Elevate Your Shotshell Reloading: A Comprehensive Guide to the MEC 9000GN 20 Gauge Progressive Press

For avid shooters, competitive sportsmen, and dedicated hunters, the cost and availability of factory ammunition can be a significant barrier to enjoying their passion. Customizing ammunition to precise specifications, optimizing performance, and achieving unparalleled consistency often feels out of reach for many. This where the world of shotshell reloading offers a transformative solution, allowing enthusiasts to take control of their ammunition supply, save money, and tailor loads for specific applications.

If you're seeking to transition from single-stage reloading to a more efficient, high-volume process, or if you're a new reloader looking for a robust, reliable, and high-performance machine right from the start, the MEC 9000GN Progressive Shotshell Reloading Press 20 Gauge stands out as an exceptional choice. This guide will delve deep into what makes the 9000GN a cornerstone of serious reloading benches, detailing its capabilities, benefits, and how it addresses the core needs of modern shotshell reloaders.

Why Reload Shotshells? Understanding the Core Benefits

Before diving into the specifics of the MEC 9000GN, it's crucial to understand the fundamental advantages that drive reloaders to embrace this rewarding hobby. Many users frequently ask questions like:

• "How can I save money on shooting sports?"
• "What's the secret to consistent shotgun performance?"
• "Can I tailor my ammunition for specific hunting or clay shooting scenarios?"
• "Is reloading shotshells safe and practical for home use?"

The answers to these questions consistently point towards reloading. Here’s why:

1. Significant Cost Savings: Factory ammunition, especially in high volumes, can be expensive. By purchasing components (primers, powder, shot, wads, hulls) in bulk, reloaders can produce shells at a fraction of the cost. This economic advantage becomes profoundly evident for skeet, trap, sporting clays shooters, or hunters who spend considerable time in the field. Imagine the savings over thousands of rounds!
2. Enhanced Performance and Consistency: Every competitive shooter knows that consistency is key. Hand-loading allows for meticulous control over every variable – powder charge, shot weight, wad selection, and crimp quality. This precision often leads to tighter patterns, more consistent velocities, and an overall improvement in shooting performance that factory loads, designed for mass appeal, simply cannot match.
3. Ammunition Customization: Whether you need a light target load for a specific clay discipline, a heavy magnum load for waterfowl, or a specialized load for upland birds, reloading empowers you to create ammunition perfectly suited to your firearm and intended use. You can experiment with different components and recipes to achieve optimal results for your specific barrel and chokes.
4. Self-Sufficiency and Availability: In times of ammunition shortages, owning a reloading press provides peace of mind. You are no longer solely reliant on commercial supply chains. As long as you have components, you can keep shooting.
5. The Rewarding Hobby: Beyond the practical benefits, many reloaders find immense satisfaction in the craftsmanship and precision involved. It's a skill that deepens understanding of ballistics and enhances appreciation for firearms.

Introducing the MEC 9000GN 20 Gauge: A Masterclass in Progressive Reloading

The MEC 9000GN is not just a reloading press; it's a comprehensive shotshell production system. Designed and manufactured by MEC (Mayville Engineering Company), a brand with a storied history of producing reliable and durable reloading equipment since 1957, the 9000GN represents the pinnacle of progressive shotshell reloading technology.

This particular model, specifically configured for 20 Gauge, is engineered to meet the demands of serious reloaders who require efficiency without compromising on the quality of their finished shells. The 20 gauge is a popular choice for many shooters due to its lighter recoil, versatility, and effectiveness for various game birds and clay target sports.

Key Features and How They Benefit the Serious Reloader

The MEC 9000GN's design incorporates a series of features that streamline the reloading process, making it faster, more accurate, and remarkably consistent.

1. Progressive Operation for High Volume Production

• Feature: Unlike single-stage presses where each operation is performed individually on one shell at a time, the 9000GN is a progressive press. This means that with each pull of the operating handle, a shell moves to the next station, and a finished shell is produced. The 9000GN performs multiple operations simultaneously.
• Benefit: This multi-stage simultaneous action drastically increases output. A skilled operator can easily produce hundreds of shells per hour, making it ideal for competitive shooters, hunting enthusiasts, or anyone who consumes significant quantities of 20 gauge ammunition. It transforms a time-consuming chore into an efficient production line.

