I picked up my first herters super model 3 at a local estate sale for about twenty bucks, and honestly, my back still hasn't forgiven me for carrying it to the truck. If you've ever seen one of these things in person, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's not just a reloading press; it's a massive hunk of mid-century cast iron that looks like it was designed to resize tank shells rather than rifle cartridges.
George Leonard Herter, the man behind the company, was famous for his "Model Perfect" claims and his incredibly thick, boastful catalogs. While his marketing might have been a bit over the top, the equipment he churned out of Waseca, Minnesota, was legit. The Super Model 3 is a prime example of that era of American manufacturing where the goal seemed to be using as much metal as humanly possible. It's a classic "C-frame" press that has outlived most of its original owners and will likely outlive us, too.
Why This Beast Is Built Like a Tank
The first thing you notice about the herters super model 3 is the sheer weight. We're talking about nearly 20 pounds of solid iron. Unlike modern aluminum presses that feel a bit "springy" when you're resizing heavy brass, this thing doesn't budge. There's a certain satisfaction in the way the ram moves—it's smooth, heavy, and feels incredibly deliberate.
The "Super" designation usually refers to the fact that it's a bit more reinforced than the standard Model 3. It features a larger frame opening, which makes it a lot easier to work with longer cartridges like the .30-06 or even some of the big magnums. Back in the 50s and 60s, this was the workhorse of the reloading world. It wasn't fancy, but it was reliable. The toggle-linkage system provides a ton of leverage, so you don't have to be a bodybuilder to full-length resize stubborn brass.
One of the quirks you'll find is the handle. It's a long, straight steel rod with a simple knob on the end. It doesn't have the ergonomic grips we're used to today, but it gets the job done. The leverage is fantastic, and because the frame is so rigid, all that energy goes straight into the die rather than flexing the press itself.
The Famous Shell Holder Headache
If you've just inherited or bought a herters super model 3, you're going to run into one major hurdle almost immediately: the shell holders. In the modern world, we're spoiled by the universal "snap-in" shell holders used by RCBS, Lee, and Hornady. Herter, being the maverick he was, decided to use a proprietary threaded design.
The ram on a Model 3 doesn't have a slot for a modern shell holder. Instead, the original Herter's shell holders actually screw into the top of the ram. Finding original Herter's shell holders today is like hunting for Bigfoot—they're out there, but they're rare and usually expensive when you find them on eBay.
But don't let that discourage you. There's a very simple fix that most of us vintage gear enthusiasts use. You can buy a universal shell holder adapter. Several small machine shops and companies like RCBS used to make these (and some still do). It's essentially a threaded plug that screws into your Herter's ram and has a slot on top for modern, universal shell holders. Once you get that adapter, the Super Model 3 becomes just as versatile as any modern press on the market.
Setting Up and Mounting the Press
Mounting this thing requires a sturdy workbench. I wouldn't suggest clamping it to a flimsy folding table. You'll want to bolt it down tight. The base has two large mounting holes, and I highly recommend using heavy-duty grade 5 bolts with large washers underneath your bench. Because the press is so heavy and the leverage is so high, a weak mounting surface will eventually crack or warp.
The die threads are standard 7/8"-14, which is the industry standard today. This is the best part about the herters super model 3—even though the press is decades old, you can screw in a brand-new set of Hornady or Redding dies and they'll work perfectly. The alignment on these old presses is usually surprisingly good. Despite the "mass-produced" nature of Herter's gear, the machining on the ram and the die stage was generally held to tight tolerances.
I like to give the ram a light coating of clean motor oil or dedicated gun oil. Avoid using heavy grease, as it tends to trap spent primer grit and turn into an abrasive paste that can wear down the ram over time. A little bit of maintenance goes a long way with these old girls.
Dealing With Spent Primers
If there's one "con" to using the herters super model 3, it's the primer disposal system. Or rather, the lack of one. Modern presses usually have a tube or a cup that catches spent primers. On the Model 3, the primers usually just fall through a slot in the ram and end up all over your floor.
It's a bit messy, but there are workarounds. Some guys tape a small cardboard box under the press, and others have 3D-printed little chutes that snap onto the frame to guide the primers into a bin. Personally, I just keep a vacuum handy. It's a small price to pay for using a piece of history that performs this well.
The priming system itself—the little arm that swings in to seat a new primer—is also a bit archaic compared to modern hand-priming tools. I usually skip the on-press priming altogether and use a handheld tool. It's faster and gives you a better "feel" for the primer pocket anyway.
Why Vintage Reloaders Love Them
There's a growing community of people who prefer these old cast-iron presses over the new stuff. Part of it is nostalgia, sure. Using a herters super model 3 connects you to a different era of shooting. But beyond the vibes, there's a practical reason: value.
You can often find these at gun shows for $30 to $50 because they're "old" and "heavy." People don't want to ship them because the postage costs more than the press. But if you find one locally, you're getting a professional-grade resizing tool for the price of a couple of boxes of ammo.
It's also incredibly satisfying to restore one. If you find one covered in surface rust, a bit of steel wool and some CLP will usually bring back that original "Herter's Green" paint or the raw iron finish. They are virtually indestructible. I've seen these things survive fires and floods; a little bit of rust isn't going to stop them from making accurate ammunition.
Final Thoughts on the Super Model 3
At the end of the day, the herters super model 3 is a testament to the "bigger is better" philosophy of the 1960s. It's oversized, overbuilt, and unapologetically heavy. While it might require an adapter to use modern shell holders and it's a bit messy with spent primers, it offers a level of rigidity that is hard to find in modern entry-level presses.
Whether you're a beginner looking for a cheap way to get into the hobby or a seasoned reloader who appreciates vintage American iron, the Model 3 is a fantastic choice. Just make sure you lift with your legs when you're moving it around the shop! It's a piece of reloading history that still earns its keep on the bench every single day. There's just something about pulling that heavy handle and feeling the "thunk" of a resized case that a modern plastic-and-aluminum setup just can't replicate.