Favored progressive shotshell press ?

[Hammer1]

What is the favored progressive shotshell press these days ?

In years past, the MEC was well liked.

Will not be changing gauges on a single press but will be buying a press for each gauge.

.

[Hairtrigger]

I have owned plenty of shotshell presses. I currently own a P/W LS1000 and love it. MEC is a good press for the money.
I owned a Dillon for a very short time.. overly complicated. I have used a RCBS Grand... would not spend the more money than a MEC.
If money was easy for me I would own a Spolar.

[Questor]

I do not like my MEC 9000 at all. It does work, but it is a hassle and I have to be very careful when using it. For example, I have to pull each shell out of the machine to visually examine it to verify that powder was dropped into the shell. I have found a method that is reliable and usable for its operation, but I would not buy another one. I certainly cannot recommend it to you. If I were to buy another MEC I would get the Sizemaster instead, which is a good and reliable press, and is simpler than their progressive. The Sizemaster loads one shell at a time, but is very easy to operate and output is good. I have one for 20 gauge and I like it a lot, but do not load much 20 gauge. I do load 12 gauge regularly, and for that I use the 9000. If you don't mind a fuss-prone machine, the 9000 might be an option for you.

My buddy the shotgunning enthusiast has an RCBS Grand and he is quite unhappy with it. He has sent it back to the factory twice and has had numerous incidents where he has needed tech support. He has several kinds of press and when I told him I should have gotten an RCBS instead of a MEC he immediately corrected me and said that the RCBS had been even more trouble than the MEC 9000, which he doesn't like either.

The important thing to me about presses is to get one that matches the output you need. Don't get a progressive unless you plan to load quite a bit of ammo.

The Ponsness-Warren machines seem to have the most loyal following.

Try posting at
http://www.trapshooters.com/
There are some very knowledgeable users of progressive presses there.

[rbwillnj]

The Mec 9000 takes a couple of minor adjustments to get it to work reliably, but for the money its the best thing out there.  I can easily do about 400 rounds/hour.

Before buying the Mec, I borrowed a friends Ponsness Warren, an 800B.  I newer ones are better because you can remove a shell at any station if there is a problem, but what a PIA the 800B was.  Every time there was a problem, you had to clear the whole machine...... I'm sure there is a learning curve with any press, but my vote is for the Mec 9000.

[jbmi]

I have two MEC 9000's, A G & H along with a Grabber. Last year I loaded over 10,000 rounds, this year only 9600. I use the 9000H for my 1oz. loads, 9000G for 1 1/8 oz and the Grabber for my 7/8oz. I have had no problems with any of them. There are a few secrets you need to know about a MEC, but once they're tuned they'll produce all the reloads you want and not with just one hull. I've reloaded STS, AA, Top Gun, Gun Club and Fiocchi's on mine with no adjustments needed. There are more expensive reloaders, but for the money you really can't beat a MEC

[Questor]

What's the secret to keeping the powder bar on the MEC 9000 from jamming every 25 to 100 rounds? I find it to be reliable. Mine does have all the bushings and grommets installed correctly. Powder is Clays.

[jbmi]

Questor, here's the best kept secret concerning MEC loaders. I don't know why MEC doesn't include one with each loader.
1: Throw a way all the brass gromments and rubber washers from the powder and shot side then replace them with one of these red plastic baffles for about $5.
2: Do not screw in your shot or powder bottles to tight, stop when you feel just a slight resistance. If they are to tight they bind the powder/shot bar.
3: Take fine 0000 steel wool and clean your powder bar now and then. They do get gummed up and need cleaning. I use the steel wool and a little rubbing alcohol.
This should end a lot of your problems.

http://www.gamaliel.com/cart/product.php?productid=3605&cat=1626&page=1

[Questor]

jbmi:

Thanks! This is utterly fantastic. I will try this. The MEC is a good loader, except that reliability of powder drop has driven me nuts. I called MEC about this and they never even hinted at what you just told me. Where would you like me to send my first born? He's yours if you want him.

If this solves my problem with the powder delivery, then I'll have to take back all of the bad things I've ever said about the 9000GN.

[rbwillnj]

I have never had a problem with the powder bar jamming, but I use the baffles as well.  Never really thought about it. 
I also use the adjustable powder/shot bar rather than the Mec OEM powder bar.  The adjustable powder bar comes with its own washers to seal the bottles, maybe that's a help.  I also use the Mec bottle support...don't know if that has anything to do with the powder bar not jamming, but it does take a lot of stress off the powder and shot bottles.

As I said, I never had a problem, so I can't say I did one thing that fixed it.  I just configured my Mec as above right from the start.  The only problem that I have had, is primers not dropping into that little hole in the shell plate when your not looking.   I found that with a little bending of the primer tube to get things lined up, I have far less of a problem.

[alleyyooper]

I have 2 9000g mec's. One a 12 ga. i've loaded thousands of round with it. Only had one problem and that was my fault a cleaning and lub issue. I never had the bar bind problem because I saw right from the get go that to tight of a bottle would cause binding.
My other 9000g is a 20 ga. It has one of those aftermarket charge bars because I load heavey and light loads with it. Never even one problem with it either.
I think they are a great press for less than $300.00 and will serve some one for many years.
Keep them clean.

  Al

[Questor]

I just got one of those powder baffles that jbmi recommended. I'll give it a try and see if I can start trusting my MEC 9000.

[Catfish]

I have owned several presses and use some others. The best I`ve owned is the Ponsness Warren. But would have to agree with Hairtrigger, if money is no object get a Spolar.

[rbwillnj]

I have broken two handles (the metal, not the wood) on my Mec 9000gn.  The first time Mec sent me a new one no charge, the second time I had to pay for it.   Another guy at the Trap Range had the same problem.  I'm not complaining,  I've put about 40,000 rounds through my 9000 in the past three years.   You've got to expect some wear and tear.  While I had things apart I also replaced the L brackets and the piston.  I think the handle cost about $12, and the total for all the parts with shipping came to about $56

After I installed the new handle, I noticed that my powder bar was not returning all the way.   Turned out I had the bottles screwed in too tight.  I must have done that when I put things back together after installing the handle.

[Questor]

Fear of reloading department... I got the device that jbmi advised and loosened my bottles on the MEC, but now I'm procrastinating loading up about 400 shells because I'm afraid those measures won't work and I'll stay unsatisfied with my MEC. Oh well, I'm down to my last few boxes of loaded shells so I have to do it soon.