Understanding Your MEC Shotshell Reloader
Reloading shotshells is greater than only a pastime; it’s a craft. It is a method 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 assist they’ve fostered over time. 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 protected and environment friendly operation. This text delves into the world of MEC shotshell reloader components, frequent points, and improve choices to maintain you working easily.
MEC (Mayville Engineering Firm) gives a variety of shotshell reloaders, every catering to completely 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 sequence of stations to course of empty shotshells and remodel them into purposeful 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 provide help to establish issues, troubleshoot points, and guarantee your reloads are protected and dependable.
The longevity and efficiency of a MEC reloader largely depend upon correct upkeep and a strong grasp of its components. Periodic cleansing, lubrication, and inspection are very important. Recognizing when an element is worn or broken, and figuring out the place to seek out replacements, is equally crucial for sustaining your reloader’s efficiency.
Important Elements and Their Features
A deep dive into the core performance of any MEC reloader reveals a world of components 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 recent primer into the shell. Elements embrace:
- Primer Journal: This tube holds a provide of primers. Correct operation depends on a clean stream of primers down the tube, which is why cleanliness and proper alignment are so necessary.
- Primer Feed Tube: This channel guides primers from the journal into the seating mechanism. Be sure 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 problem is failure to feed, typically attributable to a jam within the primer journal or feed tube. Cautious inspection and cleansing typically resolve the difficulty. Improper primer seating also can happen if the punch is just not adjusted accurately or if the primer itself is flawed. Be sure that the primer is seated flush (or barely beneath) the bottom of the shell to make sure correct ignition.
Powder and Shot Drop Programs
Precision is the secret in relation to powder and shot. The next components 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 fitting 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 costs of powder and shot into the shell. That is often completed via a swinging bar that drops the powder after which the shot.
Issues and Options: Leaking is a typical downside, typically as a result of worn bushings or poor seals. Exchange 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 Elements
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.
- Closing 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 unfastened crimp. Over-crimping can harm the shell, whereas under-crimping can result in powder leakage and poor ballistic efficiency. Alter the crimp settings fastidiously, and experiment with completely different wad and hull mixtures to seek out the best settings.
Different Necessary Components
- 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: Offers the mechanical drive to function the reloading stations.
- Springs and Linkage: These are necessary for the motion and timing of assorted components.
Widespread Points and Troubleshooting
Even one of the best reloaders can expertise issues. Here is a troubleshooting information for some frequent points:
- Failure to Prime: That is typically attributable to 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 accurately.
- Inconsistent Powder or Shot Drops: Bridging, or the tendency for powder or shot to clump collectively, is a typical perpetrator. Be sure that your powder and shot bottles are clear and freed from moisture. Confirm your bushings are the fitting measurement and that you have not worn the bushings out.
- Poor Crimps: That is typically as a result of improper crimp settings or broken crimp starters. Experiment together with your crimp settings to get one of the best outcomes for the precise hulls you’re utilizing.
- Caught Shells: A caught shell may be as a result of an issue with the shell holder or the sizing ring. Lubricating the reloader and inspecting the shell holder is essential to fixing this problem. Correct lubrication can alleviate this.
- General Upkeep Suggestions: Maintaining your MEC reloader clear is crucial. Frequently wipe down all parts with a clear rag. Calmly lubricate transferring components with an acceptable 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 quicker, extra environment friendly, or just extra gratifying, upgrades can breathe new life into your trusty device.
Substitute Components
Generally, one of the best improve is a straightforward alternative. Put on and tear is inevitable, and sure MEC shotshell reloader components will finally want changing. That is very true for components topic to friction and stress, like bushings, primer feed components, and crimp starters. Luckily, MEC and numerous aftermarket producers supply a wide array of alternative parts. When selecting alternative components, make it possible for they’re suitable with the mannequin of your reloader.
Upgraded Elements
Past fundamental replacements, there are various 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 techniques supply improved reliability.
- Upgraded Handles: Some reloaders go for upgraded handles, offering extra leverage and simpler operation.
- Optionally available Equipment: There are lots of different equipment out there.
Sourcing MEC Shotshell Reloader Components
Discovering the fitting components is made simpler by figuring out the place to look.
- On-line Retailers: A number of on-line retailers focus on reloading tools.
- Gun Shops: Many native gun shops carry a collection of MEC components.
- Producers: You may also purchase components immediately from MEC.
- Issues: When procuring, contemplate high quality, compatibility, and value.
Security Precautions
Security is paramount when reloading. At all times put on security glasses and observe all security pointers. 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 completely different powders or parts with out correct analysis.
Conclusion
Reloading shotshells is a rewarding pursuit that provides important advantages. Understanding the features of MEC shotshell reloader components, and figuring out find out how to keep and troubleshoot your tools, will guarantee a protected, environment friendly, and gratifying reloading expertise. Whether or not you are coping with a easy problem or contemplating upgrades, the knowledge on this article will provide help to hold your MEC reloader working easily. So, take the time to study your device, hold it in good situation, and benefit from the satisfaction of crafting your personal ammunition, one shell at a time. Reload safely, and benefit from the outcomes!
