Let’s talk vintage reloading presses

[Litetrigger]

This Ideal bullet sizing and lubricated press is well over 100 yrs old. As is its companion, Ideal No.5 powder measure. Ideal later became Lyman and it's interesting that today's Lyman bullet sizing press uses the same sizing dies as the old Ideal. And that the design and operation of today's Lyman No. 55 powder measure is little changed from the N0.5 of over a century ago. Another No.5 is in original factory box.

 

[Stevenvalleyky]

I have an old Spar T press I still use occasionally. Sorry, not at home to take a picture. Also have an old rock crusher but the SparT is older I believe.

 

[shoebox1.1]

so I’ve got 3 presses now and don’t “need” anymore lol but I’m looking for something like a pacific standard super duper cheap “just to have it”. I think I’ve got a sickness, I like this reloading stuff too much

 

[hps1]

Talk about old! This shotgun "loader" was given to me as a teenager (early 1950's, before plastic shells). I loaded shells for my dad's old 12 ga. Remington, after we found that it had damascus barrels and was unsafe w/modern ammo. Unfortunately did not realize until recently that paper hulls were still available and retired the old gun in spite of the fact it fits me better than any shotgun I've ever shot. The only thing missing was a sleeve to support the paper shells while hand seating wads; fortunately I found some aluminum conduit that fit perfectly.

Just the other day, just for the heck of it, I decided to try a plastic hull; lo and behold, the crimper made a perfect roll crimp! Took a lot more cranking than paper shells, but all this time I could have been using this fine old shotgun.

A little more research revealed that the old Remington was built under a Parker patent after Remington acquired Parker. No wonder it fits like a glove.

 

[HowardC]

No wonder it fits like a glove.

Aye HPS1: Looks like a fine old gun. Now you can load up a few appropriate shells, find some old wool knickers and an Elmer hat and do some period pheasant hunting. Bet it'd be fun. I used to shoot Colo pheasants with an old Stevens single barrel 410. Kudos on your new discovery!
-West out

 

[Bob Willman]

Forgot I had this on the shelf. Also have a set of dies for 45-70.

NRA Benefactor

 

[Jim Watson]

The Ransom Master Progressive press was introduced in 1973,

I remember it showing up in one issue of the Gil Hebard catalog.
Note that the big black knob front and center is the case advance, the linear shuttle does not work off the handle stroke. Just as well, my CH AutoChamp linear progressive got to where its automatic advance would not hold adjustment. CH would supply parts but not service, said their insurance would not cover an automatic loader(?). So it rusts under the bench with its dies in Dillon heads. I was going to give it away but could not round up a suitable box so welshed on the deal. Anybody who wants it can have it but he will have to come pick it up.

Post war Pacific reinforced “Super” tool in the more rare OD green! Fantastic condition, came with multiple rams

In those days the ram was directly cut for a specific case rim, no detachable shell holders. A coworker bought one with only one ram and was mystified that it would not take new shell holders.

Pacific introduced the now standard 7/8x14 die and nearly everybody eventually followed suit. I don't know who brought out the T-slot shell holder.

One of Henry Stebbins' contributors shows a Pacific that had been broken and welded, he said it was a common repair for those doing heavy sizing or swaging.

The simple toggle action of the Pacific does not have the leverage of a RCBS, but that was then a patented feature.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’m using the old rams! Got the 44spc ram in right now but I believe I have the 38/357. 223. 3006. 270 etc. there’s 10 total