Just bought a 28ga shotgun. Looking around for the best value in a progressive reloading machine. Your opines will be greatly appreciated.

A MEC 600 Jr can be had for just over $100 new less if used.
I have one (one each 12 , 16, 20,28 and 410)
I bought the 28 gau press used and I have used it for years (shot 4 gau skeet ),probley 10,000 + thru the press over the years

Rusty,
I have been loading my 28 on a used Ponsness Warren loader 800B I got on ebay and I am happy with it. It is fast but it does take a bit of tuning to get it dialed in. You can find them on ebay for mid $300's. The new 800+ is $670 but has a lot of refinements.

There was a young Texan who posted 4 MEC 9000G's, one of each gauge on AR. I bought and paid for one in .410. Unfortunately I have not seen hide nor hair of the loader and he isn't answering my emails.

The new MEC 9000GN is getting rave reviews. You can get one of those from Connies shipped for $329.
Connies ad
The MEC 600 mentioned is not a progressive but it is a good single stage.

BTW, get a flat or two of the Winchester AA HS shells. they are incredibly durable. I will find a link for you. One guy did some interesting tests on them and with the right powder, he had them going over 20 reloads.

Here is the link. I went and found it, but it is for the .410 AA HS case. Ineresting data though.

.410 case longevity

Already got a case of the HS AAs.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Already got a case of the HS AAs.

Thanks

Check out Ballistic product's web site they have 28ga. wads for 3/4, 7/8 and 1oz loads.

They will e-mail you load data for these wads too.

MEC tools give the best value/price ratio, whether you are interested in a single-stage or a progressive tool. MEC parts are readily available, and the people at the Mayville Engineering Company in Wisconsin are helpful if you call them asking for help or advice. Publishers of shotshell data always include data for MEC tools.

You can pay considerably more, and perhaps get slightly better tools. I do not think you can get better loads from more expensive equipment than you can get from MEC. Does a BMW or Mercedes really transport you from one place to another better than a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?

Well said Lloyd!

I already have two single stages Mecs. They have always managed to work. I'll lok for a progressive Mec.

I think Lloyd gave some good advice in respect to new machines. In used ones, I would take a PW 800 over a 9000 Mec any day. And his analogy of the car misses a few items. If it comes to tough duty there is no comparison and the difference used at least on Ebay is in the $75 range. The PW encases the shell in a sheath of steel and if a wad goes askew and it clogs up, the Mec will crush a shell and the PW will not. On the other hand, if you have to remove the shells from either, the MEC is a walk in the park compared to the PW.

I did get my MEC 9000G from that kid and once I get a few parts it will be operational (something he failed to say).

All things being considered, if I was looking used and didnt want to do some serious volume loading, I would look for a Mec 650 on ebay.

I am going to sell a PW 600 28 gauge on ebay soon but it does not have an auto primer feed. This one does auto index the machine with each pull, somethng rare on those models. I bought it and then went into a feeding frenzy and bought my 800B.

Just did a little search.

Ebay listing for a MEC 650

My Mec must be 35 yeras old, Damn ..

Nothing has ever broke or been replaced. still works great.

MEC progressives are hard to beat. My only observation is that after having The "grabber" model and the 9000G for many years, the grabber was my top choice. I found the piston indexing mechanism on the 9000 to be a pain....I ended up disabling it!

Over the years I have looked hard at upgrading to other machines (the new RCBS one and the one made by dillon) but....I a nutshell, the MEC's work and are inexpensive.

The Mecs are fine loaders, I own a set fo 600jr's for 12 and 20gauge game loads, But as far as progressive's are concerned, I'd take a long, hard look at the Hornaday 366, I do all of my 12ga target loads on one and it is a pleasure to use mainly due it it's great primer feed and i produces great looking shells thanks to it's 3-stage taper-crimp system. The best price I found on the net was suprisingly a Midway http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=104511

Anyhow, just one more option to consider before you make the plunge

Just wanted to report back that I surfed around and found a great deal on a MEC 9000G 28 gauge reloader. The owner had won a new P-W reloader.

It should arrive today!

Thanks to all for your input and opines!

I sure like my PW 600 20 gauge loader I bought from Chic. Now I need a 12 gauge 800 version. The main reason I like the PW is the hulls are protected during the entire loading process. No way you can accidentally crush a hull. However, the guy who currently loads all my 12 gauge uses a MEC and has been for years. They seem to work great for him. I do find a few warped shells in the boxes he brings me.

[ Does a BMW or Mercedes really transport you from one place to another better than a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?[/QUOTE]

They don't transport you any better but they certainly make the trip more enjoyable.

I do agree with you though that Mayville makes some excellent tools for the money. They are not the equal of the high dollar machines but they turn out a fine reload.

"I am going to sell a PW 600 28 gauge on ebay soon but it does not have an auto primer feed"

Chic, How much are you going to ask for your 28 ga. reloader? I would definitely be interested. Jim

Jim,
I put it on ebay and it for $254 but the person who bought it has not paid. She said she sent a money order on the 3rd and on the 11th I told her she better check with the post office. I have sent a few more emails but she does not respond. I am about to give up.