Shotshell loaders

[DeaconKC]

Okay, I have a Lee Load all for 20 gauge. I am looking at either getting a conversion kit for it in 12 Gauge. But, I hear most folks like the Mec loaders a lot better. What are the pros and cons? Thanks

[LongWalker]

From what I've seen, it might be easier to find another Load All in 12 gauge. 

Primary advantage of MECs over Lee seems to be speed of production, better support, and possibly more flexibility. 

[Professor Marvel]

My Dear Deacon

MEC s are strong, robust, a miniature assembly line and pricey, and usually come with
One or two of the needed bushings. The bottles come off and sometimes get misplaced or something else unfortunate.

Lee s are compact, somewhat weaker, made of aluminum and breakable plastic,
But they come with ALL the bushings for every load and powder, and the bottles are integral. And they are quite cheap.

I had the MEC and loved it when I shot trap several times a week.
The Lee is just fine for a few boxes a month. And its easier to experiment with loads.

When I quit the trap club. I sold the MEC and the Rem 1100 's and barrels and  got a Lee and put the extra money into components ... Sticking with pump and old doubles now.  I have Made many of cases of shells with the Lee and it hasnt broke yet!
And I can use the Lee to make 2" shells ... kinda harder with the MEC.

Hope this helps
Prof marvel

[Oldgold]

I have two MECs and one Lee. There is no comparison.  While I like Lee dies, their shotshell load designers need to up their game.

[Abilene]

My Lee Loadall II has made fine BP shotshells for over 20 years.  But I only use it for BP.  Takes me around 30 minutes per box.  I have loaded a few smokeless just to try it, but I buy my smokeless shells.  If I was loading smokeless and needed to load more volume, I'd probably look to upgrade.

[hp246]

I currently have 4 MEC's.  Three 600 Jrs. one each for 12, 16 and 20.  I also picked up an 8567 a few years back.  Love the 600s Jrs.  they are pretty hard to beat.  Not so thrilled with the 8567 but production on it is great.  Not familiar wit the Loadall.  Can't speak to current MEC pricing, as my oldest is about 45 years old.  But they can be frequently be found online or in estate auctions for cheap.  Old MECs can be upgraded to use current bushings and charge bars.

[Baltimore Ed]

I'll throw out that the old school reloading presses from Bair and Pacific which eventually evolved into Hornady are nice machines assuming they're all there. The one on the left is a Pacific [12ga]while the identical one on the right is a Bair [20ga].

[Darto]

If you are going to load the same load with the same components over and over again, the MEC is the way to go. Watch youtube videos to see how much faster the MEC loads a box.

But when changing to a different load using different brands and types of hulls or wads, or more or less powder and shot, the Lee sets up faster. In other words for me way faster to adjust the dies and settings to get a real good crimp with the Lee. A couple of pleasant minutes with the Lee vs. 20 minutes of hair pulling frustration with the MEC to get all the stations readjusted.

But once it's set right the MEC will keep on without tinkering for months or years if using the same load and components.

I suspect some of the other pards can adjust the MEC better and faster than I, for sure!