Broke down this spring while looking for ammo, and bought a 20gauge Mec 9000 for reloading. Also going to "borrow" a friends 12 gauge MEC 9000 for reloading my trap rounds.

Ill post pictures of my setup once I get it done. Getting some Gorilla rack for the basement to make a workbench and storage. Running power for some additional lighting and a scale.

Now I just need to sort 2500 rounds of AA I have sitting around.

I make marks with a marker on my shells, so I know how many times I have loaded them. Idk why, my dad does this, so I do it too, lol.

I need to get into shotshell reloading. I've been casting my own 12 gauge slugs and .320 buckshot...but the only way I have to reload currently is a vintage Lee Loader, which is literally hand tool loader.

Tell me how you like the MEC 9000 after you get some time on it?

This is like what I have.

I have about 4k shells through my 9000. I like it a lot. Some times the auto feed for the primers acts up, but it's usually great.

mec 9000 with auto-mate is ridiculous. One day, that combination will be mine...

Crap, I just looked up the pricing on that...that's a $1000 setup.

Considering how few shotgun shells I actually go through (outside of the Walmart specials for clay shooting), I'm not sure it's worth $1000 for me to get a nice shotshell reloading setup.

I think I'll stick with my slow, manual setup from the 70s.

Yeah, I'm happy with pulling the handle.......for now. I went through 10 cases each of 12 and 20 gauge last year. If I reload the 20 at 3/4oz, I can save a bit of money. Maybe pay for the reloader in two years or so.

I've been swamped at work, so I only got the shelving last night, carried it down tonight and started doing a rough setup. Two runs to the hardware store later, and I think I have everything to run lights and power to that corner of the basement. Still need to pick up some peg board for behind the bench.

Initial impressions of the 9000, is that the build quality is really high. Well thought out design, and pretty robust construction. Haven't done the full setup yet, as I want to get the bench done first.

Some starting pictures. Hopefully will have it setup this weekend.

That press looks great!

I finally got off my butt and picked up a brick of shotshell primers. You know, do load up my buckshot and slugs...one...at...a...time....manually. LOL

Looking forward to seeing you're completed setup!

Pecked away at the bench tonight with the blizzard going on outside. Ran wire for the bench lights and outlet. Prepped the lights under the top shelf over the bench. (Bench front bar / top removed to work on the lights). And added two basement lights to add brightness to the area in general.

Going to finish the electrical tomorrow night, throw up some peg board on the back side of the bench, and might actually get to work on the reloader Saturday.

Looks great!

Got the bench finished tonight, and started moving in. Lots of organizing to do, and started building up the MEC. Tomorrow I should load my first shells. WOOT. Got a co-worker coming over to help out with the setup, then out to the range for some velocity testing.

I really like your lighting setup. Hell, I like your whole setup!

That shelving looks solid. Can that be picked up at any home improvement store or it something special?

I got the shelving from Menards, it's called Gorilla Rack. I think Home Depot and Lowes have a version of it by different companies. It's a bit on the pricey side, $400 for the combination you see there (including the wood), but I think its worth it. I've got the 8' tall with 8' wide beams in my garage. Holds a ridiculous amount of weight, plus its solid for working on.

I think for the workbench top, I'm going to follow FireBretha and do the aluminum T-track. I've got my Mec9000, my buddies 12gauge Mec, and possibly a .45 reloader coming over for occasional weekends. So thinking I need something a bit more versatile.
http://firespeedtactical.com/my-new-...-bench-part-1/

First shell off the reloader! I think it looks pretty damn nice. It took a bit to dial the powder charge in, since I started on the low side, and worked my way up. Also learned to clean EVERYTHING the powder touches as it likes to stick.

The Mec has some nice features, like when first loading, the charge bar locks to the left to prevent dumping powder and shot all over the bench when no shells are there like an idiot. Guess which idiot unlocked the bar.....without shells in the turret. Two thumbs... This Guy!

The GF actually made the first 5, and didn't have too much trouble pulling the handle all the way down......but it is tough with a full turret. I can see the benefit of the auto base.

Ran a full lot today....I'm going to be sore tomorrow. For those wondering if you should move up to the Mec9000 to get the auto indexing... DO IT. For those wondering if you should move up to the electric auto base.... DO IT. My heads a blur, and all Im thinking is "primer drop, hull, wad, pull.....primer drop, hull, wad, pull......primer drop, hull, wad, pull"

Loaded 500 20 gauge, 3/4oz, 8shot. Averaged 250/hr or just over 4 / minute. Sounds kinda slow, but that includes refilling primers, shot, and powder 3 times with taking a break, cleaning up the occasional #&%@-*$!, and marking / checking shells. Peak speed was probably 8 - 10 shells per minute. Only think I got 3 bad (unshootable) shells out of the group. 1 buckled case, and 2 others where the finishing die smooshed the top of the case, so its probably too large to fit in the chamber.

Interesting fact. A 5 gallon bucket holds roughly 500 fired 20 gauge hulls, and conversely will hold around 650 loaded shells.

Nice job. If you cut a dryer sheet into a strip you can hang it into the powder bottle. It will keep the powder from sticking to the sides of the bottle.

Thanks! Going to try that tonight.

Eric let me know if you want to sell that loader, or trade.