Great machine! One thing to mention is you have to drop a primer into the primer station on the first shell because a primer doesn’t drop until you crimp the first shell!
I bought the Mec Sizemaster 12 years ago and I really enjoy reloading shot shells for all of my Dove,Partridge and Pheasant hunting.. I load a 1 1\4 oz. Payload of No. 4 shot for crow that hammers them real hard!
I'm looking for a used reloading setup and not knowing about all the different MEC models, your videos are top notch. Great product demo to see how each model works.
My dad used a Mec 600 Jr for years. He actually gave it to my mom for a gift on their first anniversary back in 1966. For steel shot, he just used steel BBs (when they were made from steel).
+gavintoobe some people say that reloading shotshells isn't cost effective, but it is if you like heavy field loads like I load.besides I enjoy the hobby.good videos by the way.
Got the 600 JR headed my way. I ordered my reloading components today so I hope to have them before next weekend. Can't wait to get this set up and running! Love your tours on the MEC shotshell reloading, thanks for sharing!
Having trouble finding components these days, especially primers. Maybe MEC could throw in 1,000 just to help us get started? Also looking at the Jr. Mark V for 410 Bore, 20, and 12ga.
I have owned this same press for over 40 years great press loads AA Winchester-like factory. One tip goes to ballistic products and get their brass crimp dies eight and six-point they will make your loads even better.
Thanks, good reminder. I bought a MEC Sizemaster 12 & 20 gauge 43 years ago in Athens Georgia and put on the shelf only to return today. Amazon had all the replacement parts but, primers, powder, wads, shot are hard to find. This too shall pass. VOTE!
this seems like a good press, but it also seems like a press for people that dont like sitting down and having a beer or 30, thats why i got the lee load, but it does seem like a nice unit
From personal experience, the biggest difficulty in using a MEC press with Winchester AA HS hulls is getting a good crimp. I would have appreciated his adjustment procedure for that.
Call Mec, they will slowly walk you through it. I have every gauge Grabber reloader. 12 &20 in the sizemaster and 12&20 in the 600 jr. They work perfectly. Note: I had problems with my 410 grabber final crimp. After talking to them, it now works great. They even offered for me to send the whole reloader in and they would set it up for me. That's customer service.
Nicely done for an overview. I need to find your video that goes into the detailed setup. I understand shotshell presses require a careful setup to flow as nice as this one did in your demo.
Great tutorial for the Mec Sizemaster, but I notice that when you were showing the assembly of the Mec that it looks like that you didn't add the Brass Washer and Groment, do you need to or will it work without? Thx
Wow, the human factors challenge here, with the double action at station 3. So easy to be distracted, and mix up/forget powder and/or shot (both are essentially unseen). Obviously, consumers make this work - would be good to have a discussion of process factors to help limit errors, and check techniques to catch errors that creep in, and, how to pull apart a shell to correct an error.
It's called paying attention and eliminating interruptions. You can't foolproof human induced errors with a machine. If you want to not take on responsibility, buy factory ammo.
For a new Competitive shotgun shooter do you recommend this press over the junior press if the majority of the brass it will be low with 1 ounce loads for competition purposes? For now I plan on 250/month later a max 500/mo. Any other good quality press you might recommend
I have the same press and right out of the box makes great shells using Remington cases. I also use a universal charge bar. For routine shooting though it is hard to beat the Winchester or Federal Wallyworld shells price wise but when you want to load some really light loads this is great. Not as cost effective as pistol or rifle but fun.
Could be wrong, but it looks like you’re using Remington replacement Figure 8 wads as opposed to AA replacement wads. I use these when reloading STS hulls. I’ve tried reloading AAs with the WAA12SL wads and the hull crushes as soon as I get the crimp right (very annoying). Maybe I’ll try these wads in AA hulls and see how they come out
Just saw this video. Interested in picking this up as i have been using an old DL-105. Do you happen to have a link for the base that you are using in this video? Much appreciated!
Are you going to do a review on the top end shotshell reloaders? The presses you have tested are good, but for a real high volume shooter you need to look at the ponesess/warren product line and of course Spolar. PW also makes a single stage, the 375, which is an extremely good machine.
