RCBS the grand vs MEC 9000
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G
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·If you're not very mechanically inclined, go with the MEC. They are almost fool proof.
If you don't mind fine tunning a loader, the RCBS is the way to go.
Both loaders have excellant customer support from the factory. Both will make very nice reloads, but the RCBS has more features and is a bit more of a precision tool.
ec90t
If you don't mind fine tunning a loader, the RCBS is the way to go.
Both loaders have excellant customer support from the factory. Both will make very nice reloads, but the RCBS has more features and is a bit more of a precision tool.
ec90t
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97 Posts
I started with a MEC 9000G. It is a good loader. I also have an RCBS Grand. It is a great loader. Once you get your loads dialed in, it is extremely reliable and very fast. It is not as fast as the Dillon; but, it is not as expensive. The ability to remove a shell from any station on the turret is an outstanding feature. Service could not be better. Even if you are at fault, they will replace a part for free. I ought to sell my MEC because i haven't used it for four years. I am hopefully thinking my son will want to use it some day.
I also had some frustration in primer drops with my MEC, particularly when I was trying to load as quickly as possible. One night I decided i needed something better and ordered the RCBS on the internet for a bargain price. I have never regretted it.
If I had to do it over again, I would not have bought the MEC (The RCBS was not available at that time.)
Terry Sandlin
I also had some frustration in primer drops with my MEC, particularly when I was trying to load as quickly as possible. One night I decided i needed something better and ordered the RCBS on the internet for a bargain price. I have never regretted it.
If I had to do it over again, I would not have bought the MEC (The RCBS was not available at that time.)
Terry Sandlin
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306 Posts
As stated above I also had a MEC 9000, this is a good machine. The RCBS Grand is a great machine, the ability to remove shells and the case activated powder drop and shot drop are far superior to the MEC.
Mark Richards
Mark Richards
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6,963 Posts
I'm sure the 50 or so RCBS reloaders out there have a point..........but, there are literally thousands of MEC reloaders who beg to disagree.
Plus I notice they tout being able to remove a shell at any station. All of us MEC owners can do that too.
Nothing wrong with either one of them, so choose which one you want and take your chances.
Hauxfan!
Plus I notice they tout being able to remove a shell at any station. All of us MEC owners can do that too.
Nothing wrong with either one of them, so choose which one you want and take your chances.
Hauxfan!
I have a marked preference for the RCBS Grand. When I decided to replace my Pacific/Hornady, I tried them all. I decided on the Grand. It is set up so it loads 24g to 1 1/8oz loads using STS and GM hulls, Federal, Remington, Windjammer and DRM Pick XXL wads, and STS209, W209 and Fed209A primers without adjustment.
IMO, the Grand is superior to all of the MECs, but you should find out for yourself. I went to a couple of big shoots and tried them all out. Between the PW, Spolar, RCBS and the MEC, I decided the Grand was right for me. If I hadn't tried them all, I'd still be wondering.
IMO, the Grand is superior to all of the MECs, but you should find out for yourself. I went to a couple of big shoots and tried them all out. Between the PW, Spolar, RCBS and the MEC, I decided the Grand was right for me. If I hadn't tried them all, I'd still be wondering.
Started with the MEC then tried a RCBS Grand that was setup at our club by one of the RCBS reps.
WOW.
After a few sessions on the Grand I was sold and ordered one and haven't looked back. Dumped my MEC for a reasonable price and now only use the Grand. I'll second the comment that the Grand is great loader, the MEC is a good loader.
As for adjustable charge bar - who cares - I had an adjustable charge bar on my MEC and it worked pretty well but took time to dial in when changing loads. With the Grand charge bar I can turn the powder and shot hoppers to the off postion, remove the charge bar and pop out the shot and powder bushings - drop in the new ones and be back loading in about 2 minutes.
I have worked my bushings with a rat tail file to get them to throw EXACTLY the powder and shot drops I want - not approximately but exactly. My MEC was never as precise.
Get the Grand, it's a no-brainer.
WOW.
After a few sessions on the Grand I was sold and ordered one and haven't looked back. Dumped my MEC for a reasonable price and now only use the Grand. I'll second the comment that the Grand is great loader, the MEC is a good loader.
