MEC 600 Jr Mark V vs Lee Load-All II (A fair comparison)
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- Опубликовано: 6 май 2022
- Is 3 times more expensive 3 times better? This is a fair comparative review of two very popular reloading presses. The 600 Jr vs the Load-All II
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MEC 600 Jr Mark V vs Lee Load-All II (A fair comparison)
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I want to experiment with 20-gauge loads. I emailed Lee with a question about maximum shot size dispensed via hopper. They answered in a few hours, which says A LOT to me. BTW, Lee said BB (0.18") was the reliable limit, beyond that you wouldn't use the hopper. For $77 as I type this, I say done. Thanks for this video!
I owned a Lee Load All II for a while but switched to a MEC 600 Jr for one of the reasons you mentioned. Although it is more expensive, the emptying of the powder and shot is much easier on the MEC than on the Lee. If Lee could come up with a more convenient way to empty their hoppers, I'm sure more people would opt for that press over the MEC.
A very good comparison of the presses. Thanks for making this video.
Look for used MEC presses, they can be had around $100 all day and sometimes come with extras- hulls, wads, etc. I have 3 Mec's now, and all for the cost of a single new one.
Yeah, if you get an MEC for 100$, its definitely a no-brainer!
I've acquired 2 mec 600jr's, a mec steelmaster 3.5" and two lee load-alls along with 3k 20ga wads, 1k 12ga wads, 100 pounds of shot in different sizes, 3k+ AA trap hulls, 3k primers, and 6 pounds of powder for under $1000 in the last two weeks. Been using a combination of the steelmaster and one of the lee presses for 12ga, like the deprime and resize function of the steelmaster, and the lee gives me a fantastic crimp on my 2.75" shells. Realistically I'm around $700 for everything, the 600jr's were $75 each and one came with the universal bar, and the steelmaster was $150 all used but great condition.
Great suggestion, thanks! But, where do you find used ones? Hunting/shooting forums? Does Craigslist/facebook marketplace have them? Thank you for your suggestions! Blessings
@@andrewsavage1872Where did you find them? Sounds amazing! Thanks. Blessings
Great video I'm new at this you made it clearer. Thanks
I 3d printed extra powder and custom shot bushings for the MEC. A 1 1/8 charge bar can then be bushed down to 7/8 and 3/4 easily. There's ebay sellers for the 3d powder bushings, you can get a whole set for the price of one in 3d plastic.
Yeah I need to start 3D Printing... :)
Thank you for making this video, you’ve given me a lot to think about.
You're welcome, let me know if you have any question!
Exactly what I needed! About to take the leap into reloading 😸
Ha! Welcome to the rabbit hole! :) Lemme know if you have any questions!
Thank you for your input!
Thank you for this comprehensive and well-presented video. Well done! Grace and Peace 😊
Thank you friend! Let me know if you have any questions :) bottom line is, both works. If you have the budget, MEC wins. Cheers!
Bro your vids are legit, thank you! Subbed.
Thank u Bruv! Don't ever hesitate if you have questions or suggestions :) Cheers!
Great review
Thanks
Nice vid. I suppose I'll man up and give it a try. Probably go with the MEC as I have a couple of cases of good factory ammo and would be using the same hulls several times over.., so there's that. Just can't afford factory ammo prices for 28 gauge anymore, not on my meager retirement. Thanks...
Which ever loader you are using, just watching you all reload shells is therapeutic and relaxing.
Excellent run down, thanks.
After a first casual attempt to load shotshells with the Lee Loads all 2 I am turning my attention to add shooting trap/skeet and I feel I need a more sturdier unit. So I'm now out doing due diligence for upgrading(?) to 600 Jr. Very good explanation. Thanks. I'm gonna subscribe..
Thank you! I have other videos on 12g reloading, crimping, wads.. and some other topics for hunting, but feel free anytime to poke me if you have any question. :) If I have the answer, I'll share, otherwise I'll do some digging for you.
Great video thank you
Nice vid. I have the lee for shotgun and Lyman for cartridge
Good job, Sir💯💙💜💚
Great comparison vid! Just a note that the Lee uses nylon bushings and slide bar, and, I think, nylon reinforced plastic for the other parts.
This is a really great review. I think some part of the message is not to overthink things and don't try to "future-proof" you decisions. I am just starting out so the Load-All is fine for me, not even $70 on Amazon right now.
