Herter's 30 38 401 EXP. ??????????

[handyman77]

This is my first attempt to post so bear with me---I recently got a box of "random" dies. Some appear to be sets but mostly singles. I will probably post them for sale as soon as I get my minimum posts done. I ahve 2 that I can not identify so I thought I would put them on tne web to see if anyone can ID them so when i sell them I can be accurate.

#1--Marked Herter's 30 38 401 EXP. Is obviously a decapper but for what caliber ?????

#2--Only marked with 2 numbers--478 on the main barrel and 467A on the very top knob ?????

I will try to put up pics--hope it works.

Handyman77

[.30/30 Guy]

#2 is a Lyman PA-22 Precision Seating die. 467A indicates that it is for .30 caliber. The die would have had a stick on band showing "30/06, 308 WIN., .300 SAV". I use them for my .30/30's.

In my opinion it is one of the best seating dies.

[Doc_Stihl]

I'd guess that #1 is a expander die. Decaps and expands at the same time.

Does it have steps for expanding 30 caliber/38 caliber/40 caliber on the stem?

[Bullshop]

#1 could be a swage die

[Reg]

The Herters die is a de-capper. They used the same die body for .30, .38 and .401 calibers. Check the expander plug diameter to see what yours is set up for.

[handyman77]

I have added a pic of the expander rod--never saw one like this before???

[deymorin]

I hate wake up a old post but I think the 30-38-401 expander die is for makin 401 herters magnum brass from 3030 win. do you still have this die?

[Wayne Smith]

I have one of those Herter's multiple caliber expander dies. Mine appears to have all three expanders at different heights on the internal rod. Deymorin, you may be right, it may have been designed to make the 401 Herters case. I still have mine. Where is Cameron?

[Pressman]

I had not thought of making 401 cases out of 30-30. I made mine from 41 mag, full length resized, down to the rim then turned the rim diameter down as the 401 uses a rebated cylinder. Not much work if you have a drill press and lathe bit.
I cannot remember off the top of my head what the Herter's catalog copy said this die was for. Anyone have a Herter's handy. I am out of town.
Ken

[tchepone]

This is strictly a decapper die as Reg stated. It is not used to make 401 cases out of 30-30. The internal of the die body, of the three I have are too rough to do anything but decap, and expand the case neck. They come with various size expander buttons, depending on caliber. Different diameter expander buttons ("Herter's Hardened and Ground Expander Nipples") were available depending on if one was using jacketed or cast bullets. They were available in Type S (straight) and Type B (Bell) styles. I have different diameter buttons for both 357 & 401 for exactly that use.

Pressman: The catalog calls it a "Complete Decapping and Expending Unit".