I recently got back into 20 ga. in a big way. That means reloading for it. I want to shoot 3/4 oz though. Problem is I have thousands of leftover 7/8 oz wads and I don’t want to buy 3/4 oz wads until I use up what I have. I have heard of reloaders dropping Cheerio’s into their shells to help with stack height for years. So I set out for Aldi to get a box of cheap reloading supplies. Tonight was my first attempt using Cheerio’s as a filler. It works great. Way better Han I thought. Proof... Loaded My First Cheerio Loads ..read more

Does anyone have any of the old published data that shows loads using Bullseye for 12 gauge 1 oz loads? I would be using Winchester (Not newer HS hulls) or Remington compression formed hulls and Windjammer wads. I know it existed at one point because I had it and used it. Would like to find a copy of it again. Thanks ..read more

Sitting here with all the workstation lights on and happened to spot what appeared to be a difference in thickness of the lower plate in the base of our "82" 600 Jr press. Sitting mere inches away from each other I started looking the two machines over. Base on the older 600 is 1/4" plate.....The "82" is 3/16" plate Curiosity took hold and I went snooping. The main handle on the press is 3/16" thick on the older press and 10 gauge on the "82" The top plate of the base (Where hulls sit is... New vs. Old 600 Jr press ..read more

I could have put this on one of the threads on our loading press setup ...But decided to give it it's own to get it in front of others who may be having drool issues with the adjustable bars and or even the stock bars with bushings... This thread can be helpful but is derived from using the MEC 600 Jr press. The issue is more prevalent on the older powder shot measures.. Many of the newer powders are "Flattened Spherical" powders and can and do migrate out of the measure....And make a... Powder drool ....A Mess ..read more

I loaded up 4 boxes of 12 Ga 244 loads, data came right off Hodgdons site Cheddite primer, load called for 19.0 gr powder, I was dropping 18.9 gr, and it meters very consistently. CB 4100-12B wad, 1 ounce #7 1/2 shot, 8,200 PSI (published pressure, 1,235 FPS (published). Shot a box of them, and I thought the recoil was snappy (noticeable). Functioned perfectly in my Maxus. I am going to do a little adjusting on the data. Same data as above, but only drop 7/8 ounce shot, and see how they... Report on 12 Ga Winchester 244 loads ..read more

One of the MEC presses I got recently had a set of Herter's bottles. These have a screw on lid similar to a mayonnaise jar.....Very nice except after you remove the mayo lid there is only this small hole..... My funnel would not fit A hole saw on the 18 volt dealt with that issue. These bottles are heavy polyethylene and powder does not bother them at all... They screw into the MEC press just fine and have a heavy square /flat end.... Very good bottles....If you find them grab... Powder/Shot bottles ..read more

Many shooter (me included) own the older MEC 600 Jr....Versa Mec and others that came with the multi piece metal crimp starter. These parts are very good and work great....The reason these were fazed out is simple...Cost to produce $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ The plastic ones were OK but the cost savings is the only real reason for the change.... Now Adjusting the crimp starter requires the addition of shims between the crimp starter and the tool head... Having to fool with a stack of shims and... Early MEC pre-crimp issues ..read more

After getting the work station all changed around and the presses remounted things are down to setting up each press for a particular hull.. AA Dark Gray AA Red Rem Gun Club Green Fed HOA Maroon These are the hulls we will be running mostly. I finished setting up one of the MEC 600 Jr presses for the Gun Club hulls. Adjusted the crimp starter to give about 3/16 to 1/4 hole in the end,,,,Then the final crimp to get a nice depth of the petals at around .060" (Very similar to factory... Crimping issues and my overall opinion of the Oren Celik charge bar ..read more

Seems everywhere I look Downrange wads are always out of stock. I don’t think it’s a demand issue either. Some types have been out of stock for months on end. Wads aren’t like powder or primers. They aren’t affected by government contracts or foreign wars. Meanwhile Claybuster wads are quickly replaced when shown out of stock. I prefer CB wads and especially their unique 3/4 oz. 12 and 20 ga. designs but it’s always nice to have options. What gives? Are they giving up ..read more

Now that I am reloading 2 gauges with one on a Grabber and the other on a narrow base Versamec the jig fixture became necessary. Super easy installation and super easy set up for each press. Best money I have spent in 2 weeks ..read more