I recently acquired a used MEC Sizemaster, with no manual or parts list. Is there a way to gain access to the manual and parts list? I'm not sure I have everything I need.
No. Buckshot is always introduced into the readied shells by hand. Depending on the load either fold start crimped on the press or roll crimped by using a separate tool.
Acquired an older model of this reloader, same components and same process. The primers are hard to punch and when I finally punch the primer it rounds the brass out. What am I doing wrong
All hype and brand loyalty aside, honestly, what makes it (any 5 station MEC single stage press) $150-300+ better than the 5 station single stage Lee Load All II? From what I see, the separate powder and bottle reservoirs makes it interesting, especially if your mean old wife only allows you to have one press. But the LLAII is so inexpensive ($58 even during Covid) that you can literally have 4 specific gauge/shot/powder dedicated presses for the price of (1) 600 MEC Jr.
I have both. They both work great. I got the mec for the primer feeder. Lee load all 2 you have to load by hand the primers which gets annoying after a while.
I haven't loaded in 30 years , but I remember my dad's MEC loaded in the opposite direction. Do they make them in left hand and right hand directions? Other then that it was exactly the same. Ours started on the last side and ended on the right side.
I still have a dozen boxes from when I was 14 years old that I loaded. As I used to load all of our shells since I was 8 years old, we used to have 100 boxes on tap at all times. Ranging from duck/geese and bird to trap shells. On occasion s I would add a bit of extra powder to a box specially marked hot loads to have fun with friends, my dad and I loved pulling the hot load prank on friends. Or having a hot load in third position in case you missed your first two . The third was hot enough to get the distance and speed too, but hold tight cuzits gonna kick like donkey.
Sooooo....that baseplate is a cutting board...🤣🤣🤣
My family and I just got into sporting clays and the struggle for ammo is real! This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
Great machine! One thing to mention is you have to drop a primer into the primer station on the first shell because a primer doesn’t drop until you crimp the first shell!
Just watched this being introduced into reloads for shotguns. Thank you for the video
Fashionably late to this video, but wow, good production values. Nice "set", well lit, well spoken. Quality is everything
I bought the Mec Sizemaster 12 years ago and I really enjoy reloading shot shells for all of my Dove,Partridge and Pheasant hunting.. I load a 1 1\4 oz. Payload of No. 4 shot for crow that hammers them real hard!
I'm looking for a used reloading setup and not knowing about all the different MEC models, your videos are top notch. Great product demo to see how each model works.
My dad used a Mec 600 Jr for years. He actually gave it to my mom for a gift on their first anniversary back in 1966. For steel shot, he just used steel BBs (when they were made from steel).
Love this channel. It’s one of the only ones where I don’t just learn stuff but learn things I didn’t know that I _should_ know. Thanks man.
Thanks!!!! Glad it's helpful...
+gavintoobe some people say that reloading shotshells isn't cost effective, but it is if you like heavy field loads like I load.besides I enjoy the hobby.good videos by the way.
Got the 600 JR headed my way. I ordered my reloading components today so I hope to have them before next weekend. Can't wait to get this set up and running! Love your tours on the MEC shotshell reloading, thanks for sharing!
Vaughn Precision what’s the advantage to having the size master vs the 600jr?
Having trouble finding components these days, especially primers. Maybe MEC could throw in 1,000 just to help us get started? Also looking at the Jr. Mark V for 410 Bore, 20, and 12ga.
I built these presses. Good old Mayville WI. Mayville Engineering Company
I have owned this same press for over 40 years great press loads AA Winchester-like factory. One tip goes to ballistic products and get their brass crimp dies eight and six-point they will make your loads even better.
Thanks, good reminder. I bought a MEC Sizemaster 12 & 20 gauge 43 years ago in Athens Georgia and put on the shelf only to return today. Amazon had all the replacement parts but, primers, powder, wads, shot are hard to find. This too shall pass. VOTE!
Try Brownells or Gamamiel or Ballistic Products.
That press is amazing
After viewing this video, I now need to add shot shell reloading to my reloading room. Thank you!!
Nice, now a vid on how they shoot!!!! Great vid as always!
