The MEC Super 600 (650N) 12 ga. reloading press and How to use it

I purchased a 45 year old MEC Super 600 reloading press, rebuilt it and got it working. I had to figure out the differences between it and the new MEC presses and show you what I learned. I'm just giving you a brief overview in this video, I recommend downloading the manual from the MEC website after watching this video. My press is 45 years old, but just as useful now as it was the year it was first made.

[@calevel]

Thank you for the video. I just got an old MEC650 from a retired re-loader friend and after many wasted shells and getting all frustrated I finally got it dialed in.Your video helped me in the process . Thanks!

[@ginsboy2003]

Glad I could help. Wish something was out there like this when I first got my press, it would have helped me get started as well.

[@tappedandtagged]

Excellent video. Just got a used old style 650 and had no idea how to set it up before watching this video. Thanks!

[@christopherpeterson1400]

I been watching you since back in the AK DAYS.. I JUST GOT A MEC SUPER 600 at an estate sale 60$ ... your encouragement has helped me PTSD do these resto projects. Piece by piece , dis assembly several days and counting.. should be starting reassembly next week. ( I broke the brass leaf spring on the primer drop...) looking for one , or have to make one.. thanks for your videos... I miss watching them

[@johnhodgson1735]

Really Useful thankyou. I picked up a cheap MEC 650 which is in between your Super 600 and the current 650n. Really helped get my head around it. Cheers from New Zealand.

[@dondunn7588]

Thank You! I just had a 650 “85” (as it says on the base plate) just given to me by my daughter in law which used to belong to her grandfather. It’s in pretty good shape just needs to be cleaned up a little as it hasn’t been used in 25 years. Looks to be missing a few parts after watching your video so I’ll follow your advice and go to the web site. Great video, I’ll watch it again a few times for lrarning purposes.

[@russprescott6657]

Thank you so much! I could figure out how to start the reload process. I kept dumping powder & shot, making a big mess. I was thinking about tipping the bottles back to start out, didn’t even think about removing bottles to start Thank you again ❤😊

[@cavecreektrader]

Your video,did help me as I picked up an old style 650,missing the powder bottles and the primer seating assembly.I disassembled the 650 and soaked them in Evapo Rust,sold at Harbor Freight tools and now also at O,riley auto parts.The parts and loader came out great and looks new after painting,thank's for your info video.

[@ginsboy2003]

John Wrzosek I'm glad it helped you. These are great presses that can be bought at yard sale prices.

[@marilyngist3152]

ginsboy2003 and fully restored for 80 bucks any mec

[@fumasterchu12]

Excellent job restoring that press, I'll be looking for one of these.

[@christopherpeterson1400]

I just got a super 600 rusty beast, Craig's list. Ready to start the refurbish, missing primer tube or primer feed assy, and bench top pre shell sizer... most of the fun is in the refurbishing the clockworks. Thanks for the video I also want to load 00 buck and slugs, your video on that spacifically really set my curiosity at ease.

[@diamonddave6706]

You remind me of will ferrell, Santa’s coming lol. Great video. You got a heck of a deal. Thank you for sharing your set up, very helpful to us newbies.

[@outdoorswithtim.576]

I was just rolling through KZbin and happen to come across the video. You had some good pointers and good information but there's a lot of things that aren't adding up on this reloading video period first of all make sure you tell everyone it's MEC Outdoors . Another thing is I hope that people realize that you were overfilling your once fired shotgun hulls with too much shot. You should only be putting about 9 pellets in those once fired shotgun hulls with buffer. I would also recommend you resetting your poundage before you reload again you can adjust the specs by pulling the ram all the way down with nothing in the Progressive position you can find some very helpful videos on MEC Outdoors KZbin channel. I hope this helps I know this video was from 7 years ago and I'm sure you have gotten more educated since then. But with all respect to you sir I think it was a great overall video I hope that you will do an update very soon I would like to see where you are on your loading information now. Keep up the good content

[@medicoremedic2962]

Excellent, just got a Super 600 from a friend, not too rusty, but I like the idea of rebuilding it. The 650N crossover info just lit a fire under me to get this thing up and running. Thank you

[@ddselvig]

Enjoyed this video. I recently acquired a 20 gauge MEC Super 600. The 20 gauge ones are harder to come by than the 12 gauge so I probably paid a little more than I originally intended. It was rusty and missing the primer seating post. Once I got a new primer seating post it was back in business, but needed a lot of adjustment to get everything synchronized. I look forward to turn out some 20 gauge loads for my next dove hunt.