Lots of fun ahead :) It's a pretty little unit that I still use in my workshop. Thank you & Don't hesitate if you have some questions!
Good review I understand about quickly out growing the Lee. We are living in uncertain times. Think I'll get both . The price of everything is going up. If you use or enjoy something buy enough so you can continue to do so. Save money in the long run.
Yeah Totally! The Lee is very fairly priced and is still a great buy. You will not regret the MEC. I run both, the LEE for 2 3/4 and the MEC for 3. If you have a helper, you can set him on one station for case prep, and someone else handle the loading on the other press. Versatility :)
Very usefull. Thx 👍
Super video, thank you
I've been reloading brass for years, have a Dillon 750 for that, but I just recently got into loading 12ga with Goose season upon us here. I bought the load all on a recommendation from a friend based on what I said I wanted to do. I've loaded 1250 2&3/4 BB shot rounds with it using Longshot powder. It works. Longshot sticks to the plastic powder bushings (not static cling, it cakes on and has to be scraped off mechanically), that took some time for me to solve, but I ended up going with the next size up powder bushing then throwing about 20 powder charges to let the powder build up, once that happened it throws pretty consistent charge weights.
Yes they do work, but you'll have to figure out some of kinks. Thank you for sharing, that might help others with similar issues, I've been using Alliant Steel, charge consistency has never been an issue.
@@WildBushGrit It will throw steel BB just fine but it takes the 1&5/8 bushing to throw .98 Oz of steel BB shot.
Could coating the powder bushings with graphite help?
Great review Audren cheers
Thanks so much!
I have loaded on both as well. The price of the Lee Load All is attractive for sure. I have 5 Mac presses and wouldn't change now for anything. The biggest complaint I have with the Lee Load All is with a fine flattened ball or flake powder I would get small amounts of leakage from the press onto the work bench. I do have one complaint about the MEC I wish they would offer a six-station single-stage press. This way they could offer their radius die as an option. I know the factory die is supposed to do that, but I find it much easier to adjust on the 9000GN than on any of my single-stage presses.
Got it thank you
amazing video!
Thanks mate! thanks for tuning in too :) Cheers!
I don't have a shotshell press yet, but I'd really like it if there were an equivalent to the Lee Hand Loader for metallic cartridges. Resize/decap your whole batch of hulls; recap the whole batch, drop powder with a dipper/funnel and seat wads for the whole batch (off the press), drop shot with a dipper for the whole batch, then precrimp and crimp back on the press. The 7/8-14 thread in metallic cartridge presses is too small for 12 ga., however, so it would be a whole new product and it seems unlikely Lee would want to compete with themselves. I agree, an easy way to empty the hoppers on a Lee would be a very welcome change. Maybe something that could be made as an aftermarket modification for the press? In all other ways, the Lee wins over the MEC to my eye. I need to get one (but even worse, I need a place to shoot that isn't an hour and a half away -- I've only had the chance to shoot about three boxes of shells through my 870 since I got it four years ago).
Des conseils très utiles. Merci!
Thank you
I have both, the MEC for 410 and the Lee for 20 ga.
The MEC is my favorite. Setup of the MEC takes a bit of time, a couple wrenches and a screwdriver. But the precision when I am done with setup is magnificent. EMptying the powder and shot is easy. Customer service, bushings, other parts is easy. The powder leakage when using the MEC does exist, but is pretty small.
The Lee can make some sloppy shotshells. but they feed and shoot in my 870. Powder leakage through the bushings is more than the MEC.The 20 gauge doesn't include smaller shot and powder bushings. Lee does not offer smaller bushings. This will exclude a lot of powders that are specified for 20 gauge loads. I was weighing powder with a powder thrower into the shells and then inserting the wad and shot. I had to contact a 3D printer guy online and work with him to get smaller powder and shot bushings. Elite set me up with powder bushings 0.075, 0.080, 0.085 and 0.090 and shot bushings for 3/4 and 5/8 ounce. The leakage on the Elite bushings is less than the Lee bushings.
I have reloaded 000 buck on the MEC, putting the powder in then the wad and adding the buckshot off the machine by hand, then using a roll crimper. Much less expensive than buying them. I'm making a three 000 410 for about 35 cents rather than trying to find them for a buck or more.
