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Hollywood Gun Shop Universal Press

leatherbeadleatherbead Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
edited November 2009 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
Hi, Hopefully I'm in the right forum. What I am wondering is if any of you have had any experence with a Hollywood Gun Shop Universal Press. Patented 1935? This is big heavy turret type with four stations. I have a gun you can't buy ammo for and am trying to educate myself . What I'm trying to say here is sence this press is so old school would I be better off buying some newer more modern equipment? Any info on this press would be appreciated. Thanks for your time, Pat
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Comments

  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    I'm NOT familiar with that press. That said, there is no reason to throw it out, if it is in serviceable condition. Is it in good shape? Everything clean, not rusty, Tight tolerances, not loose?

    Most important to you - Does it take "Standard" Diesets?

    If it will take a Die Set you can get for your chosen caliber, then you can read the manuals for reloading and make yourself some Ammo!
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    And does it take a standard T type shellholder?

    There are adaptors if it doesn't but it may be more trouble that it is worth if it doesn't take standard dies or shellholders.
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  • leatherbeadleatherbead Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey guys, Every thing on this press is tight and I think it is all standard. I have the dies that came with the press so that should all work. Also have a butt load of bullets and primers. The only thing I'm missing is the brass and the knowhow. I have a couple of reloading buddys to help me with the knowhow. But the brass is another story. I got the specs on the case from a guy writing a book on PO Ackley but he asked me not to post any info as the book isn't in print yet. Anyway I have about 125 rounds of the parent round but still not sure of the resizing. I have some forms I'm hoping turn out to be the right ones, the caliber is right anyhow. As I am a complete newb at this> Are the forms for resizing the neck and shoulders??? Would i be better off sending what I have off to a coustom shop and have them do the resizing?? Thanks for getting back. Any thoughts on any of this is appreciated. Pat
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    My family has several guns made on POs machines, by Chick Donnelly, in Grants Pass Oregon! I have and love a .35 Whelen Ackley Improved Hunting Rifle.

    The Dies will reshape the necks and shoulders of correct ammo, but will not resixe to different specs the brass from a "Wrong" caliber, at least not easily. If you have .35 Whelen brass, for example, you need to fire form it in a .35 Whelen Ackley Improved chamber and then it will resize and form correctly for reloading. That is what I do. IIRC, all AI ammo can fire the non-AI ammo with no problems, going in as one flavor, and coming out an AI round. That is what I do.

    My father has used the "Parent" round, 30-06, to fireform the .35 Whelen AI rounds, by loading a round with a moderate load of waste powder, topped with cream of wheat to fill the case, and a cardboard card, then firing them into a garbage can full of loose wet rags. Works pretty well (with around 5% splitting), then he started annealing the brass first, and then got nearly zero case failures when fireforming them.
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  • leatherbeadleatherbead Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ok, The rifle I have is an Ackley .250 mag. not 250 improved, I was told the parent round is a .264 Winchester. Does that make sense? Are you saying a guy could fire the 264 in the Ackley .250 chamber without killing himself? I've been shooting sense I was 8 years old but have never thought of fireing a round that wasn't for that particular gun. I'm a total newb to this reloading and wildcat stuff so I apperciate everything you have told me, but i'm not to sure I am understanding it all. Thanks again for your time and knowledge. Pat
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    I'll have to get my books out to make sure for you - and as with anything that is potentially "Life and Limb", you should NOT trust anyone, PERIOD. Look it up yourself!

    None of my Library shows your round's Dimensions - I'll look some more.

    I would be interested to have one of the Books you refer to.

    AGAIN: If you, Personally, don't have the dimensions and particulars of the Chamber and Round your gun uses, DON'T put anything in it, hoping it will go bang - It may take your Heirloom and reduce it to a pile o'parts, and may take off your Arm/Hand/eyes...

    Someone here will step in, if they notice... I will keep looking for info for you.

    The Chambering and shooting I mentioned Up-Thread was applicable ONLY to those Ackley Improved chamberings I know about...there are many wildcats I have never heard of.

    Be safe!
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  • carbine100carbine100 Member Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Are you saying a guy could fire the 264 in the Ackley .250 chamber without killing himself?
    No! fireforming works in some instances where parent round is same/smaller bore. RCBS makes forming dies for the 250 Ackley Magmun. MidwayUSA list them as special order.
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  • leatherbeadleatherbead Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello, and Thanks again. I wasn't going to try it by any means. I do have the demensions and I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something. I did understand about the Ackley Improved. Figured a 264 wouldn't be to good in a 250. Tried to run a 264 empty casing through and it was obviousley a no go. Damn near got there and ejected great but still no way. Anywho back to the subject we started this thread on;; Turns out the Hollywood Gun Shop where the reloading press is from is still in business, but known as Hollywood Engineering. They are out of Sun Valley, CA. Thanks again for all your help and please let me know whatever you come up with. I have been studying on getting this rifle up and running now for at least 6 months when I have the time. Pat
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  • I.ShuteI.Shute Member Posts: 647 ✭
    edited November -1
    Pat:
    Don't worry about the Hollywood press. I have a couple and have done some heavy forming with them, even when requiring a 24 inch cheater bar on one.

    I.Shute
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  • kurt.kempkurt.kemp Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use almost exclusively an old Hollywood press. Since the only guns I own and reload for are ancient winchesters I love it. I have a 1947 .348 Deluxe with a bored out chamber done by P.O. Ackley in 1964 that I do relaods for with this press. It's a great piece of equipment.

    -Kurt
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