David Wile
New member
Hey folks,
I have had two Hornady 366 machines for a dozen years or more. The first one I got was for 12 Ga., and the second one was for 16 Ga. This past week, I got a third 366 set up for 20 Ga. This 366, however, is not a Hornady, but, rather, it is an old Pacific 366. I have no idea who the original owner was; it came to me from a fellow in Tennessee who no longer needed it.
The truth is that I really did not "need" it any more than he did, but I just could not resist it. While the price I paid was a lot less than a new machine would have cost, it still was not a "steal" by any means. The price was fair, and I simply could not resist the lure of the old 20 Ga. Pacific 366. I have a MEC Jr. for 20 Ga. shells, and it is just fine since I do not use 20 Ga. shells that much. In spite of that fact, the old Pacific loader just called out to me.
When the package arrived, it came with several powder/shot slide assemblies. I have no idea how they were acquired, but one seemed to be pitted and corroded beyond proper use, and I suppose the other assemblies came after that. I assembled one powder/shot drop unit that worked just fine after some adjustments, and it took a couple of hours or so before I was finished putting everything together and making adjustments to the shell plate timing and fixing the cam swing out operation of the wad holder.
When I was finished putzing and adjusting, the machine was working as well as my other two newer 366 machines. I had to wait until the next day to shoot a bunch of 20 Ga. shells just to put the new machine to work. It worked just fine, and it looks great in spite of the fact that its red paint is worn off in spots.
I have always understood the old saying that one should generally not love a car because it will not love you back. I do not feel that way about these reloading machines, however. I take care of them, and they sure do take care of me.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
I have had two Hornady 366 machines for a dozen years or more. The first one I got was for 12 Ga., and the second one was for 16 Ga. This past week, I got a third 366 set up for 20 Ga. This 366, however, is not a Hornady, but, rather, it is an old Pacific 366. I have no idea who the original owner was; it came to me from a fellow in Tennessee who no longer needed it.
The truth is that I really did not "need" it any more than he did, but I just could not resist it. While the price I paid was a lot less than a new machine would have cost, it still was not a "steal" by any means. The price was fair, and I simply could not resist the lure of the old 20 Ga. Pacific 366. I have a MEC Jr. for 20 Ga. shells, and it is just fine since I do not use 20 Ga. shells that much. In spite of that fact, the old Pacific loader just called out to me.
When the package arrived, it came with several powder/shot slide assemblies. I have no idea how they were acquired, but one seemed to be pitted and corroded beyond proper use, and I suppose the other assemblies came after that. I assembled one powder/shot drop unit that worked just fine after some adjustments, and it took a couple of hours or so before I was finished putting everything together and making adjustments to the shell plate timing and fixing the cam swing out operation of the wad holder.
When I was finished putzing and adjusting, the machine was working as well as my other two newer 366 machines. I had to wait until the next day to shoot a bunch of 20 Ga. shells just to put the new machine to work. It worked just fine, and it looks great in spite of the fact that its red paint is worn off in spots.
I have always understood the old saying that one should generally not love a car because it will not love you back. I do not feel that way about these reloading machines, however. I take care of them, and they sure do take care of me.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile