Mec Marksman Opinion

[warnera1102]

I have been looking to replace my old Lee Challanger press that got me into reloading years ago. To be honest this press has put together more rounds than I thought it would but the small O frame is becoming a hassle seating my 7RM with Bergers due to length. I have been very intrigued by the Mec Marksman due to the open front and the specs on the Ultimate Reloader Review. I do not prime on the press nor do I plan to.
So to the guys who own one, what is our opinion?

 

[Jmccracken1214]

I’ve had the mec for a few years and absolutely love it. Sold my Hornady single stage after getting it. Best press for the money

 

[Mudflap621]

The Mec is a great press and built like a tank.

 

[warnera1102]

What stands are you guys running?

 

[Mudflap621]

I started with the MEC stand than went to the in-line just to keep things similar but the MEC stand is pretty cool with built in die storage.

 

[patriotnation]

I got mine a couple years ago when I was sick of my Rockchucker that has some play in it (Edit : not made in China crap, they are still made in USA, sorry) I thought I would improve my concentricity if I got a Co-Ax or a MEC Marksman, I couldn’t find a Forster so I bought the MEC and glad I did. Rockchucker is dedicated for depriming now. Concentricity improved, I love it. So simple and works well.

I have it mounted on the MEC press mount.

 

[Ruff 364]

Love mine on a inline fab mount with lighting added.

Good press, solid built.

 

[MDof2]

Love mine. Rock solid. Running it on an Inline Fab stand. With good dies, I'm at 1 to 1.5 tho of runout.

 

[warnera1102]

Awesome.
Glad to hear the good reviews.
How do you like the floating shell holder?

 

[0311@LAR]

Love mine as well. Put it on an in-line fabrication mount and added the UFO light to it. Floating shell holder is the bees knees. I don’t regret not getting the Co-ax.

 

[HousePlant]

Love mine! Just wish I could cost-justify a progressive with all the fixins because single-stage work is SLOW AS FUUUUUUUUUUUUUK

 

[Barryd]

Great press. I use it with the Mec stand.

 

[Haney]

I like mine , very solid press for the money .Sensitive enough to sense neck tension while seating bullets .

 

[GrantB]

Mine has been working well, no real complaints. One thing for me anyways is, I feed the machine with my left hand and run the handle with the right, it’s not as easy to feed it as say an off centered o press. The support arm on the left side kinda gets in the way of easy feeding

 

[DoSqH]

Another thing to be aware of with the MEC press; if you ever plan on using an on-press primer pocket swaging die it won’t work. The floating shell holder retainer prevents most of them from working.

Hang on to your old press if you need that functionality.

 

[cro789]

Has anyone ever tried a straight handle on the Marksman?

 

[Dough300]

I have one. Really smooth and I really like the open front with really easy access.
I put in- line roller handles on mine and find i really like this set up.

 

[cro789]

Do you have any photos?

 

[J Cal]

Another thing to be aware of with the MEC press; if you ever plan on using an on-press primer pocket swaging die it won’t work. The floating shell holder retainer prevents most of them from working.

Hang on to your old press if you need that functionality.

I know this is old, but if it helps anyone, removing the shell holder retaining clip will allow the the swager tool to fit

 

[Jonathan Swift]

I have been looking to replace my old Lee Challanger press that got me into reloading years ago. To be honest this press has put together more rounds than I thought it would but the small O frame is becoming a hassle seating my 7RM with Bergers due to length. I have been very intrigued by the Mec Marksman due to the open front and the specs on the Ultimate Reloader Review. I do not prime on the press nor do I plan to.
So to the guys who own one, what is our opinion?

You'll love the open front

I got mine a couple years ago when I was sick of my Rockchucker that has slop in it because made in China crap, I thought I would improve my concentricity if I got a Co-Ax or a MEC Marksman, I couldn’t find a Forster so I bought the MEC and glad I did. Rockchucker is dedicated for depriming now. Concentricity improved, I love it. So simple and works well.

I have it mounted on the MEC press mount.

Rock chuckers are made in China now? Big time sad face

 

[fdkay]

I got mine a couple years ago when I was sick of my Rockchucker that has slop in it because made in China crap, I thought I would improve my concentricity if I got a Co-Ax or a MEC Marksman, I couldn’t find a Forster so I bought the MEC and glad I did. Rockchucker is dedicated for depriming now. Concentricity improved, I love it. So simple and works well.

I have it mounted on the MEC press mount.

@Team RCBS & Bushnell can you confirm the Rock Chucker is now made in China?

 

[Team RCBS & Bushnell]

@Team RCBS & Bushnell can you confirm the Rock Chucker is now made in China?

I can confirm they are made in Oroville, CA. I have a few pics from a few years ago. I'm in the Overland Park, KS office. I can see if I can get some newer pics of the facility. Unfortunately I haven't been there on a tour myself yet or I'd have a lot more. The Rock Chucker is made in USA, not China.

 

[fdkay]

I can confirm they are made in Oroville, CA. I have a few pics from a few years ago. I'm in the Overland Park, KS office. I can see if I can get some newer pics of the facility. Unfortunately I haven't been there on a tour myself yet or I'd have a lot more. The Rock Chucker is made in USA, not China.

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Thanks

 

[warnera1102]

Not going to lie I forgot about this thread. I did end up with a Mec.
I have been very impressed with the consistency and smoothness. I did add the hornady bushing conversion to the press, well worth it.

 

[StaveyIL]

I like to have a single stage aside the 650. I’ve had a Redding big boss , a co ax , and a MEC. They were all decent . The only one I’ve kept is the MEC.

 

[patriotnation]

You'll love the open front

Rock chuckers are made in China now? Big time sad face

My apologies for assuming
Wish I kept the box instead of tossing it.
RCBS is a great company with excellent customer service. I’m sorry for that comment.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

My apologies for assuming
Wish I kept the box instead of tossing it.
RCBS is a great company with excellent customer service. I’m sorry for that

I have a rebel and like it, it has unlimited power

 

[MDof2]

Has anyone ever tried a straight handle on the Marksman?

Pretty sure the fulcrum point on the ram and handle makes it that it needs to have that curve in it.
If I recall they offer a long and short handle for it.

 

[Tillerup!]

Another thing to be aware of with the MEC press; if you ever plan on using an on-press primer pocket swaging die it won’t work. The floating shell holder retainer prevents most of them from working.

Hang on to your old press if you need that functionality.

That’s why use the old ones for… the dirty work.!!

 

[misser]

if you have found the free floating shell holder to be to free to spin out of preferred alignment . I did find that when a strong donut magnet is placed on the ram gives some stickiness to the shell holder when the ram is all the way down. from amazon

CMS Magnetics Super Powerful N52 Neodymium Ring Magnet OD 2 x ID 1 x 1/4" w/ 46 LB Holding Power - Rare Earth Ring​