Reloading on press with holder adapter - possible?

I have an old Herter's press, and have been using an RCBS shell holder adapter, for lack of finding any Herter's ones readily available. When I got the RCBS ones, I figured I was good - but, I like to prime on the press, and poking around today - noticed the primer stem does not appear to reach up high enough to actually prime a cartrdige through the Herter's/RCBS adapter combined with the RCBS shell hoder, it just doesn't reach far enough up to seat a primer.

In theory it should work - maybe I need to open up the hole in the adapter more, it must not be letting the little primer stem through enough.

reloaded_in_pa said:

Post some pictures so we can see what's going on.

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I will get some pics. Basically, now that I think about it, the RCBS adapter for Herter's is not designed correctly, as the priming stem should be able to extend fully through it, with no contact until it hits the shell holder. Or maybe I just need to be more carefull with alignment, but the stem of the priming arm should not be impeded by the adapter.

No, I looked at it quick. The primer arm, hits the bottom of the adapter, the stem goes up through well enough, but the press coming down contact the priming arm and stops it short of where you'd need it to be able to seat a primer fully. It is ironic becuase the adapter has the hole in the middle for the primer stem to fit through, but the arm hits the bottom of the adapter, and halts movement. I will get some pics, maybe there is a universal priming arm that would work. I could just prime off press, but I like to do it on the press.

Reinz said:

I have found this annoying problem with both Herters and Hollywood. Either enlarge the hole or buy specific shell holders on EBay is the only solution that I have found.

I prefer using specific shell holders.

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I also prefer the specific shell holders. I got RCBS ones for 9mm and .223 becuase I already had an adapter, and have an RCBS press, I don't currently use - but, will probably at some point. I did just find a 9mm Herter's NOS on ebay in box, and have a bid on one for .223, so - this issue as interesting as it is, will self fix itself when I have the correct shell holders. Interesting though, if the little stem on the primer arm was 1/4" longer it would work.

Rembrandt said:

Trying to get a mental picture of the problem.....looking at my Herters, are you saying the length of the spring loaded primer (post) isn't long enough to come up through the shell holder?



View attachment 981608

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yes, exactly. the primer arm hits the bottom of the shell holder adapter before the primer post extends up high enough to properly seat a primer. I'll take a few pictures when I can. So, I'd either need a taller primer post, or a proper shell holder without using the RCBS/Herter's adapter and the RCBS holder.

Rembrandt said:

OK, I got it.....must be something different on mine, it doesn't need an adapter for the shell carrier.

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The adapter is just so I can use an RCBS shell holder. I was just going to use the RCBS ones, but now I'm shopping again from proper Herter's ones.