Oldest reloading tools. - The Firearms Forum

army mp · 08-21-2009, 11:04 AM

I have an old Pacific Super-C" I got back in about 1970. When I started reloading. I used it for many years. And from time to time I go back to it. I think its as tight and strong as ever. I have kept it cleaned up and covered. But to the question what is the oldest press or reloading tool you still use.

Rocket J Squirl · 08-21-2009, 11:08 AM

My Fahter's 1959 RCBS Rock Chucker, The rubber grip split in the 60s, aso it has a metal flake green Stingray bike grip on it now. some surface rust. Over all tight and works great.

90% of my reloading gear is from the 60s and 70s.

gdmoody · 08-21-2009, 11:23 AM

I am still using the original Lee single stage press that I bought in the 70's. I had to replace the cast aluminum swivel thing (the thing that links the handle & the ram) a couple of years ago. Other than that it is original.

Bindernut · 08-21-2009, 03:26 PM

The oldest piece that I've got on the bench now is my C-H three-station "H" press. I can't find any type of year marking on it (like RCBS stamps on their presses) but it was pretty old and ratty looking already when I bought it 15 years ago.

My RCBS Reloader Special press is an '82 model and my pre-fire one was a '76 or '77 model with the light-green crinkle-finish paint instead of glossy metallic "RCBS green".

I used to have an old Redding powder measure and oil-damped scale before my fire. They were old enough to still be wearing brown paint. (60s or 70s?)

army mp · 08-21-2009, 04:40 PM

Funny how that old stuff never wares out. The press I lost the primer cup in a move or two, made one out of a plastic water bottle. And the shell holder clip broke. I drilled and taped the ram. With a set screw, it works better than the clip ever did. I have a RCBS case trimmer I got a couple years after the press. Its still gets the job done

Freebore · 08-21-2009, 06:43 PM

I still on occasion use this Herters Super 3 C press that I purchased from Herter's (of Waseca,MN) in 1965 while stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. This press has loaded thousand's and thousand's of rounds and never blinked. Even though I don't need it any more, I just can't part with it, maybe I'll have it buried with me when my time comes.

Road America · 08-21-2009, 08:33 PM

The only press I have is my Herter's Super Model 3 that I bought around 1965 or so. It is a little different from Freebore's - the area where the ram comes out has a square table-like shape. The little spring loaded ball affair they had for holding the ram up when not in use was never any good, other than that it has always worked just great. My loading bench is NOT as neat looking as Freebore's!

Mac0083 · 08-21-2009, 08:45 PM

I have a 3 month old Lee turret press that is rusting quite badly... Does that count?

Freebore · 08-21-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road America

The only press I have is my Herter's Super Model 3 that I bought around 1965 or so. It is a little different from Freebore's - the area where the ram comes out has a square table-like shape. The little spring loaded ball affair they had for holding the ram up when not in use was never any good, other than that it has always worked just great. My loading bench is NOT as neat looking as Freebore's!

Road America,

The Model Super 3 you have is the improved version of mine, Herter's did change the design around 1965 and added the indent to the ram to hold up the handle and also added small gusset's to the C webbing to add strength.

If you noticed, my Super 3 is mounted on a wedge that keeps the handle upright.

As for the neatness....well, it's not always like that........

Rembrandt · 08-21-2009, 09:13 PM

Have no idea how old these are....maybe 1950's-1960's?

Oneida Steve · 08-22-2009, 10:41 AM

I have a three position C-H "H" press also. I use the center stage to resize/deprime pistol brass.

45colt · 10-12-2009, 03:20 PM

I have used these winchester model 1894 tools, to reload Black powder shells for my 38-70 win 1886 and for my winchester 1894 38-55.
Still they work nicely to load up the shells, and seat the primer,
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jondar · 10-12-2009, 08:19 PM

I still have an old Lyman Nutcracker tool I bought from a gentleman who bought it in the 1940's. With a set of original dies for .300 Savage. It came with the expander punch in both .308 and .311 so I load for the 30-06, Arisaka 7.7mm, Lee Enfield No, 1 MK III*, and just neck resize as long as they are fired in the same rifle. I use it sometimes on winter nights on the kitchen table like I did when I bought it, it was all I could affrord. Makes good ammo, just slower.

