Hand loading shotgun shells

Does anyone on this site hand load shotgun shells? If so which hand loader to you use? A friend & I are looking to start loading our own shotgun shells and wonder how the Lee Load All measure up?

Yup, I load (or rather loaded) for 20 and 16 ga with the Lee, and also have a Mec for 20 ga.

I have more loaded than I am likely to shoot, since I no longer compete. What would you like to know?

Is the MEC worth the money or are we just as far ahead to buy the Lee Load ALL?
I can get a Lee Load All for $50-60. While a MEC is going to run $250 or more per gauge.

I have reloaded Rifle and Pistol cartridges for many years but never shotgun.

Well, like the mec, the load all is single gauge. The value of the Lee is in the simplicity of the design and materials used, obviously, but where the Lee would be better starting out is it comes complete with a full set of bushings for both powder and shot. The Mec requires you to buy each bushing every time you want to change the load in any way. Now the Lee operates like a single stage press, and has a sequence you must follow, where the Mec follows a sequence and performs multiple operations with each pull of the handle. When the Mec messes up (not if, when) it is harder to find and fix the trouble. If the Lee messes up it is pretty simple to find the fault. If something breaks, the Lee is done, other than a conversion kit for a different gauge, replacement parts are not available. The Lee is easier to convert to 3" and then back to 2 3/4" with just a couple of screws.

I cannot count the boxes of ammo I have loaded on each, both will load LOTS of good quality ammo. Both will last a long time. I think my Lee is 25 years old, maybe only 23, but over 20 years for sure. When I bought mine they were $30.00 new, and powder was 6 to 9 bucks a pound.

The best shotshell loading manual I found was the Lyman shotshell manual, it explains the different hull configurations, and how they affect pressure and shell performance.

Contact me anytime with any questions (including how to get full choke patterns from a cylinder bore shotgun, by adjusting the load)

Happy loading
Keith

Thanks for the info Keith.

you are welcome

I think we have pretty much decided to go with the Lee Load All in 12 & 20 gauge. Its a lot less expensive than the MEC and were not concerned about loading mega boxes at once anyway. Thanks again for your help Keith.

anytime Rohn. For the casual shooter, and even an avid shooter the Lee will give you good service.