RCBS Progressive reloaders Any Good?

[terrytm]

Hi :

I know Dillon is the best. The reason I am asking about the RCBS Progressive reloaders is
I have a chance to pick one up that is about 3 years and has only loaded about 4000 rounds.
It is from an estate sale and the people do not know anything about it.
they are asking $500.00 for in and 5 sets of dies. It is the RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Press.
I know the is cheap and I could resale it.
Any and all Information is helpful.

Thanks,
Terryt

[iflyskyhigh]

Put the $500 towards a Dillon. I’m not being a wise ass either.

[pull the trigger]

Completely agree.

[Winger Ed.]

Depending on what kind and how much reloading ya do-- it should be fine.
Look at new die prices, they may be worth a couple hundred bucks or more all by them selves.
If its a pro-chucker 5, they cost about $650. new and a P-C 7 is about $900.
And that's when they come back in stock from their backorders being over due at some places.

[GWS]

I have a PC 5 that I converted to a PC 7 with the conversion kit......which is listed in the RCBS site for $378. Same press more stations. It's several years old and I like it! But its not an out of the box and go press.......unless the previous owner has already got it up to speed. For example the tube case feeder is a separate buy. You might ask whether it includes the tube case feeder....RCBS does not make an electric case collator for the case feeder. You can buy Dillon's case collator, or do what I did: Print a 3D printed case collator from print files on this forum. Such set me back a whole $60 dollars (motor was most of that).....and I printed a bullet feeder/collator too, and both work great....really happy with mine.

If you do buy it PM me and I'll share the little improvement mods I've come up with that makes it sing. Dillons are improved with a couple of mods too. I have a brother with a Dillon 650, nice press, but not any more forgiving than the ProChucker....there are popular little mods for that one too. No progressive is perfect.

That said, the one thing you gotta be aware of is to never force a stroke on any press....the PC5 included. If it doesn't load smooth as a baby's butt, something is wrong....usually fixed with a cleaning and lube. All presses need to be clean and lubed. If it is properly put together, clean, and lubed it is the smoothest turning progressive out there....powder in even short cases stays in the case on the rotating merry-go round like it's supposed to. RCBS's support is every bit as good as Dillon's. I've used both.

BTW, the following picture shows you what you get for the $378 conversion kit to make it a Pro Chucker 7.

https://i.postimg.cc/zv00rzq5/RC-88914-Pro-Chucker7-Converter-Kit-beauty3.jpg

[Taterhead]

The only way I'd go for one of the Pro Chuckers is if I were certain that they corrected the poorly designed tube fed priming. The predecessor press, the Pro 2000 was excellent. But RCBS abandoned the sinple and reliable APS priming when they rolled out the Pro Chuckers.

[Kenstone]

I checked some popular reloading sites, and none have the RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Press in stock, nor does Ebay.
It's listed for $650 at Midway...but "out of stock, no backorder".

If flipping it is your plan you might get it done in today's market, or decide you like it and keep it.
It would be a buy for me if I needed yet another progressive press :neutral:
jmo,
.

[dverna]

If you have to ask, do not buy it unless it is cheap, and you do not mind tinkering.

If you want to load ammunition with the least amount of frustration, get a Dillon. I bet there are not more than 5 people on this forum that would trade their Dillon on an RCBS even if you gave them an additional $100 and paid shipping both ways.

[hoodat]

I've got an old seventies vintage RCBS Rock-Chuck Piggy Back Progressive Conversion Kit. It's like having the AMC Hornet of progressive loaders.

Back then I thought I was getting a deal for a couple of hundred bucks, when the base line Dillon went for like $350. -- I used to drink a lot. :-?

[Kenstone]

I've got an old seventies vintage RCBS Rock-Chuck Piggy Back Progressive Conversion Kit. It's like having the AMC Hornet of progressive loaders.

Back then I thought I was getting a deal for a couple of hundred bucks, when the base line Dillon went for like $350. -- I used to drink a lot. :-?

I have 3 (maybe 4) Piggybacks and buy everyone I find a gun shows.
I bought my 1st when they came out, back when there was no internet and struggled with it, so I feel your pain.

I have since Frankenstein 'ed them over the years to using Lee dies including the powder thru expander dies and Lee disc powder measures.
Getting rid of that claptrap Uniflo Powder Measure was the biggest improvement for me, as well as de-priming and wet tumbling brass before re-loading.
Adding a tube fed Hornady bullet feeding die was another game changer on the piggyback, as my left hand had only one function-adding a case.
jmo,
293856
Yes, the last piggyback I bought came with an ammo master, bought for $100
293861

OP: I have had no reservations about buying used RCBS equipment, I've gotten replacement parts for out-of-production stuff, and with a simple call got them looking for the part I needed.
.

