MEC 9000GN Progressive Shotshell Reloading Press: The Definitive Choice for High-Volume Precision
For dedicated shotgun enthusiasts, competitive shooters, serious hunters, and anyone seeking unparalleled control over their ammunition, the MEC 9000GN Progressive Shotshell Reloading Press stands as a beacon of efficiency and precision. This isn't just another reloading machine; it's a robust, cast-iron workhorse engineered to transform your reloading experience, allowing you to produce high volumes of consistent, custom shotgun shells with remarkable speed and accuracy.
Are you constantly asking yourself, "How can I reduce the cost of my shotgun ammunition?" or "Where can I find a reliable way to produce custom loads tailored precisely for my shotgun and shooting discipline?" The MEC 9000GN provides comprehensive answers to these questions and more. It empowers users to escape the fluctuating prices and limited availability of factory ammunition, offering a path to significant savings while simultaneously elevating shooting performance through meticulously crafted handloads.
Why Invest in a Progressive Shotshell Reloader Like the MEC 9000GN?
The decision to acquire a progressive shotshell reloader is often driven by the desire for both economy and enhanced performance. Unlike single-stage presses, which require multiple manual operations for each shell, progressive presses automate several steps simultaneously, dramatically increasing output. For shooters who consume hundreds, if not thousands, of shells annually in sports like trap, skeet, sporting clays, or during extensive hunting seasons, the time savings alone are invaluable. Beyond the sheer volume, the consistency a well-maintained progressive press provides translates directly to better patterns, more reliable cycling, and ultimately, improved scores and hunting success.
Unpacking the Core Features of the MEC 9000GN
The MEC 9000GN is designed from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of high-volume shotshell reloading. Its construction and operational mechanics are testament to MEC's long-standing reputation for quality and innovation in the reloading industry.
Robust Cast Iron Construction: Built to Last Generations
At the heart of the MEC 9000GN's enduring appeal is its heavy-duty cast iron frame. This material choice is not arbitrary; it's fundamental to the press's stability, durability, and consistent operation.
- Unwavering Stability: The substantial weight of the cast iron frame minimizes flex and vibration during operation, ensuring that each reloading stage is executed with maximum precision. This stability is critical for consistent crimps, uniform powder drops, and perfectly seated wads and primers.
- Exceptional Durability: Cast iron is renowned for its strength and resistance to wear and tear. The MEC 9000GN is built to withstand countless reloading cycles, making it a lifetime investment for serious reloaders. It's common to find MEC presses passed down through generations, still performing flawlessly.
- Reduced Maintenance: The inherent rigidity of cast iron means fewer moving parts are subjected to excessive stress, leading to less wear and a reduced need for frequent adjustments or repairs.
True Progressive Operation: Streamlined Efficiency
The "progressive" in MEC 9000GN signifies its multi-station, simultaneous operation. This is where the magic of high-speed reloading happens.
- Eight-Station Design: The 9000GN features eight dedicated stations, allowing a separate reloading operation to occur at each pull of the handle. As a finished shell is ejected, a new hull is fed, and all other shells on the shell plate advance to the next stage.
- Rapid Output: Once properly set up and familiar with its rhythm, an experienced reloader can achieve impressive output rates, often exceeding 400-500 shells per hour. This speed is indispensable for competitive shooters or those with extensive shooting habits.
- Automated Primer Feed (E-Z Prime): The integrated E-Z Prime system automatically feeds primers directly from the primer tray into the primer seating station. This eliminates the need for manual primer handling for each shell, significantly speeding up the process and enhancing safety by minimizing contact with primers.
- Auto-Charge Bar: The 9000GN comes standard with an Auto-Charge Bar, which automatically dispenses consistent charges of powder and shot with each cycle. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining the precise load data required for optimal performance and safety. Users can easily swap out charge bars or bushings to accommodate different powder and shot weights.
Precise Resizing and Crimping Capabilities
Achieving perfectly functioning ammunition requires meticulous attention to detail at every stage, particularly resizing and crimping.
- Power Ring Resizer: The MEC 9000GN incorporates the Power Ring Resizer, which works in conjunction with the reloader's base. This system ensures that every spent hull is perfectly resized to factory specifications, regardless of whether it's a high-brass or low-brass hull. Consistent resizing is vital for reliable feeding and ejection in semi-automatic and pump shotguns.
- Cam-Action Crimping: The press features a multi-stage, cam-action crimp system that first pre-crimps the hull and then finishes with a final, professional-grade crimp. This ensures a tight, consistent closure that protects the shot and powder from moisture and movement, crucial for uniform ballistics. The adjustable crimp start and final crimp stations allow for fine-tuning to achieve perfect, aesthetically pleasing, and functionally superior crimps every time.
The Tangible Benefits of Reloading with the MEC 9000GN
Beyond its technical specifications, the true value of the MEC 9000GN lies in the concrete advantages it delivers to the reloader.
- Substantial Cost Savings: This is often the primary motivator for many. Factory shotgun ammunition can be expensive, especially for high-volume shooters. By purchasing components (primers, powder, wads, shot, and hulls) in bulk, reloaders can significantly reduce their per-shell cost. Depending on the current market prices for components and factory ammo, savings of 50% or more per shell are common, making the initial investment in the MEC 9000GN quickly pay for itself.
- Unparalleled Load Customization and Performance: Factory ammunition offers a limited selection of loads. With the MEC 9000GN, you gain complete control over every variable:
- Powder Type and Charge: Tailor loads for specific velocities, recoil characteristics, and burn efficiency.
- Wad Selection: Experiment with different wad designs to achieve optimal gas sealing, pattern density, and shot protection.
