Mec Grabber 761R

[creophus]

How much would you guys expect to pay for one of these in 12guage?

There's a guy that has one for sale that I'm thinking of buying or trading into.


Any info is greatly appreciated.

[I8BAMBI]

that doesn't happen to be in Nebraska does it?


there is a guy here that had one and an older pacific, with a bunch of extras (powder, wads, bushings, charge bars)...I was third in line...and it sold...for $75

that wasn't you was it?

[creophus]

No, that's not me. This is a basic setup. There's also a Mec 600Jr in 20gauge, which I don't shoot.

How much would be fair price??

[nitesite]

How much would be fair price??

Any pics? In what sort of condition does he claim it to be?

[creophus]

Says it in fair condition. I don't have any pics to post. He's local, so I can see it in person.

[I8BAMBI]

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZmecQ20grabberQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdo Z

[creophus]

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZmecQ20grabberQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdo Z
Thanks. I'll check them out.

[nitesite]

I spoke with Robby at MEC this afternoon about that press, Creo. I thought it looked a lot like my MEC 650 in terms of operation, with the addition of a sizing station which my 650 does not have. He confirmed that a 761R was, indeed, a very close cousin to what I have and use.

The last year for these presses to be built was 1985, and Robby admitted that if it was used "somewhat regularly the linkages and such could have some appreciable wear on them". He said that even with such linkage wear present it would make perfectly fine shells.

His best guess on what one should sell for, and he didn't hesitate in offering this, was seventy-five dollars.

I'll tell you this about my loading experience with my 650. It was the first shotgun press I got, and there was a learning curve that took me a good deal longer to get over compared to using a single stage. I spilled shot several times, or forgot to insert a wad before pulling the handle. But once I learned a cadence in my head "Turn...primer...turn...in...up...etc) my mistakes went away and so did the wasted powder and shot.

If that 761R is adjusted correctly you could make a box of shells every 6-8 minutes.

I'm confident enough in MEC presses that I also now have a Sizemaster and a 600 Jr.

Have you used a reloading cost calculator to see what you can load a box for these days? Bags of shot are coming back down in price, thank goodness. Primers are up steeply, but not like pistol or rifle primers and they are readily available.

[ronterry]

That thing is cool. I going with the McLovin single stage though...
Let us know if you score it Creo...

BTW: I though Ebay ban us gun people? They still allow sales of gun stuff???

[creophus]

I spoke with Robby at MEC this afternoon about that press, Creo. I thought it looked a lot like my MEC 650 in terms of operation, with the addition of a sizing station which my 650 does not have. He confirmed that a 761R was, indeed, a very close cousin to what I have and use.

The last year for these presses to be built was 1985, and Robby admitted that if it was used "somewhat regularly the linkages and such could have some appreciable wear on them". He said that even with such linkage wear present it would make perfectly fine shells.

His best guess on what one should sell for, and he didn't hesitate in offering this, was seventy-five dollars.

I'll tell you this about my loading experience with my 650. It was the first shotgun press I got, and there was a learning curve that took me a good deal longer to get over compared to using a single stage. I spilled shot several times, or forgot to insert a wad before pulling the handle. But once I learned a cadence in my head "Turn...primer...turn...in...up...etc) my mistakes went away and so did the wasted powder and shot.

If that 761R is adjusted correctly you could make a box of shells every 6-8 minutes.

I'm confident enough in MEC presses that I also now have a Sizemaster and a 600 Jr.

Have you used a reloading cost calculator to see what you can load a box for these days? Bags of shot are coming back down in price, thank goodness. Primers are up steeply, but not like pistol or rifle primers and they are readily available.

Thanks Nitesite. That's great to know. I have been wondering about the speed of that press. So about 50 rounds every 6-8 minutes huh? That's not bad at all.

That thing is cool. I going with the McLovin single stage though...
Let us know if you score it Creo...

BTW: I though Ebay ban us gun people? They still allow sales of gun stuff???
I'll keep you guys posted. I have some other stuff to sell before I would buy this.

