Can y'all tell me about this old 12 station HOLLYWOOD TURRET reloading press?

[treysoucie]

I got this old Hollywood reloading press I'm planning on refinishing and putting into commission. Can anyone tell me what compatible dies tooling fit this? Is it capable of accepting 50 BMG dies?



322450

[Gtrubicon]

I have the same press I refurbished several years ago. It’s a great press. I can’t answer the 50bmg reloading capability but the picture shows the 1 1/4 die stations. You can get the adapters on eBay or from C/H tools. The smaller diameter die stations are 7/8x14 for standard reloading dies.

[treysoucie]

It looks like Lee has 1-1/4" full length 50 BMG dies

[RichardB]

I found the Hollywood doesn't have the necessary leverage for easy full length sizing. Also yours appears to be the aluminum framed version, so I would not recommend it for 50 cal use.

[GONRA]

GONRA is a Big Hollywood Fan - starting in 1958.......
BUT - if yer gonna load .50 BMG - warm up yer cheque book
and get get Modern Today's Equjpment ! !

[elmacgyver0]

Buy the Lee .50 BMG dies then if it works great, if not buy the big Lee "O" frame cast iron press. Or better yet just get the Lee, you will use them both.

[RichardB]

I broke the Lee 50 cal press three times. Its simply not suitable for resizing mil-surp BMG brass. Got rid of it and did what Gonra said. Warmed up the check book and bought a CH Rock Crusher. No more problems!

[Gtrubicon]

The larger die stations in the turret were intended for shot shell dies. Moving brass on a 50 wasn’t even thought of when these were engineered and built. I do 100% of my load development on mine prior to setting up the 650. I also use it for calibers that I don’t load in high volume. It’s a fantastic tool if used as it was intended. Production rate on this press can be very high depending on your loading process.

[treysoucie]

thanks for the help everyone, i think ill sell this thing and go with something more 50 bmg capable ha

[John Wayne]

If you do use this press or get another press be sure to get the 1 1/2-12 to 1 1/4-12 die adapter bushing for Lee dies.
Those large holes are 1 1/2".
If you rehab this press don't destroy the hardcoat anodizing on the large or small turret. You can soak them in wd40 or pb blaster but nothing stronger and then use liquid dish washing detergent, hot water and a tooth brush. They won't rust. Adapter bushings for 1 1/2" down to 7/8"-14 are available from Hollywood Bob the owner of Hollywood reloading. PM me if you need his #. Strip, prime and paint is covered in other recent threads. Search the archives under Hollywood. It should fit 50bmg and have the leverage to size, as long as the brass is not from a loosely chambered machine gun. More modern presses will give you more leverage. What you have is a "Hollywood Turret Tool".

[Kevin Rohrer]

It is a Hollywood Model-III Special Deluxe.

After you strip-off the paint, be sure and use aluminum primer before painting it. And use a good primer on the iron parts. I cold-blued the handle.

Parts to complete the press are available on Ebay and possibly members here, such as Lubedude.

Mine I restored:
322606

[treysoucie]

yes that appears so, it does say "HOLLYWOOD TURRET TOOL" on the side of it

[elmacgyver0]

I broke the Lee 50 cal press three times. Its simply not suitable for resizing mil-surp BMG brass. Got rid of it and did what Gonra said. Warmed up the check book and bought a CH Rock Crusher. No more problems!

I have never had problems with mine, what did you break?

[John Wayne]

"What you have is a "Hollywood Turret Tool"."
Glad we got that straight.
JW