Herters Reloading Equiptment ?

JD 500 · Mar 19, 2009

Hi all,

Have a friend who has uncovered what looks like a full reloading setup from Herters. He actually has the original invoice from Herters to the buyer. I have done a little research, and see that there are some Herters presses on ebay, and they don't appear to fetch a big sum.

My buddy would like to start reloading; mainly hunting ammo - 30 '06 & 7mm mag. I see that RCBS has an adapter available to let him use modern (size) shellholders.

With that said, the setup he has is pretty thorough, not just the press but :

Super Model 3 press
#2 and #4 Herters shellholders
Herters case trimmer
Herters MK 1 30-30 win dies
Herters Universal Neck sizing die w/ 22-250 insert (This thing is a foot long !)
Herters 30 '06 dies -incl micrometer seater , FL sizer, & Neck sizer
RCBS powder measure & stand
Lyman Ohaus M5 scale
Lyman AA Dies 45acp deluxe
Herters case lube pad
Herters case lube
Herters stock finish and a couple other jars
All instructions and original invoices circa 1969-1970.

There were also a couple ammo boxes, some with the spent brass still inside, some with a couple full shells.
3 bx Rem 38spc targetmaster 148 gr swc
1 bx Rem 45 auto targetmaster
1 bx Lake City Cal .30 MATCH M72
1 bx Olin Ball Cal .45 M1911
1 bx Win .32 S&W Long sharp cor (brass + 10 live)
200-300 pcs .30 cal (looks milsurp) brass

So my question is, Would this stuff have more value in use and can he use it to make reasonably accurate hunting ammo, or sold as "collectable" based on all the goods together w/ original invoices etc...

Thanks for your input,

JD 500 · Mar 19, 2009

Hi all,

Have a friend who has uncovered what looks like a full reloading setup from Herters. He actually has the original invoice from Herters to the buyer. I have done a little research, and see that there are some Herters presses on ebay, and they don't appear to fetch a big sum.

My buddy would like to start reloading; mainly hunting ammo - 30 '06 & 7mm mag. I see that RCBS has an adapter available to let him use modern (size) shellholders.

With that said, the setup he has is pretty thorough, not just the press but :

Super Model 3 press
#2 and #4 Herters shellholders
Herters case trimmer
Herters MK 1 30-30 win dies
Herters Universal Neck sizing die w/ 22-250 insert (This thing is a foot long !)
Herters 30 '06 dies -incl micrometer seater , FL sizer, & Neck sizer
RCBS powder measure & stand
Lyman Ohaus M5 scale
Lyman AA Dies 45acp deluxe
Herters case lube pad
Herters case lube
Herters stock finish and a couple other jars
All instructions and original invoices circa 1969-1970.

There were also a couple ammo boxes, some with the spent brass still inside, some with a couple full shells.
3 bx Rem 38spc targetmaster 148 gr swc
1 bx Rem 45 auto targetmaster
1 bx Lake City Cal .30 MATCH M72
1 bx Olin Ball Cal .45 M1911
1 bx Win .32 S&W Long sharp cor (brass + 10 live)
200-300 pcs .30 cal (looks milsurp) brass

So my question is, Would this stuff have more value in use and can he use it to make reasonably accurate hunting ammo, or sold as "collectable" based on all the goods together w/ original invoices etc...

Thanks for your input,

walnutred · Mar 19, 2009

If I was looking to start reloading the ctgs you mention and had that set-up I'd think I was off to a good start. Like you've already found, there do not seem to be many Herters collectors.

BE Mike · Mar 19, 2009

Herters was an interesting company. I used to spend hours as a teen pouring over their catalogs. They went out of business shortly after the 1968 Gun Control Act was passed into law. I still have a few items that Herters sold and I still use them. Their products don't have any collector's value of which I'm aware, but most of their reloading equipment was over-engineered and should be fine.

walkinghorse · Mar 19, 2009

Herters was an interesting company. I used to spend hours as a teen pouring over their catalogs.

ME TOO!
George Herter's descriptions were fantastic!
Amazing reading!

n4zov · Mar 19, 2009

Herter's produced one of the truly great American mail order catalogs! When it came to advertising hyperbole and outlandish descriptions, they were ahead of everybody. Their merchandise was usually of good quality and very serviceable.

Back in the mid 60's I visited their Waseca, MN store and was disappointed. They actually had little of the merchandise listed in their catalog, and most of their complex was a series of storage type buildings. What a letdown!

JD 500 · Mar 19, 2009

Wish there was a catalog included with this stuff. Would complement what my buddy has.

Thanks for the replies, sounds like my buddy should just use the stuff.

2152hq · Mar 19, 2009

Take that Herters equiptment and put it to use!

