Getting ready to start loading turkey shells. I reload for rifles, but never scatterguns. Can someone recommend a reloader to buy? I don't hunt waterfowl, but do chase rabbits a few times a year. Right now just 12 ga, but maybe in the future 20. Will spend the money if necessary.
I use Mec 600jr for both 12 and 20 gauge. When I load turkey loads all I use is the crimping stations on the press. I would suggest that you use new primed hulls, weigh every powder and shot charge and be extremely meticulous. I use an electronic scale to weigh everything out. You could even buy a roll crimper and you would not even need a press. Good load data is not easy to find especially if you choose to load other than lead pellets.
Quote from: Hawk76 on May 11, 2013, 11:07:43 AM
Getting ready to start loading turkey shells. I reload for rifles, but never scatterguns. Can someone recommend a reloader to buy? I don't hunt waterfowl, but do chase rabbits a few times a year. Right now just 12 ga, but maybe in the future 20. Will spend the money if necessary.
I used a MEC Hustler or Grabber, I've forgotten which model, many years ago when I used to reload. It's still in my shop somewhere covered up to prevent dust but I haven't used it in at least 15 years. It was a progressive loader with a few adds that made life easier. I recall that I put a universal charge bar on it just before I quite reloading.
Everyone I knew who reloaded back then used a MEC and that's the reason I chose it. Easy to work on and there were a lot of people who had them and were familiar with them if I needed advice.
There may be much better brands/models available today. I've not kept up with that part of shooting.
Thanks,
Clark
If your mainly just going to load turkey shells you don't need a whole reloader. Turkey loads are best handloaded for consistency. If you got a drill press, you could get a Precision reloading or a BPI roll crimper. Get new primed hulls, weight everything precisely, handload, then roll crimp.
What shell length you want to reload?
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only loading 3" turkey 12 ga. Have the recipe for tss, just getting the tools to do it. Thank you for the idea to get a roll crimper. Don't have a drill press though.
Quote from: Hawk76 on May 12, 2013, 10:47:53 AM
only loading 3" turkey 12 ga. Have the recipe for tss, just getting the tools to do it. Thank you for the idea to get a roll crimper. Don't have a drill press though.
I can tell you the MEC 77 Sizemaster is the reloader my dad bought back in the late 70's that we used to relaod shells with. It's one of the best reloaders for the money. I think he paid $130 for it back then. I could load a box of shells in probably 6 minutes tops if I remember correctly. That's once you have everything set up and ready.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/MEC174-77-Sizemaster-Reloader/751582.uts
Quote from: Hawk76 on May 12, 2013, 10:47:53 AM
Don't have a drill press though.
Don't
need a drill press. You can handload the roll crimped shells just fine using a hand drill, just keep it vertical.
FC
A big Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try to roll crimp the shells. If I get into it more, I'll get the MEC Sizemaster (great looking press).