Great video! Im waiting on my LEE 20 gauge press. My son just started shooting shotguns and figured id give it a try, mainly for low recoil target rounds. I currently reload metallic for several rifles. It seems like shotshell reloading is more confusing with wad, hull, primers, and powder choices! Haha. Maybe im just over analyzing. What are your thoughts on using the vague loading data which comes with the Lee press....that seems pretty simple assuming i have the correct powders called for. With the data provided by Lee wads and primers dont really matter. I did order a shotshell manual also. Thanks for you great videos.
Yes indeed it is confusing, and the amount of resources is also limited! The basic principles are the same as rifles. But wads will mostly impact performance and dispersion of the shots. The problem is you never find the wads you need, then you are on a wild goose chase for a substitution. I have few videos on shotshell, wads substitution, and crimping, I hope they can help. I never trusted the bushing for load data, I always double check with a scale. That being said, I find the Lee Perfect Powder Measure to be quite useful and inexpensive. I think its the perfect companion for my shell reloading. It will dump accurately to 0.2 grain which is perfectly acceptable for shotgun. Thanks for chiming in! and Welcome to the rabbit hole :)
@@WildBushGrit Thanks! I'll check out your other videos, much appreciated!
I have just started reloading and have the Mec 600 jr. You are correct, it takes a bit of tweeking to get it right but is good to go after you do. I use mine for .410 and will be getting another for 28 gauge. And yes, you are better off sticking with one type of hull. I am using AA and Federal, AA’s work best. I am only loading 2 1/2” and sometime this winter when I have all the 2 1/2” hulls loaded I will do some 3”. Not really looking forward to that because of the tweeking required for the 3” then the re-tweeking to go back to the 2 1/2”. I use mostly 2 1/2”. There is a company “ creative loading solutions” owners name is Rod. They make a neat tool (gauge specific) for trimming first shot hulls to correct length. You only need use it once. Its an extra step but I love that tool, makes for perfect crimps. Since I am not trying to set records for shells loaded it gives me a chance to inspect each hull. Rod is great to deal with and very helpful. Take a look at his RUclipss
Thank you Tango for chiming in! Funny you talk about trimming, I was looking for trimmer recently. Thinking that I could trim all the shells I have to a specific lenght to accomodate my MEC, I will def look at the company you suggested! Thanks for the tip!
So I watched 2 vids on the website back to back, and I think this trimmer is exactly what we need. I hope he ship to Canada, I'll probably make a video on this, its worth sharing! Thanks again!
I did it! ruclips.net/video/q4sxjr12lbs/видео.html Cheers man! thanks a lot for the recommandation!
I have pacific 155 12/20ga got tried of switch components bought a lee load all for 12ga its slower but does a good job, also have a mec 600 jr for 28 and 410 the final product are all good just the speed is the only difference.
I have ended up subscribing.
Thank you friend! Let me know if you have any question or even suggestion for this channel :)
Is a six or eight crimp better for trap and skeet. ??? I’ve noticed when purchasing/buying factory ammo… game loads tend to be 6 crimp and target/ trap-skeet loads tend to be 8 crimp. Can you explain or maybe hopefully do a video on 6vs8 crimp? Thank you for your time and video
I haven't seen a difference in performance when I crimp 6 or 8. I do prefer the 6 folds, I find it better for re-using shells, (less crease to mess with)
I just had a thought to greatly accelerate reloading speed with either the MEC 600 Jr or on the Lee Load All II: How about filling each station on the press with a hull so that you're continuously feeding shells instead of going one at a time?
Yes, this would necessitate buying a second resizing die for the Load All II, but am I wrong about this as an idea that could actually work to possibly double your rounds per hour?
Your shots and powder comes from the same tube, so you'll have to make a stop there. Crimping is tedious on the Lee, I wouldn't want to battle the priming, and depriming and pre-crimp and crimping at the same time. It definitely would be easier on the MEC. :) It's worth a try, i'll let you know :)
@@WildBushGrit Thanks for the informed reply, spoken from someone with thousands of shotshell rounds under his belt.
I've only loaded a few dozen long ago, but I have tens of thousands of metallic handgun and rifle loaded.
I'll be interested in hearing what you find with my idea.
I could just be spitballing, but it would be interesting to see.
