If you are roll crimping you can even get away without the MEC.
One nneeds to have a powder scale anyway to check the drops for smokeless low pressure loads , so with a few basic hand tools you can load some very good shotshells.
Takes a bit more time than using a press , though.
If using black powder you can use a simple black powder measure however.
Going volume of shot for volume of black powder gives you a light shot load that is very effective.
Using a scale however you can load some very potent black powder loads that are effective for waterfowl or upland game and still easy on the gun and your shoulder.
Davide