RCBS Pre-A press

[7x57Hunter]

I picked up this old RCBS press from the “used table” while headed to deer camp with my hunting buddy. I believe this is a “pre-A” press? Came with a few shell holders, one original 30-06 and some copies. I figured I would share some pics.

[7x57Hunter]

I am missing the 1/2 pin that holds the ram on at the bottom…does anyone have a pic of what that looks like? I’m going to make a replacement.

[oley55]

congrats, nice press. But I don't know how I would like the pull up sizing. I swapped my A2 to pull mode and couldn't get used to it and quickly switched it back. I do not believe the Pre-As allow changing the stroke from pull up to push down.

Not sure what 1/2 pin you are asking about and couldn't guess if the A2 pins are the same or not.

[7x57Hunter]

The pin for the bottom of the ram…1/2” x 1-1/4”. I’m guessing grooved with spring clips to keep it in place…but not sure

[oley55]

I'm near my max photo limit but I had already posted this somewhere. Your pic shows a hole but barely catches the slots n grooves. Does this look like what you need?

pm me a number and I'll txt you as many close-up detailed pics as you want and measurements.

[oley55]

I went ahead and took some pics and measurements.
Length-1.645"
diameter- .4985"-.4988" (wear variations??)
distance between keeper slots (id)- 1.304"

I took a spring loaded center punch to one end to determine if it's hardened steel. By the ease of making a punch mark it is not overly hard, but not real soft either. I grabbed a piece of hardware grade zinc plated 1/2" rod and put it into the hole and detected a lot more play than with the factory pin material. I measured the hardware rod and it's .4945"-.4946". That said a cheap piece of hardware rod with a couple cotter pin holes would probably work for the very short term, but sure to induce unwanted wear. IMO

Edit: deleted two unneeded photos to save space.

[7x57Hunter]

Thank you so much! I just looked at mine…the pin looks like it actually slides up into the lower part of the press frame so it must be flush. Thinking maybe just some loctite to hold it in place.

[oley55]

I'll jump out there on a limb and suggest RCBS wasn't using Loctite or similar non-mechanical pin retaining methods in the late 1950's. They must have been using a drift pin similar to the pictured on the link arms. Take a close look into the the pin's hole to see if there are any signs rib marks on one end or the other. The pin's serrations should have left some evidence.

Looks like it is time for me to step back and wait for a knowledgeable A/pre-A expert to weigh in.

[7x57Hunter]

One hole has a mark where it may have been staked in place…or it could just be a ding on the edge of the hole. Nothing obvious like the pin you showed. Perhaps it was just very tightly fit? I was thinking I could stipple the pin with a punch to hold it in place.