shotgun reloading

[outdooraddict]

i was given a mec 12 gauge size master press and a bunch of hulls, wads etc.  The person hasn't used it for years but says he has reloaded a bunch of rounds with it. my main question is, how do i know what transfer bar to use (it has 5) and what amount of shot and powder that bar will drop. are there different bars for different length shells. and just for basic 2 3/4" target loads, grouse, quail, dove (so 7,8,9 shot) which powder should i use. I was at Cabela's yesterday in post falls hoping to get some help, however they are more concerned with selling a credit card, and talking with fellow employees, only 2 workers at the gun counter, and I never did get any help, not even an acknowledgment, (that store has gone downhill fast).

[Sr15]

YouTube has tons of tutorials

[Smokeploe]

Outdoor

I found this under the Mec website.  It is the instruction manual.  There are also plenty of websites the have charts that give you load date for different charge bars.

GO HERE: https://www.mecoutdoors.com/Images/document/sizemaster.pdf

Smokeploe

[CP]

The bars are for different shot weights, not shell length.  The bars should have a stamp on the left size for shot weight e.g.  78 = 7/8 oz.  118 = 1 1/8 oz.  etc.

The powder bushings have a number stamped on them and there are charts around for powder charges with various bushings and powders.
But you should weigh the shot and powder drops before going to mass production.

I suggest that you pick a hull type and only load that type, at least until you get more familiar with the process.  Once you are setup it’s just a matter of cranking out shells.

[Henrydog]

The Lyman Shotgun reloading book (not sure what the newest edition is) is a great resource for new shotgun reloaders.  Primers will be your biggest issue, you are most likely going to be stuck with Chetitte. 

As for as the transfer bar there should be markings on the end with a 6-digit number   The prefix 502 is for progressive loaders, 302 is for Single Stage.  The next 3 numbers is the shot charge. 

 For example, a 302-118 is a single stage charge bar and will drop 1-1/8 oz.  302-114 would be 1-1/4

Bushing for powder vary wildly and you will need to use a scale to determine your powder drop.  The MEC bushing chart is just a starting point. 

[CP]

which powder should i use.

Clays, Clay Dot, Red dot, Promo ...  any of these will work for you. 

[outdooraddict]

thanks everyone. I did a little you tube search also, I understand reloading terms and reload all my own rifle loads, (weigh every powder drop, polish, bullet seating), but shotgun seemed a bit more fast paced or less precise. thanks again

[callturner]

That information is mostly correct if you're loading for lead shot. If you load for steel shot you may want to weigh your powder charges and your shot charges. It is quite a bit different then loading for lead. If you need any help I see you live in Spokane and I'm just around the corner I would be more than happy to help you out. Mike

[GunsRus001]

This is a good start the only thing on the supersized uses a collet system to resize

[GWP]

The single stage presses (like yours) are a great way to get started and learn the process. As was mentioned, the manual is available and has a lot of good info and can be downloaded/printed. I still go back to mine occasionally.
There are other loading manuals that also include the bar and bushing sizes for set loads, but ALWAYS weigh them to check what the ‘actual’ drop is for shot and powder.
Shot varies in diameter between manufacturers for the same size shot. I have bars that I honed them for my shot so it drops the correct amount for the marked size.
There are adjustable bars available for those presses. While it can create other issues it makes it so you do not need to change out the bar for different loads of both shot and powder.

[HighlandLofts]

A friend just gave me a MEC 12 gauge shotgun press yesterday, I need to buy the powder and shot bushing, primers, wads, powderand shot.
I reload metelic and am looking forward to start reloading shotgun.

[wadu1]

Another good place to get information is https://www.shotgunworld.com/. It's another free forum, just ask questions under the reloading tab.