- Shot Size and Type: Choose the perfect shot size and material (lead, steel, bismuth, etc.) for your target species or shooting discipline.
- Hull Selection: Utilize your preferred hull type for durability and consistent reloading.
- Consistent Ammunition for Consistent Results: The precision engineering of the MEC 9000GN ensures that each shell produced is remarkably similar to the last. This consistency in powder drops, shot weights, and crimp quality translates directly to more uniform ballistic performance, leading to tighter shot patterns and more predictable point of impact. For competitive shooters, this edge can mean the difference between winning and losing.
- Always Have Ammunition on Hand: In times of ammunition shortages or when specific loads are hard to find, owning a MEC 9000GN provides unparalleled self-sufficiency. You're no longer reliant on external supply chains; you can produce your own ammunition whenever you need it, ensuring you never miss a range day or a hunting trip due to lack of shells.
- Deepening Your Understanding of Ballistics: The reloading process is an excellent educational journey. As you experiment with different components and observe their impact on performance, you'll develop a profound understanding of internal and external ballistics, making you a more knowledgeable and effective shooter.
Who Should Consider the MEC 9000GN?
The MEC 9000GN is an ideal investment for several profiles of shooters:
- Competitive Clay Target Shooters (Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays): These disciplines require immense volumes of consistent, low-recoil ammunition. The 9000GN's speed and precision allow competitors to produce thousands of high-quality shells efficiently, providing a critical advantage.
- High-Volume Hunters: Waterfowl hunters, upland bird hunters, and those who spend significant time in the field will appreciate the ability to produce custom loads for varying conditions and game.
- Serious Recreational Shooters: If you enjoy frequent trips to the range and want to maximize your practice time without breaking the bank, the 9000GN offers an economic and engaging solution.
- Ammunition Customizers: For those who demand specific velocities, patterns, or recoil impulses not available in factory offerings, the 9000GN provides the platform for ultimate customization.
Is Shotshell Reloading Difficult? Getting Started with the MEC 9000GN
While the MEC 9000GN is a progressive press, its operation is intuitive once you understand the basics. Like any precision tool, it has a learning curve, but it's far from insurmountable. Most new reloaders become proficient within a few sessions.
Essential Starting Components (Available at DEGuns):
- MEC 9000GN Press: Your foundation.
- Reloading Manual: Absolute necessity for safe load data. Look for reputable manuals like Lyman's, Hornady, or specifically MEC's own guide. Never deviate from published load data.
- Powder: Specific to shotshells (e.g., Hodgdon, Alliant, Winchester).
- Primers: Shotshell-specific primers (e.g., Winchester, CCI, Remington).
- Wads: Matched to your specific hull and shot weight.
- Shot: Lead, steel, or non-toxic alternatives.
- Hulls: New or once-fired hulls (ensure they are clean and in good condition).
- Digital Scale: For precise powder and shot measurement.
- Shotgun Shotshell Micrometer/Caliper: For measuring overall length and crimp height.
- Safety Glasses: Non-negotiable for eye protection.
The MEC 9000GN streamlines many processes, making it one of the most user-friendly progressive presses on the market. Clear instructions and readily available support, often including video tutorials and community forums, further simplify the learning process. Remember, safety is paramount. Always follow published load data, wear appropriate safety gear, and ensure your reloading area is well-lit and free from distractions.
Maintenance and Longevity
To ensure your MEC 9000GN provides decades of reliable service, a simple maintenance routine is key:
- Regular Cleaning: Remove spent powder, plastic residue, and other debris. A soft brush and compressed air work well.
- Lubrication: Apply light oil to pivot points and sliding surfaces as recommended in the manual.
- Inspection: Periodically check for worn parts, loose fasteners, or alignment issues. Replacement parts for MEC presses are widely available at DEGuns, ensuring long-term usability.
Why Purchase Your MEC 9000GN from DEGuns?
When investing in a cornerstone piece of reloading equipment like the MEC 9000GN, choosing a reputable supplier is crucial. DEGuns.com offers not only the MEC 9000GN but also a comprehensive selection of all the necessary components, accessories, and support items you'll need to get started and maintain your reloading operation. From primers and powder to wads and shot, as well as essential tools and safety equipment, DEGuns provides a one-stop shop, ensuring compatibility and reliable supply for your reloading endeavors. Their commitment to customer service and extensive inventory make them a trusted source for all your reloading needs.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Shooting Experience
The MEC 9000GN Progressive Shotshell Reloading Press is more than just a machine; it's an investment in your shooting future. It's an opportunity to save money, achieve superior performance, gain independence from factory ammunition constraints, and deepen your engagement with the shooting sports. Its robust cast iron construction, progressive efficiency, and precise engineering make it an industry leader, designed to meet the demands of even the most prolific shooters. If you're serious about your shotgunning and ready to take full control of your ammunition, the MEC 9000GN from DEGuns is the definitive solution you've been searching for.
Technical Specifications for the MEC 9000GN
Feature | Detail | Benefit |
---|---|---|
Type | Progressive Shotshell Reloader | High-volume, efficient ammunition production |
Construction | Cast Iron Frame | Durability, Stability, Longevity |
Operation | Manual Lever Action, Eight-Station | Consistent, high-speed reloading |
Primer System | E-Z Prime Auto Primer Feed | Automated, safe primer seating |
Powder/Shot System | Auto-Charge Bar | Consistent and adjustable metering |
Resizing | Power Ring Resizer | Factory-spec hull sizing |
Crimping | Cam-Action Pre-Crimp & Final Crimp | Professional, consistent shell closure |
Shell Holder | Automatic Shell Ejector | Streamlined workflow |
UPC | 098018359005 | Product identification standard |