[nitesite]

Thanks Nitesite. That's great to know. I have been wondering about the speed of that press. So about 50 rounds every 6-8 minutes huh? That's not bad at all.

AJ~

I meant that a box of 25 shells could be loaded every 6-8 minutes.

It should have the old style primer tray, which uses a chain. They work really well, but when I use my Sizemaster (also has the same primer tray mechanics) I always keep several loose primers aside so I can place one by hand if the drop doesn't go right (about 5% of the time). Shotgun primers are huge and picking one up with your fingers is quick and easy.

I never understood why people are so hesitant to touch a primer. That's just foolish. And since shotgun primers are foil protected inside it really doesn't worry me one little bit. ;)

Since its local, let me know if you are going to examine it. There are a few things I might suggest looking for.

If that press has not been worked hard during its life I think it's certainly worth the bargain price of $75-$100.

A new Grabber would go almost $400 these days.

[creophus]

I wrote 50 rounds, but I meant to say 25 rounds. I'll give you a holla Dave before checking it out.

[nitesite]

I knowed dat you didn't mean what you typed.

Ronterry can hook you up with some magnum shot that ships Fedex. ;)

You might want to be an ERB. Jes sayin'.........

[creophus]

I knowed dat you didn't mean what you typed.

Ronterry can hook you up with some magnum shot that ships Fedex. ;)

You might want to be an ERB. Jes sayin'.........
Ron's thread makes me not want to get into shotshell reloading.

I don't have the $$$ that Ron has.

[ronterry]

Come on now, I can let you have it for 2.00 a pound. Shipping should only set you back 100 bucks or so.
Your lose?

You probably can get it local for what I paid cheaper!
There's is a way to make shot like lead bullets you know - for real.
It's some sort of extruder deal, but at least you can use the cheap stuff like wheel weights and what nots.
I was checking out some of my books the other day, and once fired hulls, and wads are dirt cheap. Some hulls are already primed- can't beat that.

[MakeMineaP99]

You can normally get shot locally in one of the gun shops that sells reloading stuff for about $20-25/bag right now.

To think hard magnum shot used to be $7/bag not all that long ago. Damn I'm getting old.

[ronterry]

Dan I remember it was just a tick over ten bucks for a 25# bag of mag shot!!!
The highest I saw it, was a couple of years ago at 55 or so bucks for the same stuff.

The problem with buying local, is there going sale it + profit for what they bought it at. So if they bought it on a high, there prices won't come down till they exhaust it.
I remember even after the lead prices came down, and the online merchants reflected the prices, Sportsmans still had there's at 50 bucks for the longest!
Need to call over there and see what it's going for right now. Just to see how screwed I got, but than again, that's a little over ten bucks in gas to get there & back, so I need to account for that. Just paid 2.44 for mid grade, so here we go with gas prices again.

[MakeMineaP99]

I have to run premium in the Acura, I'd be happy with 2.44.

[nitesite]

Anyone looked into Recobs?

Lawrence magnum shot for $24.99 a bag and they ship USPS FRB.

[creophus]

Man, I'm so ignorant to the shotshell reloading scene. All this stuff is foreign to me. I've downloaded a couple manuals from MEC. I'm gonna have to get smart on this stuff before I even get involved.

[ronterry]

Dan see Xylene... I remember I guy on one of the Vette forum shared his recipe.
I can't remember the ratio, but certain a way to slow your fuel burn down (Higher your octane).

Oh, if I even think about putting anything but premium in my Vette Dan, that car will be slower than a Geo, cause it will set off them knock sensors and retard the timing so bad!

My truck uses Mid grade, and my wife would use chocolate syrup in hers if it was one the cheapest options.
I've always had to educated youngster that octane is NOT good, better, best :) but rather fast, not as fast, slow burning. At my altitude, the lack of air density acts as a retardant via less air=less fuel. So we don't need as high an octane. Are high end is about 92 here, and are low end being 85/87... So we actually pay a little less here in the Denver area.
Where the heck am I taking this,,,,I'm out...


BTW: Dan your safe, but you guys from California might get cancer if you handle Xylene!!!