Coming up.... more shooting clays and what not. Thanks man!
this seems like a good press, but it also seems like a press for people that dont like sitting down and having a beer or 30, thats why i got the lee load, but it does seem like a nice unit
Looking forward to getting one of these for me and my grandfather! Thanks for posting this video! Its super helpful for us!
From personal experience, the biggest difficulty in using a MEC press with Winchester AA HS hulls is getting a good crimp. I would have appreciated his adjustment procedure for that.
Call Mec, they will slowly walk you through it. I have every gauge Grabber reloader. 12 &20 in the sizemaster and 12&20 in the 600 jr. They work perfectly. Note: I had problems with my 410 grabber final crimp. After talking to them, it now works great. They even offered for me to send the whole reloader in and they would set it up for me. That's customer service.
Nicely done for an overview. I need to find your video that goes into the detailed setup. I understand shotshell presses require a careful setup to flow as nice as this one did in your demo.
Cookie sheet works nice under reloader to catch shot and powder that find their way out of the shell👍😎
That’s a fantastic system! So fast, and the finished shells look great!
Awesome press and great video as always.
Great tutorial for the Mec Sizemaster, but I notice that when you were showing the assembly of the Mec that it looks like that you didn't add the Brass Washer and Groment, do you need to or will it work without? Thx
Hi Gavin - How about a video on loading/re-loading 12 gauge "shorty" shells (aka Aguila mini-shells) with a MEC 600 Jr.?
This would be an awesome add to my reloading room!
Wow, the human factors challenge here, with the double action at station 3. So easy to be distracted, and mix up/forget powder and/or shot (both are essentially unseen). Obviously, consumers make this work - would be good to have a discussion of process factors to help limit errors, and check techniques to catch errors that creep in, and, how to pull apart a shell to correct an error.
It's called paying attention and eliminating interruptions.
You can't foolproof human induced errors with a machine. If you want to not take on responsibility, buy factory ammo.
For a new Competitive shotgun shooter do you recommend this press over the junior press if the majority of the brass it will be low with 1 ounce loads for competition purposes? For now I plan on 250/month later a max 500/mo. Any other good quality press you might recommend
I can tell you made this two years ago. You were well stock with everything. Try doing that now!
I have the same press and right out of the box makes great shells using Remington cases. I also use a universal charge bar. For routine shooting though it is hard to beat the Winchester or Federal Wallyworld shells price wise but when you want to load some really light loads this is great. Not as cost effective as pistol or rifle but fun.
Good summary- reloading shotshells is most desirable to achieve specific results...
I’m thinking of the MEC 600. But this looks like a better way to go
It is
Sir, your video was very informative. Thank you!
Really awesome video. This may be a silly question but are you doing this and a heat control room
As always, an Awsome and helpful video!
Thanks Brian!
Thank you for this video. How much you rate this machine, and thank you
Cool video and cool press!
First rate as always, thanks!
You said it works on 12 gauge ? So does it work on all 12 gauge 2 3/4. 3inch and the 3 1/2 mag as well ?
Thanks was very interesting
Great video as usual
Thank you for the vid.
gavintub very nice good video 👍 I will happily take part in your fun give away thanks again for all the videos 👏👍🙌
Good deal! Stay tuned for the announcement...
May I ask is the giveaway worldwide or just limited to the USA?
Gavin is that a cutting board or a cabinet door?
Very nice press
Informative video sir. Thanks a lot
Could be wrong, but it looks like you’re using Remington replacement Figure 8 wads as opposed to AA replacement wads. I use these when reloading STS hulls. I’ve tried reloading AAs with the WAA12SL wads and the hull crushes as soon as I get the crimp right (very annoying). Maybe I’ll try these wads in AA hulls and see how they come out
Great video.
great job
Will these do 2.5" shells?
is the cabinet door\mounting plate included? How come you didn't just bolt it on to your fancy rich boy table?
I noticed you dot replie to questions ? A Hull is a Hull is a Hull I guess to you because you did not say the size of the hulls you were relocating .
That is awesome never seen it
I'm sure he has plenty surplus
Has anyone tried using this in a progressive mode, manually moving the shells to each station so each pull gives you a finished shell?