[@johnathenstommel6196]

I totally like your super 600 also it turned out amazing great job its to bad the old man didn't see his press went to a good home for another generation of use

[@billykillians1]

Thanks for the video! Your press looks great, thinking about getting me one now.

[@hdman97]

Nice job on the restoration of your press

[@GunFunZS]

Part 2- Finally, the real beauty of this press is it's adjustment for a solid primary crimp and the tapered final crimp. That taper locks the crimp down solidly against a springy wad. There are limits, but shells with moderately compressed loads I made to the same settings on a lee press had no final taper and sometimes would push the crimp up after a few weeks. You will find that the taper helps to eliminate the possibility of a snag on the barrel hood extension of your S12 too. Continued in 3

[@ddselvig]

Just ran across your video. Looks like I had to go through the same learning curve you did. Mine is in 20 gauge. I noticed that your bar lock wasn't engaging when putting the first shell in. You probably got that figured out by now, but that was a real bugaboo for me when I was setting up and dialing in my press. Once I got that mechanism working I didn't have to go through all the gyrations of getting the bottles sequenced. Now I just screw on the filled bottles, lock the charge bar to the left, and proceed.

[@cameronb2765]

thank you for the video, just picked one up and thanks to you I know I'm missing the primer setter and the auto prime chain is in the wrong place

[@GunFunZS]

I don't want to be officious, but FYI, I think you want to set that wad tube about 1/4" lower. Your crimps will look much better, and create more consistent velocity. dial the pre-crimp so that it leaves a .25" opening then the primary crimp to push .1/16" below the "rim." then the taper crimp so that it just rolls the rim in a little. Someone gave me those tips and my shells now look much better with fewer rejects. Amen to your statements about following the book to the letter for shotgun loads

[@GunFunZS]

A tip for the first few steps before you run the powder. You can install the bottles, but simply tip the assembly at the top back a few degrees until you are ready to drop the shot. I also find it handy to have a different non-matching shell with the primer in it, to slip in and catch the last round of powder when I finish a series of shells and drop the last round of shot. I've made a lot of lee slugs using mine. You have to move the wad pusher up about 5/8" or whatever yields good crimps.

[@ginsboy2003]

I think the problem is I'm putting too much in the cases. I will try to lower it more and see how it works out. Thanks for the input!

[@GunFunZS]

I'd like to see a video of your shells after making the adjustments and you've experimented more.

[@user-mq3ug1be1c]

Very good job

[@Cuda52]

I just purchased an old MEC press for $50 last week. I'm not sure what model it is. Do you know how one can identify the model number so I can get the correct manual? I think it is a MEC 650 but they all look so similar. Now I see there are 3 holes for mounting screws like on the one in your video. Based on you video, they may be so similar that it doesn't really matter - would you agree with that? I'm new at reloading and frankly felt over my head with this rusty & dusty beast. Your video is inspiring me to tackle this! Thanks for posting!

[@GunFunZS]

part 3- It varies from wad to wad, but from what I've found most wads can make good loads if you either seat them just resting on the powder and no airspace over the shot.From that point you can compress Win style wads about 1/8"+ and some other styles like the springy Fed 12S0 up to almost 1/4" without causing problems with erratic buckling or crimps popping up. The wad will be fully compressed when you pull that trigger. I've had good results pouring in #4 B, but any larger Buck needs stacked.

[@williamrenfroe546]

thanks for posting

[@daca6865]

Great video!! I just bought a used 28 ga Mec Super 600!! It did not come with the primer seat assembly or the first crimp station. Did you buy the 650 parts and they fit exactly on your 600?? Or did you have to modify it in any way?? Thank You..

[@stevedeckerdog7181]

Got a 650n recently and everything is going wrong, double stacked power, shot also. Spoiled all over like 6 times last night. Trying to adjust wad lbs. Wad came out off shell filled with shot after raising handle. Nightmare. Gave up.. waisted whole day. Round 2 tomorrow. Lord have mercy.

[@danschroeder4691]

You’re video made me buy a super 600 off of eBay! I cleaned it, fixed a few things and repainted it. I know I’ll like it if I could ever get some powder and primers. I’m noticing yours has the part that stops the charging bar from moving until lowering the handle and makes me think you have a 650 earlier model?

