What is your oldest Reloading Set Up ?

sm · June 2, 2007, 07:44 PM

700 Versamec (Pre '82) - Still at it

http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductL...ec700Pre82.asp

Back in the day three of us went into a Mom&Pop Gun shop with 3 dozen assorted pastries such as do-nuts , cinnamon twists, bear claws and a bag of a baker's dozen of do-nut holes for the Chocolate Lab.

Always take care of the gun shop dog , the owner's wife, the kids and the old man, ...fuss at him as to keep making coffee.

Truck shows up with all the gun goodies and instead of one each of 700 Versamec in 12, 20, 28 and .410, three each came in.

Phone call to Distributor about the billing only showing four reloaders and distributor appreciative of the honesty made a special price.

Since this shop was re-arranging and a bit cluttered, I bought one set of all four gauges and one of my buddies did the same.

Third guy already had 6 MEC reloaders, and being a newlywed , decided he did not want to sleep on the couch (wuss) by dragging home yet another red reloader.
Seems his new wife wanted another green RCBS to color coordinate and balance the reloading room. (she had apoint).

These reloaders are still up and running. Who knows how many shotshells have been reloaded over the years!

DonR101395 · June 2, 2007, 07:49 PM

I bought my one and only reloading press an RCBS Rock Chucker from The White Elephant store Spokane WA in 1987. It was a package deal with scale, charging bar, and a set of dies for $89.00. I still have it and still use it regularly. I keep saying I'm going to buy a progressive, but I just never seem to get around to it.

Evil Dog · June 2, 2007, 08:03 PM

Still using a Pacific single stage "O" press that I bought in the late 70s. Think I gave all of $7.50 for it at a garage sale.... might have been less.

cheygriz · June 2, 2007, 08:05 PM

I still have an old black "Texan" C-press that I bought in 1965. Doesn't get used much with the Lyman Orange Crusher, Redding Big Boss and two Dillons on the bench, but it still works as well as it did the day I bought it.

ClarkEMyers · June 2, 2007, 09:54 PM

Lyman 310 nutcracker from the mid 60's. Hollywood Universal Turret from the same vintage but bought used by me.

Taxidermist · June 3, 2007, 12:14 AM

I still use my old CH Turret press I've had for 30 years. No idea how old it is.
I'm not even sure it is called a turret. It holds 3 dies anyway and catches the old primers.

John

clem · June 3, 2007, 12:16 AM

I have a set of dies and a power drop from "Herter's".

Crazy4nitro · June 3, 2007, 09:55 AM

Lee Classic in .41Mag
(The Hammer type)

Jart · June 3, 2007, 10:04 AM

And now for something completely different:

SL900 - 2005.
No point leaving the whole thread for the old timers.

gandog56 · June 3, 2007, 11:09 AM

The one I bought 20 some years ago and am still using. A Lee Challenger single stage press.

rrp · June 3, 2007, 06:18 PM

I bought a Bystrom Brothers Professional model-C, manufactured in Minneapolis Mn, at a garage sale a few years ago. It was set up with a set of Herters 270 dies. It looks very much like the older Herters presses I've seen for sale on E-bay. A couple years ago I looked the company up on the net and found that the foundry is still in business but hasn't produced reloading presses for years. I asked the fellow if it was possible to buy any shell holders for the press as the standard holders do not work. He checked and found a parts drawer with fifteen different holders and a couple primer cups in it. He told me he would send the whole works to me the next morning. This fine gentleman refused to give me a price and stated he was just glad to see them go to some uses, and sent them to me no charge. I use this along with my RCBS press many times a year.

Scorch · June 3, 2007, 07:08 PM

I have an old red Hollywood C-frame press that I bought used in 1981 at a garage sale. It was in a box along with a 98 barreled action in 308, various MTM ammo boxes, a drill press, belt sander and a bunch of wrenches. If I recall, I paid $35 for the whole mess, took them all home, set up the press and started reloading. Still use it for some cartridges.

WSM MAGNUM · June 3, 2007, 07:13 PM

All of my reloading equipment was bought in 1981-1983. I have an RCBS Rockchucker. Before that I had the single stage one. A Dillon RL 550 with all of the latest upgrades. and a MEC 600.
They are all still being used with not one failure on any of them. I sure am glad I still have the older model Rockchucker, because I don`t like the looks of the newer ones.

Art Eatman · June 3, 2007, 07:36 PM

There's an old CH press and some Pacific '06 dies that weren't new when I got them in 1950, if that counts. Otherwise, most stuff dates from the 1960s. Got a Blue 350 for progressive reloading of my .45ACP, somewhere around 1983-ish...

Art

gandog56 · June 3, 2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

This fine gentleman refused to give me a price and stated he was just glad to see them go to some uses, and sent them to me no charge.

I have found many such people in the shooting community.

wallask · June 4, 2007, 05:47 AM

I have and still use a RCBS rock chucker press bought in the early '70's. The handle has a little rust on it and the spent primer tray doesn't fit as tight as it used to. Otherwise, no problems, ever.

