[doloresboy]

I'm about to scratch my 15 year itch and pick up an AyA SxS 28 ga. which I would like to reload for.

I am currently reloading using my PW 900 Elite set up for 12 ga. My question is, should I just get a 28 ga. tooling set for the PW or is there a better way to go for the 28 ga?

Thanks in advance!

 

[OKShotgunner]

You have a very good top-end reloading machine, so I doubt if there is a better way to go. I guess it all depends upon how much reconfiguring you are willing to do and much aggravation that is.

As I'm sure you know, there are quite a few 28 gauge progressive presses around ranging from the Spolar to the MEC Grabber. I have a Spolar in .410 bore, and it has proven to be an excellent press. I have a Hornady 366 set up for the 28 gauge; and while it turns out good reloads fairly quickly, I can't really recommend it. I have no experience with the MEC 9000G in 28 gauge, but my experience with it in .410 bore leaves me dubious as to its utility in 28 gauge. The MEC Grabber appears to be an okay 28 gauge press, but my experience with it loading 28 gauge hulls is limited. The Dillon SL 900 is also available in 28 gauge I believe, but my experience with it in 12 gauge leaves me very dubious as to its utility in 28 gauge.

 

[thor_sen]

Are you just starting out or do you have quite a bit of reloading 'under your belt', already?

While it may not be the right choice for many (who probably shoot a lot more than I do -- currently about a flat a week) I am very happy I chose to stick with a single stage press and I purchased a MEC Junior.

I am able to change adjustments to accomodate my constant 'experimenting' and trying / changing various components, etc. (This turns out to be a pretty major factor in reloading 28's).

One primary reason I started reloading in the first palce was to force myself to stop working when I got home (and thus save not only my health but probably my marriage, too!) so, I enjoy reloading for the sake of it.

I'm confident everything I am learning now by trying so many variations (especially in the 28 ga) is going to serve me well if and when I do decide to go with a progressive . . .

On the other hand, if you are:

a) sure you know the recipe and component combo you're going to settle on;
b) going to shoot a lot, and
c) are not planning on trying a lot of different components,

a progressive may be the way to go, for you!

 

[Old Vet]

By all reports I've read, converting the PW machines from one gauge to another is no big deal. However, I'm thankful that I don't have to. Not having any space restrictions on me, I'm able to leave all 4 of my PW's set up and simply move around my table from gauge to gauge. I appreciate that not everyone is able to do this because of limited space in their reloading area but if you can, I'd suggest getting another loader for your 28 ga loading needs. I suspect that for the price of a PW gauge conversion tooling set, you could find a decent (used)second loader to use.....unless of course you wanted another 900.