doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com cost to reload 12b 2 1/2" shells?

Paul and Cobbhead,

I did send a note to MEC and Ron replied: "The Short kit #8849 will for the 3� to 2 �� conversion and also 2 �� to 2 �� conversion."

and their kit table shows: "Converts 12 Or 20 Gauge 3" To 2-3/4" 1008849 $36.06" (Does not mention to 2 1/2".)

And their 1008850 shows: "Converts 12 Gauge 3-1/2" To 3" Or 2-3/4" 1008850 $48.75"

It is not apparent from their table or on their web site that their kits show the 2 3/4" to 2 1/2" 12 gauge kits.

And sounds like the BPI system is more economical or I can maintain my frugal (as in cheap) ways by using my 1/4" thick piece of wood. But I will for sure check out the BPI part. Sounds much better.

Thanks for your help.

And Marc, have we helped you out?

Jolly

I am going to guess Ron at MEC just isn't accustomed to requests for 2.5", but the BPI book does mention that. Only stands to reason that something that converts 3 to 2.75 would convert 2.75 to 2.5. I assume you're aware you can convert your MEC from 3 to 2.75 by removing the bolt from the main beam and sliding it up/down?

Steve

thank you very much for posts and pm!that is exactly the info i need. please keep it coming!!!

re: no real world cost savings - looking at used gear, $12.85/box rst shells, and $5.00/box reloads, the stuff is paid off in the first 2 flats of shells.

Marc

Most of my loads are a little bit lighter than RSTs too. 12g 7/8 oz I use the lightest published Alliant Red Dot load for a pair of Parker VH's that weight 7lbs 9 oz. Two 12s, I own 1 frame Parker & Birmingham Hammer Gun that weigh about 7 lbs go one powder bushing lighter than published with good results.

Load your own, you can tailor to the gun.

Boats

Actually I was not aware of that. So with my Sizemaster set to load 2 3/4" shells, I can move the beam up to load 3 inchers? I don't have use for those tho.

Marc, glad we could help.

Jolly

Bill - I shimmed the 10 ga short kt with wood to adjust it to 2 5/8 for the British hammer 10 -

the 12 does take that gauge down for 2 1/2

also- you only need the short kit if you fold crimp - since those are the only stations affected, no need if you roll crimp

No, Bill. It might not work that way. I wanted to do that with a progressive MEC and emailed MEC. They said that was not possible. This is post #430562.


Stan Online content
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Registered: 01/03/02
Posts: 4266
Loc: somwers in Jawja
KYJon and Skip,

"Received a reply from Ron Freitag at MEC today. He says that none of the MEC progressives are able to be converted to 3" loading, with the exception of the 650n4103, which is a "special order".

Thanks for the suggestions. Still watching for a good used single stage.

SRH
_________________________
"Somehow, the sound of a shotgun tends to cheer one up" - Robert Ruark

I load 2 7/8 and 2 5/8 10ga shells all the time for my old SXS's with spacers on my 600jr. A couple years back, with too much time on my hands, 2" 12ga were reloaded. Enough spacers and a spacer soldiered on the punch in the final crimp station did the trick. I use the same short kit [ and homemade spacers when necessary] for both the 10 and 12.

If you factor in what your time is worth, reloading is way too expensive. But I like the custom factor, so I do it anyway.

Hi Marc,
I cut down the blue Rio hulls using a homemade trimmer from a piece of dowel rod an x-acto blade and a wood screw (search around the Internet and you'll find a pic; otherwise PM me and I'll take a pic of mine). The Rios seem to hold up well. I use 15 -16 grains of 700X, Cheditte or Winchester primer and either a BPI Piston Skeet Light or SRC wad and a 6 point crimp using a MEC 10ga Spindex crimp starter. This combo gives a height which doesn't require any spacers. The BPI wads are more expensive but I still load for about $5 a box which is less than half the cost of store bought 2 1/2" shells. I get by with a MEC 600 press but I deprime then size on a Super Sizer. If you're a competition shooter this is way too slow but if you only shoot a few boxes a week it's fast enough. I use a batch process.
Phil