I am looking for my first press and wanted to know which version of the mec you recommend. I mostly upland hunt and shoot trap with my 20ga
Hello Marissa, I haven't tried all MEC models, but my choice would be between the Jr 600 and the Sizemaster, If budget is no concern, go with the Sizemaster, it has few features that makes it a little bit easier to use, like the way its resize the brass and auto-primer feed system (which is an added option for the Jr 600). Happy shooting! :)
I use two lee load all one for 12 gauge and one for 16 gauge
Honestly...I was VERY AFRAID to reload shotshells, I was like this is toooo much to do, when people explained the steps without ACTUALLY SHOWING the Process.....Now after watching tons of vids and seeing and following along ...Now seeing that it's only about 7 steps to reloading! Now making it more understandable l, now and If others can do it and be successful in reloading...then so can I. I am eager to buy the Lee Load all 2! And get the converters to convert to different gauges....RUclips VIDS ARE VERY HELPFUL as a start8ng point!
Tons of fun ahead of you, this is just the beginning, when you start shooting, and collect data, a new world will open to you :) I don't use factory ammo. It will only disappoint. :)
I have both but still grab the lee. The 600 is a pita for crimping adjustments
It is a pita for sure, but once set, its really good! I now trim all my shells to the same length so there is no fuss.
I reload Remington sets and gun clubs I have 3k hulls. I usually use RXP12 Remington wads with red dot. I can not find either wads or powder. Can you please suggest an alternative wad and powder combo I can use in my Remington hulls. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully Ned in Western NY
Hello! it's really depend on your weight, but I'm not expert in wads, and I use heavy payloads for geese hunting. the wad I like are the one that can hold my payload (1 1/8)and I will sometime trim them to the perfect length for the perfect crimp (I have a video on that). I never used red dot, I use Alliant Steel with great result, and HS-6 for lead.
Can you only load one type of ammo? Like is there a way to swap a piece and loak both 12 guage and 20 guage with the same press? I'm pretty new to all this and ammo is expensive lol.
There are conversion kits. You usually buy the press with a default gauge, either 12, 16 or 20 even 410. Later if you want to reload for a different gauge, you need to buy the proper conversion kit for it.
Pardon me, but have you ever used a " universal" charge bar with your mec600? These charge bars use a screw adjuster to push a block to make the powder or shot measuring chambers larger or smaller, and thus remove the need for bushings and different charge bars. They don't have the rubber insert to prevent shot shearing, though..
Yeah I was looking for them for a while, and they were back order everywhere. They seem super handy.
Ive been using a lee for over 15yrs for 12ga. I have a mec 600 for 410 and a friend gave me a mec for 20ga.
Which is better for loading no lead options? We can't use lead for hunting in California , tungsten and bismuth shotshells are very expensive. Especially in .410.
I load principally steel shots, no issue at all. If you use the bushing, make sure to test their weight first. they are calibrated for lead. Meaning 1oz bushing will not give you 1oz of steel. A scale is necessary.
@@WildBushGrit I saw that you weigh separately and just use the MEC for almost everything else. I'll be on the lookout for one on the used market.
The Lee will not load 410 bore.
@@ronaldjohnson1474 you can get 3D printed adaptors for around $32 for the lee.
That being said I think I'm going to be looking for a used MEC.
The brass base on my shells is .5 inch high and when I full length size the shell it gets stuck in the sizer. What am I missing
It's depend on the shells you are using, some are thicker or longer...the tolerances varies a lot from manufacturer to manufacturer. Try lubing them it will help. Also try different hulls you will see the differences.
@@WildBushGrit Try turning the resizing collar farther in on the support tube. That will raise the sizing ring and might allow the case head to drop free of the sizing ring.
I'm on the fence now. I have a mix of 12 ga. shells I've scrounged over the years. Is it really that big of a deal to tweak the MEC for different shells?
I really want to like the Lee Load All II, but it looks like such a toy compared to the MEC.
Yeah that's a pickle, can you sort your shell? or just accept that you might not have perfect crimp. I did not tried it, but maybe trimming all your shell to the same length could help a lot.
@@WildBushGrit I think I might just go with the MEC. It looks so well built compared to the Lee.
I could sort my shells, but I enjoy scrounging at ranges. I guess I wouldn't mind tweaking the MEC here and there.
Thank you for such an informative video!
@@fsae0607 You will not regret the MEC it is solid! But the Lee is not to be underestimated, i've reloaded for years with it before moving to the MEC. Either way you can't go wrong, but I do like the heavier MEC feeling, and I think this is what you are after too. Thank you for the kind words! Cheers man!
