MEC Bushings - Over or Under?

AF_Reloader · April 19, 2008, 11:46 PM

I finally gave up on my Universal Charge Bar (nothing but problems for me), and I went back to the standard bar/bushings for my 8567 Grabber.

Thing is, the load I'm using calls for 18 grains of Red Dot; bushing #30 delivers 17.8, and #31 delivers 18.5. Which way do you go on these? A little high, or a little low?

A reloader I talked to at the local gun shop says the bushings always throw light (for safety reasons), but I want to verify that.

Thanks!

freakshow10mm · April 20, 2008, 12:06 AM

I have a MEC 600JR for 20ga with the std bushings. They all throw a little light.

I would guess that .2gr low would be better than .5gr high.

I haven't really used my Uni charge bar enough, so I can't help you there.

tom234 · April 20, 2008, 12:48 AM

What specific problem have you had with the Universal Charge Bar ? I've often thought about buying one.
My recollection is MEC bushings throw light charges and I had to modify them to get the desired weight. I'd buy the bushing with the reported higher weight.

AF_Reloader · April 20, 2008, 09:45 AM

I can't seem to get that thing to throw consistent charges once I've changed it, i.e. changing the settings to a new recipe, and then trying to change it back, I can't get it to throw the original weight.

90% of my reloads are 12 ga 1 1/8 ounce, so the set bar and the 5 bushings I need work just fine.

Bboomer · April 20, 2008, 10:57 AM

I don't think that .2 grains would be significant IMO. However, buying an under weight/size bushing would be my choice (if within the listed data specs).

As has already been mentioned, a slight bushing modification would be an option.

wild willy · April 20, 2008, 01:54 PM

You have to weigh the charges the bushings will be close but usually a little less than listed. Also you have to do the whole cycle you can't just put powder in the hopper and slide the bar. The less the press bounces around the better, solid mount on heavy table or bench

cheezhed · April 21, 2008, 03:15 AM

I would go for the 17.8 grain bushing. I have never been able to notice any difference in .2 grains in a shotgun.

Jim Watson · April 21, 2008, 08:18 AM

Bushings are cheap, get one of each.

If 18.5 gr is a listed load, you might want to use it on well worn hulls whose crimps are getting weak.

Or get the #30 and ream it out until it delivers what you want.

Eric M. · April 21, 2008, 11:30 PM

I've used my Mec 650 since 1970.
For 25yrs I shot ATA, and reloaded at least 20 boxes of shells a week.
My standard load has always been and still is 18gr of Red Dot Powder.
The drop will vary some because of the way a guy pulls down the lever.
When I was young, this used to drive me nuts.
When I got a little older, I realized that the little extra powder, or less powder didn't hurt anything, including my shooting. Remember, you are shooting a shotgun with low pressure loads, and a long shot string.
Shotgun reloading is not as exact as metalic reloading.

I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Eric

BigJimP · April 22, 2008, 12:14 PM

MEC bushings will all vary a little even with the same number bushing so you have to check each one with a good scale. I'm not a fan of the universal charge bars either / so I stay with the standard bars on my MEC 9000 HN presses.

Start with a smaller bushing that throws light - chuck it up in a drill press, lathe - whatever and spin it and using a little emery cloth - just polish the inside a little until it reads exactly what you want on your drop. If you go a little bit overboard, you can toss them out (they're cheap) or put a little bit of the clear finger nail polish (the real hard one) on the inside of the bushing - and lightly polish it again. But it's not that hard to fine tune a bushing. Re-Mark it with a Dremel Tool - so you can identify it down the road.

On a 12ga load - I find very consistent drops using Hodgdon Clays powder.

Eric M. · April 22, 2008, 01:16 PM

BigJim has good points, along with going with Clay's powder.
The only reason that I haven't switched to Clay's is because I'm not into trap much anymore, so my Red Dot works just fine for me.

Of all of the powders, Clay's is the best for most everything that I have seen.
Even for my .45 Colt Cowboy Pistol it works great.

Eric

Waldog · April 23, 2008, 01:19 AM

If you are using the powder baffle that screws on the the end of your powder bottle, THAT is where your problem is. Put your adjustable charge bar back on and take the powder baffle off your bottle and I think you will see a DRAMATIC improvement in your powder throws. ALWAYS keep your powder bottle at least 1/2 full, top it off regularly and, you should get consistent charges.

I've used the adjustable bars for about 20 years and found out early on that the screw on powder baffle is not your friend. Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised.

BigJimP · April 23, 2008, 11:58 AM

Waldog brings up an interesting point on the powder baffle - and whether to use it or not. In theory, it helps the powder flow evenly, regardless of the level of powder in the bottle, and is designed to take some of the variation out of the powder drops.

Personally, I've had problems with the baffles too - and I've since removed them from all of my loaders - and like Waldog says, just keep your bottles at least half full and it won't be a problem. If you have a baffle installed - I would certainly remove it and see if it helps - but problems with the baffles are not just related to the universal charge bar.

Honestly, I think the bushing system is really easy to use. I have not used a universal bar in probably 15 years - and when I did try them, I thought they were a little too fussy and it seemed to give more variation in drops than a standard bushing. So I got rid of it and just went back to the standard bars - keep them clean - adjust the bushings like I suggested above and the rubber shot drop grommet and its a really simple system.

