jparris001

I've been to Reloader's Bench a few times, Added 40 S&W dies and 9mm dies to my collection. What you've spent adds up fast. But man, it sure is a better investment sitting at my workbench than paying an Xfinity bill..........

A fellow forum member (I think he may have dropped out) gave me this Pacific shotgun shell reloader probably 13 years ago. His only request was that I wouldn't sell it, just give it back if I couldn't use it. When I got it there were no powder and shot tubes so it sat on the corner of the workbench forever. I kept looking for tubes and finally one day, a pair showed up on eBay. But now the press had some surface rust and wasn't looking too swift. So I took it all apart and after much scraping and steel wool and Aero-Kroil........ she looks pretty good again. I've loaded with an RCBS for 14 years. So I know reloading for pistol rounds very well. But on this shotgun press I'm at a loss. I figured out all the stations on the press and what needs to happen where. But my press came with no powder or shot bushings. Pacific was absorbed by Hornady and I was told Hornady bushings would work in the Pacific. All I want to initially reload are some defensive rounds in 12 gauge. But I don't know how much shot and powder to use so I can purchase bushings. And how do you determine which shot cup to use? Factory rounds use buffering in with the shot........is this something I need to do and how do you accurately distribute that throughout the shot? I keep Unique and Power Pistol on the shelf and I've seen reloading data for Unique, but would another powder work better? Thanks in advance for the help. I want to get this old press up and running.

I went out there the other night to listen to an hour of Coast to Coast AM. Well, one hour leads into two. Next thing I knew, I had 100+ rounds I needed to find a box for. Lol.

I found a great deal on Gunbroker. Came set up for 45ACP and 38/357. Nothing appeared to have ever been used. And I've cranked out quite a few rounds of 45 this weekend. I can see this becoming pretty addictive.

I'm going to make the jump and finally get a progressive press. I've had a rock chucker for 15 years now and I'm just getting lazy......... I want a more simple way to do things. I had heard that Outpost Armory carried Dillon but on their website I couldn't find one. Where in middle Tennessee can I find Dillon products?

I'll continue to do it. Screw 'em, if it needs to come out to save my bacon, I'll worry about that later. 

Thanks guys. 

I've been reloading for about 16 years now. I traded an old motorcycle for an RCBS and all the gear to do it with.    I've been hand weighing powder on a Pacific mechanic scale for all these years. And I'll be honest, the scales are what keep me from reloading any more than I do. But I was told going into this that weighing versus measuring was what REALLY got you accurate. And my rounds do very very well.   I've been watching hickok45's videos over on youtube. I've just recently discovered him. And he has a Dillon press and I'm really thinking of taking the plunge and getting me one. But I'm not crazy about measured powder. Someone set me straight on this. Is measuring just as good (and safe) as my meticulous weighing procedure? 

It kinda sorta looks staged. But I love it all the same. And how do they have such a new vehicle. I have two vehicles I alternate between, both are '94 models because its tough to afford just about anything else. 

  Not anymore. They got out of the reloading business. And lost my business as a result. 

Thanks guys. I was trying to decide if this piece was old enough. For $450, I'm still on the fence. 

Can anyone look up a Smith and Wesson serial number for me? It's a D789638. Thanks in advance. 

I'm new to the thought of powder coating lead bullets. What's the thought process behind it?    Is it because you can cast your own, and the powder coating keeps them from leading up the barrel?    Is it really working? I have a shit load of old "line-a-type" from a print shop. 

I have had (for a long time) a Pacific DL-250 12 gauge reloading press. It's been mounted to the work bench for at least 10 years and I've never used it. There's a neighbor kid that wants to get into reloading and I told him and his dad to take the press and get some use out of it. Problem is, they have a 20 gauge and would like to source dies for the DL-250. And the shot and powder tubes are missing as well.   If anyone has any suggestions for these guys, lemme hear them. My goal was to just source the clear tubes and reload 12 gauge with them. If they wanna do 20, may be better off just buying something newer. But hey, maybe one of you have just what they need laying around.    Thanks………..