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View Full Version : Love my RCBS A2 Press!



seagiant
04-18-2014, 05:08 PM
Hi,
I was able to obtain one of these not long ago. Did a little clean up and decided to try it out loading some LC 7.62 brass for my DPMS LR-10 7.62 rifle. I own Fals,Garands.and M14's and if the brass is a bit off or sits just a little proud in the Forester case guage it is no problem. However for the LR-308 no go! The case has to be PERFECT in every respect!

Ifound even though this makes no sense that I have better luck in getting this machine gun fired brass back into shape with the RCBS A2??? I use a very nice set of Redding dies by the way.

Just thought I would snap some pics while enjoying this nice press and see if there were any more fans out there!
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Pressman
04-18-2014, 05:58 PM
Seagiant, those big A's are nice presses. I used a 2A for years, 'cause I didn't have a Rockchucker back then. It never failed to do a great job.
Glad you have got one.

Ken

seagiant
04-18-2014, 08:00 PM
Hi,
Thanks Pressman! I'm now on the trail of a primer arm for it. I will have to make the leaf spring for it but no problem as I used to blacksmith in my younger days!

The press is just so smooth and I guess from the size of the big ram and the weight, sort of like closing the door on a safe!

LUBEDUDE
04-19-2014, 02:21 AM
Just thought I would snap some pics while enjoying this nice press and see if there were any more fans out there!
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You bet I'm a Fan - when comes to looking at YOUR presses!!!

Char-Gar
04-19-2014, 09:30 AM
Circa 1958 when I started into reloading the A2 press was the pinnacle of reloading presses and lacking the funds had to start with a Pacific Super C, but I lusted after the A2. Nobody in my circle of shooters and reloaders had one, but all wanted one.

About 7 years ago, I picked up a good one and it is as good as we thought.

KHA
04-19-2014, 10:40 AM
I use the RCBS Big Max A-4. One heck of a fine and powerful press that can also be used for swaging.

Butch

seagiant
04-19-2014, 12:12 PM
Hi Char-Gar,
It looks like we have the same press! I doubt I will ever prime on it but I'm going to try to get a priming arm for mine just to make it complete. I called Huntington (not RCBS) and the gentleman told me he had one primer arm left for the A2 in the whole building and it would be $75!!!

Well,I passed on that but think maybe I've got one now!

DaveInFloweryBranchGA
04-19-2014, 06:18 PM
For that much money, I think I would have a priming arm made by one of the guys on the forum.

WallyM3
04-19-2014, 06:37 PM
I'm a fan!

102713

seagiant
04-19-2014, 06:59 PM
For that much money, I think I would have a priming arm made by one of the guys on the forum.

Hi,
Well,I've got a shop including a Bridgeport Mill,so I could make one if I had to! I think I found one at a realistic price we shall see?

Wally, That looks nice! I also owned a Bonanza Co-Ax as it was my first press and I had to put it on lay-away at the time as then $150 was a lot of money! I now would prefer the A2 over the Co-Ax if I had to make a choice now!

WallyM3
04-19-2014, 07:32 PM
"Wally, That looks nice! I also owned a Bonanza Co-Ax as it was my first press and I had to put it on lay-away at the time as then $150 was a lot of money! I now would prefer the A2 over the Co-Ax if I had to make a choice now!"

I've had this one a while and I generally use it for finesse work. The A2 has seen a lot of HXP '06. I've got the large primer arm and both tubes. I'll be making the small one some day (on page 27 of the 'to do" list). Notice the black lever arms on the CoAx. Gives you more hand room, but takes the press beyond TDC. I currently have a set of jaws for .45 Auto rim on the B'port table. the rim, as you prolly know, is 50% thicker than just about any other pistol cartridge out there.

I've still got my 1st press, a RockChucker ca. 1972 and have been adding just cause I like presses.

I know this is a hijack, but we all like eye candy and loading porn. The last one is kinda' cool; a Savage "Straight-Eight". The handle rests in the down position! We'll be curing that shortly.

102716
102717
102718
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Skunk1
04-20-2014, 07:09 AM
I've always wanted A2 but could never find one at a decent price. I'll just have to keep looking.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter
04-20-2014, 08:15 AM
Guess I will pile on a few pics when I get back from fishing. I love my A presses!!!

seagiant
04-20-2014, 10:20 AM
Hi Skunk,
I was like you wanting one but the price was always high and then over night just about doubled for some reason. Found a member here who found mine at a good price,but actually prefered a new RC for his own reasons so I bought him one and we traded! A win-win in my book!

You might want to put a thread in the WTB section as I know some guys here actually own a few and might let one go for a decent price or trade?

Char-Gar
04-20-2014, 10:52 AM
Seagiant....I bought a priming arm from Huntington's, but they were not that dear at the time, I think about half that price. I never use it, preferring to prime with a hand tool or an old Pacific C press. The smaller Pacific press gives a better feel for primer seating, and cost me less than the A2 priming arms.

If you are really stuck on having a priming arm for the A2, you might pry me loose from mine for some kind of trade.

seagiant
04-20-2014, 11:31 AM
Seagiant....I bought a priming arm from Huntington's, but they were not that dear at the time, I think about half that price. I never use it, preferring to prime with a hand tool or an old Pacific C press. The smaller Pacific press gives a better feel for primer seating, and cost me less than the A2 priming arms.

If you are really stuck on having a priming arm for the A2, you might pry me loose from mine for some kind of trade.

Hi,
Char Gar,I appreciate it! I have a bid on one at this time on our favorite auction site! I will see how that goes as I refuse to pay more than I think they are worth and time is on my side! Let me see what happens. Like you I think there are better ways to prime but I want my press to be complete as possible! Thanks again!

IllinoisCoyoteHunter
04-20-2014, 02:18 PM
Original Model A - Per RCBS
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Model A
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Model 2A
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Model A2
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Model A4
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Still hunting down an A3 to finish my collection...

Dan Cash
04-20-2014, 02:29 PM
I'm a fan!

102713

Are the curved links on your Co-Ax your addition/fabrication?

WallyM3
04-20-2014, 03:31 PM
Are the curved links on your Co-Ax your addition/fabrication?

No. These are from our own In-line Fabrication:

http://inlinefabrication.com/collections/press-accessories/products/precision-machined-increased-access-side-linkages-for-co-ax

I've done a couple of modifications myself since that photo was taken.

seagiant
04-21-2014, 08:53 AM
Hi ICH.
Nice bunch of Vintage presses there!!! I've always wanted the Model A as it has the big Knurled ring at the top for the die reducer. Just makes it look neat! Happy with what I have and glad I was able to obtain it as all of these are hard to find now at a decent price, but if we were having a beauty contest the Model A would be it!