Just saw this video. Interested in picking this up as i have been using an old DL-105. Do you happen to have a link for the base that you are using in this video? Much appreciated!
Very nice video!!!!!
So what’s the difference between this and lee load all 2? It seems more expensive for the same process.
thank you so much
Can this make tungsten or bismuth duck loads? I heard some of these kits can’t load certain types of powder or shot sizes etc??
Can you review the Dillon SL900 if possible?
Are you going to do a review on the top end shotshell reloaders? The presses you have tested are good, but for a real high volume shooter you need to look at the ponesess/warren product line and of course Spolar. PW also makes a single stage, the 375, which is an extremely good machine.
Never seen anyone talk about wad pressure
I recently acquired a used MEC Sizemaster, with no manual or parts list. Is there a way to gain access to the manual and parts list? I'm not sure I have everything I need.
Searching Precision Reloaders web page that base plate does not display. Do happen to still have the part number?
Is this cheaper than buying pre-made shotshells?
I'm very new to the reloading scene
Where can I buy new hulls? All I’m finding online is used ones.
Try Ballistic Products. They have everything you need to load shot, buckshot, slug loads to include reloading manuals and tools.
Bravo
Thanks from India
I would love to own that press.
Nice Vid. thanks!
Very Professinal done, do you know if this system is legal in California?
Can that machine be reassembled for 4-0 shells
Gavin where is your $300 EDC knife 🔪, dude.
Lol mine only cost $6.95.
Wood base mount is wobbly >.
It looks so easy for a bigginer like me
Gavin, where can I purchase a table like the one you are using?
Good
Very nice! I've been meaning to get into shot shell reloading now that Kommiefornia has passed the ammo law...
Hi guys!
Could this device be converted to loading slugs as well? Or would one have to buy a separate device just for slugs?
Cheers
how do i load bb shot, my charge bar is always stuck when i try to slide.
Would this work with buck shot and or slugs?
I must have an older one with the revolving base
Cool winning a 12ga sizemaster would be awesome
Can we reload slugs with it
Now will this load 00 and 000 3in buckshot ???
No. Buckshot is always introduced into the readied shells by hand.
Depending on the load either fold start crimped on the press or roll crimped by using a separate tool.
Did you ever load 3"
Good show 😎
How do you decide on how much pressure you put on the wad???
i don't see the base plate on the website.... can you help?
Good Good
Very cool
This may be a silly question but do you clean your spent shells like you do handgun and rifle brass before reloading?
Nope :)
Acquired an older model of this reloader, same components and same process. The primers are hard to punch and when I finally punch the primer it rounds the brass out. What am I doing wrong
Wow
All hype and brand loyalty aside, honestly, what makes it (any 5 station MEC single stage press) $150-300+ better than the 5 station single stage Lee Load All II?
From what I see, the separate powder and bottle reservoirs makes it interesting, especially if your mean old wife only allows you to have one press. But the LLAII is so inexpensive ($58 even during Covid) that you can literally have 4 specific gauge/shot/powder dedicated presses for the price of (1) 600 MEC Jr.
I have both. They both work great. I got the mec for the primer feeder. Lee load all 2 you have to load by hand the primers which gets annoying after a while.
goooooood
Sure would love one ☝️
I always wanted to load 12gauge and 410 shotgun it all seamed too hard so many different primers shotshell Too hard I've been reloading nearly 40years
I haven't loaded in 30 years , but I remember my dad's MEC loaded in the opposite direction. Do they make them in left hand and right hand directions? Other then that it was exactly the same. Ours started on the last side and ended on the right side.
I still have a dozen boxes from when I was 14 years old that I loaded. As I used to load all of our shells since I was 8 years old, we used to have 100 boxes on tap at all times. Ranging from duck/geese and bird to trap shells. On occasion s I would add a bit of extra powder to a box specially marked hot loads to have fun with friends, my dad and I loved pulling the hot load prank on friends. Or having a hot load in third position in case you missed your first two . The third was hot enough to get the distance and speed too, but hold tight cuzits gonna kick like donkey.