Great Grandpa's old stuff

[AdidasCJ]

So years and years ago my great grandfather passed was given a box with an a press and some dies in it. I kinda put it away and kinda forgot about it. Fast forward, and I Remember that old box.

Here is some pictures.

The press just clamped to my bench.


30-30, 30-06, 308, 7mm




And the old bolts




What you guys think it would take to get this press completely up and running again? I put the 30-06 die in and put a brass thru it and it de primed it still very smoothly. Ram goes up and down very smooth. Dies screw right in.

[elhefe50ss]

Probably not much i have a old rcbs jr3 and ids great some would say the old stuff is better then the new lol honor ur paw paw buy putting it to use

[Bill Steele]

Maybe a light coat of 30wt on the ram, the press looks like it should be good to go.

I didn't see a cup for the press primer so maybe pick up an RCBS universal handprimer, an RCBS 505 scale, a powder trickler, calipers and have at it.

Lucky guy.

[Revoman]

Yeah, I think that some TLC would bring it back to life easy enough. Take it apart, clean it, lube it, mount it to a strong platform, insert dies, adjust it and reload away! It will be a little slow, but that's okay too!

You will need to get a few more items such as Calipers and a Scale at the very least.

It appears that you also have lead bullet molds too, that's a whole 'nother side to reloading that many don't do. It's way cheaper to mold your own, but it's time consuming and most don't go there.

[CSACANNONEER]

I was expecting to see somthing OLD. The ONLY things I see that isn't still in production are the square head nuts and bolts that he probably found in an old coffe can of old nuts and bolts. Also, the press appears to be out of production.

I would NOT lube the ram with 30W or any other wet lube. Wet lubes just attract foriegn matter which clogs up the press and could easily damage it.

I would call CH4D and inquire about the press and it's priming sysyetm. Just be prepared for a long phone call. He likes to talk but, is also full of useful information so, pay attention to him.

Whatever you do, don't try to use the press until it's securely bolted, not clamped, to a good, solid bench.

The mold appears to be a .30 cal mold that he used for 30-30 bullets. The sample bullets are not gas checked so, they should not be pushed too fast.

[AdidasCJ]

Here is also the primer cup, looks like im missing the spring tho.

I would call CH4D and inquire about the press and it's priming sysyetm. Just be prepared for a long phone call. He likes to talk but, is also full of useful information so, pay attention to him.

I have been emailing back an fourth with him. Says the press looks to be about between the late 40's and early 60's.

[morrow]

There is nothing wrong with using 30wt oil or other similar oil/lube to lube the ram and the linkages. Do that right away. Many of the current companies that sell presses now recommend using that method. On an older press this is especially important. Do that right away.

[edgerly779]

Your missing the spring and the small primer cup. I have that same press and works great for my long action loads. That will load 338 lapua length cartridges. Just steel wool or scotchbrite ram and lubricate. Get rid of the mickey mouse c clamps and bolt properly and enjoy.

[AdidasCJ]

Your missing the spring and the small primer cup. I have that same press and works great for my long action loads. That will load 38 lapua length cartridges. Just steel wool or scotchbrite ram and lubricate. Get rid of the mickey mouse c clamps and bolt properly and enjoy.

Im still looking in the box, maybe the spring is in there somewhere... also the c claps were just a quick thing to hold it to take a picture. Im going to get some bolts to bolt it down.

[gunboat]

I can't tell from the photo if the press uses ram shellholders or the now universal button type -- In any event an adapter is available if it is the ram style,
The screw on the upper die boss is to hold the primer tube -- It was not very useful - just as easy to drop the primer in the cup.

Good press - It will last your lifetime and likely serve your grandchildren too.

[gunboat]

double post

[RugerNo1]

I have two old CH presses just like that one. They're great presses.

[Dark Mod]

Looks like its ready to go as it is. Bolt it to a bench, give it a good cleaning and lubing and your ready to use it.

[edgerly779]

It uses redding or lyman standard shellholders. Has a small set screw on rt at base of shellholder slot. You can replace that primer arm with a new universal arm with both primers cups for 12-15 bucks.

[RugerNo1]

Hey, I have that exact model of Redding powder dump too!

Your Great-Granddad and the gentleman who gave me my first reloading equipment must have been from the same generation of reloaders.