Understanding Your MEC Shotshell Reloader
Reloading shotshells is greater than only a pastime; it’s a craft. It is a approach for shooters and hunters to manage the price of their ammunition, tailor masses for particular functions, and acquire a deeper understanding of the ballistics behind their favourite shotgun. Among the many many instruments out there to reloaders, MEC shotshell reloaders stand out for his or her sturdiness, reliability, and the group help they’ve fostered through the years. Whether or not you are simply beginning otherwise you’ve been reloading for many years, understanding the parts of your MEC reloader is essential for secure and environment friendly operation. This text delves into the world of MEC shotshell reloader elements, frequent points, and improve choices to maintain you working easily.
MEC (Mayville Engineering Firm) provides a variety of shotshell reloaders, every catering to totally different reloading wants and budgets. Familiarize your self with the mannequin you personal; frequent examples embrace the workhorse 600 Jr., the extra superior 9000G, and the user-friendly Sizemaster. Whereas designs might fluctuate barely, the elemental ideas of operation stay constant. All MEC reloaders depend on a collection of stations to course of empty shotshells and rework them into practical ammunition.
These stations, in a typical MEC reloader, deal with the next: priming the shell with a brand new primer, dropping a measured quantity of powder, seating the wad, dropping a measured quantity of shot, precrimping the shell mouth, and at last, crimping the shell to shut it securely. Understanding how every of those parts works is crucial. Familiarizing your self with these mechanisms will aid you establish issues, troubleshoot points, and guarantee your reloads are secure and dependable.
The longevity and efficiency of a MEC reloader largely depend upon correct upkeep and a strong grasp of its elements. Periodic cleansing, lubrication, and inspection are important. Recognizing when a component is worn or broken, and realizing the place to search out replacements, is equally crucial for sustaining your reloader’s efficiency.
Important Parts and Their Features
A deep dive into the core performance of any MEC reloader reveals a world of elements that work in live performance to supply the shooter with a totally loaded shotshell. Let’s check out the crucial parts of your MEC shotshell reloader.
Primer Feed System
That is the center of the priming course of, the place the reloader injects a contemporary primer into the shell. Parts embrace:
- Primer Journal: This tube holds a provide of primers. Correct operation depends on a clean circulation of primers down the tube, which is why cleanliness and proper alignment are so essential.
- Primer Feed Tube: This channel guides primers from the journal into the seating mechanism. Be certain that that is away from any particles for flawless operation.
- Primer Seating Punch: This half pushes the primer into the bottom of the shotshell. It’s the ultimate step of the priming course of.
Issues and Options: One frequent difficulty is failure to feed, usually brought on by a jam within the primer journal or feed tube. Cautious inspection and cleansing usually resolve the problem. Improper primer seating may happen if the punch isn’t adjusted appropriately or if the primer itself is flawed. Make sure that the primer is seated flush (or barely under) the bottom of the shell to make sure correct ignition.
Powder and Shot Drop Programs
Precision is the secret in terms of powder and shot. The next elements are key to that course of:
- Powder and Shot Bottles: These are the reservoirs that maintain your powder and shot. Maintaining them clear and freed from any obstructions is essential.
- Powder/Shot Bushings: These interchangeable parts decide the quantity of powder and shot disbursed into every shell. The bushing measurement is crucial to attaining the specified load. Select the proper bushing to your powder and shot kind, and confirm your measurements utilizing a powder scale.
- Powder and Shot Drops: The mechanism that dispenses the measured fees of powder and shot into the shell. That is normally achieved via a swinging bar that drops the powder after which the shot.
Issues and Options: Leaking is a typical downside, usually as a result of worn bushings or poor seals. Substitute bushings commonly. Inconsistent drops may end up from bridging (the place powder or shot clumps collectively), or improper setup of the powder and shot drop tubes.
Shell Crimp and Station Parts
This stage seals the shell, and a correct crimp is crucial for each efficiency and security:
- Pre-crimp Station: This preliminary step begins the crimping course of, softening the shell mouth.
- Ultimate Crimp Station: This station finishes the crimp, sealing the shell securely.
