herters c-press and pull downs

so the same guy i bought my m38 swedish mauser also has this older herters c-press for sale. he wants $40 for it. I think it’s a good deal but, does it take special shell holders. if it does take special shell holders how expensive and are they hard to get ?


he’s also selling me 400 completed reloaded rounds of 30-06 for $120. plan on pulling them apart and using the brass, primer, and bullets. i don’t know how i’d feel about re-using the powder. how many people re charge pull downs?

edit: looks like i can buy a rcbs adaptor and than i can use my lee shell holders

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2f1b32263.jpeg


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CH4D makes adapters for those older presses and allow the use of modern day shell holders(RCBS, Lyman, Lee, etc.).

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Originally Posted by TNsailorman

CH4D makes adapters for those older presses and allow the use of modern day shell holders(RCBS, Lyman, Lee, etc.).

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i’m assuming he’s member. i’ll get a hold of him. thanks


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Michael,

That old Herter’s press should be good to handle just about anything you could dream of loading. The only fly in the ointment is the proprietary shell holder. I see it comes with the priming arm, and that’s a neat feature, but that won’t work with the shell holder adaptors, IIRC and I don’t remember ever hearing of a primer arm adaptor! OTOH, if you like to hand prime off press like I do, this is a non-issue. If you do decide to use the original type shell holders, they are available at only slightly ridiculous prices, from S&S here, Gun Shows, and flea Bay. Depending on what you want to load, most can be found relatively easily if you’re willing to pay the freight. I started gathering Herter’s shell holders decades ago, and with the recent acquisition of one for 32 S&W-327 Fed Mag I finally have all I need for just about anything I’ll be loading.

BTW, you should be aware that Herter made some of its early shell holders for a short time using a threaded mount which won’t fit on your press. Don’t ask how I found out about that!

Froggie

I've had a couple of these Herter's presses.
While the opening is long enough for working with standard rifle cases, if you use the RCBS adapter for standard shell holders, you will probably run out of room. It's been a long time since I played with that, so I'm not 100% sure. Of course if just using for pistol ammo, you'll be fine.

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Originally Posted by michael.birdsley

SNIP>>>

he’s also selling me 400 completed reloaded rounds of 30-06 for $120. plan on pulling them apart and using the brass, primer, and bullets. i don’t know how i’d feel about re-using the powder. how many people re charge pull downs?

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I wouldn't hesitate to reuse the powder if I'm 100% sure what it is and it looks/smells good. Obviously if you reuse the powder, you should measure it for each case, just like you would with new powder.

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Originally Posted by Green Frog

Michael,

That old Herter’s press should be good to handle just about anything you could dream of loading. The only fly in the ointment is the proprietary shell holder. I see it comes with the priming arm, and that’s a neat feature, but that won’t work with the shell holder adaptors, IIRC and I don’t remember ever hearing of a primer arm adaptor! OTOH, if you like to hand prime off press like I do, this is a non-issue. If you do decide to use the original type shell holders, they are available at only slightly ridiculous prices, from S&S here, Gun Shows, and flea Bay. Depending on what you want to load, most can be found relatively easily if you’re willing to pay the freight. I started gathering Herter’s shell holders decades ago, and with the recent acquisition of one for 32 S&W-327 Fed Mag I finally have all I need for just about anything I’ll be loading.

BTW, you should be aware that Herter made some of its early shell holders for a short time using a threaded mount which won’t fit on your press. Don’t ask how I found out about that!

Froggie

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I do have a lee hand primer so i can use that. yeah i’ll have to ask him what’s up with the priming system on this press. i’ll have to ask him if he has the shell holders or not.

I don’t know what exactly i’ll use this press for but, i think it’s neat and I would like it. it will be a nice up grade from my aluminum lee challenger and aluminum lee C press.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

I wouldn't hesitate to reuse the powder if I'm 100% sure what it is and it looks/smells good. Obviously if you reuse the powder, you should measure it for each case, just like you would with new powder.

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the brass and bullets alone will be worth pulling the rounds apart. since he loaded them i’m hoping he remembers what powder the was. if the powder looks good i’ll probably save it. 400 rounds should be almost 2.5 lbs of powder. i will definitely be re-weighing the powder if it looks good.