BigJakeJ1s · 10-12-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebore

I still on occasion use this Herters Super 3 C press that I purchased from Herter's (of Waseca,MN) in 1965 while stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. This press has loaded thousand's and thousand's of rounds and never blinked. Even though I don't need it any more, I just can't part with it, maybe I'll have it buried with me when my time comes.

Freebore, looks like you've got a few classic presses to back that one up too. Care to share any pics/info of them?

Andy

Freebore · 10-17-2009, 09:27 PM

Andy,

A few more oldies.....the Texan H3 301 is from the sixties and was completely rebuilt awhile back. When I picked this one up someone had painted it completely black (including the upright columns and wood handle), it looked like it was ready for the scrap pile.

The green machine is a Deitemeyer Model 300 in 12 ga. (maybe late 50's), it also was in pretty bad shape when I got it and was restored to what you see in the pics. After multiple buyouts by Deitemeyer, Pacific, and Hornady, this press eventually evolved into today's Hornady 366 Auto.

Both presses are still used on occasion...I have some others around that I'll post later on....

woolleyworm · 10-17-2009, 10:08 PM

Dang, those presses are built like tanks! Fine restorations Freebore!

Kevin Rohrer · 11-23-2010, 09:23 AM

I found this thread while searching for something else and thought I'd contribute. Most everyone here likes to see older presses that are still in use. I still use all of the following presses.

First up is a 1948+ Hollywood Universal Model-B Turret (1 of 100) made by the Hollywood Gun Shop. The other is a newer Hollywood Universal-III Special.

These are my first 'size on upstroke' presses and was mildly surprised how easy it was to FL resize even large cases. I resized some 30/06 and had to check the die to make sure I wasn't using a neck sizing die. An interesting aspect of this press is that the turret handle isn't made of stainless steel, but it doesn't rust. I wish I could find some more of these.

Kevin Rohrer · 11-23-2010, 09:47 AM

On the left is another Hollywood, this one being a second pattern Senior made between 1954-61. It is incredibly strong and smooth.

On the right are a pair of Dunbar 'H' presses made after 1953. These were both in poor shape when they got to me. But with a little sandblasting, elbow grease and time on a buffing wheel, along with a bit of paint, these are in better condition than when they came off the assembly line.

Kevin Rohrer · 11-23-2010, 09:54 AM

Lastly is a very old Lachmiller reloading tool, made on or before 1950. This one is especially rare as it has the integral primer tube.

It works fine, but I only have a 30/06 shellholder, and it's about wore out. I also need one for .221 Fireball. If anyone has Lachmiller shellholders for their primer presses, I'd like to buy them off you.

Texxut · 11-23-2010, 09:57 AM

Freebore, Why have you set the press at an angle? I see the press Rembrandt shows was made that way, but I don't see them made that way anymore. Is there some advantage to that?

dmh · 11-23-2010, 09:57 AM

dang, nice presses. Never seen a stand-alone priming press like that.
Hey Kevin, what happened to your Herters?

Kevin Rohrer · 11-23-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmh

dang, nice presses. Never seen a stand-alone priming press like that.
Hey Kevin, what happened to your Herters?

You mean this one?

I believe I sold it to you. How's it doing?

I still have the pictured Lyman AA for sale.

Kestral · 11-23-2010, 10:30 AM

Have two Lyman AA presses that have been in use since 1974,but only one useable small pistol primer punch. Have tried all over for a replacement punch with no success,asked Lyman,was told ,buy a new press.

dmh · 11-23-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rohrer

You mean this one?

I believe I sold it to you. How's it doing?

I still have the pictured Lyman AA for sale.