[Livin_cincy]

I am uncertain if the RCBS warranty extends to the second owner. That could be a good thing to verify.

[Kevinakaq]

I am uncertain if the RCBS warranty extends to the second owner. That could be a good thing to verify.

I have used the RCBS warranty many many times on pre-owned equipment (always upfront about it), and was never asked for a single penny. Much to my surprise, as I had always heard of Dillon’s steadfast support, I was asked to pay for replacement parts on a Dillon 550b when I told them I bought used. This was the only time I had ever contacted Dillon and maybe I just got a bad service person or they changed policies. Wasn’t upset about it, just surprised. YMMV.

[GWS]

I was surprised to find the case feeder for the Pro Chuckers actually in stock tonight directly from RCBS. https://www.rcbs.com/presses/press-accessories/pro-chucker-progressive-press-accessory/16-88915.html

Hopefully the O.P. has it included in his find, but if not....nice to know its available if he buys the used press. And BTW, RCBS will send you free any other part of the used press that he might find missing.....their service is great.

[Lloyd Smale]

If you have to ask, do not buy it unless it is cheap, and you do not mind tinkering.

If you want to load ammunition with the least amount of frustration, get a Dillon. I bet there are not more than 5 people on this forum that would trade their Dillon on an RCBS even if you gave them an additional $100 and paid shipping both ways.

best answer

[derek45]

stick with DILLON

[Kenstone]

I'm always amazed how the Dillon fan boys manage to find threads about other stuff and drop a turd about how bad said equipment is.
I usually ignore them but have some questions for those scenters.

Why is Ebay full of vendors selling aftermarket "fix/enhancement" parts for Dillon stuff?
Why all the Dillon problems posted over on the Brian Enos Forum?
Are those posters breaking the Dillon owner's code of silence?
Actually, those are rhetorical questions and need not be answered.
just funning with ya...
:coffee:
.

[derek45]

I'm always amazed how the Dillon fan boys manage to find threads about other stuff and drop a turd about how bad said equipment is.
I usually ignore them but have some questions for those scenters.

Why is Ebay full of vendors selling aftermarket "fix/enhancement" parts for Dillon stuff?
Why all the Dillon problems posted over on the Brian Enos Forum?
Are those posters breaking the Dillon owner's code of silence?
Actually, those are rhetorical questions and need not be answered.
just funning with ya...
:coffee:
.


it's not a cult.

It's quality built and excellent customer service.

most of us recommending DILLON have already tried the red and green progressives and decided we wanted something that works well.

[GWS]

it's not a cult.

It's quality built and excellent customer service.

most of us recommending DILLON have already tried the red and green progressives and decided we wanted something that works well.

I don't have a problem with recommending Dillon or Hornady, and I love my little Lee APP too, but none of them are as perfect as you guys insinuate. The Dillon 650 I've used is pretty good, as good as the RCBS 2000, plus Dillon makes a great case collator, and RCBS doesn't. But other than that either of my RCBS presses load as well as the 650, and the Pro Chucker is the smoothest rotating plate there is....smoother than the Hornady even, and doesn't require mods to keep powder in shallow cases from ejecting kernals all over the shell plate.....unless you stroke really slow. The Pro 2000 did the same thing as the Dillon, so I had to fiddle with a lighter ball and spring.....but we learn to make our machines sing......all of them....none of them are perfect.

The big problem I see is with people being less tolerant than they ought to be and less helpful. I read all the trash talk about the Pro Chucker's primer feed system, and because of it, I was on the sidelines for a year before I bought the Pro Chucker.....but I finally caved when RCBS beefed up their primer shuttles and started selling die plates without having to buy ANOTHER powder measure with it.....me and RCBS went around and around about that.....finally convincing them that selling the bottom end of the of the Uniflow, with case-activation linkage separately, was the answer.....hell....I already had 4 Uniflows!;) But I finally bought one, having to do it the hard way....PC5 and a PC5 to PC7 conversion kit. (it was during the last big shortage on guns and reloading and I couldn't find a PC7.) It was the SEVEN stations...powder cop...separate seating/crimping....M die.....bullet feed die...yup all of them.

