"New" herters press

I have to laugh....

:) I just spent 50% more money on shell holders for the press than I spent on the press. I got a Herters #1 for 30-06 like cases, a #8 for .375 HH belted magnum case family, a #7 for 45-70 like cases, and one of them came with a #22 for 44mag/sp.

For now I don't think I need Herters shell holders for short cases.....308 and below as I will use the adapter.
 
Guffey I assume you are talking about longer bottle neck cases like belted mags or '06 Family of cases?
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The clearance between the deck of the shell holder and case head does not change when going from 308 w to 30/06 cases because the shell holder is the same, the shell holder for the 30/06 and 308 W RCBS shell holder is #3.

Other advantages no one else talks about: When I hammer a case head with a heavy load it will no longer fit the Herter shell holder. For years and years I have always used a gasket cutting ball peen hammer when driving cases into the Herter shell holder.

F. Guffey
 
Back to my favorite shell holder: When sizing cases for short chambers I use the RCBS shell holder because it fits like a hand me down shirt.

To shorten a case from the shoulder to the case head .011" all I have to do is raise the case head up off of the deck of the shell holder with a feeler gage. All other reloadrs grind the bottom of the die or the top of the shell holder and then there is that thing they do with Skips shims.

And then there are the Redding competition shell holders, the reloader gets a little confused with that one, the reloader can add to the length of the case between the shoulder and case head when sizing the case. Many of them believe they are moving the shoulder back when sizing, believe me, I have tried that one but I found it is impossible to move the shoulder back and I have found it impossible to move the shoulder back with a die that has case body support.

F. Guffey
 
Back to my favorite shell holder: When sizing cases for short chambers I use the RCBS shell holder because it fits like a hand me down shirt.

To shorten a case from the shoulder to the case head .011" all I have to do is raise the case head up off of the deck of the shell holder with a feeler gage. All other reloadrs grind the bottom of the die or the top of the shell holder and then there is that thing they do with Skips shims.
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Right,

I get that Guffey. I was illuding to a comment you made about the RCBS adapter being taller and therefore difficult to use the press with long cases. And essentially the Herters shell holders were shorter due to no adapter being in there and thus easier to work with longer belted magnum cases etc.
 
Right,
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The adapter kit adds height, it is not so much the height but the fit between the case and shell holder, when raising the ram I am required to guide the case into the bottom of the die and then there is the primer punch sticking out the bottom of the die.

And then there is the seating die, my favorite seating die for the Herter is the seating die with the window in the side for case neck/bullet alignment. Back in the old days they had a seating die that was called 'universal'.

F. Guffey
 
Aligning the shell holder

So,
Fellow Herters press owners.

What's the preferred method for aligning a Herters shell holder in the Herters press? I can obviously move it depending on how I adjust the set screws.

My initial thought is to place a shell in the shell holder while the set screws are loose. Then, once I have a shell pushed into the die, tighten the set screws being carful not to push on the casehead.

Any better ideas?
 
Assuming you are right handed, you will probably be inserting a case with the left hand while operating the handle primarily with the right. Therefore, place the shell holder in the ram with the opening ninety degrees to the left, rather than straight back towards you. Now tighten the left set screw as far in as it will go, thereby forcing the shell holder to the right as far as it will go which will allow maximum case rim clearance to the right when a case is inserted. Clearance to the left is of course provided by the opening. Then tighten the right set screw and now you are set.

Note that if sufficient case rim or case head clearance is not provided for on the right, the case may not be directly under the dies and could be at a slight angle when raised into the dies. With the opening on the left rather than straight back, you will probably find that it is more convenient to insert a case. The exception might be if you were to prime with the primer arm immediately after sizing and depriming, rather than prime in a separate operation.
 
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Thanks condor .

When im reloading on a single stage press, I prime on a bench mounted primer. The only presses I prime on are the progressive presses so no need to worry about the priming arm.

