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Thread: Texan Progressive Shotshell Reloader

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Texan Progressive Shotshell Reloader

    Hi,
    I know most people here are more metallic cartridge reloaders than shotshell but there always seems to be some guys here that are pretty sharp with both so thought I would ask anyway!

    I was trying to find one of these loaders for the longest time as every time someone brought them up in a forum all they could say was how well they worked and their robust make up! I tried a couple of times to buy one off of ebay but they were models that had been used quite a bit and still sold for over $150!

    I found this one in my wandering looking for one and it was $195 but looked almost LNIB. The owner said he bought it used 26 years ago for $300 and never used it! Had it stored in an AC'ed room all the time! I was hoping someone here could look at the pics and tell me if it is a model MII or a MIV. The sticker came off and the owner could not remember except he said it was the most expensive loader Texan sold at the time? Here are some pics from the sellers ad,also the primer tube is not shown but was included also!
    Last edited by seagiant; 08-15-2012 at 04:38 PM.
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master KYCaster's Avatar
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    WOW! That's a nice looking press.

    Check out Cast-pics.....References..........Reprints of manuals..........

    I found manuals for both Texan progressives.

    Apparently the difference is...The MkIIa has a sizing die at station #10 (kinda like a Lee FCD) which the MkIV lacks.

    I thought mine was a MkIV, but after seeing your pics I see that mine has two holes D&T'd on the edge of the shell plate under station #10 and yours doesn't. I suppose that's where the sizer was fastened. Mine works fine without the sizer, but I have best results when I run the hulls through a Lachmiller shell conditioner before loading.....sizes the base.

    Couple of minor issues........

    Crimp adjustment isn't very "intuitive".......wish I had seen the manual when I got mine. Read and follow the instructions and you can get perfect crimps.

    Powder and shot drop are NOT case activated. Keep a can of compressed air and a pick handy to clean out the powder and shot that get under the shell holder and in the primer assembly.

    Powder and shot bushings are a bit scarce. It's probably easier to have them made than to find them for sale. Let me know if you need dimensions.

    I've loaded several thousand shells on mine with ZERO maintenance and no issues other than the ones already mentioned.

    You did good!

    Jerry
    Buzzard's luck!! Can't kill nothin', nothin'll die!!

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Hi Jerry,
    Thanks for the info! So you think mine is a M-IV? You mention some problems but still seem to like the machine which is good! I don't really know what a good price is on one of these but just what I have run into on E-bay! The seller was a real good guy and made a point that he would pack it well which is always a concern!

    If you have any pics of yours I'd be happy to see them. How does the primer system work? Thanks again!
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master



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    You have an MII, the MIV has springs to hold in the hulls and a different final crimp die with a spring and a different wad setting arangement.

    The items that I see absent are the shell shovel for the handle to move the ejected loaded shell to the rear of the press and also not shown are the tubes for the auto primer station.



    Mike

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    Hi Mike,
    Thanks for the info! I have the primer tube even though it is not shown on the pics! Do you see any problems with the shells staying in the shellholder? I have been all over the Internet and have yet to hear anyone bad mouth or complain about this loader in the M-II or M-IV model???
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Maybe I just got ahold of some bad information from the start, but I am really confused.

    According to a catalog I used to have/can't put my hands on, only the MK V (5) came with a brass resizer.
    I have yet to even see a MK 5 or even hear of anyone having one. Did they actually exist?

    Also the catalog did say that the brass resizer was an option that could be added to the Mk 2 or 4.

    What I gathered were the differences were options such as auto wad adjusters and wad pressure devices. And basically any option from a MK 4 or 5 could be added to a 2.

    And a 4 that was stripped down without a priming system and other options was called a MK 4 Basic which is what I was lead to believe what mine is.

    Mind you, I am not challenging anyone, I am only relaying what I have read and was told what my press was when I bought it and the manual that came with it said it was a 4.

    Mike- are you certain that all 4's had the springs- even the MK4 Basic ?

    Thanks


  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Hi,
    Wow! I did not realize how big these Texan progressives are! The RCBS Shell Saver next to the press gives some idea of size! The seller of mine sent it in two boxes and total weight was 47 lbs.! Thanks for the pic!
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by seagiant View Post
    Hi,
    Wow! I did not realize how big these Texan progressives are! The RCBS Shell Saver next to the press gives some idea of size! The seller of mine sent it in two boxes and total weight was 47 lbs.! Thanks for the pic!


    American Prime Grade A-1 Beef!

  9. #9
    Boolit Master



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    I have 15 different M loaders, they are in 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410, some are M-II and some are M-IV and yes the M-V does exist with the special sizer. For the II and IV, I use the MEC SuperSizer.
    AND I have taken most of the hull holding springs off my M-IVs
    Mike

    p.s. I also have a CH Auto Champ and a Green Machine

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy Huntducks's Avatar
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    I had 2 of them for years sold both on ebay when a friend gave me a PW-800 wish I had the Texan back.

