alexm Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 The escalating cost of cartridges is making me look seriously at reloading my game loads. Does anyone have any recommendations on reloading equipment for 12g shells? Are complete kits available, if so where? Or is it best to source press etc separately? Do they work in a similar fashion to rifle/pistol presses, i.e. can one press deal with multiple calibres by using different dies/crimps/whatever? I have a friend who is paying a small fortune for 16g shells who is willing to subsidise my little venture! cheers, Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 i like my lee load all but floating chamber is the man to ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenzie Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Mec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Mec for me but our resident specialist is Floating chamber...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted January 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 (edited) Thanks guys! Any particular model of MEC? And can it do multiple calibres by swapping bits? Seems like the only definite concensus we have so far is ask Floating Chamber!... come in Floating Chamber! Edited January 21, 2008 by alexm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 hes playing hard to get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) saving is with the very large gauges, (2,4,8 and 10) and the small .410bore, 28gauge and 20gauge, and the latter one is risky. FC Edited April 27, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 If you think that with today's soaring lead prices you are going to be up to your knees with cheap 12 gauge shells by reloading, it ain't gonna happen! The greatest saving is with the very large gauges, (2,4,8 and 10) and the small .410bore, 28gauge and 20gauge, and the latter one is risky. FC I appreciate that but I need to justify buying the equipment... and the missus doesn't need to know that, does she! :blink: Now, recommendations on a press? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) FC Edited April 27, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Start small, manual and cheap. The Lee LoadAll will do everything an expensive single-stage press will do and it will only cost you 40 quid or so. A multitude of powder and shot bushes comes with it too. A set of scales is essential. Thanks FC! So what are the advantages of the MEC over the Lee if I didn't mind spending a bit more? Better crimps? And can either handle multiple calibres? (12g and 16g) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) FC Edited April 27, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I use a mec, suits me fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I have just bought a loadall and am quite impressed, I think it will take a few to get the crimps perfect but I loaded 10 the other night in about 2 minutes. Just need to try them on sunday All I need now is for floating chamber to post his lead shot maker drawings and I will be away :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) FC Edited April 27, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 A basic Mec 600Jr. will set you back 130 quid or more. A set of 16 gauge tools perhaps another 50+ quid; then you will need a Universal Charge Bar; that's another 45+ quid. A conversion and set up for 16gauge will take you an hour or so each way. The Lee LoadAll can be converted to 16 gauge or 20 gauge in 60 seconds and only costs around 18 quid a gauge. By reducing the length of the plastic crimping chamber by 5mm (with a Junior hacksaw) you can reload 65, 67 & 70mm cases, without any further tampering. You can't do this with a Mec! Remember, too, that different shot-sizes 'throw' different weights of shot, because of the spaces between the pellets. Lee powder/shot bushes can be made adjustable by drilling a 3mm hole through the face and screwing in a suitably sized brass set-pin; this can be screwed in or out to set the weight. A ten minute cut and file slot, left and right, to the front plate of a Lee will allow the screw adjusters to slide. FC FC, could you please explain the hacksaw job a little further please. FM :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) FC, could you please explain the hacksaw job a little further please. FM :blink: OK Ollie, here goes! The photo below shows how a slot has been cut in the front panel; this allows the bar to shuttle to and fro with its adjustable bush. The detail also shows two other alterations; the redundant 8-star crimp starter has been sawn off to afford extra room for positioning in the 6-star position. This reduces 'accidents' when the shell falls off the back! The other alteration is the shortening of the crimp station to 62mm so that shorter 65 & 67mm can be crimp-started and loaded. The end is re-chamfered. I am not suggesting you do this shortening! (But extra tool mouldings are only about 18 quid if you make a cock-up!) I have included a few shot bushes, so that you can see how the simple brass screw adjuster works. The next photo shows the slot in greater detail. Putting in two slots also allows you greater freedom and accuracy in powder charges if you alter the powder bushes too. Edited January 23, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks. That made perfect sense and I think I may try the shortening in the near future so I can load some of my primed 65mm cases. :blink: My 6-star crimp starter is at the front on my 20 bore loader. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks. That made perfect sense and I think I may try the shortening in the near future so I can load some of my primed 65mm cases. :blink: My 6-star crimp starter is at the front on my 20 bore loader. FM Yes, the 16gauge and 20 gauge Lees have their 6- point (star) at the FRONT. Removing is an option for the 12 gauge Lee. I will attempt to get a professional spinner for you; it'll cost about 30 quid. You will need to invest in a bench drill. I'll post a pic of the set-up. FC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmsy Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 are 8 star crimps better than 6 in any way FC ?? if i was to reload i would use my normal shell cases which are 8 star. wheres a good place to get one of these lee loadalls ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) are 8 star crimps better than 6 in any way FC ?? if i was to reload i would use my normal shell cases which are 8 star.wheres a good place to get one of these lee loadalls ?? Tim Hannam or go straight to eBay.com (not our feeble eBay.co.uk) Ferret Master will give you the cost if you pm him. FC Edited January 24, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) The pic below shows a .410 reload about to be spun. The piece of MDF is all you need to stop the shell spinning, after you have lubricated the shell-mouth This pic shows a gang of professional spinners of various gauges. About 500 quid's worth, believe it or not! (That was 14 years ago!) These Mec Supersizers are the bee's knees when it comes to re-sizing cases! This is part of a consignment of used re-sizers we imported just before this Christmas. If bought new in this country, they are about 70 quid, plus postage. FC Edited January 24, 2008 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingmike Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 FC... Do you know any way to adjust a load all to hold more powder? The reason I ask is I use mine to load 3" steel cratridges with Alliant 381 powder. Only problem is, 381 is very bulky. The recipe I am using calls for 33 grains of 381 but the biggest powder bush only holds 27 grains of it. What I'm doing at the moment is using a bushing that holds half (about 16.5 grains), dropping it twice to give 33 grains then loading the shot by hand. The only thing I can think is to try filling the shot side with powder, using a shot bush that holds roughly 33 grains and still loading the shot by hand. What d'ya reckon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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