I hear a lot of mention of progressive presses from Lee, Hornady and Dillon. But has anybody mentioned RCBS presses. Just glancing at them, they ain't cheap, but how do they work and how is customer service?
Progressives..Now why on earth.......?
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bgrone
Member
I don't reload but a good friend does and swears by his RCBS.
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Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Twoboxer
Member
The RCBS Prochuckers are new and are undergoing significant birthing pain atm. (Source is threads on other reloading sites.) A 7-hole press has some real advantages if and when they can get the bugs ironed out.
Their older press (and the Lee) did not compare favorably to Pepsi and Coke . . . er, Hornady and Dillon.
Their older press (and the Lee) did not compare favorably to Pepsi and Coke . . . er, Hornady and Dillon.
Harrison
US Veteran
The only person I know of that ever owned one, after a few months took the dies and powder measure off and threw it in the river. It never worked properly from day one and he was not a newby. He bought a Dillon and is still happy with it.
I have and use a RCBS PRO-2000 since about 2005. It has the auto bullet feed, auto index and tube primer feed. I moved up from the RCBS Rocker Chucker single stage (which I still have and use). I use the Pro -2K mostly for pistol loading; it's really not suitable for rifle. The variations in powder throw wiegth from thier UniFlow powder measure, I find is too great for accurate rifle loads. The UniFlow is a good powder measure and accurate for pistol loads and powders but stick powders such as IMR4064 or 4895 (which I use a lot for 30-06 and 308/7.62x51), the throw varies as high as 5 grains (not .5!). The Pro -2K is good but finicky. I find myself constainly adjusting it. If I load 500 rounds of 9mm or 38 Super without an issue, it's an achievement. With the auto features I have on the unit, the press is sensitive to alignment and timing of its interfacing stations. Before I start my loading season, which is now, I clean and align/adjust the press set up. The press works for me and like most mechanical devices it has its own idiosyncrasies that one learns to handle.
RCBS has a great customer service section however.
RCBS has a great customer service section however.
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Amp
Member
I used a Rock chucker press from RCBS for a very long time. It was a single stage and now belongs to my son.
For handgun I used the Dillon Square Deal. Awesome machine and the new ones got better I am told.
For handgun I used the Dillon Square Deal. Awesome machine and the new ones got better I am told.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I could never figure out why RCBS came out with these progressives, and none of them have been a success. The Green Machine, looked like a hand powered mini-Comdex, and probably was the best they came up with. They bring these products (at full price) and put them on the market without any real user feedback. Then when it is a flop, they discontinue that line and make 500 of the next poorly developed machine. Somebody ought to hire a real industrial engineer!
Mike Dillon was a truly gifted man! Now that he is gone, there is room in the world for one or two more gifted engineers to come forward. Maybe the risk and investment is too scary! OR maybe the people at the top of the companies don't like being outshone!
It is pretty obvious. 1) A new press design must fill a need. 2) It must be able to be manufactured with current technology. 3) It must be designed and build with affordable materials. 4) If mass produced it must be affordable. 5) (most importantly to continued sales) IT MUST WORK!
Starr did it, Dillon did it, MEC did it, Hornady did it on shot gun loaders (the 366 not the A-Pex!). The Projector, Pro-7, Pro-007, and Loc-N-load AP are getting better with each step, but again "Fear" holds them back, fear of "Copying", "Fear of being left behind", "Fear of financial overextension" or some other "Fear" that I haven't recognized yet. RCBS and others just aren't even trying that hard!
I hope people won't look at the 1980's and 90s and say "That is where civilization peaked in that field!"
Ivan
Mike Dillon was a truly gifted man! Now that he is gone, there is room in the world for one or two more gifted engineers to come forward. Maybe the risk and investment is too scary! OR maybe the people at the top of the companies don't like being outshone!
It is pretty obvious. 1) A new press design must fill a need. 2) It must be able to be manufactured with current technology. 3) It must be designed and build with affordable materials. 4) If mass produced it must be affordable. 5) (most importantly to continued sales) IT MUST WORK!
Starr did it, Dillon did it, MEC did it, Hornady did it on shot gun loaders (the 366 not the A-Pex!). The Projector, Pro-7, Pro-007, and Loc-N-load AP are getting better with each step, but again "Fear" holds them back, fear of "Copying", "Fear of being left behind", "Fear of financial overextension" or some other "Fear" that I haven't recognized yet. RCBS and others just aren't even trying that hard!
I hope people won't look at the 1980's and 90s and say "That is where civilization peaked in that field!"
Ivan
Bought a Pro Chucker 7 this year because I use RCBS for almost everything else. After breaking an indexing arm and going through a lot of adjustment, I've gotten it to work well except for the primer feed system. I oft have problems with the small primers not wanting the feed arm to push the primer forward, so sometimes I have to assist it manually, and have had issues with the large primer arm affecting the proper indexing of the plate. When I loaded a bunch of cases I already had primed, and forwent the primer feed, the system works wonderfully without any complaints or flaws.
But the primer system is a problem, and other customers I've read about have the same exact complaint. In fact, when I got my extra indexing arm after I broke the original trying to get the whole thing to work, they sent extra primer feed plates that I didn't ask for, because they sheer off one of the tabs. The press works well besides that one station, its THE problem. Turns out my indexing troubles were from that as well.
