[Peter M. Eick]

I bought the progressive upgrade to my pro2000 a while back and I finally decided to install it.

The installation instructions are ok, but not exactly clear. RCBS manuals are not the best and this one does not break that tradition. You end up using a lot of your pro2000 parts so it is not a drop in solution. You are sort of committed to the conversion once you do it.

So far I have made about 1000 rnds with it in. It works once you get everything adjusted it is reliable and works reasonably well. You do have to be careful using it though because it really snaps the die plate around so it is possible to spill some powder if you are not being smooth and careful. Also if you flub up, it is not easy at all to go backwards. You basically have to pull your flub and then cycle the rest of the rounds through the press. It is still very easy to switch calibers and adjust things all in all.

Pros - It works, it does seem to speed up the operation slightly and it is relatively cheap.

Cons - hard to adjust, poor instructions, can spill powder if not careful.

Verdict? Worth the expense. It will probably wear in and smooth out so the spilling issue will go away and now that it is installed why worry about the instructions.....

[john44402]

Peter,

There's a fix for the snappy shell plate/powder splash issue.

I think it was a member here who came up with it, and it's great. The detent ball spring pushes the ball pretty hard against the bottom of the shell plate. That's what makes it snap over so fast.

His solution was to shorten the spring so that the ball doesn't push so hard against the plate.

I did it and it works fantastic now.

Just shorten in increments until you find a good length for the spring.

[Pepper]

Peter - there is a fix for the spilled powder. RCBS has a lighter detent spring. I just emailed them and they sent it out. Fixed the problem for me. It is part #88037 - Piggyback Index Ball Spring.

[john44402]

Dear Pepper, you didn't mention how it works...do tell.

RCBS sent me a replacement spring with a few other things.

It seemed pretty stiff.

I kept my substandard, and handily ignore-able spring modification in place :)

[Pepper]

John, as I said, it fixed the problem for me. I'm using it with 9mm and I no longer have powder jumping out. I found out about the spring while at the SHOT Show from the engineer who designed the press. Give CS a call. They know about the spring.

[john44402]

It's cool Pepper,

I was sort of messin' with ya.

I have the new spring, I just didn't want to swap it for the modified spring that was working well.

I also filed the base of the progessive set up so the index bar and roller didn't hit so hard on the way up and down. When you loosen the mounting bolts, it not only moves left to right, but also fore and aft now :D.

It's a smooth and totally enjoyable press. I love the thing. 500 Mag, 44 Mag, 10 MM, 45 ACP, 40 S&W etc...it's a cakewalk.

[Peter M. Eick]

Thanks. I will give them a call on monday.