Pacific DL-266 Shotshell Reloader

[Lerk]

So locally I have a guy selling a Pacific DL-266 shotshell reloader for $75 obo. I'm still waiting on a response as to what powder and shot bushings all come with it but other then that it is fully functional. Did a little research on them but isn't a whole lot out there. Is this a reasonable price for one and a good reloader for shotshell?

I'm pretty sure Hornady still carries the bushings so that may not be as big a problem if they're aren't very many included.

 

[pic1083]

Pacific bushings

If you buy this you can use you mec power bushings with it.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Bushing-Converter-MEC-to-PW-RCBS-or-Hornady/productinfo/MBC/

I think it uses standard size shot bushings.
Good luck

 

[jeffreybehr]

Lerk, the 266 I had decades ago used the same bushings as the Ponsness-Warren reloaders. My brother had access to a machineshop, and since the bushings were 1" OD, they were really easy to cut out of a brass bar. I ended up with dozens of them but have none now.

 

[Lerk]

So assuming I have the bushing problem taken care of, is the 266 a good single stage press for shotshell and is this a fairly good deal? I might be able to wheel and deal a little bit on price as well.

 

[smkummer]

Looks like a quality press

A few years ago I picked one up at a estate sale and passed it on to a someone else. He loved it. I called hornandy and the rep. I spoke with used his for reloading demonstations. I would have thought it used Pac./ Hornandy bushings that are still manufactured. It appears some of the parts are the same as a 366.

 

[RugerBob]

I use a DL 250 still to this day_. Only I paid $10 for. It at a yard sale.

 

[Lerk]

Ended up picking it up for $60. Only 1 bushing sadly, but it did come with a little over 1,000 hulls, a few random wad bags, and 25lbs of lead shot, so all in all not too shabby.

I'll let you guys know how it works out, maybe do a little review on it.

 

[Blue68f100]

Looks like you got the press free......

 

[Lerk]

Well got the press cleaned up and ready to start reloading. Playing around with it, I noticed that the priming system on it isn't very reliable. Sometimes it wouldn't feed and then others it would feed multiple primers. Looks like its just one little spring that controls all of it.

Anyone familiar with the primer drop system on these? The Pacific manual is pretty vague on how to adjust everything properly, I'm thinking that either my spring is just worn out, or it is out of adjustment.

 

[rfwobbly]

Start by calling Hornady. Hornady bought out Pacific years ago.

I wouldn't get too upset. Even modern shot shell reloaders flip and mis-feed 209 primers since they are not a convenient shape. Besides, shot shell reloaders don't run nearly as fast as metallic reloading presses. A slow, steady pace will do a lot for you.

Most all the shot and powder bushing are 1" diameter and just shy of 1" tall (~.997). MEC has more published data on their bushing, so I'd be tempted to use their bushings.

I highly recommend the Lyman shot shell reloading manual.

 

[Lerk]

Have the Lyman manual already, great info in there.

Was looking up Hornady's number right now and will be calling Hornday in a bit about replacement hoppers and a new primer spring (looked mine over again and it's a little weak, not a lot of spring left in it), and some more powder bushings.

Also on the priming system, I did some fine tuning on the priming bar and think I have it figured out now, got it feeding consistently. Still going to replace the spring anyways.