Best Single Stage Loader For Loading Shotgun Slugs ??

[billt]

I have acquired a recent interest in combat shotguns, and have purchased several of them in the last couple of years. I have reloaded shotshells extensively for almost 40 years. Mostly Trap loads. All of my shotshell reloaders are of the progressive type, (MEC 650, and a 8567 Grabber), both of which have reloaded thousands of rounds over the years.

 I'm going to be retiring after the first of the new year, and I'm going to start casting and loading my own slug loads in 12 gauge. Obviously a progressing type loader is less than ideal for this type of loading assignment. So I'm looking to get a single stage loader to use just for the task of reloading 12 gauge slug loads. I've already decided on the Lyman hollow base slug mold because it is the easiest to load with Trap components which I already have. (12 Gauge AA type wads, or their Claybuster equivalent), and AA or Remington STS hulls, of which I already have thousands of.

 The loader I'm currently looking at is the MEC 600 Jr. I'm already familiar with MEC loaders, already having 2 of them. But I was wondering if there is something better I should be looking at? I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who is more experienced at this. Another question I have is do the slugs themselves have to be cast from pure lead? I have hundreds of pounds of 5% Antimony lead that I was able to acquire at a place I worked for years back. I don't see why it would not work as well as pure lead? All of this ammunition will be shot from combat / riot style short barreled shotguns which all have cylinder bores, no choke.

 With slug loads running around a buck a pop, and having so many shotguns to feed, casting and loading my own, with components I already have seems like a no brainer. All I need is the mold, which I can pick up for around $70 bucks and change. I've seen several You Tube videos with these Lyman hollow base slugs loaded with AA Trap components, and most all of them have delivered outstanding accuracy. I should add Clays powder will be my powder of choice, only because I have so much of it. My current Trap load for years has been 1-1/8th ounces of #7-1/2 shot in a AA equivalent wad, under 17.5 gr. of Clays powder, in a AA or Remington STS hull. The Lyman slug casts a little heavier, (around 1-1/4 ounces), but mine may be slightly lighter with the 5% Antimony lead. I think 17.5 gr. of Clays would be a perfectly safe charge to start at, and work up from there. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Majer]

I would use a MEC Sizemaster since it has the base resizer built in.As for slugs, try Balistic Products for molds and data...They have everything you need to load slugs safely.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Slug-Molds/products/148/

[billt]

Thanks Majer. I may try that Lyman .690 round ball mold as well.

[les snyder]

just a comment...be sure to make a highly visible identifying mark on the hulls of your slug loads to distinguish them from shot loads...

[m25operator]

RCBS made and maybe still does, a 12ga die set, for the rockchucker, you had to remove the original die thread boss to allow the larger diameter dies. Really handy for building custom shells like 2 1/2" etc

[Sponsor]

[billt]

I remember those RCBS 12 gauge reloading dies. I wish they still produced them. I heard they made excellent crimps.