15 January 2006, 03:07
Scout Master 54Western Ball?
I was just given a box of old reloading supplies that was headed to the dump. In it was an old Hollywood Single Stage press (wow what a monster), and Ideal bullet luber, boxes of lead bullets and gas checks and some of the oldest cans of Unique (lot #32)& Bulseye I have ever seen. An Elmer Keith book: Sixgun Cart. and Loads - 1936 and about 8# of Western Ball Rifle Powder Blend #9 from B.E. Hodgdon Inc, Merriam, KS. It's a fine ball powder and it appears just fine, no odor good color. The label says to start using 3031 data. Any one recall using this, it might still be useful.
Scout Master 54
15 January 2006, 03:25
bartschequote:
Originally posted by Scout Master 54:
I was just given a box of old reloading supplies that was headed to the dump. In it was an old Hollywood Single Stage press (wow what a monster),
Is that monster in fair shape? If so what are you asking for that P O S?

roger
15 January 2006, 03:54
Scout Master 54The press itself is in excellent condition, no rust. The ram is large enough to jack up a truck, I'll bet it weighs 30#. There is no shell holder. The handle appears to a rebuild and not origional to the press. I was planning to use it in my NRA reloading classes if I could come up with a Universal Shell holder.
Scout Master 54
15 January 2006, 03:56
Scout Master 54quote:
Originally posted by Scout Master 54:
The press itself is in excellent condition, no rust. The ram is large enough to jack up a truck, I'll bet it weighs 30# or more. There is no shell holder. The handle appears to be a rebuild and not origional to the press. I was planning to use it in my NRA reloading classes if I could come up with a Universal Shell holder.
Scout Master 54
15 January 2006, 06:27
RicochetThe Western Cartridge Company was the original maker of Ball powders, patented in 1936. Western later became the Olin-Mathieson Chemical Corporation and bought up Winchester, continuing to use the Western name as well. All of the Western powders were given a number that started with WC, for Western Cartridge. Several were used by the U.S. military, and Hodgdon bought up surplus lots. H380 started off as a batch of WC852, which was used to load cal .30 M2 ammo, for instance. H870 was WC870, made to load 20mm ammo.
Olin finally introduced canister grade powders to the market using the WC numbers as their designators, i.e. WC748 was sold as Winchester 748.
Study that label and see if you can find a WCxxx number. Since it says "Blend #9," though, it may well be a mixture of several batches of WC Ball Powder, aimed at making a larger, more uniform batch.
I'd take the 3031 data recommendation and work up carefully.
15 January 2006, 08:19
bartsche
Ok! I have used a Hollywood senior press all my life and still do. I've been married to it for almost 50 years so I guess I think it's just great.
Hollywood Engineering is building these again and sells replacement parts. Contact Joe or Margaret Mueller .TELE; 818-842-8376 or E-Mail cadqueenell@aol.com
10642 Arminta st. Sun Valley,CA. 91352.The std. shell holder sells for $7.00.
That really is a great bench press.

15 January 2006, 22:18
Scout Master 54Thanks for the info on WC powders, no WC XXX codes on the can, just the Blend ____ with a hand written #9 on it. My guess too is surplus ball powders blended together. I was planning to try some of it in my .308 win.
The Hollywood press is quite the brute, it makes a Rock Chucker look like a light weight. I will contact them and see if I can come up with some shell holders, thanks.
Scout Master 54