Herters Super Model 3 info anyone?

Pistolpete1969 · Dec 1, 2010

hello All-

I just got a Herters Super Model 3 reloading press today. Man, is this thing SSTTRROONNGGG!!!!

Anyway, I will be getting a bunch of the shell holders with it. My main question is....can this be used with modern dies? Do I need an adapter? or is it just a boat anchor?

ANY information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

NKJ nut · Dec 1, 2010

It's a decent press but not as strong as it looks and it doesn't have a lot of hand clearance and you can't very well load long rounds on it. And be very careful not to let the thing slam shut on your hand. The handle isn't balanced like a modern press. But most of the older presses are not. Other than that it is a great press. It will also use standard dies. It can also be adapted to take modern shell holders if you wish. Otherwise you will have to have the Herter's proprietary shell holders.

SMSgt · Dec 1, 2010

I've been using a Herters single-stage press since '75 for handgun and rifle ammo. Yes, it's built like a tank. I don't know the model number, but seeing as the company disappeared around 1980, any needed parts would be non-existant. Mine has a screw-in adapter for using standard size threaded dies (RCBS and the likes). I have a few of the original herters shell holders and, fortunately, ordered an adapter that accepts newer styles. Otherwise, it would only be good for the few shell holders I have.

I also still use their power dropper and have a couple of other reloading goodies stashed away.

Herters had good stuff, and some not so good stuff. It's too bad they went out of business. Their catalog was much more "entertaining" than what companies produce today!

Skip Sackett · Dec 1, 2010

"A funny thing happened to me on my way to Christmas one year."

A friend of mine asked me: "There is a garage sale where they have two presses, they are Herter's, a bench and a ton of other stuff all for $40. Should I buy it? Is it a good deal?"

So, To help a friend out, I went on ebay to "watch" what the Herter's press went for to find out if he got a good deal or not. Well, the wife "hacked" into my ebay account to see what I was "watching" and thought to win that item and surprise me for Christmas. Well, imagine how hard I had to try to be thankful for a press that is older than the hills, won't work with any of the shell holders that I currently own, and no room on my bench to try to impress her with how much I needed the thing!

I "manned up" and told her the truth: "Honey, nice gesture but................. I really was just watching it for a friend."

Worst thing was, had I really wanted it, I would have been bidding against myself, kinda! CRAZY! (but what a woman!)

Maybe I should have a "karma" and get that thing out from under my bench!

n4zov · Dec 1, 2010

+1 on the old Herter's catalogs! They would have probably described your press as "The World Famous Super Model 3 Perfect Press." Then they would have spent a full page regaling you with its advantages. Ah, the good old days of Herter's advertising.

Paul5388 · Dec 1, 2010

Here's the RCBS shell holder adapter. RCBS Herters Press Shellholder Adapter - MidwayUSA

dickttx · Dec 2, 2010

I had Herter's catalogs every year from the late 60's to the mid 70's. Looked forward to them every year. A three page spread on the best hunting knife ever made. At the end it was $1.79. I ordered one once and it was a very bad chrome plated kitchen knife!
I bought most of there books too. Very entertaining back before color TV. I guess I left them when i got a divorce.

n4zov · Dec 2, 2010

I loved those old Herter's catalogs along with the magazine ads from "Ye Olde Hunter" that appeared in The American Rifleman. Modern advertising can't hold a candle to the creativity of those old ads. I suppose Sam Cummings was the brain behind the Ye Olde Hunter ads.

Old 44 Guy · Dec 6, 2010

I still have my # 3 press from Herters. Have 6 shell holders too. Only use it now for bullet swaging & that's not often. Yes, it's built like a tank. Good old Herters was a boon to us young shooters with not much money in the 50's. Just used their dies to reload some 25-20's last month. Chrome plated & still work fine.

Herters Super Model 3 info anyone?

Pistolpete1969

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NKJ nut

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SMSgt

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Skip Sackett

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n4zov

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Paul5388

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dickttx

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n4zov

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Old 44 Guy

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