Yup, doing well. Need a proper workbench for that beast chunk of metal though.

AngelDeville · 11-23-2010, 11:45 AM

I have a Bair press I picked up some time ago, no Idea when it was made.

08-21-2009, 11:04 AM	#1
army mp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western Pa, Posts: 479	Oldest reloading tools. I have an old Pacific Super-C" I got back in about 1970. When I started reloading. I used it for many years. And from time to time I go back to it. I think its as tight and strong as ever. I have kept it cleaned up and covered. But to the question what is the oldest press or reloading tool you still use. -->

08-21-2009, 11:08 AM	#2
Rocket J Squirl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 418	Re: Oldest reloading tools. My Fahter's 1959 RCBS Rock Chucker, The rubber grip split in the 60s, aso it has a metal flake green Stingray bike grip on it now. some surface rust. Over all tight and works great. 90% of my reloading gear is from the 60s and 70s.

08-21-2009, 11:23 AM	#3
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,310	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I am still using the original Lee single stage press that I bought in the 70's. I had to replace the cast aluminum swivel thing (the thing that links the handle & the ram) a couple of years ago. Other than that it is original. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

08-21-2009, 03:26 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Oldest reloading tools. The oldest piece that I've got on the bench now is my C-H three-station "H" press. I can't find any type of year marking on it (like RCBS stamps on their presses) but it was pretty old and ratty looking already when I bought it 15 years ago. My RCBS Reloader Special press is an '82 model and my pre-fire one was a '76 or '77 model with the light-green crinkle-finish paint instead of glossy metallic "RCBS green". I used to have an old Redding powder measure and oil-damped scale before my fire. They were old enough to still be wearing brown paint. (60s or 70s?)

08-21-2009, 04:40 PM	#5
army mp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western Pa, Posts: 479	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Funny how that old stuff never wares out. The press I lost the primer cup in a move or two, made one out of a plastic water bottle. And the shell holder clip broke. I drilled and taped the ram. With a set screw, it works better than the clip ever did. I have a RCBS case trimmer I got a couple years after the press. Its still gets the job done

08-21-2009, 06:43 PM	#6
Freebore V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 265	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I still on occasion use this Herters Super 3 C press that I purchased from Herter's (of Waseca,MN) in 1965 while stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. This press has loaded thousand's and thousand's of rounds and never blinked. Even though I don't need it any more, I just can't part with it, maybe I'll have it buried with me when my time comes. Attached Images

08-21-2009, 08:33 PM	#7
Road America V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 177	Re: Oldest reloading tools. The only press I have is my Herter's Super Model 3 that I bought around 1965 or so. It is a little different from Freebore's - the area where the ram comes out has a square table-like shape. The little spring loaded ball affair they had for holding the ram up when not in use was never any good, other than that it has always worked just great. My loading bench is NOT as neat looking as Freebore's!

08-21-2009, 08:45 PM	#8
Mac0083 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Florida's Gulf Coast Posts: 45	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I have a 3 month old Lee turret press that is rusting quite badly... Does that count? __________________ NO MORE CHANGE!

08-21-2009, 09:13 PM	#10
Rembrandt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 98	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Have no idea how old these are....maybe 1950's-1960's? Last edited by Rembrandt; 08-21-2009 at 09:15 PM..

08-22-2009, 10:41 AM	#11
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I have a three position C-H "H" press also. I use the center stage to resize/deprime pistol brass.

10-12-2009, 03:20 PM	#12
45colt Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 10	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I have used these winchester model 1894 tools, to reload Black powder shells for my 38-70 win 1886 and for my winchester 1894 38-55. Still they work nicely to load up the shells, and seat the primer, ,

10-12-2009, 08:19 PM	#13
jondar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 458	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I still have an old Lyman Nutcracker tool I bought from a gentleman who bought it in the 1940's. With a set of original dies for .300 Savage. It came with the expander punch in both .308 and .311 so I load for the 30-06, Arisaka 7.7mm, Lee Enfield No, 1 MK III*, and just neck resize as long as they are fired in the same rifle. I use it sometimes on winter nights on the kitchen table like I did when I bought it, it was all I could affrord. Makes good ammo, just slower.