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Another thing about the Herter's C press.
when mounted, you'll notice the ram is at a slight angle off 90º, some people find that off putting because you will likely need to hand guide long cases into the die(especially a FL size/decap die), due to the "lean" effect.

The link shows a aftermarket primer catcher, incase you want to deprime on the press
but I mostly copied the link here because the 4th image shows the Herter's C press mounted and you can see the angle I'm talking about.

https://primercatchers.com/product/h...rimer-catcher/

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

Another thing about the Herter's C press.
when mounted, you'll notice the ram is at a slight angle off 90º, some people find that off putting because you will likely need to hand guide long cases into the die(especially a FL size/decap die), due to the "lean" effect.

The link shows a aftermarket primer catcher, incase you want to deprime on the press
but I mostly copied the link here because the 4th image shows the Herter's C press mounted and you can see the angle I'm talking about.

https://primercatchers.com/product/h...rimer-catcher/

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that’s a neat device. yeah i’ll probably get that when i get the press.



so it looks like the press came in different colors. looks like the color of the press im getting is dark grey ? I might put a new coat of paint on it.


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I've owned brown ones. I've seen a photo of a red one, that was reported as original paint, I'm skeptical, but I could be wrong.
.
The photo you posted (dark grey) I suspect is a repaint (my opinion), because the pivot pin that holds the handle on, looks like it's painted, originally they were silver, maybe zinc or nickel plated or maybe unfinished? cuz I have seen rusty pins.

Personally, If you get it, I'd recommend cleaning it. If it has been "spray painted" over the original finish, you may be able to remove the outer paint while leaving the original finish intact. If I owned it, that'd be my preference. You may have other ideas, and that's fine.

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Originally Posted by michael.birdsley

i’m assuming he’s member. i’ll get a hold of him. thanks


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CH4D is a company - CH4D.com I believe. If you are not familiar with them check out their website, it is amazing.

Don’t sell that old Super Model 3 press short on anything. First off it’s about the strongest C frame press ever made with good leverage for about any reloading problem that should arise. The shell holders are not the “standard” shape but are out there. You can pay the high prices on fleabay or I have found them at gunshows for little or nothing. How many shell holders do you actually need anyway? Clearance? With the proper shell holder it has about the best clearance of any C frame press made. Priming? Keep one arm set up for large and another for small. They swap out in less than a minute or just use a hand primer for a better “feel” as most of us do anyway.
It is a brute as far as size goes but if you do forming operations it will be exactly what you want compared to any other C frame press on the market. Give it a fair try. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I met up with robert this morning and got the press home in my garage. this is one bad mama jama of a press. it puts my aluminum lee O press to shame. it’s probably worth $40 bucks in scrap iron haha. actually scrap is way down in price.

i believe the CH4D adapter will work for my .243, 6.5x55 sweed, 30-30, 450 and maybe 7.62x54R. 30/06 probably will need to get an actual herters shell holder.

next step will be to get it cleaned up. look like it has the original paint on it still

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C&H also makes (made) a shell holder adaptor for these presses. You can make a slot in the adaptor with a die grinder which will permit the use of the press priming arm.

Regarding the reloaded .30-06 ammo, I would pull a half dozen cartridges down and weigh the charges. If the charge weights present no red flags, shoot them.

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Originally Posted by Dan Cash

C&H also makes (made) a shell holder adaptor for these presses. You can make a slot in the adaptor with a die grinder which will permit the use of the press priming arm.

Regarding the reloaded .30-06 ammo, I would pull a half dozen cartridges down and weigh the charges. If the charge weights present no red flags, shoot them.

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the issue with shooting them as is. the guy said he only neck sized the rounds for the rifle he had at the time.

I have a 760 remington 30-06 which is a pump.
that’s why i feel like i should probably re-size them. that and i was only going to shoot cast in the 760.