You know what? I have yet to break my first PC 7 primer shuttle (2 years).....but I also know not to force a progressive when it acts funny....people break Dillons trying to use force when something isn't smooth too. And Dillons priming system wasn't perfect either.....that's why they dumped the 650 rotary and started making 750's with the old 550 priming system. ( I like the 650 rotary....but it's not idiot-proof....not unlike RCBS's new primer system.) The first time I saw a 650, it was demo'd by a friend. In two minutes flat we were crawling all over the floor picking up primers.....not perfect when imperfect people are around......know anybody perfect? Same with the early adopters of the Pro Chucker.....not perfect....bulls in man caves, who broke shuttles. Better than lighting tubes of primers in Dillons using the same force when you shouldn't. ;)

Be more tolerant....we don't all have to buy blue. Although some disagree, we don't all have to vote blue either.....it's ok to be different.

[JohnH]

I don't have a problem with recommending Dillon or Hornady, and I love my little Lee APP too, but none of them are as perfect as you guys insinuate. The Dillon 650 I've used is pretty good, as good as the RCBS 2000, plus Dillon makes a great case collator, and RCBS doesn't. But other than that either of my RCBS presses load as well as the 650, and the Pro Chucker is the smoothest rotating plate there is....smoother than the Hornady even, and doesn't require mods to keep powder in shallow cases from ejecting kernals all over the shell plate.....unless you stroke really slow. The Pro 2000 did the same thing as the Dillon, so I had to fiddle with a lighter ball and spring.....but we learn to make our machines sing......all of them....none of them are perfect.

The big problem I see is with people being less tolerant than they ought to be and less helpful. I read all the trash talk about the Pro Chucker's primer feed system, and because of it, I was on the sidelines for a year before I bought the Pro Chucker.....but I finally caved when RCBS beefed up their primer shuttles and started selling die plates without having to buy ANOTHER powder measure with it.....me and RCBS went around and around about that.....finally convincing them that selling the bottom end of the of the Uniflow, with case-activation linkage separately, was the answer.....hell....I already had 4 Uniflows!;) But I finally bought one, having to do it the hard way....PC5 and a PC5 to PC7 conversion kit. (it was during the last big shortage on guns and reloading and I couldn't find a PC7.) It was the SEVEN stations...powder cop...separate seating/crimping....M die.....bullet feed die...yup all of them.

You know what? I have yet to break my first PC 7 primer shuttle (2 years).....but I also know not to force a progressive when it acts funny....people break Dillons trying to use force when something isn't smooth too. And Dillons priming system wasn't perfect either.....that's why they dumped the 650 rotary and started making 750's with the old 550 priming system. ( I like the 650 rotary....but it's not idiot-proof....not unlike RCBS's new primer system.) The first time I saw a 650, it was demo'd by a friend. In two minutes flat we were crawling all over the floor picking up primers.....not perfect when imperfect people are around......know anybody perfect? Same with the early adopters of the Pro Chucker.....not perfect....bulls in man caves, who broke shuttles. Better than lighting tubes of primers in Dillons using the same force when you shouldn't. ;)

Be more tolerant....we don't all have to buy blue. Although some disagree, we don't all have to vote blue either.....it's ok to be different.

As a man who loves his Load Masters, Thank You!

[Lloyd Smale]

I'm always amazed how the Dillon fan boys manage to find threads about other stuff and drop a turd about how bad said equipment is.
I usually ignore them but have some questions for those scenters.

Why is Ebay full of vendors selling aftermarket "fix/enhancement" parts for Dillon stuff?
Why all the Dillon problems posted over on the Brian Enos Forum?
Are those posters breaking the Dillon owner's code of silence?
Actually, those are rhetorical questions and need not be answered.
just funning with ya...
:coffee:
.

bottom line is if your not a dillon "fan boy" its because youve never owned one. Most of what i see are people who cant afford it or arent really into shooting enough to buy the best. Id bet there isnt a pro competitive shooter that doesnt have a ammo sponser and has to make his own that doesnt use dillon. I find it comical that some need to bash them because they think it makes them look reloading savoy when in fact it just shows the rest of us the complete opposite. If all you can afford is lee then buy it. Me? I owned a pro 1000 and a pro master back when i was young and dumb. gave away the pro master and the 1000 is sitting on the bottom of my pond. Id go back to single stage loading on a rock chucker before id buy either of those agian. I also made a mistake and bought 2 lnl progressives. Bring me a used 650 and you can have both case feeders (***) and all. Now granted they are a mechanical devise and can occasionaly give you problems but the fact is theres NOTHING THAT EVEN COMES CLOSE TO THEM TODAY. I proudly claim to be a "FAN BOY" I chuckle at guys that own over a dozen guns that probably cost a grand a piece and buy a 200 dollar progressive press to feed them. Most are the same ones that buy a 1000 dollar rifle and put a 50 dollar tasco scope on it.

