ShotShell Reloading - Is there a press that...

300magman · April 19, 2010, 01:38 PM

Is there one press out there that will let me reload both 12 and 20 guage shells with both steel and lead shot?

I'm looking for a cheap reliable solution that will suit someone like me who shoots skeet no more than 6 times a year, and also wants to load hunting rounds for both guns with lead and steel shot. Up to 3" for the 20ga and 3.5" for the 12ga.

snuffy · April 19, 2010, 02:01 PM

No! You'd need a Mec steelmaster in both gauges. The steelmaster is basically a Mec 600 JR. mark 5 with special tooling for the differences in steel pellets. Both would still work for lead loads and skeet shells. I'm not sure about the 3.5 inch capability of the steelmaster.

Somebody is sure to come along saying, you could get a die conversion kit for one press to make you able to change gauges. Yep, it can be done, BUT it's a major hassle, at least a 2 hour job to change gauges AND get all the settings completed.

oneounceload · April 19, 2010, 02:17 PM

As mentioned, you are better off finding two used MEC - 1 in each gauge, get them set up to work properly and have at it.

I have converted a 12 gauge MEC Jr. from 12 to 28 - but it was to make it a 28 loader. Going back and forth takes too much time and requires resetting all of the equipmenr

300magman · April 19, 2010, 08:12 PM

...if only there was anywhere in tarnation that sold used loaders. Such things could take 5 lifetimes to find in this part of this country. I'll have to hope Midway has a sale.

April 19, 2010, 01:38 PM	#1
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	ShotShell Reloading - Is there a press that... Is there one press out there that will let me reload both 12 and 20 guage shells with both steel and lead shot? I'm looking for a cheap reliable solution that will suit someone like me who shoots skeet no more than 6 times a year, and also wants to load hunting rounds for both guns with lead and steel shot. Up to 3" for the 20ga and 3.5" for the 12ga.

April 19, 2010, 02:01 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	No! You'd need a Mec steelmaster in both gauges. The steelmaster is basically a Mec 600 JR. mark 5 with special tooling for the differences in steel pellets. Both would still work for lead loads and skeet shells. I'm not sure about the 3.5 inch capability of the steelmaster. Somebody is sure to come along saying, you could get a die conversion kit for one press to make you able to change gauges. Yep, it can be done, BUT it's a major hassle, at least a 2 hour job to change gauges AND get all the settings completed. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

April 19, 2010, 02:17 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	As mentioned, you are better off finding two used MEC - 1 in each gauge, get them set up to work properly and have at it. I have converted a 12 gauge MEC Jr. from 12 to 28 - but it was to make it a 28 loader. Going back and forth takes too much time and requires resetting all of the equipmenr

April 19, 2010, 08:12 PM	#4
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	...if only there was anywhere in tarnation that sold used loaders. Such things could take 5 lifetimes to find in this part of this country. I'll have to hope Midway has a sale.