Ponsness Warren for 12 GA Trap loads

[joseywales]

I have an opportunity to purchase one of these. I know they are solid machines, but haven't gotten the exact model name from the local seller. Are there models I should steer clear of? My reloading will likely be basic, a trap load: 12GA - 7/8 or 1 oz, 2 3/4".

Are parts/support much of an issue?

 

[Trophied]

Not a problem on any of your points. They've been around for years and the two times I tried to buy a 375 from individuals that had them they declared that they would never sell them. Ballistic Products stocks all the powder and shot bushings and spare parts and tooling kits to change gauges. Worst case scenario the company would probably also send you anything you need. Check the price of a new one on BP's website to see what kind of deal you're getting.

 

[stork]

They were built like tanks. Pretty much foolproof. Sold a lot of these back in the 70's & 80's.
Owners won't sell them for a very good reason.

IIRC, Pacific bushings interchange with the PW's.

 

[tominboise]

Just so you have a price point, I recently sold my PW900 for $300, along with a bunch of wads, etc.

 

[joseywales]

Thanks he said $250-300 and one is new in the box. Just hoping it's an 800 or 900.
He's an engineer and can't understand why they have so many parts performing a single task. He's a hoot though

 

[swd]

I've probably loaded close to 100,000 rounds on mine. Excellent loaders.

 

[Trophied]

Deal!

 

[joseywales]

Update, with more questions.

He has these:

800C

800 Convertible

Size-o-matic 900 with auto-drive, Hydraulic - Leeson

I have a basic understanding of the convertible, is it better than the 800C, other than being convertible?

The Size-o-matic 900 - I'm thinking this might be the best bet, since it's the newest version of the PW. Can this be run manually, if the hydraulic unit craps out? I'm guessing it could be simply converted back to it's manual status?

Thoughts?

 

[V509]

If you go to their website you can see what a new loader sells for. $3-500 for a good working used one is the norm. PW reloaded seem to make the best crimp and do a fine job of resizing. The older models are difficult to remove a shell from the middle stations but not a big deal once you are familiar with the reloading process

 

[joseywales]

Thanks. I have no reservations about being able to run it, tune it, etc. The struggle now is which one to buy. The 800CVT that looks to have the least amount of use, also has surface rust. I've read posts that say not to buy any PW with rust, but I'm uncertain if surface rust falls into that category. That said, I'm not sure I want to pay even $250 for another "project", cleaning up the press.

The Size-o-matic is the latest version press he has and it's connected to a hydraulic drive. I'll have to look more closely, but the lines are damp, which can sometimes happen. I do trust this guy, but with over a dozen various presses and times two that sold, he can't always keep track of what's what. The Size-o-matic is connected, so perhaps I go over next weekend and run the press. He said he had a fellow set it up for him and it ran fine, just too much going on for him. He prefers German engineering! He does like things simple.

If the Size-o-matic runs right and I can easily remove the auto-drive and run it manually, I might lean in that direction.

 

[tominboise]

Personally, I would have no interest in a home made hydraulic drive system for my press, especially one I did not invent myself. Sounds like a recipe for time sucking troubleshooting in the middle of reloading, which can be dangerous. Running a progressive takes enough concentration as it is.

 

[DJB]

I would not buy one unless it has the update kit where you can take a hull out of a station if you have a screw up. On the older ones you had to go all the way around to get the hull out. Very frustrating. With the kit available for even the older ones you can even change powder , and shot bushings with out emptying the shot and powder hoppers. What a big improvement. Money well spent. The older ones with out the updated kit was at times very frustrating. You can google the Ponsness Warren site, and get all the info you need. DJB

 

[joseywales]

Thanks guys. I tried the website, but it looks like all information is now for sale and not free. I get it, he has a site to run and that aint free. If I purchase a PW, I'd happily contribute to his site. Most of these units have a manual, or a copy of one.

Tominboise, the Hydraulic system is a Leeson and I believe it was manufactured for this purpose, so I doubt it's a homebrew. It just looked a bit of a mess, of course, his entire basement is a bit of a mess! Fair point about being leery of inheriting a mess. I'd have to see the press run reliably.

DJB, the inability to "go back" is the main reason he doesn't care for the PW units he has. It can be hard to teach an old dog and he's set in his ways. He will marvel at new tech, etc., but in the end, he's a simple man. Truth is, by attending so many auctions, etc., he has more than enough live rounds to last two lifetimes. I just can't believe the amount he has accumulated. He's that rare bird that not only acquires, collects, hoards, but he also shoots and hunts, regularly. Most obsess with one or the other.

 

[338sendero]

Jim ‘Whiz’ White is the man for PW machines. https://www.swsupply.com/
He used to take in and rebuild machines. Some of the older units can be frustrating if they get out of time.

 

[V509]

Thanks he said $250-300 and one is new in the box. Just hoping it's an 800 or 900.
He's an engineer and can't understand why they have so many parts performing a single task. He's a hoot though

Have him look at a RCSB or dillon shotshell loader......overly complicated compared to PW

 

[slobhunter2]

Jim ‘Whiz’ White is the man for PW machines. https://www.swsupply.com/A lot of good info on PW loaders on his website also.

 

[338sendero]

I’ve owned the Rcbs grand. Nice machine, the shell activated powder and shot droppers are nice. Sold it for a PW platinum 2000. Very nice machine. Only downside is inability to change gauges. I traded out of it into a spolar. Excellent machine and near impossible to wear out. The big money machines are only necessary when loading 10’s of thousands of shells a year though.

 

[centershot]

Even a MEC hydro lists for $1,500. Just to give you an idea on price.