Good 12 ga reloader?

[stevinator]

I have an old Mec Sizemaster in 20 ga and was thinking of picking up a 12 ga loader.I don't need a progressive or anything fancier I guess than the sizemaster.It always worked well enough for me,I was just curious if any of the lower priced ones out now are any good.I like the priming setup on the sizemaster I have but I didn't know what has changed over the years.Maybe get a different brand or just get a sizemaster in 12 ga?Would that be about the best in that price range?

[Oldshooter]

If it aint broke dont fix it!

Seriously, I think it would be hard to beat the Mec. I've had one since the early 80's and it does a great job! Maybe someone that is more up to date will come up and give us some fresh perspective.

[Questor]

Get the Sizemaster. A great press. I got a MEC 9000 progressive and wish I had gotten a Sizemaster instead.

[Catfish]

If your not going to go progressive, stick with the Size Master.

[mcwoodduck]

+1 more for the Sizemaster.  I have four of them.
2- 12ga, 10ga, and 20ga.
I have had a bunch of the progressive machines and even a couple that needed to be plugged in and had huge hoppers.
got rid of all of that and now only have the size masters.
Easy to change bars, powders, and shot to make what you need for range, field, or for pot shoots.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

I've seen them on Ebay, but none show at present.

You could get a conversion kit and switch.  If you load both frequently get another.

[stevinator]

Yeah I could get a conversion kit for mine ,but never knew anyone who had one and didn't know how long a switch over took.I would have to change the shot bar also unless it comes in the kit.I'll have to check that idea too.If I get another  loader I may just get another sizemaster from what everyone above says.Good info guys.Thanks

[mcwoodduck]

I gave my Cousin a Mec reloader that i thought was a 12 ga Jr and it turned out to be a 10 ga.
He sent it to MEC to be changed.  The changed it to a 12 ga but there is no swaping parts back and forth to change it from 12 to 10.  It also cost $40 at the time when a new one was $65.
If you change your 20 to a 12 it will cost almost as much and you will no longer have the 20.
Also you will want to look for one or two powders that will allow you to load both 12 and 20.
I found that Green and Blue dot work great for me.
the green works for 20 ga 7/8oz load, 12 ga 1 + 1 1/8 oz loads and 1 1/4 oz for the 10 ga
the Blue dot is for the 1 oz 20 ga, 1 1/4 oz pot loads for the 12, and the 2 oz loads for the 10ga.
By sharing the powders, shot, and primers I am able to buy in bulk and the only thing specific to any load is going to be the hull and the wad.
Oh with the 12 ga I have found that I will load a certain color AA hull to a specific load.
red = 1 1/8 oz of 7.5's  Grey is 1 1/8 oz of 9's and silver is 1 1/8 oz of 6's   Then the rem green STS hulls are 1 1/4 oz of 7.5 and the gold are 1 1/4 oz of 7's.
That way when I open a box I can tell right away what the load is.
With the 20 ga the rem hulls are 1 oz of 7's  and the win are 7/8 7.5's.

[Maritime Storm]

If the sizemaster works well for you and you're happy with it then you probably answered your own question. Myself, I use a Lee Load-All II and am happy with it, I can switch to a variety of loads easily without having to purchase anything for it. It comes equipped with 24 different shot & powder bushings and an additional wad guide. The only issue I have with mine is the final crimp stage could be better designed than it is. Mine is about 30 years old and serves me well for everything I've tried doing it.

[stevinator]

Well if anyone has thought about converting your sizemaster,don't worry about it.I wasn't really using mine in 20 so I got a die kit from Natchez and switched mine to 12 because I am shooting trap.The kit really went on well and now I am using the same loader I was familiar with except in 12 ga now.I have ran about 400 12's through it and am very satisfied. Saved all the 20 parts in a box under the bench and who knows may use them again someday. Thanks for all the replies guys.

[swiftman]

 GET SIZE MASTER !!!!!