Recommendations for a Starter Progressive Press

[Rollbar]

Looked what I picked up a few minutes ago. 7 more boxes of 38spl (total of 9-now I need to get more powder/brass, in time though, no hurry) and two single stage presses.






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[Rollbar]

A friend if mine has these outside. They both move (just need to be cleaned up) and the best part, FREE.

Now, since both are RCBS, what do I have to get to get one of these running?

Thanks,
Jim






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[Rollbar]

I would buy ten Classic Turrets before I would buy one Loadmaster. I used one in a class and did NOT like it.

Bummer you are getting backorder blues and I feel for you. But don't get desperate and just buy anything. I stand up for Lee gear but The Classic Turret and the other single stage presses are the only Lee presses I recommend to anyone.

Thanks Bob. Agreed about the Load master and watching a few videos on them.

P.S. Curious on parts needed for those single stage presses.

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[IntenseImage]

FYI I had a Lee Turret on order from Midway too. Was "due in" on that Feb 28th order. Like you, that came and went and the next date showed May. I called to cancel (got a Hornady Lock n Load locally instead) and the woman from Midway told me there were over 500 orders ahead of mine for the press! She also noted that it was pretty much a safe bet to assume the May shipment wouldn't have that many and I would be pushed back at least another shipment.

The 9mm dies were 1700 orders deep - cancelled them too when I got em cheaper on EBay with a lucky bid.

I wish you luck getting your stuff soon

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[Rollbar]

FYI I had a Lee Turret on order from Midway too.
and the woman from Midway told me there were over 500 orders ahead of mine for the press! She also noted that it was pretty much a safe bet to assume the May shipment wouldn't have that many and I would be pushed back at least another shipment.


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WoW. Thanks. When I called they told me May for sure but I went ahead and placed a order with Natches.

If you know anywhere else to order from please let me know.
I already have my dies etc.

Now to see if I can get these single stages working.

Thanks,
Jim

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[Rollbar]

Seems this one is a RCBS Jr 3 Press and the other is a Jr 2.

Looking here (link below) to see what parts I can get from it on the RCBS web site (probable take 5 months to get parts) unless you all know where I can parts else where.

I DON'T see the priming tubes/tube holder on their site and some other things. I'll keep looking.

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/Parts_Book.pdf

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Skunkhome]

RCBS presses! Great! Just screw in your lee dies and pop in the shell holder and get started loading. Clean them up good first. You could have them side by side and cut down on some os yoursie change out time. I prime with a lee auto primer but you can use the punch without primer tubes if itis the proper size for the respective primer you are using. My press does not even have a primer arm. Put a bucket on the floor under the press to catch the spent primers. .
This is a great find and is a good way to get started in reloading. Also it will be good to have around to do salvage loading on rounds you have to pull of the line in a progressive press.

 

[Rollbar]

Thanks. I thought so. I bought all those lead bullets from a friend (extra) and he had these outside and said see if you can get them going. He said take them and he doesn't want them back.
I was thinking right away, future rifle press after I'm done w/it for pistol.
The RCBS Jr3 does go up/down. The Jr2 not yet.

I need to get some parts ????????

Can I set this up for the quick disconnect/twist to change out dies?

Will be working on them tomorrow.

Still getting the LCT, I'll leave that on order.

Thanks,
Jim

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[Rollbar]

This guy says RCBS was going to send him parts for his Jr3 free.

I didn't know RCBS would do that but I do see the video is a year old so we will see.

I'll have to call them.

P.S. He said he paid 20 bucks for his

RCBS Bargain: JR3 Single Stage Press - YouTube

 

[Rollbar]

I do have a glass bead blaster, maybe I can clean it up that way.

Then I can paint it BLUE.

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[Rollbar]

RCBS Case Kicker - I bet you could fab this up for the LCT and not use that spring eject.

Case Kicker RCBS Rock Chucker Reloading Press - YouTube

 

[fredj338]

I ordered the Dillon Beam scale but also looking at a digital as a secondary. Of the three, which one is a good scale?

Thanks,
Jim

1. Hornady GS-1500 Grain Electronic Scale w/100 Gram Calibration Weight - Natchez Shooters Supplies

2. MTM Mini Digital Reloading Scale for up to 750 Grains - Natchez Shooters Supplies

3. Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Reloading Scale - Natchez Shooters Supplies

None of them. There are currently no good/cheap dig scales IMO. Unless you are willing to pony up $100+, stick to a good beam scale like te Dillon for $65.

 

[IntenseImage]

If you know anywhere else to order from please let me know.
I already have my dies etc.

I wish my local shop was doing mail order .. He had a few coming in supposedly

So you have dies, what about the turrets to change calibers easily?

I've had good luck finding stuff on amazon and ebay


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[Rollbar]

I have everything except the LCT Press.

Just was given a RCBS Jr3 (1973 model yr). Been learning on that today.

I have extra powder measures and turret heads, just no press to use them until May 2013 from what I'm told.

