How to watch for overpressure in shotshells? - The Firearms Forum

JohnK3 · 03-22-2004, 01:08 PM

Just getting back into shotgun shooting. I've got my dad's old MEC 600 Jr. (70's era) in 20ga. and looking to buy a Mk. V in 12ga. soon.

Other than the obvious (primer backouts/flattening/etc.) how does one watch for signs of overpressure in a shotshell?

inplanotx · 03-22-2004, 06:28 PM

JohnK3, boy, now you are dating me as an old phart. I still have, and use, my MEC 600 jr press to this day. I have loaded many, many thousands of 12 ga shotshells on it and have finally wore out my sizing die. I called Mayville Engineering about two weeks ago and they are sending me a new sizer die. I love that old machine and will not let it go. I have every powder and charging bushing ever made for that old timer.

As for overpressure, the only other thing I can think of is DO NOT DEVIATE from the load book data and parts used. I have always used Winchester AA hulls and have never had a problem. I did have one shell I did not drop a powder charge into and that was the only mistake I ever made. One shell out of literally thousands.
Went tinkle, tinkle tinkle, down the barrel. No harm done. Made sure barrel was not obstructed, racked in a new round and away I went. Haven't ever had another one!

Try the 600 jr. It's a lot of fun. I have the auto primer feed for mine. A must in my consideration!

Marlin · 03-22-2004, 06:39 PM

I used a 600 Junior for years, IPT, and gave it to # 1 son a while back. I really did love that little machine and was very comfortable using it.

inplanotx · 03-22-2004, 07:08 PM

Marlin, had mine for 28 years and it still works. Would never give it up. Mayville Engineering charged me $6.00 plus shipping for a new sizer die and all is well again. May not be the fastest thing around, but it makes good shotshells.

03-22-2004, 01:08 PM	#1
JohnK3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,636	How to watch for overpressure in shotshells? Just getting back into shotgun shooting. I've got my dad's old MEC 600 Jr. (70's era) in 20ga. and looking to buy a Mk. V in 12ga. soon. Other than the obvious (primer backouts/flattening/etc.) how does one watch for signs of overpressure in a shotshell? -->

03-22-2004, 06:28 PM	#2
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	JohnK3, boy, now you are dating me as an old phart. I still have, and use, my MEC 600 jr press to this day. I have loaded many, many thousands of 12 ga shotshells on it and have finally wore out my sizing die. I called Mayville Engineering about two weeks ago and they are sending me a new sizer die. I love that old machine and will not let it go. I have every powder and charging bushing ever made for that old timer. As for overpressure, the only other thing I can think of is DO NOT DEVIATE from the load book data and parts used. I have always used Winchester AA hulls and have never had a problem. I did have one shell I did not drop a powder charge into and that was the only mistake I ever made. One shell out of literally thousands. Went tinkle, tinkle tinkle, down the barrel. No harm done. Made sure barrel was not obstructed, racked in a new round and away I went. Haven't ever had another one! Try the 600 jr. It's a lot of fun. I have the auto primer feed for mine. A must in my consideration! __________________

03-22-2004, 06:39 PM	#3
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	I used a 600 Junior for years, IPT, and gave it to # 1 son a while back. I really did love that little machine and was very comfortable using it. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

03-22-2004, 07:08 PM	#4
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Marlin, had mine for 28 years and it still works. Would never give it up. Mayville Engineering charged me $6.00 plus shipping for a new sizer die and all is well again. May not be the fastest thing around, but it makes good shotshells. __________________ Last edited by inplanotx; 03-22-2004 at 07:08 PM..