Old West Scrounger

[John Wayne]

You don't see these often. It's not mine, wish it was! On ebay.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Wow....I never saw that press before, and I used to be one of their customers when they were located in very northern California and had a walk-in store. Thanks for posting the photos.

DG

[Green Frog]

I heard that the original Old Western Scrounger retired several years ago and sold what was left of his operation to Navy Arms... but I don't remember Val selling any tools and such, only exotic ammo. I wonder what the time frame was for this mega-press(?)

Froggie

[Bazoo]

They are asking 1200 plus 150 shipping. Not sure the value of the item, but 150 shipping makes them crooks. 50 would ship it. Neat though.

Is this related to the old western scrounger ammo seller or just the same name?

[Green Frog]

When they reopen the “Nation’s Gun Show” I’ll look for Val and ask what details he can provide. Do you have a date (or time frame) on that price?

Froggie

[Bazoo]

I found it in ebay and that's the asking price as of when I posted. I magine it's still there. If I was independently wealthy I'd bite.

[salpal48]

That is The Ch4D "Rock Crusher" press. Old western must have ordered some with There name.
dave still sell Them
retail $1995.00
Gross weight 100 Lb's

[.50bmg]

Someone is about to “ crush “ some rocks in SoCal....lol

[Earl Brasse]

How would that be for case forming, any advantage?
I would think the travel would be a minus but the handle length a plus?

[salpal48]

I do not if This press Is for Case forming Only. Dave @ Ch does make dies In 50 BMJ, 55 Boys Anti Tank, 20 MM and I think 37 MM revolving Cannon

[Pressman]

The following links take you back in time to this board and several others where the Rock Crusher is mentioned. It's a fascinating trip and a small look into the history of this great press.

Here is a list of the different addresses and their time frame:

Old Western Scrounger, Inc.

El Cerrito, CA: 1976-1984
Montague, CA: 1985-2001
Yreka, CA: 2001-2003
Carson City, NV: 2003-2005
Old Western Scrounger, LLC

Martinsburg, WV: 2005-2017

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/arch...p/t-13694.html

http://www.theguncounter.com/forum/v...ic.php?t=19099

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...rusher.337131/

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/da...ounger.938769/

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...-press.108685/

[John Wayne]

That's good stuff Mr. Pressman! The Scrounger pictured in my original post sold today or yesterday for $1200.00 fyi.

[.50bmg]

That's good stuff Mr. Pressman! The Scrounger pictured in my original post sold today or yesterday for $1200.00 fyi.

[Bent Ramrod]

“Dangerous Dave, the Old Western Scrounger.”

I used to go to the El Cerrito store when I visited my parents in the Bay Area. The fence around the place was made of rifle barrels and the door knobs were revolver grip frames.

There was a lot of fantastic stuff in there. Got several boolit moulds and a couple of tong tools out of “the box” the clerk would haul out from under a pile of other stuff and allow me to rummage through.

There was a Maynard #16 on the rack there once at a very reasonable price. Though single shots were my Thing at the time, I was for some reason prejudiced against “tip-ups” of any type. I’m still kicking myself.

I remember when they advertised that press; it was the beginning of the interest in shooting .50BMG out of custom oversized rifles and, later, Barretts. I think it could also load 20mm rounds. It must have jump-started a significant market, because Lyman and RCBS came out with their own versions soon after.

After moving to Colorado, he had an impressive line of obsolete ammunition, very attractively packaged. Instant collector’s items. I still have one of his catalogs around here, somewhere.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for sharing, BRR. I'd like to find a catalog.