Texan 3 stage press

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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
I've been intrigued by presses like this. I've looked at the Herters double ram one (model 81?) and it seemed the dies would be so close together it would make it hard to use.

There is one like the one pictured in a local auction I am considering. Anyone ever use one?
 

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RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Yes, they were excellent press based on the Texan shot gun shell loaders, and were very expensive. That one has some paint loss, but should work. The use unique shell holders that need a larger hole to get the primer seater through.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
RicinYakima said:
Yes, they were excellent press based on the Texan shot gun shell loaders, and were very expensive. That one has some paint loss, but should work. The use unique shell holders that need a larger hole to get the primer seater through.
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Good to know. I am bidding on one in an estate auction about an hour away from me. I got the picture from an ebay auction for one, buy it now price way north of 400 bucks. I won't go anywhere near that high, but if it can be had reasonably, it would be cool to test out.

I'd probably set it up for .45 Colt or .44 Special and leave it.

Is there a place on it you could hang a powder measure? Maybe something like the Lee Powder thru expander dies would work?
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
richhodg66 said:
Is there a place on it you could hang a powder measure? Maybe something like the Lee Powder thru expander dies would work?
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Another solution is to get one of the flat aluminum RCBS off set plates. One end is threated for the RCBS powder measure and the other is a blank hole the fits under the die lock nut. Most guys set them up under the left die, like the C&H presses.
 
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RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Yep, mine had Lyman conversion units for modern, Pacific/RCBS, shell holders. They had to have the center hole reamed.
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
My Brown Bair that was given to me by a friend (his Dad used it and he doesn't reload). The brass shims help with modern shell holder fit. I do not prime on a press, so no issue there. (AND one of my 'custom tools!')
 

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Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
The turret presses are nice for setting up for one caliber and leaving it. I have a Lyman and with 5 or 6 stations I can do 2 calibers since I prime and charge off the press.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
The Texan I'm bidding on looks to have three shell holders in it. No idea what they are for and I doubt the auction house could tell me. If this one does use odd shell holders, that might very well dictate what caliber this one gets used for if I win it.
 
boatswainsmate

boatswainsmate

Member
I have one. I haven't used it yet. Mine takes my RCBS shell holders and dies just fine. It also has a priming station in the middle. I searched the web and found out it was the model 301-H3. I also had inline fabrication make a mounting plate for it. Someone's press in action.
My press
 
seagiant1

seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
The 3 station was made for reloading revolver rounds of course.

I have had the simular Bair and it was great except, I got away from Revolvers to Autos and sold it.

I would set the loader up with a Lyman or Lee thru powder expander die in the 2nd stage slot with your favorite powder measure that would work.
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Still waiting for the auction to end. So far, I'm high bidder.

If I win it, I'm pretty sure it'll get set up for .45 Colt.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Well, I won it, my son went and picked it up this afternoon for me. Neat old press, smaller and lighter than I'd have guessed. It has three shell holders in it, without trying something in it, it's for something big with a rim, possibly .44 Magnum or .45 Colt. A lot of the painted finish is gone, but things move smoothly. I don't think I'll take it apart and repaint things like I was inclined, just clean it up and use it.

Just because it was in the same estate auction, I bid and won a single stage Texan press which is actually in a lot better shape and a right nice little press ('cause you know, I didn't have enough old single stage presses sitting around gathering dust). Looks like it will be a nice addition too and it sure went cheap.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Well, the three shell holders that are in it are too small for .44 Special and too big for .38 Special. Possibly .41 Magnum? Too bad as I do not have a .41. I think I'll look around for three .38/.357 ones.

This is a neat press. Smaller and lighter than I'd have guessed. A quick magnet check shows a lot of it is aluminum (OK by me). I think I'm going to like this.
 
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