[@charlesflaco5037]

thanks for the video

[@marilyngist3152]

great video

[@GunFunZS]

I recently got one of these minus a few parts from ebay. I'm not sure whether mine is a 600 or 650N. Unfortunately, mine does not have the sizing tool, which is a major downside, since I occasionally use high brass rounds for my S12. I want to size every time just to be sure everything will feed every time. I would much rather have the "grabber" version, but this makes better ammo than the load all 1 I have. The universal charge bar has dial adjustment for powder and shot. It is very worthwhile.

[@marilyngist3152]

so glad I didn't get a 650n used I got a mint mec super 6! yes!!! load all no more. just to resize

[@Peter-976]

How come you are not using the primer tray?

[@johnblahaiv6328]

Your wife must get pissed pretty often... LOL. Great Video though. Thanks for the help.

[@bgdesignandsolutions]

Amazing how long they last when taken care of.

[@GunFunZS]

That can be a problem. However, it's ok to squish a wad a little so long as they do so consistently. The spiral federal wads like you used do this well. Winchester wads tend to buckle inconsistenly from one shell to the next. The other issue is that it looked like you were just dropping in the pellets. For most buckshot loads they have to be stacked in a pattern and tamped down with a dowel. the layered stacks use up less height. -continued-

[@marilyngist3152]

you did very well! great video beautiful machine. just not as beautiful as mine😉

[@ginsboy2003]

Just moved and the day we did it was raining. Some of my other equipment got a little rust on it, but not the MEC!

[@johnhammond19921]

May be a dumb question but how do u adjust the powder n shot charges great video press looks good

[@ginsboy2003]

John Hammond You would need to change the shot/powder bar for a different shot charge, and there are powder bushings you can get for different powder loads.

[@XXXCRASHvirusXXX]

I have a mec 500 that looks just like this with miner differences, i looked on there website and it's not listed, im hoping yourself or someone reading might know something about it.

[@bubbanorm]

I have an old style 650 that doesn't have a resizer. Is there a new sizer die that can be added to the old machine or do I have to consider resizing as a separate step? Thanks for the video it came in handy. I've been loading my own pistol ammo for a long time and just recently started considering loading my shotgun ammo.

[@ginsboy2003]

You could call MEC and see if the resizer on the 650n will work.

[@kenb4911]

Does the unit size the brass section of the shell? I have one and can’t get the reloads in the chamber of the shotgun.

[@marilyngist3152]

subscribed

[@curtisoyler2902]

get the plastic hull version not the paper version you get one load out of them tops

[@chrismercer3040]

how did you get the big silver spring compress to go back in place after cleaning

[@ginsboy2003]

I don't remember now, I just know that I did. Sorry.

[@marilyngist3152]

my gf just bought me this fully restored

[@ginsboy2003]

That's awesome!

[@popoaggie]

I thought the wad force gauge is for loading old fiber wads. Kind of obsolete today.

[@ginsboy2003]

+popoaggie I'm sure you are correct.

[@darrenar338]

I HAVE QUESTION DID U ALREADY RESIZE UR HULLS B4 U LOAD THEM BLK REM HULLS I JUST GOT MYSELF NEW MEC650N LAST WEEK I STILL HAVE IT IN BOX SO I HAD NEVER USED IT YET BUT I SEEN ON LINE AFTER I GOT IT I NEED TO USE SIZER SINCE 650N DOES NOT DO THIS STEP. I BEEN USE MY OLD MEC 700 VERSA 2 DO MY2.75'' & 3'' BUCK SHOT 4 DEER PAST 4 YEARS I NO IF U DON'T RE-SIZE 1X FIRED HULLS THEY WONT CHAMBER OR FEED IN MY STOEGER M-3000 SO I PLAN ON JUST SIZE MY HULLS IN MY OLD SINGLE STAGE INSTEAD BUYING $100 SIZER B4 I USE 650N SO MY LOADS FEED IN MY GUN INSTEAD HAVING A MESS ON RECLAIMING MY POWDER AND SHOT . AS 4 UR BUCK SHOT U SHOULD THINK ABOUT DOING ONE AT A TIME AFTER U DUMP B.DOT POWDER CHARGE AND ADD WAD PULL OUT HULL ADD UR LEAD USE A OLD MARKER OR WOOD DIAL ROD TAMPER THEM IN FLUSH JUST BELOW THE FOLD CRIMP LINE SO THERE STACK NEAT IN BY 2'S OR 3'S DEPENDING ON UR SIZE OF PELLETS NOT JUST DROP IN STICKING ABOVE THE CRIMP AND HOPE IT FOLDS UR HULLS HAS DENTS FROM UR SHOT POKING OUT SIDES JUST FORCED IN THERE REM GUN CLUB HULLS IS LOT THICKER HULL THEN MOST RANGE HULLS IF U TRY FED TOP GUN LOW BRASS STRAIGHT WALL HULLS U WONT GET THEM DENTS AS BAD SINCE UR USING FED 12S4 1 1/4OZ BROWN WAD THEY IS THICKER MADE FOR THINNER WALLED HULLS AS IF U TRY WAA12 OR WAA12R CLAYBUSTER WADS HAS THINNER PEDDLES BE BETTER FOR UR REM HULLS IF U DONT HAVE ANY FED HULLS ON HAND TO USE . THANKS 4 THIS VIDEO I KNOW HOW TO USE MINE WHEN EVER GET OUT OF THE BOX AND GET IT SLAP ON BENCH .