    That said a brass sizer was a option on both the 2 and the 4 it sat upside down and was spring loaded your main body were the shell plate rides on will have 2 holes drilled and tapped on the side, your unit has a different attachment that holds primer tube then either of mine.

    I bought mine from a family friend of my inlaws he bought it new in 1968 $150 still have the paper work.

    Tid bit the primer can was a old crossman pellet gun tin that you peeled the top back like a sardine can, you can see the red at the bottom (no paint.)

    Old Lyman shot a powder bushings will work on the Texan.

    I might have some extra parts not sure if I sold them.

    That is a nice clean unit.
    Last edited by Huntducks; 05-25-2012 at 01:40 AM.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master



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    Huntducks
    Please look for your extra parts
    I kinda broker M Texan parts
    Have lots of bushings
    Mike

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Hi Huntducks,
    Thanks for the info! I had a PW 800C and although I love PW loaders as a whole that machine was possesed! It would work sweet for 30 or 40 rounds and then jam up and of course you have to start all over again. Might of been in need of a total rebuild as I bought it used and it had some wear on it! I sold it to a PW addict for what I paid and everyone was happy!

    I hope to enjoy the Texan more,as I get familiar with it!
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Hi,
    Can someone tell me what the difference is in the Black M models and the Red?
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master



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    The one pictured has an M-IV priming setup and a partial M-IV wad setup
    and new shot and powder tubes. Also looks to have a curtain rod for the primer
    tube.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    Mike - so if you pull all of the options out of the equation, what is the difference between a MK 2 and 4, the hull springs?

    Thanks

  16. #16
    Boolit Master



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    1. Hull Springs
    2. Different Primer Feed (only feeds primer when actuated by hull in station 1)
    3. Different wad guide (self lowering wad guide, plastic, , often breaks at the rod hole)
    4. Different Final Crimp Station (no spring adjustment)
    5. Different length handle
    6. Different primer decapper to go with different primer feed
    Maybe more, but I am old and forgetful
    Last edited by skeettx; 05-25-2012 at 06:10 PM.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    Great, thanks Mike!

  18. #18
    Boolit Master wrench man's Avatar
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    This thread has been very informative, I picked up a Texan shot shell loader a couple of weeks ago, I know nothing about it?, it looks just like the one seagiant posted a picture of in post #13 but mines been in a very humid environment for some time!, it kinda stuck, I haven't tried to do anything with it yet?, it came as a package deal with a LYMAN "All-AMERICAN" turret press, an RCBS collet bullet puller with several collets, a bunch of L.E. Wilson case gauges, and several boxes of bullets and a jar or two of gas checks and large and small primer pocket reamers and a hand full of other stuff I haven't even really looked at yet?, I got the whole mess for $35, think I got a fair deal!?
    Last edited by wrench man; 05-26-2012 at 01:46 PM. Reason: clarification
    ASE master certified engine machinist
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  19. #19
    Boolit Master


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    I also have a Texan Moled IV ( basic ? ) as in the picture in post #13 but without the auto primer feed. It has probably loaded close to, well you do the math. The gentelman I bought it from shot registered trap for 13 years in Calif.. So, I buy it used from him for $300.00 in 1986. I shot trap and skeet for 7years 3 nites a week. All my shells were loaded on this press, 12 ga.. Have never borke any parts, it's heavy as in like 25 - 30 pounds, and it really needs to be mounted very securely. Powder and shot bushings are gettable but it may take some searching. I have used Hornady powder bushings but you really need to keep track of each.

    Credit is due skeettx for the good info he has given on these well made reloading press. I have never regretted buying the press I have. It has taken me about 15 years to buy the whole set of powder bushings and have many extras, but never plan to sell my press.

    The Texan Reloading Tools catalog I have from 1976 sells a M-V for $459.95, a M-IV for $359.95 (with primer feed), a M-IV basic for$269.95.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Hi,
    WrenchMan,you did great of course! Those deals are once in a lifetime. I had an older gentleman at our club that was getting out of reloading and was a hoarder and had an enjoyable morning buying him out! Just got lucky I guess!

    472,
    Thanks for that great info! I have been all over the Internet and this is the best thread on these loaders I have seen! Something to remember for any of the younger guys is that $400 in 1976 was a little bit of change!!! A lot more than it is now,so this shows the value that these machines held in the market back then!

    Here's a pic I found that I take is a M-IV,because of the shovel attachment??? Mike?
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.
    We ask not your counsels or arms.
    Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
    May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” -Samuel Adams
    Janet Reno, killed more children at Waco, with Bill Clinton's permission, than Adam Lanza killed, at Sandy Hook.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check