New to shotshell reloading and skeet shooting

[38MAN]

I've reloaded pistol and rifle ammo for 25 years. I learned a lot of things over the years, some by trial and error,  others at the expense of my wallet. I would like to start off on a better foot with shotshell reloading. Where do I start and what equipment do I need at a minimum? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I plan on loading mostly 12 & 20 Ga. shells since that is what I own.

Thanks,

38MAN

[LunaticFringeInc]

I dont shoot skeet or trap too much anymore these days although occasionally I will shoot a couple of rounds to keep me up on my game.

I used a Mec 600 Jr and managed just fine although a progressive press would have been better.  I think it all comes down to how many rounds you shoot a week and how much you enjoy reloading.  I personally dont mind sitting down at the bench and cranking out a couple of hundred rounds in a couple of hours, others find this to be more of a chore.  I really liked the simplisity of the Mec 600 myself.  I still use it a good bit but these days I am loading 00 buck and slugs more than small shot.

Its really a simple set up and loading shot shells is far less tidious from a attention to detail point of veiw than metallic shells can be.  Thats not to imply that you cant screw up and get yourself hurt.  I just bought  the Mec 600 for 5.00 bucks, bought a replacement 2.00 dollar spring that was missing, got a couple of bushings and charge bars and was off to the races and running within the hour.  There was only a need to make slight adjustments to the crimper, everything else was pretty simple and straight forward.  I did find that the little metal shell holder that holds 25 rounds and allows you to put a empty cardboard box over it and then neatly dump the shells into the box to be a nice addition.  A tube attached to the bottom of the press where the primer is punched out, that feeds the spent primers into a small bucket under my bench a nice little jury rigged feature as well to keep the reloading area tidy.  The small powder containers that screw into the top of the press was fine for powder, but for shot I found the larger container to be more useful so I wasnt constantly re-filling it with shot.  As far as powders, I am still old school and use Unique and BlueDot.  I can generally load rounds to acceptable performance levels with just these two powders which I also use ion some pistol loads as well.  I am sure that some of the newer powders are just as flexible.  But unlike a lot of metallic cartridges no need to have a half a dozen powders to cover the bases.

[rickyp]

If you want to start and learn you will be hard pressed to beat a lee load all II they run about $50 each  They turn out good shells and if you decide you  dont like it you are not out much money

[Graybeard]

The MEC 600 is a good starter loader but I prefer the Size Master 77 which in both 12 and 20 comes with primer feed that the 600 doesn't. By the time you add it extra on a 600 the price difference is minimal. I do use a 600 for .410 loading cuz none of MEC's single stage loaders in .410 have primer feed. It sure slows things down.

Get a Lyman Shotshell load manual and follow the recipes closely.

I've been using MEC 600, 700 and Size Master 77 loaders for all my shotshell reloading for around 40+ years. They get the job done and last forever and aren't very expensive compared to other brands. Get a press for both gauges you DO NOT want to be switching die sets on them.

[38MAN]

Guys..Thanks for the info.

[huntswithdogs]

My first and only shotshell reloader is a MEC Jr. Less than $100 and I don't have any idea as to how many shells have been loaded on it. Like Bill said get one each 20 and 12. Some guys will have one of these for sale cheap if they've decided to move on to a progessive style.


HWD

[rickyp]

I have a set of RCBS 12 ga reloading dies that use my RCBS press, I have a 410 MEC 600 JR and I have Lee load all II in 20 ga.
I will say the 12 ga dies are a PIA but I only use that for special loads like turkey shells,  The lee is not built as sturdy but turns out very good shells and is as quick if not quicker then my MEC 600.
The Mec 600 is very good and will last a life time. However for ease and speed I like the Lee load all II it is very inexpensive and a great way to get your foot in the door.

[stevinator]

Gotta agree with graybeard,I shoot quite a bit of trap and could probably use a progressive loader but I am still using a 20 yr old sizemaster from mec.You can get alot of your loading info as far as what bushings drop on the mec site and many load choices on the hogdon loading data website. You'll need powder, shot, wads and primers but empty hulls you'll get all the time shooting at a club especially if you tell them you are just starting to reload. The old timers will find you a bunch,the most important thing though is make sure you get a scale if you don't already have one.

[huntducks]

I started off with a CH press SLOW moved up to a Mec 600 still have it then a 650 never liked it PIA to adjust all the time, my loading bench is full of presses including a PW 800 it's another PIA to set up and you have to stay on your toes every pull of the handel but when were both working together it pumps out shells, but what I find myself using all the time is my steelmaster press it's same as sizemaster and it's loads both steel & lead great press
I also have a Mec 9000 for 20ga and it ease of operation is way better them the PW.

You need to figure out how much your going to shoot and how long you want to spend at the bench if your going to average say 6-8 box's a month the mec 600 will do just fine even thought I would buy the sizemaster, but if your shooting 20-25 box's a month spend the $$$ one time and buy a Mec 9000 you won't be sorry.

[rbwillnj]

If you are shooting a lot,  it's hard to beat a Mec 9000.  I have loaded 100,000 rounds on a 9000 GN, and just upgraded to hydraulic Mec 9000 HN.