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My first press in 1965 was a Wells, same as a Herter's but with a different name. The shellholder situation should be easy to deal with. Despite a lack of compound leverage, these basic presses will do about anything you can do with a press that's much newer. Today's newschoolers and upgraders don't like old stuff and probably wouldn't use them, but these are good tools and I'd bet many of them still see regular use.

so just today I order the shell holder adapter from CH4D. I believe all the rounds that i currently load for should fit with the adapter. i could see how some of the longer rifle cases could be an issue. i will probably order that 3d printed primer catcher soon


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by michael.birdsley

so just today I order the shell holder adapter from CH4D. I believe all the rounds that i currently load for should fit with the adapter. i could see how some of the longer rifle cases could be an issue. i will probably order that 3d printed primer catcher soon


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Unless you are going to load some super long cartridges, you should have all the room you need with your Herter's Super 3 press. You're not planning on doing any 45-110 or 50 BMG cases, are you? :roll:

Just to add some more fuel to the fire, there is also a Herter's Super U-3 press out there, with a body that sort of wraps around the back of the case, not just the strut of the C press. Probably overkill, but they sure do look cool! :cool:

Froggie

CH4D shipped the shell holder adapter and should be here saturday. I also ordered that plastic primer catch system. I know the colors original on the press but, i’m not crazy about the color. I may or may not change that.

i was able to get the spring working again on the primer arm with some penetrating oil. i’m going to take that primer arm off and put it up.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by michael.birdsley

CH4D shipped the shell holder adapter and should be here saturday. I also ordered that plastic primer catch system. I know the colors original on the press but, i’m not crazy about the color. I may or may not change that.

i was able to get the spring working again on the primer arm with some penetrating oil. i’m going to take that primer arm off and put it up.

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I hope you try it out, by reloading some ammo...Maybe the 30-06. Mostly, to see if you are OK with dropping powder in the case which is held at an angle...OR if you are dropping powder off the press, then doing the bullet seating at that angle. I know thousands of people do this and like it, but I found it awkward. So, I'd hate to see you change the color of the press, and then try to sell it...although I suppose most younger people might prefer a different color than the original...it's probably just us old guys that prefer the original finish/color?
Good Luck.

Fun Fact:
I've owned lots of presses, and the only one I ever repainted, was a Lyman that was originally orange and painted red (over the orange) by a previous owner. I striped it to bare iron, then painted it orange, closest I could get to original (but not quite) and I disliked it so, that I flipped it.

any one ever herd of 2540 gun powder ? that is what the guy i bought the gun, press, and ammo said these were loaded with. the labels that were on the boxes smeared.

at this point if i have to dump the powder it’s not a big deal. i feel like it was still a good deal. i’ve just landed a whole bunch of components for myself in 150 grain interlock bullets, brass, https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...16d024249b.jpg
primers, and bullet boxes


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

I hope you try it out, by reloading some ammo...Maybe the 30-06. Mostly, to see if you are OK with dropping powder in the case which is held at an angle...OR if you are dropping powder off the press, then doing the bullet seating at that angle. I know thousands of people do this and like it, but I found it awkward. So, I'd hate to see you change the color of the press, and then try to sell it...although I suppose most younger people might prefer a different color than the original...it's probably just us old guys that prefer the original finish/color?
Good Luck.

Fun Fact:
I've owned lots of presses, and the only one I ever repainted, was a Lyman that was originally orange and painted red (over the orange) by a previous owner. I striped it to bare iron, then painted it orange, closest I could get to original (but not quite) and I disliked it so, that I flipped it.

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so running cast bullets i would charge a pan with my perfect powder measure. weigh pan with powder on my hornady electric scale ( i have a beam scale to double check beginning, middle, and end of run ). trickle in powder to correct weight. grab a shell, put shell in my lee c press, expand case mouth with noe expander. hold case in my hand and use funnel to charge the case. eyeball powder charge looks to make sure it is correct. put bullet inside case mouth than I put round into my o-frame lee press and seat bullet. once bullets are charged and seated i’ll batch crimp with lee fcd die just to smooth out the case mouth.

9mm i charge straight from the lee perfect powder measure. i still use 2 presses to expand case-mouth and seat.

jacket bullets i do the same thing as cast except i don’t expand the case mouths. so only one press

this way i only have one case charged at a time and I never put the charged case down until i put in my o-frame press.

more than likely i will for sure use this herters press for sizing shells, case mouth expanding, swaging primer pockets ( i don’t currently have to swage primer pockets), and other shell forming stuff.

more than likely i’ll keep the lee o-press for seating bullets,

as of right now i’ll keep my lee c-press for a extra press and for lee push through sizers.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by michael.birdsley

any one ever herd of 2540 gun powder ? that is what the guy i bought the gun, press, and ammo said these were loaded with. the labels that were on the boxes smeared.