2. Robust Cast Iron Construction with Durable Bushings (20/22/24)

• Feature: The press boasts a heavy-duty cast iron frame, ensuring stability and long-term durability. It is equipped with precisely machined cast iron bushings, including those designed for consistent sizing across a range of applications, often identified by sizes like 20, 22, and 24, which refer to different gauge or resizing needs. These specialized bushings ensure precise hull resizing and conditioning.
• Benefit: The cast iron frame provides the rigidity necessary for consistent operation, minimizing flex and ensuring repeatable results. The durable bushings resist wear, maintaining precise shell dimensions over countless reloading cycles. This leads to longer-lasting components and more uniform finished ammunition, critical for optimal performance and preventing jams in your firearm.

3. Automatic Powder and Shot Measuring System

• Feature: The 9000GN comes standard with MEC's renowned automatic powder and shot measuring systems. These systems utilize bushings (interchangeable volumetric inserts) to accurately dispense pre-determined charges of powder and shot with each stroke.
• Benefit: Automation eliminates the need for manual scooping and weighing for every shell, significantly speeding up the process and improving safety by ensuring consistent charge weights. The interchangeable bushings allow for quick changes between different load recipes, accommodating various powder and shot types, providing flexibility for diverse reloading needs for your 20 gauge shells.

4. "Power Ring" Collet Resizer

• Feature: This innovative system ensures that every base, high or low brass, is resized to original factory dimensions, regardless of how badly it's been bulged or deformed during firing.
• Benefit: Consistent resizing prevents feeding issues in your shotgun, improving reliability and extending the life of your hulls by restoring them to their original specifications. This is particularly valuable for hulls that have been fired multiple times, ensuring they can be reloaded safely and effectively.

5. Automatic Primer Feed

• Feature: The press includes an automatic primer feed system that delivers a new primer to the priming station with each cycle.
• Benefit: This feature automates one of the most tedious parts of reloading, further enhancing speed and efficiency. It ensures consistent primer seating depth, which is vital for reliable ignition and consistent ballistic performance.

6. E-Z Prime System

• Feature: An upgraded priming system designed for smoother, more consistent primer seating.
• Benefit: Reduces priming effort and ensures primers are seated to the correct depth every time, minimizing misfires and enhancing the overall quality of your reloaded ammunition.

7. Cam-Actuated Crimp Stations (Pre-Crimp and Final Crimp)

• Feature: The 9000GN utilizes cam-actuated crimp stations for both the pre-crimp and final crimp stages. This design ensures that each crimp is precise and repeatable, regardless of hull type.
• Benefit: A consistent and professional-looking crimp is crucial for proper shell function, consistent velocities, and reliable patterns. The cam-actuated system applies consistent pressure, eliminating common crimp issues like dished or wavy crimps, giving your reloaded 20 gauge shells a factory-like finish.

8. Automatic Eject System

• Feature: Once a shell is completely processed and crimped, it is automatically ejected into a waiting container (not included).
• Benefit: This automation further speeds up the reloading process by eliminating the need to manually remove each finished shell, allowing the reloader to maintain a continuous workflow.

Who is the MEC 9000GN 20 Gauge For?

This press is an ideal investment for several types of shooters:

• The Dedicated Clay Target Shooter: Trap, skeet, and sporting clays enthusiasts often shoot thousands of rounds annually. The 9000GN's high output and consistency are invaluable for keeping up with demand and ensuring peak performance.
• The Serious Hunter: For those who pursue waterfowl, upland birds, or other game with a 20 gauge, the ability to craft specialized loads tailored to specific conditions or game types provides a significant advantage. It allows for optimization of pattern density and energy.
• The Cost-Conscious Enthusiast: Anyone looking to drastically reduce their ammunition expenses without sacrificing quality will find the 9000GN pays for itself over time, especially with the rising costs of factory ammo.
• The Precision-Minded Reloader: For individuals who demand the utmost consistency and control over their ammunition, the 9000GN offers the precision and repeatability needed to achieve truly superior results.
• Anyone Upgrading from a Single-Stage Press: If you've outgrown the limitations of a single-stage press and are ready for significantly higher volume production, the 9000GN provides a seamless and powerful transition.

