I currently load on a MEC 12 ga. Grabber and I like it's simplicity. I am going to purchase presses in 20, 28, and .410. I am considering the Grabber for the small gauges, but was thinking about " up - grading " to the 9000 G. for the small gauges. My question is will the addition of the auto indexing and finished shell ejection actually speed up the loading process that much ? The difference in price between going all Grabber or all 9000 is around $265.00. Do you think the 9000's are worth the difference in price and are they more or less " finiky " ? I load in high volume of all the gauges and really want to make the proper decision on which model to purchase. I really need the opinions of those of you that are familiar with both machines ( I don't want a hydrolic ).
Thanks for any and all opinions.
Jim

This probably will not answer your question. I use both MEC Jr. & Ponsess Warren 375 presses (in several guages). I did own for awhile another manufacturer's "automatic' reloading press. That model was not very automatic-did not dispense primers, wads,etc. I found it took a while to get the hang of using it-spilled powder, shot when I did not do it right.What a mess!Got rid of it at a very large $$$ loss! Suggestion make sure it dispenses primers, wads, etc. as the machine indexes.
If I were to purchase a shoshell loading machine for high volume-I would look toward PW's machines. What ever you buy make sure it is easy to change powder bushings, shot bushings, easily resizes the brass case bases,how smooth is the operation, how easy is it to make near perfect crimps, will you load paper cases or just plastic cases, if both how easy to change the crimp heads and how easy to adjust the crimp depth?
Just some thoughts!
Good Luck!
Jim

Stick with the Grabber. Easier to use especially if you are not goining to do high volume shooting. Would also suggest you check out the Hornady 366. John

I used to shoot skeet quite competitively, plus load for the family. I have progressives for 12, 20, 28ga, but for the .410, I went with a MEC 700. Too many messes with the .410 in a progressive.
The Grabbers are great!

I know very little about loading for the subgauges, but being a trapshooter, I do a lot of loading for the 12-gauge, I can honestly say I'll own no other press other than my 9000G. It performs flawlessly, and that's a big plus when it's the night before the state shoot and you realize you have 1500 shells to load! I don't think you'll have any problems loading the 20 and 28 gauges with the same press, either. I'm good friends with a sporting clays shooter than shoots a 28-gauge, and he has no problems with his 9000G for that gauge. For the .410, I've heard it can be a bit finicky, so you may want to stick with a single stage press regardless of make. BUT, if you plan on loading large amounts of shells, get the 9000G. MEC's are the best loader you can find, simple and reliable. What more can you ask for? And since you're familiar with the Grabber already, going to the 9000 should be absolutely no problem. Go with the 9000G and you won't be sorry!

I load on MEC 9000Gs in all four gauges with no problem. It is important to keep the smaller gauges, mainly the 410, operating as smoothly as possible. Too much jerking will cause shot to spill. Also be sure that the wad is being fully pushed into the 410 hulls or the shot column will be too high and spill over.

I have the grabber for 12 and the 650 for 20. Both work well but the grabber sizes the brass and the 650 doesn't. The grabber is great though.

My MEC Sizemaster is 25 yrs old and still works like a charm,

For nearly 30 yrs, I have used the same set of tools... Grabbers for 12,20, and 28.
I load .410 on a MEC Sizemaster and find I can get plenty of rounds for my purposes out of it.
MEC's are a LOT of press for the money. I would not be interested in "up-grading" to a full progressive.