[Flytier]

Hello. I am new to the forum and new to shotshell reloading as well. I am looking at purchasing a reloading press for the 16 gauge. What is the best press out there for the money? I am interested in the MEC Sizemaster and the 650N. Also, what is the best reloading scale for the money? I am assuming that I can make quality loads without a digital scale.

Thanks in advance for your responses,

Flytier

 

[TOM-M]

I like the Sizemaster for a single stage loader. The 650 doesn't resize (at least I don't think it does), so if you're going the progressive route, at least check out Mec's Grabber...it should only be about $80 more than the 650, and assuming you'll want to resize someday, the SuperSizer will be another $50 or $60 expense...personally, I'd rather have everything in one machine.

A good balance scale that will handle 1000 gr. or so can be had for around $100 (smaller capacity ones can be much less, but it is a PITA to have to partially weigh shot loads...I used a 130 gr. capacity, $30, balance scale for years). I just recently bought a 1500 gr. digital scale from Cabelas for about $80...so far, I like it a lot and should have bought one a long time ago.

 

[parshal]

I second the suggestion for the $89 Cabela's digital scale which will weigh up to 1500 grains. Similar scales are more than twice as much. It's very accurate and I seldom use my more expensive balance beam scale.

I use a Sizemaster for my 16 gauge loads which is probably the best single stage press. I only load hunting loads on it and it's plenty fast enough.

I just bought a 650N for my 28 gauge. It's quite a bit faster and can make a mess even faster. It can be used to resize as a separate operation but it's fairly clunky and even harder to set up to resize with the new primer feed. Don't plan on resizing with it. If you want to resize buy the Grabber as suggested above.

Figure out how much you're going to reload and how fast you want to load a box of shells. The 650 will be faster but will take longer to learn and setup. The Sizemaster is easier to use but slower.

 

[Conman]

parshal,

Could you please point me to the $89 Cabela's digital scale/1500 grains?

I just checked their web site and I found two listed as being "Cabela's" - EG-1500 for $79.79 and XT-1500 for $69.99

I'm guessing the EG-1500 is the one you referred to but want to be sure (I'm putting my Christmas list together for the Missus) and want to provide her with the correct information.

Thanks

 

[parshal]

It is indeed the EG 1500. I swear I paid $89!

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... sults1.jsp

 

[Old Vet]

Conman...the EG-1500 is the one Santa brought me last year and it's turned out to be a great little scale. I used mine extensively today and it's sure a God send compared to the old balance beam scale I used to use.

Hope you've been a good boy this year and Santa brings you one.

 

[Quickshot]

You might take a look at the digi-weigh scales on ebay. I bought one that measures both in ounces and grains for a total of 25.00 shipped.

 

[Flytier]

Thanks for the responses guys. For the amount of reloading I will probably do, the Sizemaster is probably the way to go. Thanks for the info on the digital scale from Cabela's. I had no idea that you could get one that cheap.

Thanks again,

Flytier

 

[360]

a side note concerning the digital scales. You can zero the scale with the shell on it to check weights. You don't have to empty the contents into the cup and then back to the powder measure or shell. kinda nice when your weighing more than one or two.

 

[Conman]

Appreciate the info on the EG-1500. I'm just getting tired of the balance beam scale. Or, maybe I'm just getting old!!

Thanks

 

[Case]

You might take a look at the digi-weigh scales on ebay. I bought one that measures both in ounces and grains for a total of 25.00 shipped.

I took your word for it and did take a look -- and got a new DIGIWEIGH DW500B for $2.25, plus $12.45 shipping.

I suspect that scale's barely worth my $2.25 winning bid price, let alone the cost of shipping.

So, do you think it's gonna be worth $14.70?

Those guys are obviously making their profit on the shipping.

I looked up past sales and saw one with a winning bid of six cents.

 

[Burnt Powder]

Probably the best loader for the money I ever got was the Bair Honey Bair # 405. I gave $10 for it. Fine single stage loader! There are some real good deals available on used presses if you know what you are getting. The old Pacific/Hornady DL-155 and DL-266s are outstanding presses if you can lay your hands on them.

BP

 

[hoashooter]

Since you got a single stage the next step is a progressive loader.If you find yourself spending too much time reloading-is there such a thing :?: :?: You would be well served with a MEC grabber or 9000.Keep the single stage though-it will still come in handy :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[mgrace]

I took your word for it and did take a look -- and got a new DIGIWEIGH DW500B for $2.25, plus $12.45 shipping.

I suspect that scale's barely worth my $2.25 winning bid price, let alone the cost of shipping.

So, do you think it's gonna be worth $14.70?

Those guys are obviously making their profit on the shipping.

I looked up past sales and saw one with a winning bid of six cents.

I year or so ago I got a deal on a scale like that also, mine is a model US-500 by US Balance it works great for weighing bullets where you are not intersted in weighing them to the last 1/10th of a grain as it weighs in full grains only, so it is worthless to use when I need to weigh say 12.5 grains or 19.9 etc.

Michael grace