This press was one heck of a deal.....if someone is new and just getting into reloading, looking for something like this rather than a cheap Lee single stage would be the way to go. This may only be a "C" press.....but the heft and materials this thing is made from makes me think I could form cases on it!!
 
Therefore, place the shell holder in the ram with the opening ninety degrees to the left, rather than straight back towards you. Now tighten the left set screw as far in as it will go, thereby forcing the shell holder to the right as far as it will go which will allow maximum case rim clearance to the right when a case is inserted. Clearance to the left is of course provided by the opening. Then tighten the right set screw and now you are set.
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I would insert the shell holder with a half left oblique position, When it comes to tightening something that is suppose to be centered and I said the Herter shell holders does not fit like a hand me down shirt and then that is that part about securing the set screws, I do not suggest the reloader use the set screws against the shell holder because it is not that difficult to open/spread the top of the ram.

The reloader does not want to tapper the opening with the ram. AND! the reloaders does not want the screws sticking out when the ram is lowered.

F. Guffey

Again, if the reloader is using an adap-ter kit the reloader will have to align the case with the bottom of the die when the ram is raised.

F. Guffey
 
I would insert the shell holder with a half left oblique position, When it comes to tightening something that is suppose to be centered and I said the Herter shell holders does not fit like a hand me down shirt and then that is that part about securing the set screws, I do not suggest the reloader use the set screws against the shell holder because it is not that difficult to open/spread the top of the ram.

The reloader does not want to tapper the opening with the ram. AND! the reloaders does not want the screws sticking out when the ram is lowered.
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Guffey,

Is the above quote a windy way of saying leave some slop with the set screws so the shell holder will self align but make sure the screws are in far enough to lower the ram?
 
windy way
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It depends, and you are welcome. There is a remote chance a reloader can learn something about reloading and the equipment, There is a chance the next time the Herter press comes up as a subject the answers will improve.

If you do not appreciate the answers there is a remote chance someone else will.

F. Guffey
 
It depends, and you are welcome. There is a remote chance a reloader can learn something about reloading and the equipment, There is a chance the next time the Herter press comes up as a subject the answers will improve.

If you do not appreciate the answers there is a remote chance someone else will.
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I agree, you are correct....no disrespect intended
 
After sizing a number of cases, the set screws may loosen up some, leaving some play in the shell holder. You can then make a determination whether that provides better shell holder alignment or if the more solid feel is better. I retighten the screws for the more solid feel. I figured that you used a separate priming operation; probably the RCBS automatic tool or similar that attaches to the bench.
 
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You did well. I have one of these presses from the late 1950s. It has done great service here and still in good condition.
 
After sizing a number of cases, the set screws may loosen up some, leaving some play in the shell holder. You can then make a determination whether that provides better shell holder alignment or the more solid feel is better.
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The only time the set screws are used is when the ram is lowered, the set screws are not necessary nor do they carry a load when the ram is on the way up.

F. Guffey
 
Sweet !
You made out like a bandit...for $20.00 that was a give away.

CH4D makes replacement rams , primer seating arms and a neat shell holder adaptors that lets you use regular snap in shell holders , if you need them. They helped me get a couple presses up and working again with those adapters .

Herters' is one company I really miss. I still using a lot of Herter tools , dies and bullet moulds.
Gary
 
No, better yet get an RCBS bench rest mounted automatic priming tool. My money is on Mississippi having one (as I do also).
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Yup, had one for a few years now. It's how I prime anything I'm NOT loading on one of the two Dillon's. I have a hand primer too but haven't used it in a long time.

So far all I have done is lubed the press up with some 40w oil (it's what I lube all my rams and pivot pins with)., And clamped it to a bench just checking it out. The detent works holding the lever up. I think I'm going to christen it by developing a classic .270 load on it (H4831 and 130 gr Partition's in Winchester Brass)
 
I have one exactly like yours, I have shellholders for 30-06, 45 Long Colt, 30-30 and 223 sized case heads. It is one heck of a heavy press!
 
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