An adapter can be purchased for the MEC 2 3/4 reloader to load 2 1/2 shells without having to change dies. If you play long enough you can find a cheap MEC or texan 12 gauge on ebay and simply set it up for 2 1/2 only (I have done that with a texan 16 ga with good results on both polywad and rst 2 1/2 hulls.

Consider roll crimping for 2 1/2, once you start you may become addicted.

Michael Dittamo
Topeka, KS