All in all, I don't return stuff unless its broken, sell anything under almost any circumstance, so instead I've learned how to adjust the press, and adjust my method to the press, and it works for me now. I progressively load lead bullets exclusively, so it turns out I didn't need the 7 stages, but it also means I hand place bullets and gotten into a rythme where if the primer arm fails to feed or affects the index, I quickly hand adjust and keep going. I use the extra empty slots for inspection, and realize I could have gone way cheaper, but that's in the past.
Positive notes is that it is very solid and can handle a full head of dies without trouble when the primer feed isn't giving you trouble. Measures of Bullseye have come out extremely consistent and the powder feed works very well, and did i mention that the whole thing works very well except for the damned primer feed?
I gave it a 1 star rating on Amazon, and when I started, I too felt like taking it and chucking it into the river. I came on this forum and swore I'd never buy RCBS again. To be honest, I'm still mad at RCBS over this whole deal. But, I've gone back to their products and now that cursed ProChucker is now a valuable part of my handgun reloading setup. My experience.
But the primer system is a problem, and other customers I've read about have the same exact complaint. In fact, when I got my extra indexing arm after I broke the original trying to get the whole thing to work, they sent extra primer feed plates that I didn't ask for, because they sheer off one of the tabs. The press works well besides that one station, its THE problem. Turns out my indexing troubles were from that as well.
All in all, I don't return stuff unless its broken, sell anything under almost any circumstance, so instead I've learned how to adjust the press, and adjust my method to the press, and it works for me now. I progressively load lead bullets exclusively, so it turns out I didn't need the 7 stages, but it also means I hand place bullets and gotten into a rythme where if the primer arm fails to feed or affects the index, I quickly hand adjust and keep going. I use the extra empty slots for inspection, and realize I could have gone way cheaper, but that's in the past.
Positive notes is that it is very solid and can handle a full head of dies without trouble when the primer feed isn't giving you trouble. Measures of Bullseye have come out extremely consistent and the powder feed works very well, and did i mention that the whole thing works very well except for the damned primer feed?
I gave it a 1 star rating on Amazon, and when I started, I too felt like taking it and chucking it into the river. I came on this forum and swore I'd never buy RCBS again. To be honest, I'm still mad at RCBS over this whole deal. But, I've gone back to their products and now that cursed ProChucker is now a valuable part of my handgun reloading setup. My experience.
samnev
Member
Their customer service is great A+. Their progressive press not so much. If your looking for one stick to the 550B.
Lebauffe
Member
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I do own a Lee single stage, this is pretty **** ! I still use it, but don't like it much. I own an RCBS single stage also, i like it more than my Lee, but it have not the quick bushing option to it, so changing caliber is always a little more difficult than on the Lee, but it works better. It feels stiffer and it slides more easily.
I also own a Hornady progressive press, wich has a lot of use in it. It doesn't work too good now, but if i change some parts it will come back as new. I think to do so or maybe buy a Dillon 650 and have the option to have bullets and cases feeder on it.
I also own a Hornady progressive press, wich has a lot of use in it. It doesn't work too good now, but if i change some parts it will come back as new. I think to do so or maybe buy a Dillon 650 and have the option to have bullets and cases feeder on it.
I had 2 of their Turret presses. Now only one and it is new in the box. I had 2 of the Green Machines. What a ***. RCBS doesn't seem to really WANT to make a reliable progressive that truly works. The Dillon is actually a re-make of the old Star machine at a reasonable cost The Lee progressives suck for the most part. The Hornady IS getting better I guess. RCBS does have good customer service..almost as good as Dillon. Maybe as good. Hornady CS is just OK. My experience with Lee CS has been pretty bad. I know RCBS can make a good progressive press...but I guess the bean counters won't allow the expence. Seems the real problem with all is the priming system. My 650 and the 1050s all work pretty well. When one does mess up it takes a bit of work to make 'em right again. The only progressive machine I have had NO problems with is a Spolar Gold Shotshell machine. Habve 2 and they are worth the gold name. Even in 410 bore. My Dillon 1050 in 45 auto is almost as good. I'd love to have a GOOD RCBS progressive.
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I bought a used RCBS Pro 2000 a few months ago and managed to break one of the little plastic fingers that advance the primer strips. Called RCBS CS and they sent everything I needed free with no questions asked, even some new primer strips as I buggered up a few of them. They earned a customer for life in me.
No RCBS but I do have a second hand 366 Hornady that I picked up.
When I reached thirty I was heavy into hunting and the trap club along
with being a ATA member and doing shoots.
I was not rich enough to buy factory ammo, so I had to get a progressive, since the Jr. would not keep up with the amount of ammo needed.
I felt naked without four 500 round cases on my reloading floor, just for trap... plus skeet and SC ammo. Did I mention duck and goose Steel ammo?
They are all a great investment if you do a lot of shooting.
Pull.......................
When I reached thirty I was heavy into hunting and the trap club along
with being a ATA member and doing shoots.
I was not rich enough to buy factory ammo, so I had to get a progressive, since the Jr. would not keep up with the amount of ammo needed.
I felt naked without four 500 round cases on my reloading floor, just for trap... plus skeet and SC ammo. Did I mention duck and goose Steel ammo?
They are all a great investment if you do a lot of shooting.
Pull.......................
