Discounts On RCBS Equipment @ Midway

[Cdog]

While browsing the handloading section at Midway I found several RCBS products priced well below even "sale" price. I thought I'd pass this along if you or someone you know may be in the market for loading hardware.

Below is one example of what I consider to be a genuine bargain.

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Press Kit

 

[Forrest r]

If that is the actual press they send with that kit, it's well worth the $$$.

That's an SR series press, they are extremely strong. A lot of the RCBS presses have the slot in the front of the o-frame for a priming arm. The SR series presses does not have that slot.

This is why the old A-1 presses are so sought after, strength.

I used a SR 2 press for decades. It handled all my case sizing duties along with swaging countless 1000's of lead and jacketed bullets. After 20+ years of service that SR 2 started to wear out, more specifically the ram. Called RCBS and they had another new ram for that press (old stock) and sent it to me for free (excellent warrantee). It still wasn't quite right for swaging rifle bullets but still worked for general reloading.

Ended up buying a nib SR 3 RCBS press to replace the SR 2. The SR 3 looks just like the press in the midway add with the 1 1/4" adapter. I use the SR 3 for all the case sizing and bullet swaging duties now. It will easily last me the rest of my lifetime.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Great company, great price CDog!

This is the only press I use, and will likely be until the day I start my dirt nap. The press is built like a tank. RCBS makes quality gear, and more importantly their customer service is outstanding. They stand by their products, and if you call them about something that breaks (like your de-capping rod), you'll find a new one in your mailbox in a couple days.

If you're looking at getting into re-loading, this kit would be a great place to start.

 

[Cdog]

What had me browsing the handloading section was powder measures. My 35+ year old Uniflow is suffering from internal rust. No doubt the 15 years it spent in my previous home's non climate controlled garage reloading area is to blame.

I have several measures of all types, but the Uniflow was my first and still my favorite for rifle cartridge loads.

I also own 5 presses, including 2 single stage. There's already 3 powder scales including my favorite RCBS 10-10. The other two are Hornady. One bench top ac powered, the other a battery powered unit. Both are convenient for quick check confirmation and work well after warmup. Neither match the trusted 10-10 for precision. I don't if this new model measures up. (Pun definitely intended) I have and use 4 separate original Lee hand priming tools, with enough parts to keep them running the rest of my life. I believe #13 is the latest Speer manual I currently have.

With all this said I kept looking at the kit I linked to in my original post. The bargain price for all the quality products along with that natural handloading scrounge/hoard gene many of us have got the better of me. Yep, I have a kit on the way.

$100 for a measure alone or all this good stuff for $300?

My wife told me to order the kit. We used the classic "It ain't how much I spent, it's how much I saved!

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Alas, everything but the dies are made in China these days.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Short story about the RCBS CS. I have a RCBS 5-0-5 scale for 30 years now. When it was about 23 years old the scale was no longer accurate. The blade seat was worn, the blade was dull and it was just not right. RCBS told me to send it in for warranty and when I got it back the only thing that was still from my old scale was the scale base. They changed everything including the beam. They said it was no longer up to their standards and replace it even though I didn't know it was bad. No charge of course, not even the return postage.

Can't say anything bad about RCBS. I'm a loyal customer forever!

 

[Cdog]

Alas, everything but the dies are made in China these days.

While I've been aware of many of their accessories being china or some other region imports, I haven't seen a RC press box labeled with any indication other than Made In USA.

Any time a company changes hands long standing truths may fall by the wayside. When it comes to my loading equipment I'm color blind. If it's pink and purple and I like it, I keep it. If it's not up to par it goes back. I get to check out several products with one item number. If I'm not pleased with the vast majority of the products it'll go back to Midway.

I have stayed away from RCBS and especially Lyman presses over the last 20 years due to them camming past top dead center. The last new RCBS press I purchased was around the turn of the century. It was their turret press and in my opinion it was of inferior design. Flex,Over Camming, Die to frame clearance, and the list goes on. The last Lyman was a grey Crusher. It was a beast of a press, but it cammed way past TDC. All I get from going past TDC is aggravated. No advantage to it for me. It simply makes die adjustment more tedious than necessary.

Everything I read about this RC Supreme says there's a camming of sort, but not the type that lowers the ram away from TDC.

Regardless of the origin I'm hoping the powder measure will live up to the Uniflow name. We'll see in a few days.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

The RC press might be made in the US or maybe it's just assembled here. If you look at their website, they make a point of saying "Made in the USA" on all their dies but not on the other products. It's a shame because they are such great people and their HQ is near me in Oroville, CA. They were bought out by a big holding company some years back but fortunately it has not hurt their customer service, which is top notch.
As for the camming over, the handle of my 22 year old RC cams over, the ram does not.

 

[Greyman50]

To quote " **** game", " thats a Deal, Deal", lol. Along with maybe 3-4 more loading manuals and help from experienced reloader friend, Perfect for new reloader. Just need to find powder and primers…

 

[glenwolde]

I went to their clearance center and filtered by "RCBS" only and WOW. Just about everything is on sale. Their 9mm Carbide three die set is $38.78..??? Same price on all the popular calibers.

RCBS Carbide 3-Die Set Taper Crimp 9mm Luger

Stock up now to flip them at the next shortage! Two years ago these were $150 on eBay.

Seriously, this is kind of a bad sign. Looks like they are dumping inventory. I guess the primer shortage is starting to hurt.

 

[Cdog]

I've been out of town all week, just got home last night. The package was delivered in two days.

It still sits unopened at the moment. I'm planning to take a look inside later today.

Like Glenwolde, I think it may be an inventory dump. With primers being the price they are, how much stock have any of the hardware manufacturers moving in the last year or two?

I don't need any of it, just wanted another powder measure. $300 for all the stuff listed, price sells!

I reckon I accept the risk that we may eventually end up with red, green, blue, and orange boat anchors. ️

 

[Cdog]

Got everything unboxed. The kit is prepackaged together and only the scale had a retail sales box. The package for it is clearly labeled made in china. I can see why people complain about it being too lightweight. If you have it on a smooth hard surface you have to hold it in place to set your desired weight. Other than that it seems to be a very usable scale. I checked several known weight objects and it's dead on.

The powder measure came in a plain brown box, so no country of origin that I've found. It felt like a chunk of lead after handling the scale. After cleaning, assembly, wiping down with graphite I ran a pound of N150 through it. It works a bit different from the original Uniflow. It seems smoother and every bit as repeatable using the one powder I tried. The baffle from my old unit dropped right in.

Next was the press. Again packed in plain cardboard. All I have done is mount to the bench. I dosed the ram with synthetic engine oil, it's slick and smooth.

That's likely it for the day. Being out of town for a week, the yard work awaits!

If the press loads straight accurate rifle rounds, then I feel I've already got a bargain. The Speer #15 manual, priming tool, lube, pad, load tray and all the other stuff is gravy.