Herter die maker

Pistolero

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Does anyone have knowledge of who made Herter's dies for them? Was it always
the same company, or did they change suppliers?

Any experience with them - positive or negative? I see some sets for sale on eBay
and just wondering if they are fair, good or great quality and anything to look for
or avoid.

Thanks.

Bill
 
KHornet

KHornet

Well-Known Member
No idea who made them, but I have and still use some that I bought back in the dark ages, and have always found them satisfactory.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The Herter collectors tell me that they had multiple makers. Their top of the line "Professional" dies where indeed Charles Heckman's C&H. The "Standard" dies were made to a "price point" as they call it now (read that as cheapest bid). They were made by at least RCBS, Lyman, C&H and Micro-Precision that can be identified. They also believe that Lachmiller and Wells made some. They don't know if they were bid by caliber, or year, or what every criteria. I do know that their two die white plastic boxes are popular with collectors because they take up 1/3 less room in storage! Ric
 
Pistolero

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
OK, good info but doesn't tell me what I might get since there are so many different
possible makers .... so I guess I'll just include
them in my consideration like any others.

Bill
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
My entry into reloading, back in the 1990's began with buying all the reloading equipment from a 90 year neighbor with health issues. It was a mix of Herters and R.F. Wells (a machine shop in Howard Lake, MN) . As I understand it, R.F. Wells made dies and reloading equipment for Herters for a few years, then R.F. Wells broke away Herters and sold them on his own. All of the dies I got, were machined/styled like CH. I rarely used them, as they were in rifle calibers, and I wanted to load for pistol, so they eventually got sold. Years later, after I started to load for rifle, I bought a Herters set for 357H&H and I have used those, they work as good as any...no problems.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
You are right, they are not "bad" as the inspection process was most likely good at Herters. However, they may not have had the smooth finish and best heat treatment. I've made dies out of leaded steel, and they are still working good after several hundred case resizings. It is the same material Lee uses and not many people ever wear them out from usage.
 
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