Looked at eBay before I bought (well they haven't charged my CC yet) and Midway was cheaper. I'll look again later today on eBay, thanks for the reminder.

Jim


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[Rollbar]

I have everything except the LCT Press.
Jim
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I take that back. I still haven't gotten my Dillon beam scale but I did order a digital to check between loads.

Hopefully the beam will get here so I can start soon, that is once I get my OAL etc figured out and some parts for the RCBS.




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[BLUEDOT37]

RCBS Customer Service = Great!

This guy says RCBS was going to send him parts for his Jr3 free.

I didn't know RCBS would do that but I do see the video is a year old so we will see.

I'll have to call them.

Last fall my RCBS JR3's large primer arm's punch head (bought the press & accessories over 35 years ago) "retired". I emailed RCBS C/S & asked if replacement parts were still available for it & how much would it cost? They promptly replied saying the parts are no longer available but they would send me a complete large primer arm "under warranty". I replied back saying thanks & they said you're welcome. A few days later I received the complete assembly in the mail. WOW! I was amazed a company would do that, especially in this current economy. I almost felt guilty accepting it!

Good luck with yours.
.

 

[Rollbar]

I guess the best option is to email then and I can include a pic if need be.

Thanks we will see. Glad to hear they stand behind their product. I don't hear much about that-mainly the blue boys say Dillon and their warranty.

Jim

 

[Skunkhome]

Hey, if you can get free parts go for it. I don't think the RCBS will allow for the quick change dies but if you set them up along side each other you only have to change dies twice. What primer punches do you have?

 

[Rollbar]

RCBS is going to replace all the parts they still have in stock/make for the RBCS Jr3.

I'm using all l Lee dies (4 die set) for the .45acp/38spl.

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[Rollbar]

Ya not sure they have a quick change set up. I saw it on a YouTube Chanel and a guy had some sort of quick change set up.

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[Rollbar]

Now Midway USA is showing my LCTurret B/O until June 02/13. Ordered Feb 11th. I'm gonna have to call to verify.

Looks like RCBS is going to deliver their new parts next week for the Jr3 single stage.

Maybe I need to find another turret press to buy, hummm.

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[Maximumbob54]

Neither of those presses have the removeable bushing to swap out with a quarter turn bushing. For the time being if you load in batches you should find it's not that needed of an item to be able to quickly hot swap the dies. I ran for a long time with a single stage press. Just do all of your brass in a large batch. Size all of them in one afternoon, flare the case mouth the next, prime them, and then as you want them you can load them wit powder and bullets. I used to have boxes labeled as to what stage they were in.

And those two presses are in yikes condition. They both need a good soak on oil to start breaking up that rust. I will never get why some people treat things in that manner.

 

[Rollbar]

Neither of those presses have the removeable bushing to swap out with a quater turn bushing. For the time being if you load in batches you should find it's not that needed of an item to be able to quickly hot swap the dies.

And those two presses are in yikes condition. They both need a good soak on oil to start breaking up that rust. I will never get why some people treat things in that manner.

Thanks, didn't know if they had adapters for the quick change.

I have started to size/de-prime but stopped until the new parts get here so everything will be the same (I'm thinking).

Yes, the person had them sitting outside on a bench and they have been covered in snow more than once. I'm glad the Jr3 freed up easily but the Jr2 needs work. Once I get that freed up I'm calling RCBS

Then I can have them for my grand kids, one of thee days

 

[Rollbar]

Yep, just confirmed, Lee Classic Turret is B/O until June.

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[Maximumbob54]

That's not to say you couldn't go to a machine shop and have the hole drilled out to match up with a quick change bushing. I don't know the width or thread pattern required though. Buy the quick change bushing and bring it in with it and they can match the two up I would assume for cheap.

 

[Rollbar]

Ya but then I would have to get Hornandy dies.
I will just have to work at it on single stage and become proficient. I might get to shoot in a match this year, we will see.

Thanks for the tip, I will keep it in mind.

Jim

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[Maximumbob54]

Lee makes quarter turn dies as well:

Press Accessories - Lee Precision

But then the press would have to be machined to fit them.

 

[Rollbar]

Oh I see. Might as well stick with what I have in the RCBS and not void the 1973 warranty.

Never know if they will get around to shipping presses again and ................ Blah, blah, blah.

Thanks for the link,
Jim

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[Rollbar]

So I take it this guy is de-priming beforehand.

He is using a RCBS powder check die on a LCTurret.

Lee Turret Press with RCBS Powder Checker - YouTube

 

[Skunkhome]

So I take it this guy is de-priming beforehand.

He is using a RCBS powder check die on a LCTurret.

Lee Turret Press with RCBS Powder Checker - YouTube

Wow that makes me dizzy! It may be a good thing that you will have some apprentice time on the RCBS presses to get intimately familiar with reloading before you start using the turret. Running the turret on auto advance is like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time.