So has anybody done this. I have used my 7/8x14 Lyman press since the late 70's and only now may have a need for a 1 1/4x12 threaded press for the larger dies needed to reload a 577-450. I wondered about having the press opened up for the larger dies and having a bush made for the standard 7/8x14 dies. I can trade off the work with the engineer for some other works he needs done.
There will be a reasonably large investment in the rifle, dies, brass and a mould to cast for it and a new press would take the whole package into the too expensive category for just one rifle.

I would just leave my old Lyman as is and buy a Lee Classic Cast Press for about $150. You can always find a use for 2 presses.

I have seen them sell used on E-bay for less than $100.

Not here in New Zealand they don't, and besides I have two presses.

What size is the hole when you unscrew the installed bushing in the top?
Bill

The larger framed presses have a 1 1/4x12 threaded opening for the larger dies and they have a bush that threads in to take the 7/8x14 standard dies. I thought to do the same.

Took a turret from a Redding T7 into a machine shop a few years ago, did just that. Six regular stations left, picked up a bushing from an Ultramag, sits up about a quarter inch higher than the rest. Lets me have seven usable spots, rarely use em all, but nice to have if I,m monkeying around between different calibers.

Can,t remember the price of the insert, think around 25 bucks.. Lets me use the bigger dies when necessary, smaller foot print on the bench than two presses, has worked well for my purposes.

VG, I have a 7/8x14 Pacific press and note that the locking ring on some of my dies is 1 1/4" and hence have 'polished' an 1 1/4" circle on the top of the press head. This shows that if the press head was bored out to accept a 1 1/4" threaded die the slot for the primer feed would be almost cut into and leaving the head looking like a threaded C. Probably okay except if you struck a hard sizing case there could be potential to burst the die out of that C, if you follow my drift.

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:
VG, I have a 7/8x14 Pacific press and note that the locking ring on some of my dies is 1 1/4" and hence have 'polished' an 1 1/4" circle on the top of the press head. This shows that if the press head was bored out to accept a 1 1/4" threaded die the slot for the primer feed would be almost cut into and leaving the head looking like a threaded C. Probably okay except if you struck a hard sizing case there could be potential to burst the die out of that C, if you follow my drift.

Point taken and having just had another look at the press see that it would do that with mine as well. Might have to re-think this one

VG, on second thoughts if you do not use your press for priming, or even if you do, a steel spacer made up to snug fit in the slot, bore a hole side to side through the slot and spacer and insert a good hi-tensile bolt. Most presses already have a threaded hole in one side for the primer tube clamp screw so just line bore through this and out the other side.
This would prevent the press head splitting out. Of course you could still use the primer slot as the pressure to seat primers is less than the case sizing operation. Just insert the spacer and bolt up tight again before a sizing operation. In fact I would do this little modification before boring and threading for 1 1/4" to make sure the head did not split out during this process.

Just a thought for you to keep costs down and utilise your second press for 1 1/4" dies. Go to it

Yes that would work and my press has two threaded holes so that and a couple of spots of weld would certainly make things work.
Hmmm --- Bears a good look in the clear cold light of day.

i don't have this press on hand,.. is there a bushing in it?

No bushing which is why I was asking about opening up the 7/8x14 thread to 1 1/4x12 and making the bushing.

quote:

No bushing which is why I was asking about opening up the 7/8x14 thread to 1 1/4x12 and making the bushing.

Is this the same combination that a rockchucker comes from the factory with? If so what would be the issue with doing it on yours?