12ga shotgun reloaders

[Cecil S.]

Doing my homework into reloading 12ga shot gun. Will not be for clays or hunting. Looking for a good press to start with.

 

[strut64]

Easy choice. MEC 600. Simple single stage. Pick one up used and they last very well, Parts are cheap.
you may eventually go progressive but the 600 will be useful for small lot items such as hunting or checking out new components.

 

[KMart]

It all depends on how many rounds you need to have ready for the following weekend.
If you only need a hundred or so rounds for the weekend, follow strut's advice above.^^^^^^^^

 

[ben-o]

Doing my homework into reloading 12ga shot gun. Will not be for clays or hunting. Looking for a good press to start with.

If not for clays or hunting, what do you need it for? I use MEC sizemasters, which is a great press if you don’t need to load 100s at a time.

It’s hard to justify time and expense of 12 gauge loading, but it depends on what sort of shells you are making

 

[Cecil S.]

If not for clays or hunting, what do you need it for? I use MEC sizemasters, which is a great press if you don’t need to load 100s at a time.

It’s hard to justify time and expense of 12 gauge loading, but it depends on what sort of shells you are making

Well ben-o i figured you would understand what I might be targeting my Shotgun at. But I appreciate your post. If not bird shot what do you have left? Maybe look into larger game? Thank you

 

[257ack]

I reload mostly for varmints around the farm and I have 4 mec 600"s. actually , some are versa mec (almost the same) I have one set up for 12 ga. 3" hulls and one for 2 3/4 for convience. I have one set up for 20 ga. and one for 410. Components, specially hulls are hard to find. I am fortunate and have a good supply of everything including discontinued wads, powder, hulls etc. I dont shoot all that much but I want the best loads for my shotguns. I dont use the shot and powder hoppers. because I prefere to weigh. The mec 600 is perfect for that but not for those who shoot 400 in a weekend. Unless you want specialty loads like me, its not a good time to start. Euro hulls are available and make fine loads if you have some of the old Fed. S4 wads. Good luck

 

[257ack]

PS the mec 600 makes good loads once you get them right. If you change, its hard to get back. Different hulls dont crimp the same

 

[257ack]

Its hard to beat those shells that have flight control wads for home dedence shotguns wit more open chokes

 

[Cecil S.]

I reload mostly for varmints around the farm and I have 4 mec 600"s. actually , some are versa mec (almost the same) I have one set up for 12 ga. 3" hulls and one for 2 3/4 for convience. I have one set up for 20 ga. and one for 410. Components, specially hulls are hard to find. I am fortunate and have a good supply of everything including discontinued wads, powder, hulls etc. I dont shoot all that much but I want the best loads for my shotguns. I dont use the shot and powder hoppers. because I prefere to weigh. The mec 600 is perfect for that but not for those who shoot 400 in a weekend. Unless you want specialty loads like me, its not a good time to start. Euro hulls are available and make fine loads if you have some of the old Fed. S4 wads. Good luck

Thank you , 257 ack. I load for Rifle and Pistol. So the specific shotgun load i am looking for is new to me your info is spot on.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I load a 1/2 dozen boxes of 12 ga of this and that each year on my Lee Load all, purchased in early 80's. Large shot(buck) I just count out pellets. Usually I'm loading higher velocity 1 1/4 oz 4/5/6 shot.

 

[Cecil S.]

Its hard to beat those shells that have flight control wads for home dedence shotguns wit more open chokes

Good info .Thanks

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My short range buck loads, I cut the wad petals thinner. I mostly use Win gray handicap hulls.

 

[Cecil S.]

If not for clays or hunting, what do you need it for? I use MEC sizemasters, which is a great press if you don’t need to load 100s at a time.

It’s hard to justify time and expense of 12 gauge loading, but it depends on what sort of shells you are making

Yeah , I am weighting that out. But to shoot a specific load in any gun......well you will roll your own to achieve the out come you are looking for. This Form has taught me this! So I am certain it applies to Shotgun as well.

 

[Cecil S.]

I reload mostly for varmints around the farm and I have 4 mec 600"s. actually , some are versa mec (almost the same) I have one set up for 12 ga. 3" hulls and one for 2 3/4 for convience. I have one set up for 20 ga. and one for 410. Components, specially hulls are hard to find. I am fortunate and have a good supply of everything including discontinued wads, powder, hulls etc. I dont shoot all that much but I want the best loads for my shotguns. I dont use the shot and powder hoppers. because I prefere to weigh. The mec 600 is perfect for that but not for those who shoot 400 in a weekend. Unless you want specialty loads like me, its not a good time to start. Euro hulls are available and make fine loads if you have some of the old Fed. S4 wads. Good luck

I have a spot in my heart for 410.

 

[Andy Work]

The Ponsness Warren 375 is a good single stage press. Check out Ballistic Products, they are shotshell experts and can help with whatever you need to load.

 

[HTSmith]

Sir, the economics for reloading 12 Ga generally don't work out with today's component prices. The only reason I keep loading 12 Ga is my old shoulder makes me use light 7/8 oz loads and they are very hard to find. If you want to load for other reasons, the 600 Jr is hard to beat and usually available for a good price on the used market.

Edited to say you can still save money on 28 and 410, but used loaders a are a lot harder to find.

 

[Homerange]

Have 3 600Jr's, 2x 12g and 410 and the trap loads we mainly consume these days are cheaper than buying the components.
If you can find them fitted with a Pro Check which holds the wad guide down until wad and shot has been dropped it's a very useful and speedy feature.

 

[ben-o]

Sir, the economics for reloading 12 Ga generally don't work out with today's component prices. The only reason I keep loading 12 Ga is my old shoulder makes me use light 7/8 oz loads and they are very hard to find. If you want to load for other reasons, the 600 Jr is hard to beat and usually available for a good price on the used market.

Edited to say you can still save money on 28 and 410, but used loaders an are a lot harder to find.

Yeah, I save a lot of money loading 28 and 16 gauge, but only because I have a good stock of components. I only load waterfowl loads for 12 gauge, and I probably don’t save any money. But I can make shells more tailored to my needs. I haven’t seen US made shotgun primers on the shelf for a long time, and even the imported ones are like hens teeth.

 

[HTSmith]

Yeah, I save a lot of money loading 28 and 16 gauge, but only because I have a good stock of components. I only load waterfowl loads for 12 gauge, and I probably don’t save any money. But I can make shells more tailored to my needs. I haven’t seen US made shotgun primers on the shelf for a long time, and even the imported ones are like hens teeth.

I saw some Federals on line recently. They cost more than I was spending on the whole reloaded shell 5 years ago

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I haven't needed to buy primers/shot. Wads are partial bags specials. Ballistic products good, and they have data available for specialty loads. Factory high velocity pheasant/grouse loads are .75-1.00 each, that's why I'm reloading them. With what I have on hand, I in for .05-.10 each, even the nickel plated.