[oldhenry]

I think RCBS makes some great products: however, I was a victim of Green Machine ownership and ever since then I have doubts about RCBS progressives. I could not believe that RCBS could put such a piece of junk on the market. The shooting magazines were complicit: they praised it (I canceled some subscriptions).

I have two 550s & love them.

[Kenstone]

bottom line is if your not a dillon "fan boy" its because youve never owned one. Most of what i see are people who cant afford it or arent really into shooting enough to buy the best. Id bet there isnt a pro competitive shooter that doesnt have a ammo sponser and has to make his own that doesnt use dillon. I find it comical that some need to bash them because they think it makes them look reloading savoy when in fact it just shows the rest of us the complete opposite. If all you can afford is lee then buy it. Me? I owned a pro 1000 and a pro master back when i was young and dumb. gave away the pro master and the 1000 is sitting on the bottom of my pond. Id go back to single stage loading on a rock chucker before id buy either of those agian. I also made a mistake and bought 2 lnl progressives. Bring me a used 650 and you can have both case feeders (***) and all. Now granted they are a mechanical devise and can occasionaly give you problems but the fact is theres NOTHING THAT EVEN COMES CLOSE TO THEM TODAY. I proudly claim to be a "FAN BOY" I chuckle at guys that own over a dozen guns that probably cost a grand a piece and buy a 200 dollar progressive press to feed them. Most are the same ones that buy a 1000 dollar rifle and put a 50 dollar tasco scope on it.

I'm only responding to your post because you quoted me.
:shock:
Not really
:bigsmyl2:
.

[Minerat]

Let's keep this on topic and not get into us -vs- them. The man ask about a specific RCBS progressive not recommendations on another manufacturer. Thank you and Happy New Year!

[Kenstone]

I think RCBS makes some great products: however, I was a victim of Green Machine ownership and ever since then I have doubts about RCBS progressives. I could not believe that RCBS could put such a piece of junk on the market. The shooting magazines were complicit: they praised it (I canceled some subscriptions).

I have two 550s & love them.

yeh, I remember that release, snapping off a part of the primer slide.
As I recall, an owner eventually discovered that primer slide was too thick (for Fed. primers) and would catch on the 2nd primer in the stack still in the tube and break the primer slide as it tried to move forward.

The simple fix was chamfering the top of the primer hole in the slide and that pushed the 2nd primer back up into the tube as the slide moved forward.
RCBS changed primer slide design and the problem went away, all too late to reverse it's "new piece of junk" reputation.

OP: So that primer slide is something for you to look at and know that a simple call to RCBS will get him the updated parts he needs.
jmo,
.

[Kenstone]

Let's keep this on topic and not get into us -vs- them. The man ask about a specific RCBS progressive not recommendations on another manufacturer. Thank you and Happy New Year!

understood,

[1006]

I think the price mentioned including the dies mentioned makes it a decent deal. I have owned a number of Dillons. The RCBS would interest me at this price for rifle cartridges.

If I remember correctly, the five station RCBS is not as capable as a Dillon 650 when used for pistol calibers; because, the powder dispenser does not flare the case mouth. It acts more like an auto indexed 550, since one station must be used to flare the case mouth.—- at least I think that is the situation.

[Kenstone]

I think the price mentioned including the dies mentioned makes it a decent deal. I have owned a number of Dillons. The RCBS would interest me at this price for rifle cartridges.

If I remember correctly, the five station RCBS is not as capable as a Dillon 650 when used for pistol calibers; because, the powder dispenser does not flare the case mouth. It acts more like an auto indexed 550, since one station must be used to flare the case mouth.—- at least I think that is the situation.

The exact reason I took off the uniflo/flare die and added a Lee powder thru the expander/flare die and a Lee measure for pistol loading.
It freed up a station for a bullet feeder.
I have several uniflo measures gathering dust on a shelf.

[gnappi]

It's tough to get hammered on by us Dillon users :-) and I'll admit... I wound up a Dillon fanboy some 38 years ago (with a 450 which I still have) and paid more than I could have to get there if I had started with Dillon.

That said, since not everyone has the buckazoids to spring for Dillon, most any brand will make ammo but $500 will nearly get you into a new Dillon 550 and will likely get you a used 550. Craig's list has used Dillon 550 presses often from local areas from private parties (from around $400) who are upgrading or they may be estate sales. If a shooter is in no hurry and can accept that a used one may have some issues to clear up, used can save you a LOT.

If you prefer new gear, and you get frustrated easily, don't have the time to diddle with a press much, or can't suffer through parts breakages, saving up for a new Dillon makes sense.

[ReloaderFred]

This thread is closed.