I have a chance to pick up a minty 366 12 ga for a fire sale price. I have used and prefer the MEC 9000 for larger gauges since they came out. I have never pulled a handle on the 366. Opinions?
Opinions on Hornady 366
Shooting Coach
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I have one and live it. It’s a tank. Most people that don’t like them can’t figure them out. I have Mec progressives too and much prefer the 366
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I have four 366's in 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and 410. I acquired them used about 14 years ago and have had Hornady update them all. Missed out on a 16ga a few years ago and would be very interested to acquire one or information on conversion kit. The 20ga was a Pacific and Hornady had issues with casting parts not matching or aligning when repairing, so after a three attempts to correct Hornady sent me a new 20ga press last year.
I think Nebs point about getting used to process has a lot of merit as I own MEC presses as well and gave a 9000G and a Sizemaster away before retiring to central Texas. I am still learning the tuning of my 366's with different hulls and powders. I have learned so much from these threads on TS and couldn't place a value on people willingness to share knowledge. The Hornady technical support is outstanding and they are all just great people to talk to.
Hope you bought it!
If it’s a really good price and not a lot of wear
Looking at these handles, it looks like they are left or right-side specific.
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2,407 Posts
I think so. Also if yours is screw-in or set-screw attached.
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I drill a hole all the way through the primer tube right above the foot.
I can see when I’m at about 8 primers from being empty and I can also use a screw or a nail for a primer shutoff if I’m working up a new load.
I also cut out a slot to remove a shell after the powder drops so I can randomly monitor weights or if I wanna go up or down a bushing.
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I can see when I’m at about 8 primers from being empty and I can also use a screw or a nail for a primer shutoff if I’m working up a new load.
I also cut out a slot to remove a shell after the powder drops so I can randomly monitor weights or if I wanna go up or down a bushing.
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142 Posts
Can you still get parts
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171 Posts
Yes! Parts are available from Hornady or from several online retailers like Midway etc. I've ordered bushings for different loads and some minor parts too. The people at Hornady that handle the parts are great people and will go out of their way to help you get what you need.
Good Luck.
DG
Good Luck.
DG
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98 Posts
I have a early Pacific 366 and 2 Hornady 366's. 12,28. and .410. They are good loaders. Got to go slower with the smaller gauges but most loaders are that way. Every part I have needed was available from Hornady and Midway also has some commonly needed parts such as wad guides. I upgraded the Pacific to the new specs with auto rotation, shell eject and swing out wad guide.
Maybe thirty-five years ago I had an Uncle who had an original PACIFIC progressive press that was I think a blue / green color, theses were machine shop quality reloaders . Going back maybe thirty years ago my friend and I went to the Grand American in Vandalia OH and he bought a Hornady 366 , Hornady must of bought the original tooling because cast into the metal was PACIFIC , the machine was painted red to match Hornadys corporate colors . I would have no issues buying the 366 , although do not know if the bean counters at Hornaday cheapened-up the original PACIFIC design and materials ? Do the current crop of 366's still have PACIFIC on them ? Thanks
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852 Posts
I have had several Hornady 366's over the past forty years. I still use one for 12 gauge. Great machines. I like the ability to move the operating handle to the opposite side to spread the shoulder stress. Never had a problem with its direction of rotation. I use a P/W 800 Plus too.
I load all my .410's on a MEC 9000g. It makes the best .410's hands down.
I load all my .410's on a MEC 9000g. It makes the best .410's hands down.
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3,150 Posts
Im with 2 skeet in one of the earlier posts. I too was happiest when I sold mine for $100 less than I had into it including high cap reservoirs I added to it. ( I had high hopes for it as a 20g loader).
Way too jinky. Didn't like the off set sizing station. The base plate is too thin, Didn't like how the shells shook now & again spilling shot. Didn't like having to release the ratchet pawl to back up the base plate to check a suspected problem. Wad pressure seating adjustment??? W.T.H.
Many love them, just not my kind of tool.
PS
I see alot of shooting buds using these 366's experiencing a fair amount of dud shells.
Way too jinky. Didn't like the off set sizing station. The base plate is too thin, Didn't like how the shells shook now & again spilling shot. Didn't like having to release the ratchet pawl to back up the base plate to check a suspected problem. Wad pressure seating adjustment??? W.T.H.
Many love them, just not my kind of tool.
PS
I see alot of shooting buds using these 366's experiencing a fair amount of dud shells.
I have 4 - 410, 28, and 2 for 12. Like all loaders, you need to pay attention. “It’s a poor craftsman that blames his tools”. You can make bad shells with a single stage or a Spolar.
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424 Posts
Sounds like you aren’t too handy.
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