- Crimp Starters: These are the instruments that begin the crimp folding course of.
Issues and Options: Poor crimps can manifest as uneven folds, gaps, or a free crimp. Over-crimping can harm the shell, whereas under-crimping can result in powder leakage and poor ballistic efficiency. Modify the crimp settings fastidiously, and experiment with totally different wad and hull mixtures to search out the perfect settings.
Different Vital Elements
- Wad Information: Aligns the wad with the shell to make sure correct seating.
- Shell Holder: Securely holds the shell all through the reloading course of.
- Deal with/Lever: Supplies the mechanical power to function the reloading stations.
- Springs and Linkage: These are essential for the motion and timing of assorted elements.
Widespread Points and Troubleshooting
Even one of the best reloaders can expertise issues. This is a troubleshooting information for some frequent points:
- Failure to Prime: That is usually brought on by a jam within the primer feed system or a misaligned primer seating punch. Examine the journal, feed tube, and punch for obstructions. Make sure the primers are oriented appropriately.
- Inconsistent Powder or Shot Drops: Bridging, or the tendency for powder or shot to clump collectively, is a typical perpetrator. Be certain that your powder and shot bottles are clear and freed from moisture. Confirm your bushings are the proper measurement and that you have not worn the bushings out.
- Poor Crimps: That is usually as a result of improper crimp settings or broken crimp starters. Experiment along with your crimp settings to get one of the best outcomes for the precise hulls you might be utilizing.
- Caught Shells: A caught shell might be as a result of an issue with the shell holder or the sizing ring. Lubricating the reloader and inspecting the shell holder is vital to fixing this difficulty. Correct lubrication can alleviate this.
- General Upkeep Ideas: Maintaining your MEC reloader clear is crucial. Commonly wipe down all parts with a clear rag. Evenly lubricate shifting elements with an appropriate gun lubricant.
Upgrading Your MEC Shotshell Reloader
Over time, even a well-maintained reloader can profit from upgrades. Whether or not it is to make your reloading course of sooner, extra environment friendly, or just extra pleasurable, upgrades can breathe new life into your trusty instrument.
Alternative Elements
Typically, one of the best improve is a straightforward alternative. Put on and tear is inevitable, and sure MEC shotshell reloader elements will finally want changing. That is very true for elements topic to friction and stress, like bushings, primer feed elements, and crimp starters. Happily, MEC and varied aftermarket producers provide a big selection of alternative parts. When selecting alternative elements, guarantee that they’re appropriate with the mannequin of your reloader.
Upgraded Parts
Past primary replacements, there are a lot of methods to enhance your reloader’s efficiency:
- Customized Powder/Shot Bushings: For these looking for final precision, customized bushings can be found.
- Improved Primer Feed Programs: Aftermarket primer feed methods provide improved reliability.
- Upgraded Handles: Some reloaders go for upgraded handles, offering extra leverage and simpler operation.
- Non-obligatory Equipment: There are various different equipment out there.
Sourcing MEC Shotshell Reloader Elements
Discovering the proper elements is made simpler by realizing the place to look.
- On-line Retailers: A number of on-line retailers specialise in reloading gear.
- Gun Shops: Many native gun shops carry a number of MEC elements.
- Producers: You can too purchase elements instantly from MEC.
- Concerns: When purchasing, think about high quality, compatibility, and price.
Security Precautions
Security is paramount when reloading. At all times put on security glasses and comply with all security tips. Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated space, and seek the advice of the reloading handbook to your chosen load information. By no means combine totally different powders or parts with out correct analysis.
Conclusion
Reloading shotshells is a rewarding pursuit that provides vital advantages. Understanding the capabilities of MEC shotshell reloader elements, and realizing the best way to preserve and troubleshoot your gear, will guarantee a secure, environment friendly, and pleasurable reloading expertise. Whether or not you are coping with a easy difficulty or contemplating upgrades, the knowledge on this article will aid you preserve your MEC reloader working easily. So, take the time to find out about your instrument, preserve it in good situation, and benefit from the satisfaction of crafting your individual ammunition, one shell at a time. Reload safely, and benefit from the outcomes!