[@ginsboy2003]

+Darren Deterline No, I didn't resize the hulls. Thanks for the info. on reloading the rounds! I actually haven't messed with the press much since I made the video.

[@darrenar338]

+ginsboy2003 I GOT LOT DATA IF U NEED ANY ON UR BK SHOT I CAST ALL MY STUFF WITH SHAPSHOOTER USA MOLDS SO I DO LOT JUST NOT USED THIS FANCY 650N ITS STILL IN BOX I WAITING ON MY NEW BENCH 2 GET BUILT MY MEC700 SINGLE STAGE ON BENCH WITH MY RIFLE PISTOL PRESS SO ITS KINDA HARD TO DO ALL ONE SPOT . I CAST ALOT #4BK 31CAL 32CAL 33CAL 380CAL QUAD BK FOR 2.75 -3'' LOT OF FUN SHAME U LET THAT PRETTY PRESS JUST SIT THIS IS OLD VIDEO GOOD THING U HAVE THAT FANCY PILLOW CASE U SURE NEED ONE LOL .

[@ginsboy2003]

Darren Deterline Haha, yea I do need to work on experimenting with different hulls like you suggested. I don't like the way it crimps the shell with the number of pellets in it so a different wad might let me get the same no. in and give a factory crimp.

[@darrenar338]

YES U CAN REMOVE 4 PEDDLES JUST USE PISTON PART HOW I LOAD MY 8# QUAD BUCK IN 3'' HOME DEFENSE ROUNDS WITH 1 3/8OZ WAA12R WAD IF U USE 0#BK WAA12R U LOAD BY 3'S GET 12# OR CUT PEDDLES OFF U GET 31 CAL STACKS OF 4'S 12# TOP OFF WITH BUFFER OR LIKE IN MY FAV LOADS IN 3'' REM NITRO HULL AND CLAYBUSTER WAA12R I LOAD 18# 0#BK 31 CAL RUN THEM USING LONG SHOT OR BLUE DOT OR 800X I LIKE THE 3 CRIMP DIES Y I GOT 650N SO MY 3'' DEER LOADS WILL FEED SMOOTHER USING THAT FINISHING DIE PUTS PRETTY TAPER TO THE EDGE UNLIKE MY MEC 700 SINGLE STAGE DOES NOT OFFER AS PRETTY CRIMP AS 650 MAKES THEY LOOK SO PRETTY WHEN U GET IT SET UP U HATE TO SHOOT THEM LOL

[@ginsboy2003]

Why have I not thought of something so simple....!!! Thanks for the info. Darren!

[@travisweldmaster7815]

20:41-42 DO NOT PULL MORE THAN ONCE! NOT MORE THAN TWICE, correct thought wrong word

[@curtisoyler2902]

I'm surprise you don't bend the shell to death the hulls krimps look like crap I would find a different hull

[@ginsboy2003]

You're right they do. Maybe if I used a different wad? Or use one less lead pellet.

[@curtisoyler2902]

I use a different wad our find a hull that fits that wad better that's a fedral wad I'd use the high brass Fredal gold medal and it holds my bluedot load good

[@drewt.4353]

12h x $10/hr = $120 + Charge bar + missing parts....

[@waynecosta1305]

Here's some advice bro. Get to the point instead of wasting 20 minutes of your 26 minute video jabbering your jaw!!

[@ginsboy2003]

LOL, like your videos do anybody any good! Talk about wasting time! lol