Pacific Press

mule

mule

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I recently acquired a Pacific Press as part of a "lot" purchase. It is in good shape and I plan to keep it. Patent 1933940. There is no primer accessory and the ram is fixed for 30-06 (I do know that there are many other calibers using this "shellholder" size. Dillon has a shellplate interchangeability table in their 550 manual listing some.)

I did a short search and on one forum a poster said you can switch out rams if you need it for a cartridge of another size. It IS easy to do. One poster also mentioned that shellholders were available but I don't think this would be the case unless they slid into the opening designated for the 30-06 size cartridge. The press also has what seems to be a grease nipple.

Anyone have any info on this? I know that accessories are nearly impossible to find ( unless you find someone with that press since the '50's. and parting with it.)

Thanks!
 
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I don't know if this is any help, but here goes: h ttp://pacificreloaders.awardspace.com/Option%20Page.htm

If you do come up with any spare parts, let me know: I have a "Bair" press, who used to make the Pacific presses before they parted company with Pacific and made them under their own name.

From Wiki: "The Pacific Tool Company started off as the Pacific Gunsight Company, which opened its doors in the early 1920s at 353 Hays St, San Francisco, California. In 1953 they moved to 2901 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, Calif. Pacific was then sold to Henkle & Joyce Hardware of Lincoln NE. R.R. Deitemeyer had convinced H&J to buy the company and he invented the Deitemeyer shotshell loaders, hence the DL in model descriptions. The tool colors changed to blue with the move from California to P.O. Box 4495 Lincoln, Nebraska in 1960. While in Lincoln, Pacific tools were made by Bair Machine Company until there was a parting of the ways in 1969. This resulted in Bair offering the identical Pacific tools under the Bair label. In January 1971 H&J sold Pacific Gunsight Co. dba Pacific Tool Company to J. W. Hornady. All tools were converted to red by December of that year. Starting in 1972 a new plant was constructed next to Hornady Mfg. Co. In Grand Island NE. By 1974 the plant was fully relocated, the address was changed to P.O. Drawer 2048, Ordnance Plant Rd., Grand Island, Nebraska. In 1992 the Pacific name was dropped as all Hornady companies (Pacific and Frontier) were merged into one corporation and Hornady began offering reloading tools under its own name."

Anyway, the ram on my press (Bair Grizzly) uses interchangeable shell holders, held in place on the ram by a grub screw. It seems to me that you might be able to interchange your ram with one like mine, assuming you ever find parts. What I'd like to get for mine is the primer feed attachment, but I manage quite well without it. Good luck!
What kind of Pacific press do you have? Any pictures?
 
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I have to load some pics to photobucket. Will then post again.
 
Pictures as requested.....note there is no primer accessory. It is for 30-06 ( and others with the same size head). Thanks to all those who provided info and link.
IMG_3415.jpg

IMG_3412.jpg
 
To Rory McCanuck - I looked and I like. I will probably upgrade to the universal ram. Seems to be a fair price. Thanks.
 
If the slot for the priming arm is 1/4", an RCBS arm will fit. I use a 3.5" arm in mine.
 
Well, I think the warranty may have run out on it ;)
Certainly old, but it looks pretty functional still.
It looks like its old enough that it raises the ram by raising the handle. We've got used to the other way around, but it does make some sense.
Before the days of compound leverage press linkages, it took some brute force. I can lift up on a handle with a whole bunch more force that I
can push down, but it certainly isn't as comfortable.
The linkage on mine is reversible; you can use it on the up or down stroke. Will yours turn around?
 
Rory McCanuck said:
Well, I think the warranty may have run out on it ;)
Certainly old, but it looks pretty functional still.
It looks like its old enough that it raises the ram by raising the handle. We've got used to the other way around, but it does make some sense.
Before the days of compound leverage press linkages, it took some brute force. I can lift up on a handle with a whole bunch more force that I
can push down, but it certainly isn't as comfortable.
The linkage on mine is reversible; you can use it on the up or down stroke. Will yours turn around?
Click to expand...

I've tried to reverse the stroke to a "down" but was unable to do it...... I would have it clamped to a stable workbench so it will have to do as is.
 
Thanks to Rory I did obtain a universal Ram from CH4D. They did a quick reroute of the parcel after it had been returned by "return to sender" pursuant to a new USPS mailing system for parcel drops for Canadian customers. They probably lost money on the deal because they used another carrier and the parcel arrived quickly thereafter. I did send a note of appreciation and I will be including them as a possible source when looking to new purchases. Excellent customer service. I don't want to undermine CGN sponsors ( which I support) but they don't advertise that product. FYI.
 
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