MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

1
Somedays, I am not sure if I reload so i can shoot, or shoot so I can reload..

Anyway I am looking at shotshell loaders to feed an 1100 20 gauge and want to see what y'all might think.

Since I am shooting an autoloader, need I worry about how the press resizes the hull?

Thanks for the thoughts.

:coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee:
Bleeding Heart Liberal with Second Amendment Benefits.
Image
Image

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

2
drigeba wrote:Somedays, I am not sure if I reload so i can shoot, or shoot so I can reload..

Anyway I am looking at shotshell loaders to feed an 1100 20 gauge and want to see what y'all might think.

Since I am shooting an autoloader, need I worry about how the press resizes the hull?

Thanks for the thoughts.

:coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee:

Don't know about the MEC, but my Loadall has a ring that resizes the base. It has always worked for me. I use it for a Browning Sweet 16, as 16 ga is harder to come by & more expensive. :thumbup:
Merle from PA


Image
Image

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

3
I have the lee and like it. Though Im new to reloading shotgun. I purchased one in 12 gauge on amazon, new, free shipping [prime] for $45 about a month ago, and I bought the 20 gauge conversion for $20 extra. also free shipping. So far it works like a champ, but im just punching out generic loads. Maybe if I was more pedantic about it like expert professional shooters, I would look into something with more versatility. But for under $70 , brand new. Im not complaining one bit.

Just wish they wouldnt have stopped selling it for the 410. That would make it a complete LoadAll for me.
This is just my opinion, yours may vary and is no less valid.
- Me -

"I will never claim to be an expert, and it has been my experience that self proclaimed experts are usually self proclaimed."
-Me-

I must proof read more

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

9
I was facing the same dilemma 6 months ago. A gentleman at my wife's church, recommended I buy a used Mec Jr instead of a new Lee. He said it would cost about $20 more but it would be well worth it. Well, he was right. I love my Mec. I bought it off of eBay for under $80 and it loads like a dream. I've never loaded with a Loadall so I can't tell if it is better or not, but watching youtubes of people using it, I can tell you that the mec is faster and much easier to unload shot and powder after a session. I've made it through my first 25# bag of shot (+/- 400 shells) and don't regret buying used.

If this is your first time reloading, my advice is don't go crazy hunting for powder. When I started, whenever I found local shot shell powder, I bought it because of the shortage. Well, the shortage seems to be tapering off now and I have found some reliable source that restrict powder purchases to keep the hoarders at bay, only problem is I now have 5 pounds of various types of powder. I know, things could be worse and I'll have to keep a stiff upper lip shooting through my powder inventory :yahoo: In hindsight, I should have cooled my jets and tested powders a pound at a time and stick with the one I like best. Best of luck with your decision, let us know what you ended up with.

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

10
ncbluedot wrote:I was facing the same dilemma 6 months ago. A gentleman at my wife's church, recommended I buy a used Mec Jr instead of a new Lee. He said it would cost about $20 more but it would be well worth it. Well, he was right. I love my Mec. I bought it off of eBay for under $80 and it loads like a dream. I've never loaded with a Loadall so I can't tell if it is better or not, but watching youtubes of people using it, I can tell you that the mec is faster and much easier to unload shot and powder after a session. I've made it through my first 25# bag of shot (+/- 400 shells) and don't regret buying used.

If this is your first time reloading, my advice is don't go crazy hunting for powder. When I started, whenever I found local shot shell powder, I bought it because of the shortage. Well, the shortage seems to be tapering off now and I have found some reliable source that restrict powder purchases to keep the hoarders at bay, only problem is I now have 5 pounds of various types of powder. I know, things could be worse and I'll have to keep a stiff upper lip shooting through my powder inventory :yahoo: In hindsight, I should have cooled my jets and tested powders a pound at a time and stick with the one I like best. Best of luck with your decision, let us know what you ended up with.



Look at it this way - you'll have some powder left over for the NEXT shortage.... :hmmm:
Merle from PA


Image
Image

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

11
ncbluedot wrote:I was facing the same dilemma 6 months ago. A gentleman at my wife's church, recommended I buy a used Mec Jr instead of a new Lee. He said it would cost about $20 more but it would be well worth it. Well, he was right. I love my Mec. I bought it off of eBay for under $80 and it loads like a dream. I've never loaded with a Loadall so I can't tell if it is better or not, but watching youtubes of people using it, I can tell you that the mec is faster and much easier to unload shot and powder after a session. I've made it through my first 25# bag of shot (+/- 400 shells) and don't regret buying used.

If this is your first time reloading, my advice is don't go crazy hunting for powder. When I started, whenever I found local shot shell powder, I bought it because of the shortage. Well, the shortage seems to be tapering off now and I have found some reliable source that restrict powder purchases to keep the hoarders at bay, only problem is I now have 5 pounds of various types of powder. I know, things could be worse and I'll have to keep a stiff upper lip shooting through my powder inventory :yahoo: In hindsight, I should have cooled my jets and tested powders a pound at a time and stick with the one I like best. Best of luck with your decision, let us know what you ended up with.

If you found a complete MEC for $80 you did great. I would have bought that over the LoadAll too. But those deals are far and few in my experience. Usually your looking at closer to $200 for a complete Mec.
This is just my opinion, yours may vary and is no less valid.
- Me -

"I will never claim to be an expert, and it has been my experience that self proclaimed experts are usually self proclaimed."
-Me-

I must proof read more

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

12
there are some on ebay right now with bidding still under $100, I found this buy it now for $125 http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEC-600-JR-MARK ... 1e99d22167
But most seem to be selling for and bidding out around $140 +/- which is still over 2 times that of the LoadAll.
All I can say is, I have the LoadAll, and I have no problems with it and like it ..

Hey, I also have a ammo box of really old Herters shotgun reloading dies , 12, 16, and 20s , for a single stage press. maybe I could put those on ebay and someone would buy those off me ?? They are in good shape. hmmmm...... They were my Gramps
This is just my opinion, yours may vary and is no less valid.
- Me -

"I will never claim to be an expert, and it has been my experience that self proclaimed experts are usually self proclaimed."
-Me-

I must proof read more

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

13
I had to go back to my auction records to make sure I wasn't pulling a Brian Williams. I was definitely in the first chopper...so to speak.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141501700382

Everything was complete, even though it it looked like it had been in storage a while. It cleaned up real nice. It only came with one charge bar (118) and one bushing (34), so I made some additional purchases of 6 more bushings and a 1oz charge bar. I broke one of the shot bottles with a funnel, so that doesn't count. :wall: One of my many noob mistakes.

Re: MEC reloader or Lee Loadall?

14
I've been happy with the two Lee Load-Alls I have, one in 20-gauge and one in 12-gauge. I've been using them for years and they produce perfectly serviceable ammunition. One advantage they have over the MEC Jr. is they come with a complete set of powder and shot bushings that allow you to load any conceivable combination of loads right out of the box. MECs come with a charge bar for one shot load weight and 3 powder bushings.

I've put my reloads through pump, O/U, and semi-auto shotguns with no issues at all and their appearance is almost indistinguishable from new shells.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest