1970's era reloading equipment

[onthefarm]

I just received 3 boxes of 1970's era reloading equipment.  It was stored in a shed that was flooded a couple times over the last couple years.  It doesn't look like all this was underwater,but it was a moist environment.  Some were in large, tight military style  boxes.  Some I have salvaged, and some I think I have to throw away.  I'm looking for a some advice and opinions.

Questionable and looking for opinions:

Win 209, CCI Large Rifle and Remington small pistol primers....probably 35 years old!

Lots of .38 and .308 brass. I don't have these calibers but natural frugalness(ie pack-ratiness) won't let me discard.

Lots of Win AA and Rem low brass 12 ga. Same Pack-ratiness.  I threw corroded ones away, maybe less than 5% of them.  I have a couple shotguns but I'm a rifle guy.

To save
A RCBS press, was rusted and looked frozen, with what looks like a integral primer unit.  In looking at RCBS web site I think an old RC supreme.  I freed it up with WD-40 and it operates very smoothly.  I'm keeping it.

An old balance powder scale, has a little rust which I'll clean up, but seems to measure some .308 Speer bullets that were in this mix accurately.

Odd and ends like a deburring tool, 110, 130, and 150 gr Speer 30 cal. (.308) bullets, some old lead weights, hammer type bullet puller, extra primer arm.



To throw away..
A 12 ga. MEC 600(likley this model, seems the right size), all rusted and I'm going to throw away.  The dies?  are all rusted, if it was just the frame....  While I freed up the operation, I don't think it is worth saving.  

I also found a .38/.357 and a .308 RCBS die set, rusted up, and will throw away.  

  

[mechanic]

Don't be so quick to toss that stuff.  Put the dies in the tumbler and let them work for a while.  You may be pleasantly surprised.

As for the primers.  Prime up a couple cases out of each sleeve, and pop them.  They also may surprise you.

[oldandslow]

I am using some CCI primers from the mid '70's and they are just fine. I quit shooting a couple of calibers and they have just sat there until recently when I decided to start shooting those again. They have been stored inside where it's dry all this time.

I would suggest getting a set of check weights if you are going to use the scale. Of course I would suggest check weights for any scale.

[jlchucker]

+ 1 on the check weights.  A scale is probably the most important tool on anyone's reloading bench.  If the primers didn't get wet over the years, they might be OK.  The best way to store primers is in the packaging they came with.  If that never got wet, then they are most likely still good.

[onthefarm]

I couldn't bring myself to toss the dies.  I had already gone back and dug them out of the trash box.

I also had tossed and recovered a Uniflow powder measure. It's pretty rusty, and I hadn't been able to free it's operation.  I'll put a little more time into that and see if it's worth it. It's missing the top cap but I can fashion something.
 
The primers were probably dry the whole time as they were in a paper bag, and it looked spotless.

I think that scale measure is fine.  I measured a couple 110gr bullets, and there were some 130 and 150 grains that all seemed to be +/- a couple grains of that weight. Thanks for the suggestion on the check weights, it makes sense.

I don't have any other metallic reloading equipment, but this does seem to set me well on my way.

I shoot 45-70, 30-30, and 25-06 right now. I have a current Lee reloading manual.   I need dies and shell holders. Then I think I have the minimum.  What other equipment would be recommended? Do I need a tumbler/case cleaner? 

[Ten Ring]

I think it was the last issue of N.R.A's magazine Lee had an ad that you could trade in in any condition a competitors dies for Lee's at half cost. You might want to check it out.
Jim

[jlchucker]

A tumbler/case cleaner is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary until your cases become really grungy.  I use one each time I load, but didn't start that way.  Get one when you find a bargain.

[MGMorden]

Put the dies in the tumbler and let them work for a while.  You may be pleasantly surprised.

Note: make sure ALL the screws are out and make sure you clean them THROUGHLY of any cleaning media before reassembling.  I ruined a 7.5 Swiss FL sizer die once by tumbling it to remove a bit of rust.  A piece of walnut hull got stuck in the threads and it wouldn't budge.  Corners rounded off the bolt trying to get it back out  .

[Reverend Recoil]

The rusted sizing dies are probably ruined.  The de-capping/neck expanding rod may be saved as a spare part. The expanding and seating dies can be cleaned up for use as well.

[eye shot]

Yes try the primers even if they had got wet. In 1971 I had a box of 1000 Rem. 7 1/2 primers in a cabinet under my reloading bench and the basement flooded. They where under water and covered with mud. The next day I took each small box out and opened them up on my truck hood in the sun. I still have a couple of boxes left and to this day have never had a misfire with any of them.

[Dezynco]

I might take the dies and spray them with PB Blaster....after they soak a while, take a section of 1/8" wooden dowel and sharpen it like you would a pencil.  Wrap some 0000 steel wool around it and scrub the inside of the dies.  Then take a bronze bore brush that will fit tightly inside the die bodies and spin it with a cordless drill.  That might remove most of the rust.  Take a few cases and run them in and out a few times, I'll bet the dies can be saved.

[wncchester]

"I had a box of 1000 Rem. 7 1/2 primers in a cabinet under my reloading bench and the basement flooded. They where under water"

Primer compound is made as a wet mix. The pellets of compound are put into the caps wet and the anvils are seated over the pellets while they are wet.  Then they are dried before shipment.   All meaning that water does them no harm IF they are allowed to dry before use.

[onthefarm]

I'll be trying the primers, and likely burn them up in target practice.  The dies I'm going to save but wil WD-40 up and hold until I have some time later.   This was definitely some good stuff.

Thanks to all for your help.

[wileynet]

if you you dont want the mec would you be willing to sell it for the shipping price

[nicholst55]

RCBS equipment (less electronics) have a lifetime warranty; they have replaced rusted dies for me on a couple of occasions.  I would at least give them a call and see if they'll help you out.

[onthefarm]

wileynet -  I'm sorry , it's already tossed.

nicholst55 -  If it was broken, I would, but it was abused(by accident and act of god) so I wouldn't feel right.  That's just me 

[wileynet]

thanks didnt think it would hurt to ask