same load only in #2's @ more than 70 yards, 2 geese, 2 shots.

We had patterns @ 40yards, 100% in 30 in circle. Had about 70% @ 70+yards, but the pellets (#4) were running out of energy.

Try slower if you want the pattern bud, and use hard and/or plated shot.

just my 2 cents worth!

-bubba

[tcmech]

The 45 / 22 is an eaa witness large frame 45 auto, with a 22lr upper and mag. My wife has more or less taken the mk2 out of my hands when I go to the range so I was looking for another 22 handgun. The witness was $399 for the gun, the conversion kit, and 2 mags (1 45acp, and 1 22lr). I am ordering a couple more magazines for it and I will let you all know how it shoots when I get to the range with it.

[Rifleman]

HUH HEY BUD, I means bubba, i used to use the 571 1.5 oz load baby mag load meself, on squirrels ;D

[tcmech]

Gee rifleman, those must be some big squirrels, round here we just use a 22. Craig

[Rifleman]

Not so big, I just liked to blow them out the top,instead of just droppin them, what can I say, I was young

[bubba]

tcmech said:

Gee rifleman, those must be some big squirrels, round here we just use a 22. Craig

well, I heard if ya Kaint hit em with a rifle, one must use a shotgun

[Rifleman]

I can hitem,don't you worry about that

[tcmech]

I never said nuthin about a rifle, I use a ruger mk2.

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Dwight:

Why stand so close to the trap house for the annies? Back up and put some fun in it! ;D We used to shoot annies from a wobble Pat trap, the spring was wound so tight that after a month of shooting we had to change the arm (it was bent). Any more spring tension and the bird broke. The closest that we'd stand was at the 30 yard line, farthest was when we'd stand on the rifle range firing line - 60 yds. from the trap house. That made for a LONG 5th man shot! Give it a schoolbus and a volkswagen lead and wait a second or 2 for the bird to break. Ferget about 3 dram trap loads!!! Overshoots were common. Dang it, I wish they shot the games around here, I sure miss it.

Just for fun one night we stood on the pistol firing line, (Annie shoot) it was like standing on station 1 (27 yard line) of the 3rd trap field to the left of the trap house throwing the birds. A hard right bird was almost like a #7 high house skeet bird! That was a long shoot, it probably took an hour to shoot it with 40 guys.

I'll bring my Model 12 to the 3-05 shoot. I made it specifically to shoot the games.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[MarkKw]

I really think club ought to have more "fun shoots" where the rule book and the PITA's are sent home as not to remove the fun from the shoot. I just dumped a club membership at a place I've been going to since I was house broken thanks to the majority being "ethically challenged". Used to be at least two or three times a year you could find a club doing a "fun shoot" of some kind and now it seems as this has given way to the serious only for-score shooters.

[TKO]

tcmech said:

Gee rifleman, those must be some big squirrels, round here we just use a 22. Craig

Yeah, but Hoosier squirrels are tougher:

[MarkKw]

TKO, do you have a full size of that pic you can email me? I'd love to print one out for dad. [e-mail]

[walt cowan]

now thats a 10 gauge critter for sure!

[TKO]

Walt,

Got to use slugs on the big males.


MarkKw,

Check your email.

[Rifleman]

Yes and you should see our rabbits!

[bubba]

you should see michigan mosquitos -

they stand flat footed and can rape a turkey !

[Rifleman]

BUUUBBBAAAAAAAAAAA