Herters press
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204 AR
Well-known member
My shooting mentor and gunsmith used one 25 years ago and loved it. He replaced it with a Rockchucker which he hated, and replaced that with a Hornady. I'm not sure why he retired it in the first place, but I'm sure it had a zillion rounds run through it when he did. I think they take normal dies, but the shellholders are a little different IIRC.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
That one looks somewhat like my old 'Pacific' "C" type press...(taken over by Hornady years ago)
I got mine from my mentor as well and while it's not the strongest press for larger caliber rifle rounds, it still will function for lighter weight duties...
I've relegated mine to the task of pulling bullets and going to the range with me to seat bullets when I'm refining loads after arriving at a decent load work up and want to play with seating depth and that is easier to do at the range since I can make minute adjustments right there at the bench..
As to the use of current commercial dies, you would just need to try on and see if the threads match...There should be a small wire 'c' clip that will hold the shell holder in place on the ram and if it happens to be broken or missing, you can substitute a castration ring just as easily...
I got mine from my mentor as well and while it's not the strongest press for larger caliber rifle rounds, it still will function for lighter weight duties...
I've relegated mine to the task of pulling bullets and going to the range with me to seat bullets when I'm refining loads after arriving at a decent load work up and want to play with seating depth and that is easier to do at the range since I can make minute adjustments right there at the bench..
As to the use of current commercial dies, you would just need to try on and see if the threads match...There should be a small wire 'c' clip that will hold the shell holder in place on the ram and if it happens to be broken or missing, you can substitute a castration ring just as easily...
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
C&H 4D makes a shell holder adaptor for the old Herters presses. I think I still have one original shell holder if you need one I don't know the size, will look tomorrow. Herters and Lachmiller used an off-size shell holder you either need original shell holders or an adaptor for modern shell holders. They used standard 7/8 x 14 dies. It was a strong old press, I used mine to swage 3/4 Jacket 45 Colt bullets.
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/presses/herters
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/presses/herters
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RTLOF18918B
New member
I have one that was my fathers. Just take it apart and clean it up and lube it and start loading. You wil have no reason to buy another single stage press. They are built like a tank. Use it. You will NOT break it. RCBS sells shell holder adapters for them for a couple bucks. If you can't find one, PM me and I'll get the PN# off of mine for you.
Tony
Tony
I have to agree with the previous postss USE IT. I was given one last year when i mentioned that i was gonna take up reloading again after a 30 year haitus. Right now i am reloading 7mm-08 22-250 and 35 rem and i have had great results It does take standard 7/8-14 dies. the shell holders are unique to these but they can be found on e-bay or their is someone on e-bay that will make any size for you. They also make an adapter that will then use any of the modern shellholders.Use the old girl and put your $$ towards all the other stuff you'll need.
Bought mine in 1955 and it was my only press until 1984 or so when I added my first Dillon 450. Have two 450's now but the old Herters still my only single stage and is used to load at least 75% of my hunting ammo. Wish I had a nickel for every round I have loaded on this press!
It is great for longer cartridges such as 375 h&h. Also great for harder to size cases such as 243 WSSM brass fired in AR's as they require a lot of beef in a press.
Keep your eyes peeled for shell holders as has been said, they are getting a bit scarce. Not sure about the adapters. I had one (can't remember who made it) to adapt to standard shell holders but you could not prime the cases. No big deal as I often prime by hand w/Lee hand primer anyway.
Great old press, bolt 'er down and get to loading.
Regards,
hm
Herter's Press, mine is a O type Magnum press, massive construction. I have full length sized thousands of differant Magnum cases on this press since I bought it in 1966. In does not give in any way at all. I have two 550B's but load all my hunting ammo .308 and larger on this Herter's press. Yes and I still have my three sets of Herter"s dies from 1966 have not worn them out yet. The ammo loaded in these dies always shot 1 1/4" or less groups,what more can you ask from a set of dies.
I too bought my Herters press in 1967, it is a model 3 and i still use it to this day. I'll wear out before the press does and I still have some of the Herter's dies. Putting in the dies is no problem as it uses the 7/8 x 14 threads of today's dies, it's the shell holder, for the different calibers and like my companions before my writings i got the universal holder from RCBS to fit all of today's calibers in.
Just because it isn't pretty like those today appeal to eye sight, it is a real workhorse. Have a good time with it.
Good shooting.
Just because it isn't pretty like those today appeal to eye sight, it is a real workhorse. Have a good time with it.
Good shooting.