Catching Spent Primers On a Hollywood Senior?

[Kevin Rohrer]

I really enjoy using my Hollywood Senior, but I don't like the way it spews spent primers around the room. There isn't much room between the press frame and the shellholder when in the down position, so I don't think I can attach any type of cup to it.

At this point my only option is to attach plastic tubing to the bottom of the shellholder, but that means it will be flapping around as I resize/deprime.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to collect the primers?

[.30/30 Guy]

I use a 3/4" diameter soft plastic bottle cut to about 1" length. It slips over the shell holder nut. Works great but needs to be emptied before it gets full and is pushed off by the primers

[Dannix]

Was I the only one who had no clue what Kevin is posting about until I googled "Hollywood Senior"? Apparently it's the Magma Star of reloading presses?

[Kevin Rohrer]

I figure if you know what it is, you probably have one and may have solved my problem. If you don't know what it is, you probably haven't solved my problem as you don't have one. :bigsmyl2:

Actually, I assumed that everyone here had heard of it as I have seen quite a few in members' reloading room pictures.

Here is my cast steel, 1954 Cadillac:

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/KevinRohrer/Reloading/IMG_0198.jpg

[Dannix]

Yeah, it's pics like that that make me want to take up metal working. :D
[/tangent]

[xr650]

Kevin,
I don't have an answer for you. I am about to start building something, cause I'm sick of the primer litter also.
30/30 Guys bottle sounds like it would work well. Maybe with a larger container.

[GeneT]

Was I the only one who had no clue what Kevin is posting about until I googled "Hollywood Senior"? Apparently it's the Magma Star of reloading presses?

No, it's a good press, but it's not the ultimate. If you have to buy one today, look for used. http://www.hevanet.com/50shooter/Hollywood.html. You really don't want to support or deal with the liars that own the current shop.

GsT

[Kevin Rohrer]

Kevin,
I don't have an answer for you. I am about to start building something, cause I'm sick of the primer litter also.
30/30 Guys bottle sounds like it would work well. Maybe with a larger container.

It will work, but I don't see it being too practical as there is only 1-1.5" of space available. This means that that 1" container won't hold too many primers (20?). I don't care to empty it every 20-rounds. Some mechanism is needed to move the spent primers to another location.

I plan on trying the plastic tubing approach unless someone suggests something more practical. I have a C-H 111 setup beside the Hollywood and it desperately needs something. I plan to add a plastic tube to it and run the tube thru a hole in the table to a collection container. I may run both tubes to the container. I'll post pictures when this is done.

[Kevin Rohrer]

No, it's a good press, but it's not the ultimate. If you have to buy one today, look for used.

I value other people's opinions and always looking to improve the quality of my presses.

1. What do you feel is the ultimate single-stage press in current production?

2. What do you feel is the ultimate single-stage press not in production?

This would make a good,new thread.

[Kevin Rohrer]

If you have to buy one today, look for used.

This is excellent advice. I have been tracking single-stage Hollywood Seniors on Ebay for several months now. There is normally at least one for sale, and they go for $105-225 depending on what accessories come with them.

One just sold appeared to be in excellent condition and it is the followon version to mine; it came with a set of 30/06 dies. The press went for $151, which is an average price, but well worth it. A newer design one (taller with the bracing rod) went for $162. Good price.

Turrets are going for $600-700 dollars.

I haver been trying to classify Hollywoods in my mind and have decided that they are a "C" press. However, calling them "Cs" is like calling Superman 'normal'. These presses have cast steel frames that don't flex at all. Mine looks brand new but is between 51-56 years old. :drinks:

[GeneT]

I value other people's opinions and always looking to improve the quality of my presses.

1. What do you feel is the ultimate single-stage press in current production?

2. What do you feel is the ultimate single-stage press not in production?

This would make a good,new thread.

1. I think the best single-stage press currently made is probably one of the Corbin swage presses. (CSP-1 or Mega-Mite) Of course they're priced like the best, too.

2. Tough to say - I've seen some pretty good homebuilt 'O' designs.

I'd classify the Hollywood single-stage presses as super-'C', and the Turrets as an 'O/C' hybrid. (The turret presses have a removable bar that threads into place to make one station an 'O' configuration. (The bar must be removed to index the turret).

GsT

[.30/30 Guy]

The 3/4" diameter bottle 1" long will hold over 50 LR primers below the shell holder nut.

It would be a tough choice between my Hollywood and my Dunbar 2 holer.

[ReloaderFred]

Years ago, I used the plastic top from a paint spray can to catch primers on my Hollywood press. I trimmed it down to a little over an inch in depth and then drilled a hole in it to place a bolt into the primer post hole. The puts it directly under the shellholder and catches about 99% of the primers. It will hold several hundred primers before it has to be emptied. I did cut a small circle of naugahyde to fit in the bottom, since the primers would bounce off the bolt head when it's empty. I also used a very wide, thin headed bolt to hold it in place.

Now I just deprime on my Rockchucker and use the Hollywood for other chores. On the Rockchucker, I use a piece of drinking straw in the slot in the ram to direct the primers into the tray.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[mold maker]

Just put the nozzle of an old vacuum next to the off side and ya won't have to empty it in your lifetime. It'll even keep the black grunge off your press. Using some PVC fittings will shape it any way you want.
In the Winter it adds heat to the room, and in the Summer, with outside exhaust, pulls in fresh air.
It can be any brand and as long as it runs, and will provide enough suction for this purpose.
This works with all presses reguardless of how it originall dealt with the spint primers.

[MtGun44]

I don't know --- that machine looks a bit flimsy.
You sure it's gonna hold up? :kidding:
:bigsmyl2:

Bill

[flounderman]

could always use a magnet

[Kevin Rohrer]

The Hollywood problem is not yet solved, but I will try the paint can option.

I have, however, solved the '111' problem. CH uses a 1/4 threaded male end to their shellholder. I added a 1/4" to 3/8" pipe bushing (Watts #A-778) and to that I added a 3/8" hose barb adapter (Watts A-298), then attached some 3/8" clear plastic tubing. A hole was cut in the top of the bench behind the 111 and the tubing was run thru the hole and into a coffee can on the shelf below. Voila!

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/KevinRohrer/Reloading/IMG_0233.jpg

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/KevinRohrer/Reloading/IMG_0232.jpg

[mikenbarb]

I have the HUGE Hollywood Universal 12 station turret press and have the same problem. I dont think they ever worried about primers on the floor for some reason. Heres a pic of what I have to deal with. LOL. The shell holder turret slides up and down in the main body and theres no where to put anything to catch the primers.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/004-17.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/009-4.jpg

[frank505]

I have of those lovely chunks of iron, my left hand is the primer catcher for the Senior. The turret press just gets already deprimed, trimmed and sized cases. I do not have the priming turret like mikeanbarb (jealous) but these are very fine presses.

[Kevin Rohrer]

I have of those lovely chunks of iron, my left hand is the primer catcher for the Senior.

Would you believe that I never considered doing this?!

Problem solved. :drinks:

[Kevin Rohrer]

I have the HUGE Hollywood Universal 12 station turret press and have the same problem.

Is this a newer or older one? I have never seen one and am curious as to how rigid they are for FL resizing large calibers.

[Dannix]

:holysheep So the next model up includes a case tumbling station? :shock:


I have the HUGE Hollywood Universal 12 station turret press and have the same problem. I dont think they ever worried about primers on the floor for some reason. Heres a pic of what I have to deal with. LOL. The shell holder turret slides up and down in the main body and theres no where to put anything to catch the primers.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/004-17.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/009-4.jpg

[mikenbarb]

Kevin, Its the Universal Model "B" from the late 1950's?? and you wont EVER come across a case it wont be able to FL size or reform. They made them to tackle just about anything even swaging. The main parts slide within each other making it work like one solid piece with lots of leverage. All the tolerances were held to a .0001" during the machining and fitting process. If you can find one in good shape for a good price I would jump on it because you will never see another press made like them again with the workmanship and accuracy they offered. It would cost wayyyy too much for someone to try to duplicate it. I think when I weighed it a while back it was close to 70-80 pounds on a pretty accurate bathroom scale. Heres some closer ups. The coffee can in the 5th pic is for size comparison. The main turret is over 1" thick to give you an idea how well they were made. It has a 12 station main turret, A 4 station shell holder turret and a 4 station priming turret for all sized primers in both the round and flat face styles. It looks rusty but its actually grease on the parts.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/013-2.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/005-11.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/010-5.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/011-3.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/008-6.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/003-21.jpg

[Kevin Rohrer]

It is gorgeous. What locks each of the turrets in-place?

I have to have one. :bigsmyl2:

[noylj]

1. What do you feel is the ultimate single-stage press in current production?
Forster Co-Ax, unless you are into necking .50BMG to .22 in one step or swaging bullets

2. What do you feel is the ultimate single-stage press not in production?
A Forster Co-AX with a better method of priming. With the Forster, you want an RCBS bench priming tool or do the job by hand.

[Kevin Rohrer]

In-Production: Probably the Forster, which I don't own. Everyone who has one seems to love them. I don't swage, so I have no use for one. If I consider my CH '444' as a single-stage, even though it has 4-stations, that would be *my* ultimate in-production.

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/KevinRohrer/Reloading/IMG_0192.jpg

Out-of-Production: Hard to say as there are lots of them. I know I REALLY like my Hollywood Senior for its strength and smoothness. I just got a Dunbar and once it has been restored in a week or two, will see how it compares. I consider it a single-stage even though it has two stations.

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/KevinRohrer/Reloading/IMG_0197.jpg

[NoDakJak]

I use an old RCBS plastic box that I believe held a shell holder. I cut the hinged top off and trimmed the sides down to just sit under fit under the ram, just perched on the machined boss for the priming tool. Its seat there appears rather precarious but I have only gotten a caseof the clumsys a couple of times and spilled it. It has served me well for over thirty years.
I own at least a dozen presses and have owned at least that many others. I really like my Hollywood and have loaded umpty thousands of rounds with it but if I were only allowed to own one single stage press it would definetly be my RCBS A2. It can do it all and do it with ease! I acquired an old Star Turret a couple months ago and the quality workmanship on this classic just has to be seen to be believed. Neil

[Kevin Rohrer]

I am not familiar with the Star. Could you post some pics?

[NoDakJak]

When I began reloading in 1962 my large,somewhat crude but extremely effective Herters Model 3 press cost me $12.99. At the other end of the spectrum was the Star Turret Loader that cost almost twenty times as much. I guess that you would have to call it semi-automated as my version has to be rotated manually. That was about six weeks worth of my take home pay at that time or about the same price as a darned good used car. Very few private shooters could afford one and most were owned by shooting clubs and Police Departments. My specimen came from the estate of a retired police officer that reloaded for his department. It is set up for 38 special wadcutters and the powder measure marked for 2.8 grains of Bullseye.
The quality of this press is much greater than required and must be considered as the Rolls Royce of presses. When the folks that now produce the Star Luber/sizer purchased the company they very wisely dropped the loader from production. Dillon presses are now state of the art and much more cost effective. My Dillon 450 is considered obsolescent but still has many advantages over the Star and would cost less than half of what the Star would cost at todays prices. My Dillon is a very well finished piece of machinery by todays standards but when placed beside the Star it appears to be somewhat unfinished by comparison. The Star must be considered to be a Dinosaur by todays standards by man oh man, what Snob appeal!
I am rather computer illeritate and need my grandcildrens aid to post pictures. I see that you are an ARCTA member and they should have plenty of pictures and data on Star presses. The 38 Special is my favorite revolver cartridge and I intend to put this loader into full service.

[NoDakJak]

Addendum: The Star loaders certainly are not common. In almost fifty years of keeping my eyes open this is the first that I have run across. Neil