Let’s talk vintage reloading presses

No pic but I still use #3 cast $13 saved from my paper route money. 45 years later when I was assembling 5.56 rounds to take to Perry, I checked the runout on it vs. my Harrell's turret...both were 0.002".....The old press looks like a copy of one of the early Pacific's...probably was as reloading in those years was not all that common. Best regards, Rod
 
Litetrigger said:
The Ransom Master Progressive press was introduced in 1973, a half century ago, so I suppose this one is vintage. They are the most beautifully made loading tools I ever seen, and the most effecient, trouble free progressive loading machine I've ever used. Chuck Ransom, maker of the Ransom Pistol Rest and Master Rifle Rest was a design genious whose shooting products were always the best. He developed an incurable condition that took him away at an early age. The company he founded is still in operation but this press is no longer made.View attachment 1204543View attachment 1204544View attachment 1204545View attachment 1204546View attachment 1204547
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Wow! That press is just pure genius. What a work of art.:thumbup:
 
The press only press I've used for 40 + yrs is a Pacific Press lke Litetrigger's #3 press which shows the "Spangle" primer attachment. It is pre war, 1938 according to Antique Reloading Tools forum. It came with dedicated 38 and 45 / 30-06 rams. I replaced them with an RCBS universal ram that I can now use changeable shell holders. The handle still has the original rubber grip, but I remove it when working.

Also have an 83 yr old Pacific Powder balance; not a SCALE, a balance, used to set up an old orange Lyman 55 measure. Yup, it cuts xtruded powders which is only a minor annoyance, but it's accurate and never leaks.
 
PWC said:
The press only press I've used for 40 + yrs is a Pacific Press lke Litetrigger's #3 press which shows the "Spangle" primer attachment. It is pre war, 1938 according to Antique Reloading Tools forum. It came with dedicated 38 and 45 / 30-06 rams. I replaced them with an RCBS universal ram that I can now use changeable shell holders. The handle still has the original rubber grip, but I remove it when working.
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“according to Antique Reloading Tools forum.”
there’s a antique reloading tools forum???? 😀😀😀
 
Antiquereloadingtools.com

Free join, a forum for all old equip; presses, scales, shotgun and metallic. Chock full of info. I'm mostly around Pacific and Herter's. It's not as fast moving as THR, but it is encyclopedic.
 
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shoebox1.1 said:
I’m going to keep an eye out for something cheap to restore. I think that would be really fun to do
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If you're still looking for an old press, I'm helping my best friend's widow dispose of the remnants in his loading room. She has an old Pacific press w/multiple rams for sale. I listed it in reloading classifieds here; most everything sold, but press still available: Thread has been closed but press still available PACIFIC PRESS IS SOLD, Thanks, shoebox
1713154622394.jpeg
This old Herters was my first press. Bought it in 1955 IIRC and it still serves as my only single stage press for most of my hunting ammo. Use a Dillon 450 for higher volume match ammo. Sturdy as an anvil!
1713154565950.jpeg
 
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hps1 said:
If you're still looking for an old press, I'm helping my best friend's widow dispose of the remnants in his loading room. She has an old Pacific press w/multiple rams for sale. I listed it in reloading classifieds here; most everything sold, but press still available: Thread has been closed but press still available
View attachment 1204937
This old Herters was my first press. Bought it in 1955 IIRC and it still serves as my only single stage press for most of my hunting ammo. Use a Dillon 450 for higher volume match ammo. Sturdy as an anvil!
View attachment 1204936
Click to expand...
Hehe, I gotta clean mine up! Mebbe I can get it that purty again...... Maybe some nice brown enamel paint.....
-West out
 
HowardC said:
Hehe, I gotta clean mine up! Mebbe I can get it that purty again...... Maybe some nice brown enamel paint.....
-West out
Click to expand...
I’ve got a buddy who’s a third generation sewing machine salesman/repairman. He knows more about Singers, Necchis and Vikings than anyone else I’ve ever heard of. His dad had all the old tools and decals for the cast Singer models and he used them for special machines to do full restoration.
Well one fella come along many years back who wanted his wife’s machine restomodded - modern controls and electric but external “classic” looks.

You can get anything with the right amount of money - or so they say. 😉
 
Another CH three hole press. I am re-forming cases from 'this' to 'that' and I thought (rightly as it happens) this would be useful. Found it at a local gun show. Other than cleaning the dust and gunk and lubricating it, it was fine.
CH Press total.JPG CH trade mark.JPG

I do have 'regular' presses as well. Two XL 650s for volume work (that I don't use much) and a 400 something or other that I use for small and more precise lots. But you all know what they look like.
 
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