WTB/ Hollywood Senior Reloading Press

[Tucker65]

Hi,

I'm looking for a Hollywood Senior reloading press. They made quite a few different models of them over the years and the one I'm looking for has the single post in the middle design. This model also came with or with out a turret on top for the dies. If anyone out there has one they're not using please contact me I'll put it to good use.

Thanks, John
[email protected]

 

[ReloaderFred]

Tucker65,

Good luck on your quest. I bought my Hollywood press used in 1963, and still use it today. They are one of the best presses ever made. I've also got an RCBS Rockchucker and a Hornady Pro-Jector, but that old Hollywood has some features that the others don't have.

Your best bet is probably going to be ebay, but all the Hollywood presses I've seen for sale there usually go for quite a bit. I've seen some sell for over $200.00, and the turret presses go for much more.

The last I heard, there was still a company making them. The rights to the patents have sold several times over the years, and the quality has varied after the old Hollywood Gun Shop closed about 35 years ago or so.

If you can locate one, at a good price, it will last you a lifetime. I think mine is going to the grave with me. Maybe I'll have a loading bench built into the casket...........

Good Luck.

Fred

I just checked ebay, and there is one listed. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hollywood-turre...ryZ71120QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. If the link doesn't work, just go to ebay, sporting goods, hunting, Hollywood, and do a search. That should get you there.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Ross]

That eBay press is not a Senior, but a Universal, complete with its primer rod turret.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

 

[ReloaderFred]

That's correct, but it will get him in the right area of ebay for a search when a Senior press does come up, which isn't that often.

Fred

 

[50 Shooter]

Hollywood Eng. still makes the senior press, I'll have to look around to find their number. The Co. doesn't have a website but they're still located here in SoCal.

I'll also add this link about a couple peoples dealings with them, http://brian76.mystarband.net/HollywoodEngineeringSaga.htm

 

[Tucker65]

Re: Hollywood Press

Thanks for the info guys, I have been looking on E-Bay and actually was outbid on one the other day, I hate it when that happens. It went pretty reasonable for price around $160

I just thought there might be someone here on the forum that might be able to hook me up with one or know where ther is one to be had.

I would rather not deal with Hollywood Enginering directly because of the horror stories I have heard about them. I did actually call them the other day though and the business is down for awhile because the guy is hurt.

On another note check out the pictures of these hitch covers I make. If anyone is interested in them get back to me at my e-mail [email protected] and I'll take your orders. Also here is a link to a page with more info about them.
Link-----> HITCH COVER PAGE

 

[CharlesPatton]

Shell Holder for Hollywood Press

Hey reloader Fred or anyone who can help. I have a Hollywood Senior turret press and need to find a way to adapt the shell holder to the new smaller snap-in type. Can that be purchased? or do i have to make one? I am not a machinest
:banghead:

 

[Otto]

I used a RCBS adapter for my Hollywood Senior. I believe it was this one at Midway.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=404696

Vega Tool should also have them...http://www.vegatool.com/

For my press, I fabricated a spent primer catcher from a 3/4" copper cap.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Charles Patton,

C-H makes, or at least did make, an adaptor that will accept the current shellholders from all the major manufacturers. I have a couple of them, and the only problem is they raise the shellholder a little higher on the ram than the stock Hollywood Shellholders do. That's not a problem for about 99% of the calibers, but for long cases it is. I load .45-120 Sharps, and the case is 3.25" long, so I have to manipulate the bullet into the die and then seat it, which is a little cumbersome, since I don't have a shellholder for the Hollywood that will fit the .45-70 base. I missed one on ebay awhile back, become some person with a bottomless bank account decided he wanted it more than I did.

If you can't find one at C-H, PM me and maybe we can work a deal.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[CharlesPatton]

Hollywood Press Shell Holder

Hey Otto and ReloaderFred, Thanks for the help. I ordered the adapter from MidwatUSA. Now for the next question. While scratching my head about the adapter, I noticed that I would also have an issue with the modern shell holders even with an adapter. My primer seating rod will not fit through the hole in a modern shell holder, and a standard drill bit doesn't seem to even scratch the hardened shell holder. Do I need to have all my shell holders reamed or drilled at a machine shop or do you guys have any ideas?
Thanks, :banghead:

 

[CharlesPatton]

Oops

Oops, i ordered it from Midway USA

 

[ReloaderFred]

I ran into that problem with some of my shell holders. I drilled them with a carbide drill bit. I also found some that would fit without drilling, but I don't remember which brand it was. I'll try to check them later when I'm down in my shop and let you know.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Otto]

When using my Hollywood Senior, I prime with a RCBS hand priming tool.
Priming on the press takes too long for my tastes.

With that said...If you contact Hollywood Engineering they will sell you a caliber specific shellholder ($10) that will not require an adapter. After that, you should have no problem with the priming ram. This is probably the best route.

If you go with the universal adapter that accepts all snap-in shellholders, you may have to get a new primer ram, which they sell or drill out the shellholders.

Hollywood Eng. in the past has been hit or miss but when I called them today they answered the phone and were very helpful. Their number is 818 842-8376

 

[ReloaderFred]

Since the original Hollywood Gunshop closed in the 1960's, the name and patents have been sold several times. The quality and service has varied from good to poor, depending on who owned it at the time.

My press was made by the original company and is still going strong after buying it used in 1963. It's one of the best presses for priming accurately, and if a round can't be primed on the Hollywood, it can't be primed. At least that's been my experience. I will admit that I use the Lyman Ram Prime setup more these days, since I've got it set up for the caliber I load most for SASS, .38 Special.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[CharlesPatton]

Hollywood Press Bushings

:banghead:Next Question: My Hollywood Senior has an 8 hole Turet with three holes for 7/8" dies and 5 holes for 1-1/2" dies. I can get bushings from Hollywood Engineering but they are $20 each plus shipping and I need 5 because I don't reload any shotshells at this time. Is there a cheaper option out there? The bushings I need are 7/8 x 14 to 1-1/2 x 12.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You might check and see what size the bushing is that RCBS puts in the Rockchucker press. I can't recall the exact size, but I believe it's close to that.

Hope this helps.

Fred