I still use a set of Herters 30-06 dies for my loads in that caliber. I don't have the micrometer seating adj though. Mine were the less costly $2/two die set

CH4D company also makes a universal shell holder for the Herters presses. Two different configurations depending on the type of ram in the press.
Here's link to CH4D
http://www.ch4d.com/

click on 'presses',,,then click on 'Herters Shell Holder Adapters' on the dropdown menu.

Great bunch of reloading stuff your buddy has there. The Herters single stage presses are actually quite strong,,over built by most standards. IIRC most all were cast steel, though they may have sold an alloy frame model too.

lcdrdanr · Mar 19, 2009

I have three single stage presses but the one I always go to first is an old Herters. It's stronger than the RCBS Junior, smoother than the Pacific and I have never had an issue with it other than:
1. The primers tend to collect in the groove in the ram (but the ram is so powerful that it typically just cuts them into pieces when they get caught)
2. The adaptor I bought to use RCBS/Lyman/Lee shell holders tends to allow the shell holder to spin around sometimes.

I have both a 30-06 die set and a .357 made by Herters along with the press, half a dozen original Herters shell holders and some other odds and ends. Naturally, all my other dies fit as well, just have to use the adaptor for the shell holder for some calibers.

I don't think there is a collectors market for any of this stuff but it's great to use. I doubt I will be able to wear any of mine out and I've been trying for 35 years (and it was used when I got it).

If you can get the Herters shell holders for your calibers, you ought to 'cause that's about the only drawback to using their presses.

Dan R

dovekiller · Mar 19, 2009

I found a Rem 870 on the Arctic Ocean beach a mile or two east of Point Barrow. Slightly corroded and still loaded. That was 1975. I sent the thing down to Herter's and they polished out most of the corrosion, refinished the stock and added a vent rib. I think the total bill was less than $100.

I still have a dozen or more of their soft plastic rifle and shotgun shell boxes. Quiet shell boxes. They don't rattle. Love 'em.

JD 500 · Mar 19, 2009

The invoice (DEC 1969) was like $71.00 for the list above + more.

He has the 30'06 die he wants to load, we'd just need to get him some 7mm dies, and a shellholder (or adapter).

Thanks very much guys!
I'll probably just link my buddy right to the post !

S/W - Lifer · Mar 19, 2009

Herter's would tell you in a split second that his stuff was the best in the world.

I'd try it. I started loading with a Lee loader and survived. This is going to be a big step up.

Hamden · Mar 20, 2009

Herters is the equipment my dad first got in the 1950s. I started reloading on them before I was 10.

BobsSmith · Mar 20, 2009

Ah, Yes.. Herters!

I don't have any experience with their reloading equipment, but.. Brings back many memories of looking through my Dad's Herters Catalog. Dad ordered archery equipment from them, mostly arrows, and so did I when I got older ( 15 yrs old ).

I used to read a book, called the Herters Guide Manual... rather interesting...copy right I believe was 1962. The manual did brag up Herter equipemnt of course. "While we dislike seeming prejudice, the Herter Knife the best... etc ".

Good Stuff!!!

Best

Bob

redlevel · Mar 20, 2009

Just about everything they had, as I recall, was known as their "Herter's Model Perfect."

Remember his books? "Hot to Survive in the Wilderness," "Herter's Bull Cook's Guide," and finally, his masterpiece I guess, a marriage manual entitled, "How to Live With a Bitch."

BobsSmith · Mar 20, 2009

Yes, I do remember those books in the catalog! Brings back a lot of memories of my happy carefree childhood!

I wish things were as carefree today!

Best

Bob

Ignatz · Mar 20, 2009

I too loved looking through the Herters catalog. I got my Abu-Garcia spin cast reel from them in the 60's. Still have it. My next favorite catalog was the JC Whitney catalog.

Joni_Lynn · Mar 20, 2009

I have a Herters single stage, shell holders and some dies. The stuff works well.

Gary · Mar 20, 2009

I bought a single stage Herters reloading press from a guy on the 1st aisle of the big Houston gun show a few years back. I planned on using it as a decapping press. Let me tell you they are HEAVY. I felt like giving the damn thing away after lugging it around the rest of the show. It has worked well for the purpose that I bought it for though. They do take non standard shell holders. It took a little looking before I found some for the calibers that I load.

Buford57 · Mar 20, 2009

I bought a used set of Herter's dies in 6.5 Arisaka 30 years ago to use until something better came along. Nothing ever did.

I also have old George's book on his African Safari. Even then I was surprised anyone would publish some of the comments he made about various African tribes - until I realized the publisher was Herter's Press.

Herters Reloading Equiptment ?

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