Voyager AL · June 4, 2007, 07:43 AM

Dillon 450. Got free, missing about 20 dollars worth of parts. Its a favorite of mine now. I load my 38 specials with it. Not as fast as my Lee Pro1000.

Ben Shepherd · June 4, 2007, 09:12 AM

I have an RCBS Jr. press from the early 60's. Dad bought it used at a garage sale in 1968 or so.

Gewehr98 · June 4, 2007, 01:09 PM

It was called the C-H Linear Super Slide press, according to the Antique Reloading Tool Collector's Association website. They figure it was built somewhere around the mid 1960s, but I bought it at an estate sale a couple years ago, best $50 I've ever spent:

Edward429451 · June 4, 2007, 01:17 PM

The oldest press I have is from the early 80's (RC), but I have a Lyman 450 sizer/luber from the mid 60's. Still going strong. My newer 450 has broken the ram pivot pin about 3 or 4 times but the older one has only broken the threaded rod once at the base.

TEDDY · June 4, 2007, 01:54 PM

I Cant Resist

modern Bond Nut Cracker In 45acp Bought In 1945.truline Jr In 32long-truline Jr In 9mm And One In 30/06.also Herter With All? Shell Holders And Universal Die (predecesor To The Modern Universal Die)i Also Use Ideal Tools Especialy The 38 Long Hollow Base Bullet Mold.

PzGren · June 4, 2007, 02:05 PM

This is my first reloading tool.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Art Eatman · June 4, 2007, 08:44 PM

Whee! The old Lyman 310! Using that for an '06 will seriously give you a strong grip!

, Art

sm · June 4, 2007, 08:56 PM

Gewehr98,
Where do the tubes go?
Knowing you, that press has gotta have tubes to operate it.

PzGren,
Now that is just Neat.

I'd get a kick out of a thread showing how that works, with pictures.
Hint Hint

If Art say it is a Lyman 310, then it must be.
Art is more "seasoned" and has more wrinkles from grinning that I .

Rembrandt · June 4, 2007, 09:44 PM

Picked up this Herters turret press and powder measure at a garage sale, sometime back in the 1980's for $5. Have no idea when it was made, but it's a great press. Any ideas as to its date of birth?

June 2, 2007, 07:44 PM	#1
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	What is your oldest Reloading Set Up ? 700 Versamec (Pre '82) - Still at it http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductL...ec700Pre82.asp Back in the day three of us went into a Mom&Pop Gun shop with 3 dozen assorted pastries such as do-nuts , cinnamon twists, bear claws and a bag of a baker's dozen of do-nut holes for the Chocolate Lab. Always take care of the gun shop dog , the owner's wife, the kids and the old man, ...fuss at him as to keep making coffee. Truck shows up with all the gun goodies and instead of one each of 700 Versamec in 12, 20, 28 and .410, three each came in. Phone call to Distributor about the billing only showing four reloaders and distributor appreciative of the honesty made a special price. Since this shop was re-arranging and a bit cluttered, I bought one set of all four gauges and one of my buddies did the same. Third guy already had 6 MEC reloaders, and being a newlywed , decided he did not want to sleep on the couch (wuss) by dragging home yet another red reloader. Seems his new wife wanted another green RCBS to color coordinate and balance the reloading room. (she had apoint). These reloaders are still up and running. Who knows how many shotshells have been reloaded over the years! __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

June 2, 2007, 08:03 PM	#3
Evil Dog Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: So Cal Desert Posts: 88	Still using a Pacific single stage "O" press that I bought in the late 70s. Think I gave all of $7.50 for it at a garage sale.... might have been less. __________________ Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting that vote. - Benjamin Franklin (1759)

June 2, 2007, 08:05 PM	#4
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	I still have an old black "Texan" C-press that I bought in 1965. Doesn't get used much with the Lyman Orange Crusher, Redding Big Boss and two Dillons on the bench, but it still works as well as it did the day I bought it. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

June 2, 2007, 09:54 PM	#5
ClarkEMyers Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2004 Location: PacWest Posts: 455	Lyman 310 nutcracker from the mid 60's. Lyman 310 nutcracker from the mid 60's. Hollywood Universal Turret from the same vintage but bought used by me.

June 3, 2007, 12:14 AM	#6
Taxidermist Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2007 Location: New York Posts: 175	I still use my old CH Turret press I've had for 30 years. No idea how old it is. I'm not even sure it is called a turret. It holds 3 dies anyway and catches the old primers. John __________________ Northern New York

June 2, 2007, 07:49 PM	#2
DonR101395 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: NWFL Posts: 3,031	I bought my one and only reloading press an RCBS Rock Chucker from The White Elephant store Spokane WA in 1987. It was a package deal with scale, charging bar, and a set of dies for $89.00. I still have it and still use it regularly. I keep saying I'm going to buy a progressive, but I just never seem to get around to it.

June 3, 2007, 12:16 AM	#7
clem Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 847	I have a set of dies and a power drop from "Herter's".

