Herter/Lachmiller shotgun die fit question...

[Andy Griffith]

Guys,

Are the threads on old Herters and Lachmiller shotgun dies the same? What will they fit? I haven't a clue...but I don't want to purchase a set of them until I know I can use them.

My intention is to place them in my Rock Chucker (with the insert removed, if possible) in order to load metal shotgun cases.

Heck, I can't even find a post referencing either brand of shotgun dies on the whole forum!

Guess I've stumped us.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Guys,

Are the threads on old Herters and Lachmiller shotgun dies the same? What will they fit? I haven't a clue...but I don't want to purchase a set of them until I know I can use them.

My intention is to place them in my Rock Chucker (with the insert removed, if possible) in order to load metal shotgun cases.

Heck, I can't even find a post referencing either brand of shotgun dies on the whole forum!

Guess I've stumped us.

 

[Rich S]

hey Andy,
i recently bought an old herters turret press w/ six holes, four of these are threaded for dies about the size of the sleeve in the rockchucker, might be for your shotgun dies.

the herters is 1-1/4x18tpi with a i.d. of 7/8x14tpi

the rockchucker is 1-1/4x12tpi i.d. of 7/8x14tpi


(rumor says earlier RC's had the 1-1/4x18)
anyhow these folks had what i needed
http://www.ch4d.com/
Regards,Rich

P.S. FWIW i got a good amount of Herters info from the good folks over at the cast boolit forum.
but what's a lachmiller?
Goodluck.
-R

 

[Andy Griffith]

That's what I was scared of...

I guess I may have to bite the "proverbial bullet" (pun intended)

and purchase the set of 16 gauge dies from CH-4D.

They make great stuff...but I could buy a gun for what two sets of shotgun dies cost!

 

[Paul5388]

I believe RCBS bought out Lachmiller, at least they bought the bullet molds.

I think I would consider the $44 Lee for 16 gauge.

http://www.grafs.com/product/232293

 

[DougE]

Originally posted by Paul5388:
I believe RCBS bought out Lachmiller, at least they bought the bullet molds.

I think I would consider the $44 Lee for 16 gauge.

http://www.grafs.com/product/232293

I have one of the old lee load-alls in 12ga. I've had it for probably close to 20 years and it's reloaded many thousands of shells without a hitch. I'd definitely recommend one if they still make them as well as the old ones like I have.

 

[Paul5388]

Doug,

I've never used a Load-All, but it probably costs less than a set of dies for a regular press, but it still has the powder and shot hoppers and drops to automate things. I just fired up my old MEC 600 Jr today for some specialty loads, but it was bought when things were quite a bit cheaper.

16 Gauge is pretty much "specialty" in my part of the world and being able to do the whole loading thing on an inexpensive machine sounds like a winner to me!

 

[DougE]

No doubt!!
When one weighs the costs ........ it's pretty much a no-brainer. I think the load-all's they sell now can handle more than one ga. I saw a conversion kit ( on midway I think ) that would allow me to use my old one for other gauges besides 12. Ya loading up for those hogs? I spend a bit of time reading on various forums lol.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I wish it was as simple as buying a regular Mec or Lee shotgun loader...

The only shotshells that I load are the all metallic kind- brass and zinc.

I started with one of the Lee "load alls" but I finally had to resize the brass and it doesn't work very well for that.

I bought one of the sets of RCBS "cowboy" dies, and they work great- roll crimping and all- but they are only available for 12ga.

If I use them in a model '97 or Marlin, I have to roll crimp.

 

[Paul5388]

The reason you're having to resize is probably related to the roll crimp. My brass hulls haven't needed resizing, since there isn't enough pressure in a shotgun to make that a necessity (using what is shot in your chamber).

I tried one hull with a roll crimp and then I had to figure out how to uncrimp that shot hull to get the new wads in place.

Since the brass hull uses a smaller primer, the decapping pin is probably going to present problems. I'll look and see if the MEC 600 Jr decapping pin will fit the CBC hulls, but I have my doubts.

The decapping pin on a MEC is designed for a 209 type primer that includes a "holder" and the normal plastic/paper hulls have a big hole to accommodate that primer. It doesn't even come close to fitting a brass hull's flash hole.

 

[Andy Griffith]

My roll crimps have always straightened themselves out- probably because I always load them as a fairly warm hunting load.

I knew the decapper would have to be changed. Either I'd install a new one, or just take down the regular one to fit...depends on the suggestion.

Btw, I do have 75 "old style" hulls from CBC/Magtech which are Berdan primed. I've never had any problems with decapping them or not igniting the charge. I actually use an old can opener to make a hole in the side of the primer and then just "prize" it out, no fuss!

I don't crimp the new hulls from them because I do use them in my single and double guns, and I don't want the hulls to wear out. I have annealed the ones I have crimped, but I think the hot loads I have run through these cases have made them expand- but that it just a theory- and perhaps it is the crimping...

I've gotten seven reloads out of them so far, and I have yet to try the zinc hulls I have obtained, but they look very nice.

Thanks for the suggestions, and encouragement.

 

[Paul5388]

I would suggest using a board with a hole in it, or even a big hex nut and then use a Lee decapping pin out of a fairly long case, like maybe a .30-06 or better yet a 7mm STW.

Decapping has never been the problem that priming has been.