Found this homemade reloading press at a flea market a few years ago, it's set up for 45 ACP. I suspect it would work but I admit I've never tried to reload on this press. Now that I think about it on my reloading bench is a Lee Wack-A-Mole reloading kit, a Lyman Turret, a Dillon 450 and a RCB Rockchucker. If I added a 310 tool my bench would represent the first 100 years of cartridge reloading in this country ;-D.
Old reloading press
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Whatever you paid for that press was too much!
You need a Star and a Dillon RL 300 to truly represent the progression of reloading.
You need a Star and a Dillon RL 300 to truly represent the progression of reloading.Whatever you paid for that press was too much!
I don't remember exactly what I paid but I'm sure it was $20 or less. I can't begin to estimate how much time someone had in making the press. It might have been a HS project. The set-up shell that came with the press has a FA-18 headstamp. This could be someone's between the wars reloading set up.
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AJ
US Veteran
It looks to be very well made. Give it a try you might like it. Have had Dillons & Stars, have sold them. I have a Lyman Turret and a RCBS Rockchucker set up for use on my bench. I learned on Lyman 310 Tools and still have several (along with a Tru-Line Jr.). The Lee whack-a-moles that come my way go in the trash.
Considering that the vast majority of my shooting is with handguns (around 200 rounds weekly), my Dillon 550 and 650 are life savers. At my advanced age, I can still crank out practice ammo in a relatively short period of time and that is important in that I don't have the stamina that I had even a few years ago. Nothing wrong with the Lyman or RCBS (I have a Jr. on my bench), but nowadays it's volume for me and the quality is still very good. My father had a Star Universal for 3 calibers. Instead of me keeping it, I sold it and kept my Dillons.
Looks like a beast. I would probably try it just for fun.
Green Frog
Member
No promises, but if you stop by the ARTCA Forum at;
Forum | Antique Reloading Tool Collector's Association
and check with the guys on the Unknown Tools page, somebody there is likely to know something about it, as nothing like this happens in a complete vacuum.
Froggie
Forum | Antique Reloading Tool Collector's Association
and check with the guys on the Unknown Tools page, somebody there is likely to know something about it, as nothing like this happens in a complete vacuum.
Froggie
I almost wonder if this came about because someone sent away for the drawings and parts list to make a press. I vaguely recall a long time ago, maybe in mechanics illustrated, you could find ads for people selling plans for things like small boats and what not. Drawings and shopping lists. With some drawings and marine plywood, you can make a decent johnboat very easily. And a one person hovercraft in the 70s or 80s.
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cmj8591
Member
It's beautiful! It looks like something a bench rest shooter would put together. Some of the tools they come up with would make Rube Goldberg blush.
max503
Member
Some people are so talented to make something like that.
I had a machinist friend/teacher who would make an odd screw instead of going to the hardware store - just because he could. He would encourage us to do the same. He taught machining.
I had a machinist friend/teacher who would make an odd screw instead of going to the hardware store - just because he could. He would encourage us to do the same. He taught machining.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Looks likr it was designed for very large rifle rounds.
This press also has a set of homemade dies for 30-06. Unfortunately I've temporarily misplaced them so they are not in the picture.
Green Frog
Member
Is the die head cut for standard 7/8 X 14 dies? If yes, it will make things a bit simpler.
Froggie
PS did you find the ARTCA site OK?
Froggie
PS did you find the ARTCA site OK?
GypsmJim
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If that was the case, you got it almost for free. If someone offered that to me with the option of a Dillon, I would take it in a heartbeat.
Just like the ole' whack-a-mole. It probably got more guys into the sport that any other option.
No the dies heads are 11/16. I applied for membership in ARTCA so I could post the question but have not heard back. Either they are very selective in who they let join or they are not very active.
