Author Topic: resizing shot shells  (Read 1090 times)

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Offline tractordan

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resizing shot shells
« on: February 05, 2008, 03:24:48 PM »
i am looking to start reloading shells for my 20 ga. and also my .410 i was thinking of getting the mec sizemaster and with dies for each, but today i found a mec 600 jr 20 ga. brand new in box for $100 and dies for that are about $30 cheaper than dies for the sizemaster.  so my question is how important is it to resize shotshells?
thanks for your imput
dan

Offline Questor

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2008, 02:21:00 AM »
It's vitally important. I made the mistake of not adjusting the sizing collet on my press and the bases were so tight that I couldn't close the action on one in ten shells. You can also do sizing as a separate step with one of the many dirt-cheap MEC resizers that are for sale on E-Bay.
Safety first

Offline Hairtrigger

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2008, 02:59:24 AM »
I did not re-size shells for 10+ years. I loaded on a MEC 650 and shot the shells in a Semi-auto and also use a pump part of the time.
Once or twice a year several of my friends get together for an informal trap shoot and I pick up and reload their empties as well with out problems.
The only time I had issues because the shells were not sized was when I shoot my grandpa's old single shot that does not eject the empty shell, it just lifts them up so you can grab then. 1/2 of the time the shell will stick in the chamber.
You may consider a MEC Super-Sizer and size in a separate machine (used + - $50)

Offline Graybeard

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2008, 03:48:42 AM »
Erase the thoughts of one press and multiple die sets from your mind. Yes that works with centerfire rounds but it's a poor plan for shotshells and is a horrible idea with MEC presses. Trust me you DO NOT wanna go there.


Bill aka the Graybeard
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

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Offline dakotashooter2

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2008, 06:38:49 AM »
Gotta agree with Graybeard. It can be hard  and time consuming enough to get a mec properly set for the load/ hull combo the way it is. After some firsthand experience most guys that load multiple loads will but additional presses to avoid changing the settup.
Just another worthless opinion!!

Offline BIG Dog454

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2008, 08:45:39 AM »
Does anyone make a resizing die that can be used in a rifle press, to resize shotshells?

Offline Hairtrigger

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2008, 09:15:09 AM »
Does anyone make a resizing die that can be used in a rifle press, to resize shotshells?

 I remember seeing something that would reload shotshells but fir into 7/8" threaded hole in a press for rifle reloading. At the time I thought WHY? You can find a good used MEC shotshell presses at reasonable prices without having to look too hard.

Offline Questor

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2008, 04:29:07 AM »
Dakotashooter:

Truer words were never written. I've got a MEC 9000 that's tempting me to perform the Triple D modification, also known as DDD and Dismantle, Destroy, Discard.
Safety first

Offline Catfish

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Re: resizing shot shells
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2008, 12:09:28 PM »
   You may or may not need to resize your shell cases, it depends on the size of your chamber. I like the Mec. Size Masters for cheap single stage presses. I also would recomand you get a seperate press for each ga. Now if you were going to be getting a progressive press it might make sence to get ga. changeing kits because we`re talking several dollars, but not so with the Mec single stages.