Mec 600 jr. Question

[Justin10mm]

I have been playing with the idea of getting into shot shell reloading, and have been looking at the mec 600 jr.

My question is would it be better to buy a separate press for each gauge or is it easy (practical) to change gauges on the same press?

Having a separate press for each gauge would be convenient, but a little expensive.   

I'm mostly looking at 410, 20 and 10 gauge.

[dakotashooter2]

You are probably better off buying individual presses. Many guys use seperate presses for 2 3/4" and 3" shells so they don't have to screw around with adjusting them each time they change.The dies alone even used sell for nearly as much as a good used press. You should be able to pick up a used 20 ga for around $80, probably $125 for the 410 and  I'm not sure on the 10 ga.

[Justin10mm]

That's probably what I'll do, but I will buy new. 

[Graybeard]

You DO NOT want to be switching gauges in shotshell loading on MEC presses. Get one for each. I have one for each and two for 28 gauge as the Winchester AA hulls just don't crimp well with the settings for Remington hulls. In other gauges that isn't a real problem.

Buy one per gauge you wish to load.

[Bitterroot Bob]

I will concur,
Changing gauges on a shotshell press is nowhere near as easy as for metallic cartridges. Once you have your MEC adjusted to operate smoothly, you have entered Nirvana! Change anything to accomodate a different gauge and you start the Pilgrimage to Enlightenment all over again.
The 600 is a good choice, especially for the smaller gauges. I had a 650 in 28 gauge and the smallish hull required more individual attention than a progressive allowed. I dumped more shot and powder on the bench in one session than a years worth of anything alse on a single-stage. . The .410 must be equally as trying. Pay attention to shot and powder bridging in the drop-tubes and failing to make it down into the hulls. It happens.
Good luck!

Bitterroot

[alleyyooper]

I have a 600 JR I started with in 16 gauge. I bought the dies for 20 and 410. switching between the 16 and 20 wasn't all that bad but the 410 was for both a 2 1/2 chamber. what a pain in kister that was to adjust. Fnally sold the 410 dies and got a reloader just for it.
I lost so much powder and shot thru spills when doing the 410 switch I finally got some 1 1/2 PVC pipe and made a gutter around my loading bench to sweep the mess into then into the down spout into a pail where I could shop vac the powder out and reuse it.
Not nearly the spills once I got the seprate 410 press.

   Al

[strut64]

Justin10mm,  I have 3 600 JR presses.  I dabbled once with the idea of making gauge changes and canned that idea in a hurry.  I now load 12, 20 and 410x2 1/2.  there is a set up that allows changing from 2 1/2" to 3" 410 that I am thinking of getting for that press because that can be done easily.  But, a complete gauge change took me about 2 1/2 hours before the press was fully adjusted to get the crimp right- then another 2 hours to get it back.  That was the last time for that exercise.   

[rjr9603]

Great information guys. I came here looking for this exact information. I am planning on picking up a 410 and 20 loaders.
Thanks
Ray