SmallCaliberCentral

Hey guys, haven't been on the site for a couple months and i am sure that I have missed out on TONS of info. Glad to be back. Anyhow i have an off topic question about SHOTGUN presses. Thinking that i might grab one to load a few of my own up for clays. I don't need to be loading thousands of rounds in a sitting. I will use it to make a couple a hundred rounds every month or two for blasting at clays or anything else that looks fun to shoot. I was looking at a MEC 650 or a MEC 8567. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/input/experience on this topic for me. Thanks a lot guys! Or does anyone have one in good shape for sale? THanks again in advance.

Danny - Any other time, I would say GO FOR IT. The cost of reloading shotgun shells is 2.5 times what it was 6 months ago.

Yes, it would be good to learn, but, IMO, I would just buy the cheap stuff at wallyworld.

Western Nebraska is a good bird hunting area...and also clay/skeet/etc. LOTS of the people don't shoot a tenth of what they did early in the year...it is THAT expensive.

Danny,

Ditto what acloco said. I have been loading shotgun shells for trap and skeet shooting for about 35 years. This year I didn't load any. The cost for lead shot, and primers (when you could find them) has gone up tremendously. I figured the cost per box this spring was $4.40 and now lead shot is even higher. I bought ten cases at $3.70 per box instead of reloading for $4.40 a box.

Having said that, I have been using a MEC 9000 G for about 15 years and having nothing but good to say about MEC's customer support. I had a small coil spring on the primer tray wear out and I called MEC. They sent out a new one with no charge. Later the weld between the primer tray and the drop tube cracked. I called them again and they replaced the whole unit, again with no charge. This machine has loaded many thousands of rounds over the years with only those two items breaking / wearing out.

Check the shelves for Kent Fast Steel. Usually a great price for some good ammo. My son discovered them and uses them exclusively. Once they catch on, the price will skyrocket.

Currently, it's not cost effective to load shotshells, components are sky high, and store-boughts really are cheaper, even the AA trap loads.
If large numbers aren't a factor, perhaps the Lee Loadall II would work for you. Before the price of shot skyrocketed, I loaded ammo for my shotguns on one. It'll turn out about a box every fifteen minutes, if you're concentrating and organized. Mine's put up right now, no point in loading for what little I'm shooting scatterguns.