June 3, 2007, 09:55 AM	#8
Crazy4nitro Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2007 Location: Lou-a-vul KY Posts: 142	Lee Classic in .41Mag (The Hammer type) __________________ Long Live the .41Mag.........IMO It's the .270 of Magnum Revolvers.

June 3, 2007, 10:04 AM	#9
Jart Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2001 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 1,647	And now for something completely different: SL900 - 2005. No point leaving the whole thread for the old timers.

June 3, 2007, 11:09 AM	#10
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2006 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 979	The one I bought 20 some years ago and am still using. A Lee Challenger single stage press. __________________ Some people think I'm paranoid because I have guns. If I have guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

June 3, 2007, 06:18 PM	#11
rrp Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2006 Location: west central Wi Posts: 300	Olders press I use I bought a Bystrom Brothers Professional model-C, manufactured in Minneapolis Mn, at a garage sale a few years ago. It was set up with a set of Herters 270 dies. It looks very much like the older Herters presses I've seen for sale on E-bay. A couple years ago I looked the company up on the net and found that the foundry is still in business but hasn't produced reloading presses for years. I asked the fellow if it was possible to buy any shell holders for the press as the standard holders do not work. He checked and found a parts drawer with fifteen different holders and a couple primer cups in it. He told me he would send the whole works to me the next morning. This fine gentleman refused to give me a price and stated he was just glad to see them go to some uses, and sent them to me no charge. I use this along with my RCBS press many times a year.

June 3, 2007, 07:08 PM	#12
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have an old red Hollywood C-frame press that I bought used in 1981 at a garage sale. It was in a box along with a 98 barreled action in 308, various MTM ammo boxes, a drill press, belt sander and a bunch of wrenches. If I recall, I paid $35 for the whole mess, took them all home, set up the press and started reloading. Still use it for some cartridges. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 3, 2007, 07:13 PM	#13
WSM MAGNUM Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 750	All of my reloading equipment was bought in 1981-1983. I have an RCBS Rockchucker. Before that I had the single stage one. A Dillon RL 550 with all of the latest upgrades. and a MEC 600. They are all still being used with not one failure on any of them. I sure am glad I still have the older model Rockchucker, because I don`t like the looks of the newer ones. __________________ Henry - Life NRA Member, USCCA Shield Member If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

June 3, 2007, 07:36 PM	#14
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	There's an old CH press and some Pacific '06 dies that weren't new when I got them in 1950, if that counts. Otherwise, most stuff dates from the 1960s. Got a Blue 350 for progressive reloading of my .45ACP, somewhere around 1983-ish... Art

June 4, 2007, 05:47 AM	#16
wallask Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Posts: 14	reloading press I have and still use a RCBS rock chucker press bought in the early '70's. The handle has a little rust on it and the spent primer tray doesn't fit as tight as it used to. Otherwise, no problems, ever.

June 4, 2007, 07:43 AM	#17
Voyager AL Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 221	Dillon 450. Got free, missing about 20 dollars worth of parts. Its a favorite of mine now. I load my 38 specials with it. Not as fast as my Lee Pro1000.

June 4, 2007, 09:12 AM	#18
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	I have an RCBS Jr. press from the early 60's. Dad bought it used at a garage sale in 1968 or so. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

June 4, 2007, 01:09 PM	#19
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	So far, this goofy C&H linear press. It was called the C-H Linear Super Slide press, according to the Antique Reloading Tool Collector's Association website. They figure it was built somewhere around the mid 1960s, but I bought it at an estate sale a couple years ago, best $50 I've ever spent: __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

June 4, 2007, 01:17 PM	#20
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	The oldest press I have is from the early 80's (RC), but I have a Lyman 450 sizer/luber from the mid 60's. Still going strong. My newer 450 has broken the ram pivot pin about 3 or 4 times but the older one has only broken the threaded rod once at the base.

June 4, 2007, 01:54 PM	#21
TEDDY Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: MANNING SC Posts: 837	Old Tools I Cant Resistmodern Bond Nut Cracker In 45acp Bought In 1945.truline Jr In 32long-truline Jr In 9mm And One In 30/06.also Herter With All? Shell Holders And Universal Die (predecesor To The Modern Universal Die)i Also Use Ideal Tools Especialy The 38 Long Hollow Base Bullet Mold.

June 4, 2007, 02:05 PM	#22
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,260	This is my first reloading tool. [IMG][/IMG]

June 4, 2007, 08:44 PM	#23
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Whee! The old Lyman 310! Using that for an '06 will seriously give you a strong grip! , Art

June 4, 2007, 08:56 PM	#24
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Gewehr98, Where do the tubes go? Knowing you, that press has gotta have tubes to operate it. PzGren, Now that is just Neat. I'd get a kick out of a thread showing how that works, with pictures. Hint Hint If Art say it is a Lyman 310, then it must be. Art is more "seasoned" and has more wrinkles from grinning that I . __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

June 4, 2007, 09:44 PM	#25
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Picked up this Herters turret press and powder measure at a garage sale, sometime back in the 1980's for $5. Have no idea when it was made, but it's a great press. Any ideas as to its date of birth?