Rcbs piggyback

[Boogsawaste]

Does anyone have any experience with these? I had to sell my Dillon 450 a little while back because I needed some instant funds. I miss that press and haven’t been shooting as much since because I’m having shoulder pains and my turret makes for a lot of handle pulls (even seating/crimping in one step).

With that said there is a used and missing part piggyback 2 at a lgs for $100 (rock chucker included). Clear powder drop tube is cracked off but uniflow still there. Missing priming system parts also. Now I still like to prime off press so that’s not an issue and from what I understand the old powder drop systems were junk anyway. I would just use the lee disks that I already have.

Also it didn’t seem to always index correctly all the time but I’d probably just disconnect it and run it like I did my 450.

Would this be worth while to purchase? I could probably knock off a few bucks and sell the rock chucker 2 (I already have a RC).

I’m just trying to get back to a more progressive type of loading to save my shoulder.

Of course I could save up for a used Dillon or other but they’re still priced pretty high. Maybe that’s the answer though. Gotta pay to play!

 

[824tsv]

I have a Piggyback II. Works pretty good. I don't prime on it. For proper indexing I'll bet the plastic bushing at the top of the indexing rod needs to be replaced. I'll bet RCBS has them, otherwise you can index it by hand. For my powder drop I went with the RCBS case activated linkage. That eliminates the extra linkage off the indexing rod and will prevent any powder spills on the shell plate.

 

[dave1918a2]

Plenty of used Dillons on fleabay. Lifetime warranty on the machine.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I have an ancient Piggy Back II bought brand new back in the early 80s cause I couldn't afford a Dillon, and was shooting quite a bit back then (primarily .45ACP and .357/.38). I never primed on the press but used a Lee hand primer instead (still going strong after all of those years). Since I purchased a Hornady Lock-N-Load powder measure a few years ago, I now longer drop powder from my Piggy either. Instead, I first clean the cases, then resize and decap, then prime and load powder (about 50 cases at a time), then seat and crimp the rounds before they go through a Lee Factory Crimp die.

My Piggy has served me faithfully for many, many years. A few years ago, it developed a timing problem. I contacted RCBS and they sent me some new parts. New parts didn't fix the problem, so RCBS told me that regrettably, I needed to ship the Piggy back to them for repair. I did and they totally refurbed it and put in all new parts - even the plastic bin for the completed rounds. IMHO, you just can't beat RCBS for customer service. Yes, the Piggy is a bit fussy at times, but I'll use mine until I'm too old to reload. $100.00 isn't unfair for what you're getting, but I've never met a reloader who wasn't interested in saving money. I'd offer $75.00 OTD and see what the seller says.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

With the missing parts, you'll have more in the RCBS system than a used Dillon 450 and maybe get a 550 for that same money!

I prime on my upgraded Dillon 450/550 and have the case feeder (but is not at all faster!) I yield around 500 to 600 rounds an hour (same as before the case feeder!) and at 1 stroke per round! I have 9 large primer tubes and 4 small, but will bring it up to 12 each on my next order (sometime in the next 2 years.)

If you end up with a 550 or 550b have at least 2 extra tool heads for loading an additional cartridge. I also suggest You have a separate set up for 38 Special and 357 or 44 Special and 44 Mag (I even have a separate set for 44 Russian) then you ammo becomes consistent from batch to batch! On the 450 a complete round change with priming and powder change took 20 or so minutes, now with a 550b it is around 5 minutes!

Ivan

 

[Boogsawaste]

With the missing parts, you'll have more in the RCBS system than a used Dillon 450 and maybe get a 550 for that same money!

While I’d like another Dillon I don’t think I’d be able to touch one at the price of the rcbs AFTER I would sell the rock chucker and uniflow it comes with. I’d only need a shell plate since I already have the lee measures and don’t prime on press to begin with (comes with 45acp so I’d sell/trade that too). I didn’t even prime with my Dillon! I just prefer not to, that’s all.