Achieving Reloading Excellence: Consistency, Safety, and Longevity

With the MEC 9000GN, consistency isn't just a goal; it's an inherent outcome of the machine's design. The robust build, precise stations, and automated systems work in concert to minimize human error and maximize uniformity. This leads to:

• Consistent Velocities: Critical for predictable shot placement and pattern.
• Uniform Patterns: Essential for effective hitting of targets or game.
• Reliable Functioning: Properly sized and crimped shells feed and eject flawlessly from your shotgun.
• Extended Hull Life: Gentle yet firm processing helps preserve the integrity of your valuable spent hulls, allowing for more reloads per hull.

Safety Considerations: While the MEC 9000GN automates much of the process, it's paramount for reloaders to always follow established reloading data from reputable sources like powder manufacturers or reloading manuals. Double-checking powder and shot charges, inspecting components, and maintaining a clean and organized reloading space are crucial for safe and successful reloading.

Longevity and Maintenance: The cast iron construction of the MEC 9000GN ensures decades of reliable service with proper care. Regular cleaning, lubrication of moving parts, and periodic inspection of bushings and dies will keep your press operating at peak performance. The modular design of MEC presses also means that replacement parts are readily available, further extending the life of your investment. This is not a tool you will quickly outgrow or wear out; it is built to last.

The Investment in Your Passion

Investing in a high-quality progressive reloading press like the MEC 9000GN 20 Gauge is an investment in your shooting passion. While there's an initial outlay for the press and components, the long-term savings on ammunition are substantial. Many users report that the press pays for itself within a year or two, depending on their shooting volume. Beyond the financial aspect, it's an investment in control, quality, and the sheer enjoyment of producing your own high-performance ammunition.

Setting Up and Operating Your MEC 9000GN

Setting up the MEC 9000GN involves securing it to a sturdy reloading bench, installing the appropriate powder and shot bushings for your chosen recipe, and loading the primer feed. MEC provides clear, detailed instructions, and numerous online resources from experienced reloaders can also guide new users. Once set up, the operation is intuitive: simply place hulls into the shell plate, ensure the powder and shot hoppers are filled, and operate the handle. The machine takes care of the rest, advancing the shells through the various stages: decapping/resizing, priming, powder drop, wad seating, shot drop, pre-crimp, and final crimp.

Why Choose MEC? A Legacy of Reloading Excellence

MEC has been synonymous with shotshell reloading for over 60 years. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and durability has made them a trusted name among reloaders worldwide. The 9000GN embodies this legacy, offering a machine that is not only highly efficient but also exceptionally reliable and user-friendly. When you choose a MEC press, you're not just buying a piece of equipment; you're investing in a system backed by decades of engineering expertise and a reputation for excellence. Their products are designed by shooters, for shooters, ensuring they meet the real-world demands of the reloading community.

Where to Purchase Your MEC 9000GN 20 Gauge Press

To acquire the MEC 9000GN Progressive Shotshell Reloading Press 20 Gauge and begin your journey into high-volume, precision shotshell reloading, visit DEGuns.com. DEGuns offers a comprehensive selection of reloading equipment, components, and accessories, ensuring you have everything you need to get started and maintain your reloading operation. With competitive pricing and dedicated customer service, DEGuns.com is your trusted source for all your reloading needs.

Summary of Benefits and Specifications

The MEC 9000GN 20 Gauge press offers unparalleled efficiency, consistency, and customization capabilities for serious shotshell reloaders. From significant cost savings to enhanced shooting performance through tailored ammunition, this progressive press is a game-changer. Its robust cast iron construction, automatic systems for powder, shot, and primers, and precise crimping mechanisms ensure that every 20 gauge shell you produce meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. For anyone seeking to master their ammunition, the 9000GN is an indispensable tool.

Feature	Description	Benefit
Gauge	20 Gauge	Optimized for popular 20ga shells
Operation Type	Progressive	High-volume, efficient production
Construction	Heavy-Duty Cast Iron	Superior durability and stability
Resizing System	"Power Ring" Collet Resizer	Restores hulls to factory dimensions
Priming System	Automatic E-Z Prime System	Consistent, effortless primer seating
Measuring	Auto Powder & Shot Measure (Bushings)	Accurate, repeatable charges
Crimp Stations	Cam-Actuated (Pre-Crimp & Final Crimp)	Professional, consistent crimps
Output	Up to 400-500+ shells per hour (operator skill)	Fast production for high-volume needs
UPC	050736009890	Unique Product Identifier (representative)
Availability	DEGuns.com	Trusted source for purchase and support