I am looking for some help . I bought a CH progressive reloader in the 80's and never could get it to work right .Thought I would give it a try again. I do not have a manual for it. hope someone can help me .the only number on it are 579 stamped on the front :banghead:
CH reloader
- Thread starter mh38sp
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
loadedround
Member
Rcmodel, very seldom do I disagree with you, but I believe in this case the original manufacturer of CH loading equipment went out out business many years ago when it's owner Charles Herkimer died. This new company may have purchased the rights to it's name but not to it's old products. This gentleman, MS38SP, best hope would be best served by surfing the net for a manual.
fecmech
Member
Is it a CH auto champ?? If so I have the manual in my computer somewhere I think. Post a picture of it. Nick
Ps. It may be a new company but at least one of the people still working there is very helpful and knowledgeable about the auto champs. From talking to him I've gotten the impression he was at least involved in the manufacturing if not the design work on the Auto Champs.
PPS.. Just checked my computer and old flash drive and the files on the Auto Champ bit the dust with my hard drive crash last year. I do have the manual though so if it's an auto champ I can rescan it and email.
Ps. It may be a new company but at least one of the people still working there is very helpful and knowledgeable about the auto champs. From talking to him I've gotten the impression he was at least involved in the manufacturing if not the design work on the Auto Champs.
PPS.. Just checked my computer and old flash drive and the files on the Auto Champ bit the dust with my hard drive crash last year. I do have the manual though so if it's an auto champ I can rescan it and email.
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Offfhand
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A progressive loader similiar, if not identical, to the CH was marketed by Badger Supply. It was called the Cougar-Hunter (get the name connection?) and had the same failings of the CH model. Later, RCBS made another similiar progress loader called the Green Machine. It too had problems, which, like the CH, were related to the in-line ratchet type case advance system. If you can't find a CH or Cougar-Hunter manual the RCBS manual will be easier to locate and may provide useful operation directions. For what it's worth, a former RCBS executive once told me that the main problems they had with the Green Machine were owners not keeping the case advance system clean.
fecmech
Member
The CH Auto Champ is really a very dependable progressive reloader but you have to have a bit of mechanical acumen to set them up. Once set up they run reliably and trouble free for a long time.
There are 2 critical points in the set up, the outer rail and the primer feed. I've found the quickest and easiest way to set up the rail is as follows:
1. Leave the outer rail bolts loose.
2. Push the priming punch up thru the center advancing rail so that it protrudes above it.
3. Place a deprimed case over the extended priming punch and under the edge of the back rail.
4. Now slide the front rail in on that case to where it has very light pressure on the case. This references the case to the priming punch and advancing pawls.
5. While holding the rail in this position snug the bolts down making sure the rail overhangs the bottom platen evenly at both ends. The rail is now set and needs no more adjustment.
The primer feed is touchy but basically the hole in the primer transport bar needs to go just a hair past the hole in the primer feed tube to pick up the new primer. Once you get that right I recommend you mark the rod so you can quickly set it up in the future if it loosens up or you change between small and large primers.
Before I got my second Auto Champ it would take me about 45 minutes to change from .38 spl to .45 auto. I picked another one up a couple years ago so I leave one set up in each caliber now. Hope this helps.
There are 2 critical points in the set up, the outer rail and the primer feed. I've found the quickest and easiest way to set up the rail is as follows:
1. Leave the outer rail bolts loose.
2. Push the priming punch up thru the center advancing rail so that it protrudes above it.
3. Place a deprimed case over the extended priming punch and under the edge of the back rail.
4. Now slide the front rail in on that case to where it has very light pressure on the case. This references the case to the priming punch and advancing pawls.
5. While holding the rail in this position snug the bolts down making sure the rail overhangs the bottom platen evenly at both ends. The rail is now set and needs no more adjustment.
The primer feed is touchy but basically the hole in the primer transport bar needs to go just a hair past the hole in the primer feed tube to pick up the new primer. Once you get that right I recommend you mark the rod so you can quickly set it up in the future if it loosens up or you change between small and large primers.
Before I got my second Auto Champ it would take me about 45 minutes to change from .38 spl to .45 auto. I picked another one up a couple years ago so I leave one set up in each caliber now. Hope this helps.
![IMG00002-20100713-0741[1].jpg](/data/attachments/86/86570-1ac9839e1caa4ba6fd0ef0738518e2b3.jpg)
Jim Watson
Member
Looks a lot like mine... although I no longer have the literature.
Primer feed is good, lateral advance is tricky to keep right.
At one time CH-4D had the remaining AutoCHamp Parts and might have the manuals.
They told me they would sell parts but their insurance company would not cover them making or even servicing "ammunition manufacturing equipment." Sounds hokey, maybe they did not want to fool with the old tools.
Be advised there are several variations from Mk I to Mk Va.
Primer feed is good, lateral advance is tricky to keep right.
At one time CH-4D had the remaining AutoCHamp Parts and might have the manuals.
They told me they would sell parts but their insurance company would not cover them making or even servicing "ammunition manufacturing equipment." Sounds hokey, maybe they did not want to fool with the old tools.
Be advised there are several variations from Mk I to Mk Va.
fecmech
Member
I think you might have a Mark 4 there. I have a Mark III (owners manual also) and I recently acquired a 5A which has a different priming set up. If you like I can email you a jpeg scan of the entire manual. I rescanned it today as I lost it when my hard drive failed. The only difference I see between yours and my mark III are a powder shut off, a groove in the upper platten for the primer blast tube and a chute for the finished rounds. Everything else looks the same. Hope this helps. Nick
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