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BigJimP · December 29, 2011, 07:44 PM

I'd use the recipes for Federal plastic cases ...not Federal gold medal cases / one or the other may have some unique dimensions, internal tapers, etc .. and I'd also suggest you use the load specs from the powder company you intend to use to reload the cases. I don't have a lot of experience with Federal cases...in 12ga most of my buddies and I use / reload Remington STS or Remington Nitro hulls for general shotgun use.

I don't know much about the Lee Load all ...they may work / or they may be junk ...but sure, you can try one of them / or ask for input on them on this site. I've used versions of MEC loaders for shotshells off and on for 50yrs ...so I've stayed with what I know best.

90% or more of the guys that do a lot of shotgun shooting - use one of the MEC loaders....but if you're just looking to get into this to play with it a little ...maybe the Lee will work for you. Most of the reloading equipment out there these days from the big companies like MEC, Dillon, RCBS, Hornady are all good equipment / they just do things a little different. I know Lee is out there in the market ..as a low cost alternative ...but the MEC Jr is a low cost alternative as well, in my opinion - and I'll guarantee its a solid piece of equipment that will last a lifetime / and you can easily sell it if you don't want it down the road. There are also a lot of used loaders out there ...but like anything, you have to know what you're buying to make sure it works and all the parts are there. But at my local gunshows every month ...I see at least a dozen or more MEC loaders for sale...some old or obsolete models, some like the Jr, some of their higher end machines like the Grabber or the 9000 series.

I reload on the 9000 series MEC's these days ...but I shoot at least a few hundered shells a week or more...

Reloading is an interesting part / and fun part ...of the shooting hobby...hope you give it a try / but follow a recipe ....just don't be a "cowboy" about it - or you can get hurt / or damage a gun. Make sure whatever press you pick - resizes the brass base / or it may not cycle properly in pump or semi-auto shotguns -- and that gets really aggravating.

December 29, 2011, 07:44 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I'd use the recipes for Federal plastic cases ...not Federal gold medal cases / one or the other may have some unique dimensions, internal tapers, etc .. and I'd also suggest you use the load specs from the powder company you intend to use to reload the cases. I don't have a lot of experience with Federal cases...in 12ga most of my buddies and I use / reload Remington STS or Remington Nitro hulls for general shotgun use. I don't know much about the Lee Load all ...they may work / or they may be junk ...but sure, you can try one of them / or ask for input on them on this site. I've used versions of MEC loaders for shotshells off and on for 50yrs ...so I've stayed with what I know best. 90% or more of the guys that do a lot of shotgun shooting - use one of the MEC loaders....but if you're just looking to get into this to play with it a little ...maybe the Lee will work for you. Most of the reloading equipment out there these days from the big companies like MEC, Dillon, RCBS, Hornady are all good equipment / they just do things a little different. I know Lee is out there in the market ..as a low cost alternative ...but the MEC Jr is a low cost alternative as well, in my opinion - and I'll guarantee its a solid piece of equipment that will last a lifetime / and you can easily sell it if you don't want it down the road. There are also a lot of used loaders out there ...but like anything, you have to know what you're buying to make sure it works and all the parts are there. But at my local gunshows every month ...I see at least a dozen or more MEC loaders for sale...some old or obsolete models, some like the Jr, some of their higher end machines like the Grabber or the 9000 series. I reload on the 9000 series MEC's these days ...but I shoot at least a few hundered shells a week or more... Reloading is an interesting part / and fun part ...of the shooting hobby...hope you give it a try / but follow a recipe ....just don't be a "cowboy" about it - or you can get hurt / or damage a gun. Make sure whatever press you pick - resizes the brass base / or it may not cycle properly in pump or semi-auto shotguns -- and that gets really aggravating.