old reloading equipment?

[speedyquad]

dad passed away a little over 2 years ago. i vaguely remember when i was younger...we're talking late 70's and early '80's here, that he had some reloading equipment. i had thought he sold it. I was at my mother's house on the range with my oldest daughter today shooting my 15-22 and i was having her help me pick up the brass. mom was watching and asked why i picked up the brass. i told her because i don't want to leave it out and i want to start reloading(40 s&w, not the .22lr). i just need to buy the stuff to reload. she then said all of dad's reloading equipment was in one of the rooms and i could have it all. i'm not sure what is there.

given the age, would it be worth while to dig it out? i know he didn't reload much of anything. has there been that many advances in equipment in the past 30-40 years?

thanks for your input...
tim

 

[Cdog]

Ammo loading ain't changed that much. A good press is a good press.

Yes, it's definitely worth looking into.

 

[socal s&w]

Tim -

While there have been advances in the presses from long ago, in general, the old presses were very well made and would last many lifetimes.

Depending on that kind of volume you are looking to get out of your press, an old RCBS machine for instance would be great for producing good, solid ammunition. It just wouldn't put out grand amounts in a short time. That's for progressives.

An old single stage would be great to learn on as well.

So I would say that the old machine would be fine to use, perhaps purchase the dies that you need if they are not in dad's stuff, plus it will remind you of your dad, which is always a good thing, every time you pull that handle.

 

[scattershot]

That equipment is still.good, andwould.be a.great way to.get.into.the hobby. Then, if you like it, you can upgrade to your heart's content.

Good luck!

 

[arjay]

If it is single stage equipment (depending on the brand),it's just as good or better than the current crop.Im still using my presses that I bought in the early 80s.

 

[rwsmith]

I would definitely

I would definitely set it up and put it to use. Most of my reloading stuff comes from about that time and I still use it. Instead of getting rid of parts I just keep adding on.

 

[speedyquad]

great thanks for the quick replies. i'm not looking for mass quantities. i only have a couple hundred empties right now, with another thousand or so unfired rounds on hand. i hope to dig it out this weekend. i'm sure i'll have lots o' questions in the future. looking forward to yet another new hobby and some "time with dad".

 

[Deputy Dawg Gone]

Quality old tools do not wear out. Regardless if it's a hammer, saw, wrench, or reloading equipment.

 

[Nframecollector]

I'm still using a early 50's vintage Lyman tru-line junior......still turns out good ammo too!!!

 

[Nframecollector]

Also 3 Lyman 55's of the same vintage, a Belding & Mull measure from the 30's too.

 

[KarmannGhia]

I have two single stage presses that my dad got at a garage sale over twenty years ago (and they were old back then). They will last and continue to work longer than we will.

Get it out and use it.

 

[SMSgt]

I still do all my reloading using my 1975-vintage Herters SS press and powder dropper. What works, works. There simply nothing on them to break.

 

[pownal55]

40 years on my RCBS Rockchucker, just used it last week.

 

[photobiker]

The press I'm using, a single stage CH, was produced from 1950 to 1965. Only the frills have changed. It still requires 3 dies to complete the process. Reloaders is like the combustible engine, it doesn't matter how much crape you put on or how fancy you make it, it still only requires gas, air and spark to operate. Some are just more powerful than others.
I would defiantly like to have a fancier one but the one I have accomplishes the task at hand. One day maybe.

 

[Fkimble]

May need to break it down and wipe it off with an oily rag and lube it up as you put it back together. This will also allow you to get familiar with the working parts etc, makes problems easier to diagnose also. Still using equipment I purchased back in 1966.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Post a picture if you need some help............
what ever it is , I am sure someone here can give you information to get er done.

Good luck.

 

[moxie]

If you're going to load for .40 S&W you will need a die set for that.

 

[MichiganScott]

My RCBS setup was purchased new in 1974. It still functions well enough that I have no desire to replace it.

 

[Gunhacker]

Of all of the items found on a reloading bench, I'd say a older powder scale is the only thing that I'd have any doubts about.

When I started reloading in 1972, it was with a used C-H single stage press from the 60's. A few years later, I gave the press to my Cousin when I needed a larger press that could handle belted magnum rifle cartridges easier... the C&H is still going strong, so is the RCBS Jr. I bought to replace it in 1975.

Even if you don't end up doing a lot of reloading with it, how cool is that... that you'll be able to do it on your Dad's original equipment!

 

[marmax]

Definitely, set that old press up and start reloading. Single stage presses are better to start on because you need to focus on all the stages individually. I have a progressive press but I set up my dads old press when he passed away and it was made in the 50's. Those old presses were built like tanks. There is always a need for a good single stage press. Good luck and start reloading. SAFELY...