[EyeMissum]

Guys, I need some help with a problem. Using a Mec Sizemaster.

About once out of every 5-6 times when I push the charge bar back to drop the shot it will hang up like there's an obstruction catching it. I thought maybe it was shearing off shot or something, but I can find no evidence of this.

It does it with both #8 an #9 shot.

I then have to hit it fairly hard with my hand to get it to move back to the right. After that it moves easily for 4-5 times then does it again.

Any ideas???????

 

[12GA guy]

My Versamec does this once in awhile as well. I think it may be that there is a piece of shot that hangs up the slide. The shot hasn't settled all the way in to the shot bushing, is what I think is the hang up. I don't usually force the bar, just wiggle it back and forth slightly. Usually a wiggle or two seems to settle the offending piece, and the slide works fine.

I notice I have this problem less with the universal bar, than the factory MEC.

 

[EyeMissum]

I've tried wiggling the bar back an forth, doesn't seem to help.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[12GA guy]

Maybe pull the bar, and look for any rub marks that may indicate a binding in the slide. I know my UCB was a pain to get running smooth the first while. It use to hang up bad, until I did some work with some emory cloth. You could see the high spots due to it rubbing.

Backing the shot bottle off a tad may help as well. I think that if it's to tightly screwed down, it can cause some binding.

 

[TT45]

Watch the "pro check" bar as you move the charge bar from left to right. If it's bent it may be hanging up just enough to cause your problem.

Mine was bent forward and caused a similar problem.

 

[Equismith]

It is shot getting wedged between the chargebar housing and the shot bushing. As you push the chargebar to the right to drop the shot, the bushing comes against the housing and if shot gets positioned just so, it wedges in between the bushing and the housng and rolls for a short bit. When you push it back, that's when it rolls back out. I'd say it would be more common with the smaller shot sizes.

Take your chargebar off and look at the shot bushing. You'll see what I mean by the gray leading on the bushing....

 

[Bill M.]

What kind of charge bar are you using? I had that problem a lot when I was using a universal charge bar. I bought a new MEC chargebar with the nylon insert and have not had a problem since. The MEC chargebar fit the frame of the machine better than the universal.

 

[Charlie]

If its not shot binding up it well may be the powder bottle metal washer being in upside down .the rough indents should be against the rubber washer and not the bar.
I have had this happen a few times.

 

[EyeMissum]

I'm using the Mec bar, not the UCB, for now.

Its not the powder bottle brass washer. I have it installed with the dimples up against the rubber washer, flat side down.

I checked the "pro check bar" an its not bent, it was loose though. Me getting ill with it an slapping it over may have helped on that.

I am wondering about the insert, if that could be causing the problem. It seem to be a softer type rubber. Would a harder nylon type work better, or, would that make the shot catch worse? Or does Mec only supply one type??

I am inclined to think shot is catching on the insert an binding it up.

Does Mec carry a hard nylon type insert for the single stage bar?

Thanks for the help everybody.

 

[Equismith]

I think they only sell the one kind......

 

[Case]

I am wondering about the insert, if that could be causing the problem. It seem to be a softer type rubber.

It's neopreme. You might check to see if it's up above the bar and give a a push down for good measure but I doubt that's the problem.

Take the bottles off, the bar out and check it all.

You may have a pellet smashed into the channel somewhere.

 

[skeetldoo]

It is shot getting wedged between the chargebar housing and the shot bushing. As you push the chargebar to the right to drop the shot, the bushing comes against the housing and if shot gets positioned just so, it wedges in between the bushing and the housng and rolls for a short bit. When you push it back, that's when it rolls back out. I'd say it would be more common with the smaller shot sizes.

Take your chargebar off and look at the shot bushing. You'll see what I mean by the gray leading on the bushing....

I have the same problem with own Sizemaster. I've gotten used to just pulling the charge bar back to the left to clear the jam, then right again to drop the shot charge. It does seem to be a binding issue with the smaller shot size. The working clearance between the charge bar and the housing channel that the bar slides through is probably enough so to cause this kind of problem with the smaller shot becoming jammed in the gap.
I think Equismith has it right.

 

[243winxb]

A defective measure assembly may be your problem. The brass washer, mec part 304w gets pinched between the charge bar and the measure assembly. If there is to much clearence on the back side of the measure assembly the bumps on the brass washer will catch.As you force the bar to move, the bumps on the brass washer can become flattened.This will allow the brass washer to move even more, still jamming. There will come a point(if washer is not replaced) when the brass washer will move enought to restrict powder flow. Causing lite loads or no powder drop at all. You need to measure with a gauge on the back side of the measure assembly, between the bar and assembly to see how much clearence you have.The only way i know this was the problem, i had 3 other mec's to measure. I contacted mec and they sent me a new measure assembly, problem fixed.

 

[bladesmith]

maybe I'm crazy - had the same problem - went to a real fine grain powder [ PB ] , and have not had the problem again . the reason I went to PB was that I like low pressure loads for my old SXSs , and it was also good for my 20 and 28ga guns . only one powder for all is nice , and the charge bar not sticking is a big plus . paul

 

[Equismith]

bladesmith Posted: maybe I'm crazy - had the same problem - went to a real fine grain powder [ PB ] , and have not had the problem again . the reason I went to PB was that I like low pressure loads for my old SXSs , and it was also good for my 20 and 28ga guns . only one powder for all is nice , and the charge bar not sticking is a big plus . paul

Forgive my ignorance, but what is PB?

 

[Charlie]

Equismith,

http://www.imrpowder.com/pb.html