As for adjustable charge bar - who cares - I had an adjustable charge bar on my MEC and it worked pretty well but took time to dial in when changing loads. With the Grand charge bar I can turn the powder and shot hoppers to the off postion, remove the charge bar and pop out the shot and powder bushings - drop in the new ones and be back loading in about 2 minutes.
I have worked my bushings with a rat tail file to get them to throw EXACTLY the powder and shot drops I want - not approximately but exactly. My MEC was never as precise.
Get the Grand, it's a no-brainer.
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6,963 Posts
What can I say guys, but........to each his own.
Go with what trips your trigger.
A Mec 9000 hooked up to an Auto-Mate trips mine.
I looked at the RCBS and the one thing I really didn't like about it was the long handle pull compared to a Mec.
Plus the fact that I have been using a Mec for over 30 years now......Do you suppose that might have something to do with my love of Mec's? lol
All good........
Hauxfan!
Go with what trips your trigger.
A Mec 9000 hooked up to an Auto-Mate trips mine.
I looked at the RCBS and the one thing I really didn't like about it was the long handle pull compared to a Mec.
Plus the fact that I have been using a Mec for over 30 years now......Do you suppose that might have something to do with my love of Mec's? lol
All good........
Hauxfan!
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122 Posts
I own a 12ga Grand, and if they made a 28 and 410 I would own them as well. I don't shoot 20ga, but if I start, I will buy a 20ga Grand.
I have MEC 9000Gs in 28 & 410 and they are good, but the Grand is - well GRAND.
The grand is really built solid and the settings never change. Mine has produced over 40,000 12ga and looks and works like new.
John
I have MEC 9000Gs in 28 & 410 and they are good, but the Grand is - well GRAND.
The grand is really built solid and the settings never change. Mine has produced over 40,000 12ga and looks and works like new.
John
Go with the Mec. I had problems with the RCBS Green machine. How did they solve
the problems & take care of their customers? They stopped producing the
machine & did NOTHING to compensate we dummies on spent hundreds of dollars on their lousy machine. They did not give us ANY REFUND,OR ANY CREDIT TOWARDS THEIR OTHER MACHINES.
Mec has always settled the few problems with my Mec machines, I have owned four(4), all upgrades, without any argument.
Joe Jordan
the problems & take care of their customers? They stopped producing the
machine & did NOTHING to compensate we dummies on spent hundreds of dollars on their lousy machine. They did not give us ANY REFUND,OR ANY CREDIT TOWARDS THEIR OTHER MACHINES.
Mec has always settled the few problems with my Mec machines, I have owned four(4), all upgrades, without any argument.
Joe Jordan
If you only load one load It dont matter. But if you load different loads the Mec and adjustable bar is the only way to go. I dont see what some of you say it takes time to "dial in a load" I dont have a problem with it. If you load several types of hulls the shot adjustment will make good crimps easy.
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1,135 Posts
Find a reloader who has each one of the machines and go try them out. While there eat all the food you can. When finished you belly will be full and you will know which loader works best for you. You also found somebody to help you set it up and troubleshoot (if you return the food favor). YMMV
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2,855 Posts
JJJ
I am also one of the dummies that bought the Green Machine. RCBS quality dontcha know!!! What a waste of money that was. Worst reloader I have ever used. Like you, I did not even consider the Grand. Let some other guys "prove it" - I was not going to test it for them.
So now I am "stuck" with a PW 800+ and a Spolar. Oh well - I guess I will suffer.
Don Verna
I am also one of the dummies that bought the Green Machine. RCBS quality dontcha know!!! What a waste of money that was. Worst reloader I have ever used. Like you, I did not even consider the Grand. Let some other guys "prove it" - I was not going to test it for them.
So now I am "stuck" with a PW 800+ and a Spolar. Oh well - I guess I will suffer.
Don Verna
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213 Posts
I have used a friends Grand and thought it was a quality machine, after I got it dialed in for him. I was given my first MEC loader nearly 40 years ago. I purchased a grabber in 1977 and I recently gave it to my daughter to use (32 years of hard use later). I now have a 9000H and could not be happier. I also have a 9000G in 20 and 28 gauge. Never had any problems! I had the grabber serviced last year at Sparta by MEC prior to giving it to my daughter. It needed nothing after hundreds of thousands of loads. I expect to see my grandchildren cranking out 200 plus shells an hour from the grabber years from now. Great product, Great people, and Great support of our sport.
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