Some more old presses followed me home yesterday, Pacific C questions

Offfhand said:

Mr Ruger, the later Pacific presses, those made in Nebraska, could be operated either on up or down stroke by changing linkage. The earlier tools like yours worked only on up stroke. Your press was never originally that color of red.

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I found the correct paint today, at least it's close. I also picked up the steel and parts to make a 90* handle, and conned a machinist buddy into making the correct handle for it as well.

I just need to know if it had a ball or a bicycle grip?

It looks like, according to this article, that my 1954 Pacific C, might be a "Big C" and came gloss red.

http://pacificreloaders.awardspace.com/History.htm

I found it in this "Cast Boolits" thread.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?209827-Rescue-Pacific-Press

Am I reading this correctly????

Hardtarget said:

this is hard for me to read. I have NEVER seen a press( or any reloading equipment) at yard sales, estate sales, or even private sale/word-of-mouth offerings. Funny, it never comes around to me.Friend of a friend sale is how I got my RCBS but that was the mid '70's. Long dry spell. You've picked up some cool dquipment. Hope you can put it to use and "up your reloading" with it!

Mark

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Mark, one came off of ebay, one local off craigslist, and one was on consignment at a LGS. I just happened to find them all at the same time. I have been looking for a RC for a while, lost many bids because frankly, $120 for a used Chucker is too much when I can buy a new one from amazon for $126 and free shipping.

I lowballed this Chucker at $60 and won it because the guy wanted $40 for shipping, no one bid. I talked the seller into sticking it into a flat rate for $14.

The Pacific was local, the guy didn't know what he had and it is missing the handle.

The Spartan was at a LGS, I walked in, saw used die sets sitting on the counter and they had my attention. I picked up three sets at $20 each and the LGS owner asked if I needed a press, the rest is history! He even threw in two more sets of dies with the press, both RCBS, one a .243win and the other a 30-06.

I never really found what color my 1954 Pacific C came in. The best I can tell is either black or the dark bluish green color. I went with the latter. When I fire up the welder this weekend I will be making a handle with a 90* bend and adapt a LEE bench plate mount for each of these old presses. Pics to come!

I'm still working on the Pacific.

I finished a 1980 Rock Chucker last night. I can't wait to use it!

Before:


During resto:


After:

Wreck-n-Crew said:

Thanks. Been eye balling FLeabay

SARuger that Rock Chucker sure looks nice! Now just send that old Lyman over here and Ill powder coat it for you...

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How much to PC that press Wreck?

I finished painting the Pacific today. I guess the color is close, my workshop is very bright so it looks lighter in the pic. I gave it two coats of clear satin to dull it down some.





Now to put it together with the new shell holder ram and home made handle. After that its getting mounted to a LEE Bench Plate, which will get a 2"x4" 3/16" boxed steel riser and plate. I have thought about tilting the mounting plate forward so that the ram will be vertical. I have seen it done before and I hear it works better for sizing rifle brass. Thoughts?

Decoy80 said:

I have also been looking for a Rockchucker at a resonable price. I have a RS5 and an old Lyman turret press. In just over a year the RS5 had enough slack I called RCBS and they sent a new one right away. Its just not built like a mack truck like a good heavy duty press. It is easy to operate but light. BTW Im pleased that you got such a sweet deal. It is not jealousy I feel it is hope.

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Just keep lowballing on ebay and you will get a good one. I don't think a used RC is worth more than $80, people think they are worth $150, you can buy a new one on amazon for $130.

eastbank said:

i picked up these three presses, a texan 12ga, a hollywood universal and a star. later i found another universal at another flea market. eastbank.

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Nice! I buy all that find thier way to me. I really rarely go looking. I did search for the old Rock Chucker just because I wanted one just like the one I learned on back in 1982

The Pacific is 90% done, I just need to make the handles. I have bar stock on order, cold rolled steel. I'm making one original looking handle and one with a 90* bend for better ergonomics