Ponsness Warren

[Wild Skies]

I've been reloading on P-W 375s for over five decades now, they are extremely well-built robust machines. When my father gave up reloading with his four P-W's, an 800B, an 800C and two 900's I ended up with all four and sold them preferring the 375s. I typically only load approx. 2500-4000 rounds of shells/year. (If I shot more than I do I would probably would have kept my father's progressive machines). I have a shooting buddy that loads on 4 MEC 9000's that let me try them out. Comparing the P-W machines to the comparatively lighter weight stamped parts of the MEC's it felt as if the metal would bend on the MECs every time I pulled the handle. I realize the MEC machines are proven and load a good shell, however; they're just not for me.

My two Ponsness-Warren 375s, one set up for reloading 28ga. & .410, the other for 12 & 20ga.

[6pt-Sika]

When I was in high school I used to go over to the local gunsmiths house with my father they were old friends . Anyway i developed an intrest for shooting skeet and was contemplating reloading . He was an older fellow then but in his basement shop in the next room he had his den/gunroom and on an old metal desk he had four Ponsness Warren 800B's 12-20-28-410 . He looked me dead in the eye and said boy start with a PW and you'll never want to upgrade . So i first bought a used 800B 12 then an used 800B 28 and started cranking out shells . Shortly thereafter I ran into Jim Cunnigham at Fredricksburg R&G and bought 800C's in 20 and 410 . Jim used to reside in Florida I believe and drive a big Winnebago up each spring staying at the various gun clubs in MD and VA then heading south in the fall . He was also a PW rep/dealer . Me being me I couldn't stand that they weren't all 800C's so I sold the 800B's for profit I might add and bought 800C's to match from Jim Tyrell then the manager of Fairfax R&G . Also bought a 375C from Tyrell with heads for 10 and 16 . When I quit the trap/skeet competition I sold all the loaders thinking I wouldn't load shotgun stuff anymore . Wish I hadn't done that I like PW's far more than a MEC . Only PW I have anymore is a Metallic II for loading rifle and pistol stuff .

[David Noble]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

My two Ponsness-Warren 375s, one set up for reloading 28ga. & .410, the other for 12 & 20ga.

I have that exact same setup except one is 12 & 16ga, and the other is 20 & 28ga! I've been using them for at least 30 years.