April 19, 2008, 11:46 PM	#1
AF_Reloader Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: Beale AFB, CA Posts: 73	MEC Bushings - Over or Under? I finally gave up on my Universal Charge Bar (nothing but problems for me), and I went back to the standard bar/bushings for my 8567 Grabber. Thing is, the load I'm using calls for 18 grains of Red Dot; bushing #30 delivers 17.8, and #31 delivers 18.5. Which way do you go on these? A little high, or a little low? A reloader I talked to at the local gun shop says the bushings always throw light (for safety reasons), but I want to verify that. Thanks!

April 21, 2008, 11:30 PM	#9
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	I've used my Mec 650 since 1970. For 25yrs I shot ATA, and reloaded at least 20 boxes of shells a week. My standard load has always been and still is 18gr of Red Dot Powder. The drop will vary some because of the way a guy pulls down the lever. When I was young, this used to drive me nuts. When I got a little older, I realized that the little extra powder, or less powder didn't hurt anything, including my shooting. Remember, you are shooting a shotgun with low pressure loads, and a long shot string. Shotgun reloading is not as exact as metalic reloading. I wouldn't worry if I were you. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

April 22, 2008, 01:16 PM	#11
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	BigJim has good points, along with going with Clay's powder. The only reason that I haven't switched to Clay's is because I'm not into trap much anymore, so my Red Dot works just fine for me. Of all of the powders, Clay's is the best for most everything that I have seen. Even for my .45 Colt Cowboy Pistol it works great. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

April 23, 2008, 01:19 AM	#12
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	If you are using the powder baffle that screws on the the end of your powder bottle, THAT is where your problem is. Put your adjustable charge bar back on and take the powder baffle off your bottle and I think you will see a DRAMATIC improvement in your powder throws. ALWAYS keep your powder bottle at least 1/2 full, top it off regularly and, you should get consistent charges. I've used the adjustable bars for about 20 years and found out early on that the screw on powder baffle is not your friend. Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

April 20, 2008, 12:06 AM	#2
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	I have a MEC 600JR for 20ga with the std bushings. They all throw a little light. I would guess that .2gr low would be better than .5gr high. I haven't really used my Uni charge bar enough, so I can't help you there.

April 20, 2008, 12:48 AM	#3
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	What specific problem have you had with the Universal Charge Bar ? I've often thought about buying one. My recollection is MEC bushings throw light charges and I had to modify them to get the desired weight. I'd buy the bushing with the reported higher weight.

April 20, 2008, 09:45 AM	#4
AF_Reloader Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: Beale AFB, CA Posts: 73	I can't seem to get that thing to throw consistent charges once I've changed it, i.e. changing the settings to a new recipe, and then trying to change it back, I can't get it to throw the original weight. 90% of my reloads are 12 ga 1 1/8 ounce, so the set bar and the 5 bushings I need work just fine.

April 20, 2008, 10:57 AM	#5
Bboomer Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2007 Posts: 108	I don't think that .2 grains would be significant IMO. However, buying an under weight/size bushing would be my choice (if within the listed data specs). As has already been mentioned, a slight bushing modification would be an option.

April 20, 2008, 01:54 PM	#6
wild willy Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2006 Posts: 404	You have to weigh the charges the bushings will be close but usually a little less than listed. Also you have to do the whole cycle you can't just put powder in the hopper and slide the bar. The less the press bounces around the better, solid mount on heavy table or bench

April 21, 2008, 03:15 AM	#7
cheezhed Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Posts: 302	I would go for the 17.8 grain bushing. I have never been able to notice any difference in .2 grains in a shotgun.

April 21, 2008, 08:18 AM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Bushings are cheap, get one of each. If 18.5 gr is a listed load, you might want to use it on well worn hulls whose crimps are getting weak. Or get the #30 and ream it out until it delivers what you want.

April 22, 2008, 12:14 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	MEC bushings will all vary a little even with the same number bushing so you have to check each one with a good scale. I'm not a fan of the universal charge bars either / so I stay with the standard bars on my MEC 9000 HN presses. Start with a smaller bushing that throws light - chuck it up in a drill press, lathe - whatever and spin it and using a little emery cloth - just polish the inside a little until it reads exactly what you want on your drop. If you go a little bit overboard, you can toss them out (they're cheap) or put a little bit of the clear finger nail polish (the real hard one) on the inside of the bushing - and lightly polish it again. But it's not that hard to fine tune a bushing. Re-Mark it with a Dremel Tool - so you can identify it down the road. On a 12ga load - I find very consistent drops using Hodgdon Clays powder.

April 23, 2008, 11:58 AM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Waldog brings up an interesting point on the powder baffle - and whether to use it or not. In theory, it helps the powder flow evenly, regardless of the level of powder in the bottle, and is designed to take some of the variation out of the powder drops. Personally, I've had problems with the baffles too - and I've since removed them from all of my loaders - and like Waldog says, just keep your bottles at least half full and it won't be a problem. If you have a baffle installed - I would certainly remove it and see if it helps - but problems with the baffles are not just related to the universal charge bar. Honestly, I think the bushing system is really easy to use. I have not used a universal bar in probably 15 years - and when I did try them, I thought they were a little too fussy and it seemed to give more variation in drops than a standard bushing. So I got rid of it and just went back to the standard bars - keep them clean - adjust the bushings like I suggested above and the rubber shot drop grommet and its a really simple system.