>>>SNIP

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Maybe it's 2520 ?
Does it look like the photos in this link?
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...t-replacement/

I use Accurate 2520 for 30-06 with 180gr(jacketed), pet load is 43gr.
I previously used IMR4350, but changed to 2520 because it meters so well, and found that accuracy was just as good.

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

Maybe it's 2520 ?
Does it look like the photos in this link?
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...t-replacement/

I use Accurate 2520 for 30-06 with 180gr(jacketed), pet load is 43gr.
I previously used IMR4350, but changed to 2520 because it meters so well, and found that accuracy was just as good.

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i have not pulled the rounds yet I plan on doing it tonight . the brass is a mixture of military and R-p remington. right now 25-30% of the brass has cracked necks and he put a hell of a crimp on some of them. he said his son took a bunch of the reloads and that their tack drivers.

oh well live and learn. Im still a head on the deal. i was just hoping to come out farther a head. i’ll have 400 bullets and primers. I don’t know if at this point i should keep the brass or scrap it. however, he has more 30-06, 38 special brass , a .38 special taurus revolver, and a couple molds i might try negotiating harder on.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

Maybe it's 2520 ?
Does it look like the photos in this link?
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...t-replacement/

I use Accurate 2520 for 30-06 with 180gr(jacketed), pet load is 43gr.
I previously used IMR4350, but changed to 2520 because it meters so well, and found that accuracy was just as good.

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that is what kept coming when i was googling 2540.


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Back to the tilt of the Herter’s press: Some folks like a tilt and I’ve seen wedges cut to place between press and bench to obtain the desired tilt, while some folks used wedges in the opposite direction to eliminate the tilt of Herter’s or similar presses.
You be you and do whatever works for you!
Froggie

You might note it has an adapter to 7/8-14 dies.
Someone more knowledgeable about this might explain what can also be used with this press, ie. shot-shells dies etc.
Started using Herters equipment in 1957 if memory serves me correctly.

^^ I was just about to comment on that. That press may have the big bushing in it now. Take it out and get the shotgun dies. They also made an adapter to go right down to the Ideal/Lyman 310 dies. Very handy sometimes.
re: reloads I only trust the loads from two guys, and he ain't one of them. Too bad about the brass. Looks like a funny kind of split. Like age on weak brass, not from reloading. I once had a mountain of loaded military 30-40 brass like that. It all went bang.

Referencing GreenFrog's post, here's a Super U3. I still use it along with a couple Rockchuckers. The angle doesn't bother me and I see no difference in ammo loaded on either press. Attachment 321941
I pulled the priming arm, since I use a hand primer now, but have the originals and several shell holders and the adapter holder.

-West out

^^^^^LIKE^^^^^ :mrgreen:

I bought the Herter's C press new in 1971. I still have it but not in current use. Take the 7/8 X 14 thread adapter out and a Herter's 12 ga. shotshell die fits. It has a single die body and is reassembled for different operations. I have the 12 ga. die also, only used it once since I bought it.

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Originally Posted by WestDivide

Referencing GreenFrog's post, here's a Super U3. I still use it along with a couple Rockchuckers. The angle doesn't bother me and I see no difference in ammo loaded on either press. Attachment 321941
I pulled the priming arm, since I use a hand primer now, but have the originals and several shell holders and the adapter holder.

-West out

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Those Herters Super U3 are some really good presses. I have one and it always produced very accurate ammunition. I also have my Dad's Herters Super 3 that he bought new from Herters back in the early 60's.

If I had to do my single stage loading, unloading, swaging, case forming, etc, the Herrett’s Super u would be my choice. I wonder whether CH4D makes a replacement ram to fit standard shell holders. With that one change it would become just about perfect!
Froggie

I have the same Herters Model 3 and plan to make it my depriming station. What a tank!

I'm late to the party; I have both the C and Model 3. Started loading in the 1970's The price was right even for this poor farm boy.
The U3 is my go to when forming .32-20 to .25-20. Have a Dillon 550 for volume; but these Herter's presses get used regularly.

The shell holder adapter stays on the C press They are stout presses.