Let's discuss the rcbs 2A press

[labradigger1]

The A series of presses were massive but they were costly and priced themselves out of the reloading market. Great presses for swaging jacketed bullets (up to .24 cal anyway) but few people can afford to do that these days and they are vast over kill for common reloading. They really don't do anything better than any other brand's top line of single stage presses.

Wish I had one but not nearly bad enough to pay current eBay prices.

I got mine from eBay for $169 plus $20 shipping. I mounted it to a 3/4" aluminum plate and bolted that to the oak bench with three 3/8" bolts and heavy fender washers underneath the bench. After that I dissambled it and cleaned about 55 years of hardened oil and gunk. That being said, I am well pleased! Smooth, strong, no slop after all the years. Do I need a press made this strong? No, not currently but perhaps one day I may.
I am well satisfied with the 2A and would certainly reccomend one.

[bstone5]

Have had a A-2 press for many years.
Purchased new at a local gun shop. Got the press on sale, no one wanted it due to its size.
This press has loaded thousands of rounds and only needs to be cleaned up and lubed ever now and then. The press had the cast aluminum primer catch tray.

Been thru several other press but still keep the A-2 for large rifle reloading.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

[seagiant]

Hi,
Wow! Thats some serious PORN!

Just made my wallpaper!!! THANKS!

[LUBEDUDE]

Very nice Collection!

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Thanks!!

[r1kk1]

Hi,
Huntington was probably right, because that CH Champion is not cheap last time I looked and impossible to find used!!!

Uh, yea, I want one!

I love mine. It is by far the stoutest press of the four I own. Solid ram with drilled through primer disposal. The ram measures over 1-⅛" in diameter. Weighs in at a tad over thirty pounds. It is also the most ergonomic press I own or used. I grab the front of the frame for heavy case forming chores. My other heavy weight is the Redding Ultramag.

take care

r1kk1

[seagiant]

I love mine. It is by far the stoutest press of the four I own. Solid ram with drilled through primer disposal. The ram measures over 1-⅛" in diameter. Weighs in at a tad over thirty pounds. It is also the most ergonomic press I own or used. I grab the front of the frame for heavy case forming chores. My other heavy weight is the Redding Ultramag.

take care

r1kk1

Hi,
Hard to see in the pic, but does yours have the primer arm cuts or is it solid???

[r1kk1]

Solid. Priming was a slotted ram. They don't make 'em with slotted ram anymore.

I I use a RCBS ram prime on mine.

Take care

r1kk1

[Ickisrulz]

Solid. Priming was a slotted ram. They don't make 'em with slotted ram anymore.

I I use a RCBS ram prime on mine.

Take care

r1kk1

When you read the Champion's description on the CH4d's website, it makes it sound like it is a relatively new press:

We worked over 2 years with several leading engineers from a major university to develop the new toggle system. Our computer designed toggle system is based on a proven compound leverage system and develops more force than any other hand operated reloading press - making the Heavyweight Champion the most mechanically efficient press in the world. This new toggle system allows you to swage the very heaviest bullets with ease !

But the press is shown in the 1974 ABC's of Reloading. It looks exactly the same as the press currently offered except for the primer cut out. I wonder if the toggle system was updated and improved, or if this is fancy advertising. I really to like the Champion press though and have done some swaging on mine too with the CH4d dies.

[r1kk1]

I think Dave said the toggle and linkage was improved around '91, don't quote me on that date. I think this when he bought CH and merged his company 4D die company with it.

take care

r1kk1

[LUBEDUDE]

I think Dave said the toggle and linkage was improved around '91, don't quote me on that date. I think this when he bought CH and merged his company 4D die company with it.

take care

r1kk1

Interesting about the name. I always wondered why he did not keep it simple with something like CH Mfg, CH Tool and die, etc.

I realize CH4D IS simple, but it took me a real long time to remember that name.

[seagiant]

When you read the Champion's description on the CH4d's website, it makes it sound like it is a relatively new press:

We worked over 2 years with several leading engineers from a major university to develop the new toggle system. Our computer designed toggle system is based on a proven compound leverage system and develops more force than any other hand operated reloading press - making the Heavyweight Champion the most mechanically efficient press in the world. This new toggle system allows you to swage the very heaviest bullets with ease !

But the press is shown in the 1974 ABC's of Reloading. It looks exactly the same as the press currently offered except for the primer cut out. I wonder if the toggle system was updated and improved, or if this is fancy advertising. I really to like the Champion press though and have done some swaging on mine too with the CH4d dies.

Hi,
You have the one with the primer arm cut outs????

I can't help but wonder if they stopped doing the cuts to make it stronger or increase profit!!!

[Ickisrulz]

Hi,
You have the one with the primer arm cut outs????

I can't help but wonder if they stopped doing the cuts to make it stronger or increase profit!!!

No, I got mine about 5 years ago. Dave gave me an explanation of why the press had no priming system, but I cannot remember exactly the reason and don't want to misquote him.

[quasi]

I have had my C&H for at least 25 years, maybe 30.

[dddddmorgan]

Just chiming in here, I got an A2 press (cast iron with no insert) and it has the small diameter ram and I'd like to use the press someday, for swaging jacketed bullets so I'd be interested in finding a full sized ram. Who might make these?

[oley55]

you've pulled up a pretty old thread. I have a fairly recent one somewhere here where I was looking for a solid ram extension due to problems I was having with the slotted ram not supporting a Lee push stub and ended up making one from a Lee hand press, but it is very slightly undersized. The Pressman recommended getting a CH ram, but I'd already purchased the Lee ram.

Here's a link sorta discussing the issue, but not the thread I am referring to: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...hlight=rcbs+a2

I'll keep looking for the other thread.

Edit added: found it here:https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...extension-help

The short of it is you will have to make or have it made. For what it is worth, I routinely do searches on fleabay, but continue to come up empty.

[mf79]

I got one from a yard sale and it only needed minor cleaning.

[thorswhisper]

Any competent machine shop should be able to make you one. If someone here has one, a pic with a few measurements would help greatly.

[dddddmorgan]

Agreed