All in all without the shell plate I’m hoping to be into the piggy back about $50. Maybe less. I don’t think I can even buy another lee turret for that!

I’m not a brand snob at all and don’t have any “color” preference. I just really need to reduce my handle pulls again.

I got my Dillon 450 for a mere $100 also (sold it cheap), and if I could get another one or a square deal or whatever similar I’d jump all over that. The Dillon was a darn good press.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Oh, and thanks for everyone’s input. Appreciate all opinions.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

With the missing parts, you'll have more in the RCBS system than a used Dillon 450 and maybe get a 550 for that same money!

RCBS will replace/provide the missing parts at no cost. They have a lifetime warranty and it applies to the original owner as well as subsequent owners.

Regards,

Dave

 

[jimbo728]

I have the piggyback 2 set up. I like it. I did remove the auto index hardware because I would rather index manually. Even with the missing parts at $100 it is a steal. RCBS may have parts for the older machines.
If you could get the priming parts that would be a big plus. Call them to see if they are still available. Just the Rock Chucker alone is worth $100.
Good luck
Jim

 

[Boogsawaste]

Figured I’d update. I got the press for $80 cash. Rcbs has some parts for it and they’re on the way. I didn’t ask for any priming parts as I normally prime off the press. Maybe I’ll call back and see if they’re available. Missing all the small primer specific parts. Large priming parts there with the exception of that bent rod thing. Sorry for not knowing the correct name.

Rock Chucker 2 it came with is very clean and tight.

The powder measure adapter (clear tube), is broken and it’s not available any more. That’s ok because I was advised by rcbs not to use that old style of case detection any way and to just use the new case activated linkage. I just threw a lee auto disk on and called it a day. Now I have an extra uniflow too! Might sell/trade it along with the 45 shell plate as I don’t load 45acp and already have a uniflow and a little dandy (along with a few auto disks).

Cleaned it, mounted it, and ran 100 rounds through it. Pre primed cases took me 25 minutes. I was taking my time getting used to the press. Went so fast I primed another 100 and ran them in 20. Again, taking my time.

No hiccups at all and after cleaning/lubing it it was indexing just fine. I’m glad to have found it and it looks like it’ll meet my needs!

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

RCBS

RCBS used to make a real quality machine. However when thinking about a new progressive I passed on them when I found out they were now made in China or was it Mexico??-- just me I guess although I was never happy they were made in Calif. back in the day. Looking at Hornady now-- my understanding they are still USA made. I looking through an old book on reloading from the '60's it was rather sad to see all the stuff that was available back then. Guess I am old.

 

[jimmyj]

IMHO pass .
Save your money and buy a new or used that is complete

 

[Boogsawaste]

IMHO pass .
Save your money and buy a new or used that is complete

Too late! Picked it up last week.

The only things it’s actually missing or broken have to do with the priming system, which I never prime on the press, even when I had my Dillon and the tube that connects the powder measure to the adapter. That’s also a non issue to me as the original linkage looks to be a REAL hokey set up! I just threw on a lee auto disk as I actually like those.

The way I look at it, the old American made uniflow and RC II are worth at least the $80 I paid and then the piggyback was free. I looked up a few auctions and they’re going for some coin apparently! Even ones with missing parts (piggyback)!

I would have probably paid that coin for a lee pro 1000, even though it’s only a 3 station. My shoulder is just making it awful to reload and this will help with that. So much so that I sat through 200 rounds no problem. That’s really huge for me! Would have been 800 pulls on the turret (which I still will use for smaller test batches or donate it to one of my brothers who might want to start loading).

Sure it’s not the greatest thing since sliced bread and I won’t pretend it is. But it helps me and that’s all I can ask for. Appreciate the opinion though!

 

[H Richard]

I'm not familiar with that particular press, but I have great respect for anything RCBS makes. They will treat you right.

 

[824tsv]

Priming was always the big issue with the Piggybacks (and other RCBS tools). If priming off the press, it's still a pretty decent tool that works quite well.