10-17-2009, 09:27 PM	#15
Freebore V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 265	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Andy, A few more oldies.....the Texan H3 301 is from the sixties and was completely rebuilt awhile back. When I picked this one up someone had painted it completely black (including the upright columns and wood handle), it looked like it was ready for the scrap pile. The green machine is a Deitemeyer Model 300 in 12 ga. (maybe late 50's), it also was in pretty bad shape when I got it and was restored to what you see in the pics. After multiple buyouts by Deitemeyer, Pacific, and Hornady, this press eventually evolved into today's Hornady 366 Auto. Both presses are still used on occasion...I have some others around that I'll post later on.... Attached Images

10-17-2009, 10:08 PM	#16
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,881	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Dang, those presses are built like tanks! Fine restorations Freebore! __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-23-2010, 09:23 AM	#17
Kevin Rohrer V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 278	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I found this thread while searching for something else and thought I'd contribute. Most everyone here likes to see older presses that are still in use. I still use all of the following presses. First up is a 1948+ Hollywood Universal Model-B Turret (1 of 100) made by the Hollywood Gun Shop. The other is a newer Hollywood Universal-III Special. These are my first 'size on upstroke' presses and was mildly surprised how easy it was to FL resize even large cases. I resized some 30/06 and had to check the die to make sure I wasn't using a neck sizing die. An interesting aspect of this press is that the turret handle isn't made of stainless steel, but it doesn't rust. I wish I could find some more of these. __________________ An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein via Jeff Cooper Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, Varmint Hunters Assn, American Legion, ARCTA, & South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Assn. Last edited by Kevin Rohrer; 12-16-2011 at 07:06 AM..

11-23-2010, 09:47 AM	#18
Kevin Rohrer V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 278	Re: Oldest reloading tools. On the left is another Hollywood, this one being a second pattern Senior made between 1954-61. It is incredibly strong and smooth. On the right are a pair of Dunbar 'H' presses made after 1953. These were both in poor shape when they got to me. But with a little sandblasting, elbow grease and time on a buffing wheel, along with a bit of paint, these are in better condition than when they came off the assembly line. __________________ An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein via Jeff Cooper Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, Varmint Hunters Assn, American Legion, ARCTA, & South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Assn.

11-23-2010, 09:54 AM	#19
Kevin Rohrer V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 278	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Lastly is a very old Lachmiller reloading tool, made on or before 1950. This one is especially rare as it has the integral primer tube. It works fine, but I only have a 30/06 shellholder, and it's about wore out. I also need one for .221 Fireball. If anyone has Lachmiller shellholders for their primer presses, I'd like to buy them off you. __________________ An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein via Jeff Cooper Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, Varmint Hunters Assn, American Legion, ARCTA, & South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Assn.

11-23-2010, 09:57 AM	#20
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 264	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Freebore, Why have you set the press at an angle? I see the press Rembrandt shows was made that way, but I don't see them made that way anymore. Is there some advantage to that?

11-23-2010, 09:57 AM	#21
dmh V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 102	Re: Oldest reloading tools. dang, nice presses. Never seen a stand-alone priming press like that. Hey Kevin, what happened to your Herters?

11-23-2010, 10:30 AM	#23
Kestral V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Guernsey Channel Islands Posts: 355	Re: Oldest reloading tools. Have two Lyman AA presses that have been in use since 1974,but only one useable small pistol primer punch. Have tried all over for a replacement punch with no success,asked Lyman,was told ,buy a new press.

11-23-2010, 11:45 AM	#25
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Re: Oldest reloading tools. I have a Bair press I picked up some time ago, no Idea when it was made. __________________ Why don't guns go off "accidentally" when people aren't around?