? about Herter's single stage bullet swaging die

[Black River Smith]

I am looking for help from anyone that know how to use these dies?  This is the start of my swaging experience/experimentation.  I want to create straight lead swaged bullets.  NO jackets.

I thought I understood swaging dies and how to use them but this is somewhat different from modern concept.

It is id'd as a Herter 357A.  It has longitudinal ribs in the die.  The nose is created by the internal top stem(bullet seater stem position, nose shape is flat like full WC, flat shallow nose).  The bottom stem plunger creates a flat base, travels almost to the start of the bottom edge of the ribs and has the bleed hole.

I raised the nose stem up high.  Then I put a moulded Lee 150 gr .357 in the die and pressed to full extension.  The bullet came out with the ribs created and measuring 0.358.  The upper nose measured 0.30" in diameter.  The OAL of the bullet was obviously longer than at the start.

What do I have?  What type of bullet?  (Full WC my guess)  Just how far can the nose stem be raised?(Whatever fits in revolver? I guess.)  Are the ribs - longitudinal grease grooves? (there are 12 ribs and corresponding valleys (the valleys are the same diameter as the nose)).  How far do I load the bullet? (case over the top edge of ribs seems correct)

Are there any websites with instructions for these older dies.

Thanks for any help.

[Delmonico]

One thought, see of you can dig up any Gun Digests or Shooters Bibles from the 1960's and look in the loading section and see if they have any information on them.   I may have some information around here, I'll do some digging tommorow.

[Montana Slim]

Kin ya post a photo Pard?

Slim

[Black River Smith]

Sorry computer has been down since storm hit St. Louis on Wed.  Also forgot about this posting yesterday when I was able to get back on.

No, I cannot post pictures.  I still don't understand how to get them on.  Daughter has digital camera but that is the extent of my transfer/listing capabilities.  I don't have an internet picture site and I guess really don't want one.

[Delmonico]

BRS, to upload them get the picture below 100k, but as close as possible will make them better.  Click on Aditional Options at the bottom of the post you are making.  Click the Browse button on Attachement, find the picture and just double click on it and send your post.

The Photo Bucket I use allows me a 1 meg picture, but I don't use it that much except for something I want to show real detail on.

I just updated enough to be able to do it and it's easy.

BTW, I didn't get into my attic to search for those books, I hate to think what the temp has been in there the last couple of weeks.  I'd guess 125-130.

[Black River Smith]

Thanks for the instructions Del.  I will give it a try.

[Delmonico]

Not a problem, when I got the new computor and the camera, I had to call my IT guy in wisconsion to help.   I have to get in the attic this week, I know I've read something on those.