New to shot shell reloading....

Perajio · October 4, 2008, 02:23 AM

Hey folks,

I've got an opportunity to purchase a older MEC 8567 Grabber for $75.00, it has a Universal Charge Bar Model "D" included with it.
The fella selling it told me to take it home and play around with it to see if I like reloading shot shells.
I'm experienced with reloading for my rifles and I've got an idea on how the shot shell reloading works, but I've still got some questions. My questions are as follows:
1) Where can I find a scale to weigh shot charges to verify my charge bar settings??
2) Is there a universal wad to cover general shooting applications and how do I choose the correct wad for my needs???
3) Are there any "dippers" for shot charges?

Thanks for the help guys.

tom234 · October 4, 2008, 02:59 AM

Aren't there any markings on the universal charge bar to determine shot weight ? You can always verify shot weight using a powder scale with 437.5 grains = 1 ounce.
Wads are particuliar to shot weight, powder load, and specific hulls. Loading tables will tell you what wad to use. Start with selecting a hull to load with a desired shot weight then select the powder charge and the required wad will be indicated. Here's an Alliant load table: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...eid=3&gauge=12
As far as a shot dipper, I don't know why anyone would want to use a shot dipper in a MEC shotshell loader when the loader is set up with a charge bar..

zippy13 · October 4, 2008, 05:16 AM

You're getting a good bargain on the grabber, the addition of the Universal Charge Bar makes it a great bargain. I have four MECs converted to universal bars, you'll like yours. You didn't mention what gauge grabber you're getting, nor what loads you want.
1) Use a standard reloading scale to verify your shot and powder charges. Some balance scales have a chart to convert the readings to ounces. Or, as tom234 mentioned, divide your reading in grains by 437.5 to get ounces. Here's the link for info on the universal bars.
2) As Tom mentioned, "Wads are particuliar to shot weight, powder load, and specific hulls." You need some idea what you'll be loading for. Select a wad to give you the most versatility/economy. Typically you'll have a different wad for each different shot charge. IMHO, start with wads for 1 1/8-oz in 12-ga, 7/8-oz in 20-ga, 3/4-oz in 28-ga or 1/2-oz in .410-bore.
3) I'm with Tom, why do you want to fool around with dippers when you have a custom adjustable bar? If you really want to a shot dipper, LEE makes an adjustable one.

Mach II Sailor · October 4, 2008, 09:56 AM

you are getting a good deal on the Mec, but i can better that deal, i have a Pacific DL-366 exactly like the Hornady 366

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_ses...b489eb60dd8509

with 7 powder bushings, 6 shot bushings, 5 wad guides, 100+ lbs. of lead shot 800 AA12 wads, 8 lbs of AA452 powder, and some once fired AA hulls.

$500.00 cash

Perajio · October 4, 2008, 01:08 PM

You guys are great! Thanks for the info. I only wanted the dipper because it's old school. Mach II Sailor, thanks for the offer, but I'm doing the "I'm so broke" dance and have to take the "grabber".

crowbeaner · October 4, 2008, 02:47 PM

If you convert ounces to grains you will have the weights necessary to set the universal charge bar. MAKE NOTES of the settings and keep them for future use. Make sure the charge bar is locked so that the settings don't inadvertantly change while reloading. I have one, and I still use the fixed bars because it takes all of 1 minute to change the bar and bushing as opposed to 5-10 minutes of playing to get the u-charge bar back where I need it. Used fixed bars are for sale all the time on feebay; you should pick up some. The price on the Grabber is too good to pass up; buy it.

October 4, 2008, 02:23 AM	#1
Perajio Member Join Date: August 6, 2008 Location: Somewhere near Buffalo, NY Posts: 98	New to shot shell reloading.... Hey folks, I've got an opportunity to purchase a older MEC 8567 Grabber for $75.00, it has a Universal Charge Bar Model "D" included with it. The fella selling it told me to take it home and play around with it to see if I like reloading shot shells. I'm experienced with reloading for my rifles and I've got an idea on how the shot shell reloading works, but I've still got some questions. My questions are as follows: 1) Where can I find a scale to weigh shot charges to verify my charge bar settings?? 2) Is there a universal wad to cover general shooting applications and how do I choose the correct wad for my needs??? 3) Are there any "dippers" for shot charges? Thanks for the help guys.

October 4, 2008, 02:59 AM	#2
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	Aren't there any markings on the universal charge bar to determine shot weight ? You can always verify shot weight using a powder scale with 437.5 grains = 1 ounce. Wads are particuliar to shot weight, powder load, and specific hulls. Loading tables will tell you what wad to use. Start with selecting a hull to load with a desired shot weight then select the powder charge and the required wad will be indicated. Here's an Alliant load table: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...eid=3&gauge=12 As far as a shot dipper, I don't know why anyone would want to use a shot dipper in a MEC shotshell loader when the loader is set up with a charge bar..

October 4, 2008, 05:16 AM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	You're getting a good bargain on the grabber, the addition of the Universal Charge Bar makes it a great bargain. I have four MECs converted to universal bars, you'll like yours. You didn't mention what gauge grabber you're getting, nor what loads you want. 1) Use a standard reloading scale to verify your shot and powder charges. Some balance scales have a chart to convert the readings to ounces. Or, as tom234 mentioned, divide your reading in grains by 437.5 to get ounces. Here's the link for info on the universal bars. 2) As Tom mentioned, "Wads are particuliar to shot weight, powder load, and specific hulls." You need some idea what you'll be loading for. Select a wad to give you the most versatility/economy. Typically you'll have a different wad for each different shot charge. IMHO, start with wads for 1 1/8-oz in 12-ga, 7/8-oz in 20-ga, 3/4-oz in 28-ga or 1/2-oz in .410-bore. 3) I'm with Tom, why do you want to fool around with dippers when you have a custom adjustable bar? If you really want to a shot dipper, LEE makes an adjustable one.

October 4, 2008, 09:56 AM	#4
Mach II Sailor Junior member Join Date: March 22, 2007 Posts: 480	you are getting a good deal on the Mec, but i can better that deal, i have a Pacific DL-366 exactly like the Hornady 366 https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_ses...b489eb60dd8509 with 7 powder bushings, 6 shot bushings, 5 wad guides, 100+ lbs. of lead shot 800 AA12 wads, 8 lbs of AA452 powder, and some once fired AA hulls. $500.00 cash

October 4, 2008, 01:08 PM	#5
Perajio Member Join Date: August 6, 2008 Location: Somewhere near Buffalo, NY Posts: 98	You guys are great! Thanks for the info. I only wanted the dipper because it's old school. Mach II Sailor, thanks for the offer, but I'm doing the "I'm so broke" dance and have to take the "grabber".

October 4, 2008, 02:47 PM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	If you convert ounces to grains you will have the weights necessary to set the universal charge bar. MAKE NOTES of the settings and keep them for future use. Make sure the charge bar is locked so that the settings don't inadvertantly change while reloading. I have one, and I still use the fixed bars because it takes all of 1 minute to change the bar and bushing as opposed to 5-10 minutes of playing to get the u-charge bar back where I need it. Used fixed bars are for sale all the time on feebay; you should pick up some. The price on the Grabber is too good to pass up; buy it.