The Lee load all 2 is not a toy. It is a very capable press every bit as capable as a 600 Mec. They both have their disadvantages and advantages. I've been reloading for over 40 years. And I've always had a Lee load all or 2 as well as Mec. I also reload all my rifle shells. From the 30-30 22 250 7 mm Remington mag 264 Win Mag 270 short mag and the 270 + 243
Most people who have the load all say the powder drop is not accurate all the time . They keep said they need to tap or bang on it to make sure the powder drops . That’s a real problem to me .
Very true! You have to rattle that thing, for shots and powder!
Powder settling in the Lee powder hopper is a problem.
The lee all will wear at the arms over time
I saw this watching the Shotgun scientist
If I get a mec will it load #6 shot steel consistently ? If so what size bushing or bar should I get ?? Also will it work with Alliant steel powder thinking about buying one
I basically only want it to load steel #6 20 gauge that’s all I use for quail chukar
Yes it will work really well. For the bushing & bar, its really depend on your load data. I can't give you details without knowing your powder charge & shot weight.
It will work with Alliant steel powder
Is that powders flake the same size as blue dot what is it comparable too
@@Sneakyjoe69 yes Steel is flake. Steel is slower than B. Dot. There is a burn rate chart for powder you can look up online. Cheers!
Purchased a LoadAll II long time ago when the base was still cast metal not plastic. It sat gathering dust until just a few years ago when I started loading slugs. Most shotshells are still priced fairly low as ammunition goes so there was never much incentive for me to reload since I stopped skeet shooting where you run thru a lot of ammo toute de suite. I have a good recipe for Lee sabot slugs & have churned out quite a few until I ran out of primers. Slugs & buckshot are pricey & it's definitely worthwhile to load your own. Obviously can't use the shot hopper for slugs & I prefer to weigh each powder load so don't use the powder hopper either. I've seen mods done on the hoppers so they can be emptied without tilting the whole shebang. Can be as simple as cutting an opening lower down on the compartment which can be plugged while in use.
Earlier this year I lucked in & scored a MEC 700 at an estate auction, don't recall the price but it was a steal vs buying new. Haven't used it yet but for sure it's a nice rig. Once I'm able to get primers again I can do my own comparison, LoadAll vs MEC 700. To be honest I think for most folks the LoadAll will be a good investment. There's a conversion kit available so you can load 20 gauge with it.
With the Lee I find the powder charge is very inconsistent.
The type of powder you use will make a difference, but for most average use, trap, small game hunting, its enough to have some fun. However for Turkey or Waterfowl loads, (which i like hot) I prefer to use a scale.
I think the Manual Re-Sizer is just too much of an inconvenience.
The problem with LEE is simple: bad crimp from last station ... It needs new shape but factory sells is as is.. cheap but cheap :D
Hi...what happened to the 6 month brined fish tasting video?
Hey! I'm wrapping up my Turkey hunt today, and that fish video is next. I'll rehydrate and cook something :) thanks for checking in!
Hey! I don't know if you've seen it, but FYI I released my follow-up on the dry fish ruclips.net/video/t5YJ2HhIurw/видео.html Lemme know what you think!
Where to you live Canada or Australia????
I'm in Canada, Southern Quebec :) We are practically neighbors.
I have LEE load all ... Some tuning and it is quite usable .. But mec gives better crimp. Lee was easy to get in Poland, but mec ... no.
Biggest problem is Lee won't make a 410 version....they are really missing out on a lot of money
This, didn't even crossed my mind to consider what other gauge you could reload with these press. Thanks for bringing this up! 410 is the rarest thing on earth after Large Rifle primers. Totally Lee is missing a huge opportunity here.
@@WildBushGrit Yes, Lee doesn't want to make the 410, what a major loss of sales for them, the 410 is really hard to find in stores , mostly because of the pistols in 410/45. Lee is forcing a very large community to MEC loaders....sad
I bought my mec at $!82 .
There is no comparison. One is a reloader. One is a toy...
😂 'Comment of the day's Award!
@@WildBushGrit Actually years ago my first reloader was a Lee load all 20ga. And I was happy with it until Later I received a Mec 600jr. Thats when I realized the difference with a true solid reloading machine.
I jumped in with Lee and learned and made and still make great rounds. But recently I did buy a mec 650 for the advantages Lee does not have. Note I will not be getting rid of the lee press.