Broke my RCBS Partner press today

Was neck sizing .223 brass, something didn't feel quite right with the stroke. Checked everything, set up right, everything tight then POP. Press base broke across the two front mounting holes and up the frame gusset. Sent RCBS an email, don't think there's much the can do. Might be time to upgrade to a Rockchucker.

 

Ease up on the steroids there, Ahnold!

Well, that is a first; The only other press I know of that broke was a MEC that was old, and had loaded many, many boxes of Trap loads.

 

They will probably replace it for free. They're good about customer service.

 

I broke two Dillon SDB frames, both replaced without question. The third one was reinforced, manufacturers can learn.
I am sure RCBS will replace yours.

One thing Dillon asked me, is your press mounted on a flat hard surface?

 

Yup, was mounted on my reloading table. Been there probably 15 years.

 

Super glue and duct tape will fix that right up.

If that doesn't work...call RCBS. They will replace it.

 

Go ahead and buy or work out an arrangement from RCBS for a RockChucker. 10X better press, smoother, stronger, and doesn't flex as bad as aluminum light duty Partner presses. Had one and sold it soon after trying it. I'm one of the "don't buy RCBS Partner" and will always give negative reviews. I have a RCBS Big Max, Rockchucker, Ammomaster 50, and a Forster Co-Ax and experience with the little Partner press. It works but is far from ideal.

 

well how many lee c-frame presses have broke? I haven't heard of any yet??

 

Great subject for a different thread. But, back on topic,

ford8nr,
I agree with rg1, if RCBS offers to replace it, see if they will give you credit towards a better press. If they won't go beyond replacing it in kind, you're no worse off than you were. I have found them to be pretty accommodating when their stuff broke, though.

 

I've been using a Rockchucker for 35 years. When the arm rusted a bit, RCBS sent me a replacement arm that was blued (or coated) & it also had a more comfortable ball handle. And when I contacted RCBS & said there was a little side-to-side play in the mechanism, they sent me a replacement ram - all at no charge.
I also phoned for some advice - I was loading Berry's Plated bullets that don't have a cannelure & asked how I should crimp them. They sent me a taper crimp die for 44 Mag. They also had me send them a couple of bullets that didn't fit their seating plugs & they sent me some custom-fitted plugs that didn't damage the bullet.

 

Was it used for heavy sizing before? Hard to believe it broke on a 223 neck sizing!

 

I agree, RCBS will probably replace your press for free.

If they do offer and you want to upgrade to a Rockchucker ask them if you could pay the cost of the upgrade. They will probably send you a Rockchucker @cost minus the cost of your original press. They are an amazing company.

 

Got my reply today. Ship this one back for a free replacement. Will have to ask about an upgrade.
GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE !!

 

When my RCBS Reloader Special started having "slop" in the linkage, I contacted RCBS and asked to buy new parts. They said they would send replacement parts. I asked them not to since after nearly 40 years, I thought the press had had a good life and I wanted the compound leverage of a Rock Chucker.

 

Not really. A lot of 45acp, .308 and 30-06 some of it being small base for a Garand.

 

That's a age old feature of cast aluminum presses. Which blew my mind when RCBS introduced their new progressives last year.....yeah, Aluminum! I wouldn't be surprised if plans are afoot to "improve" the Rock Chuckers with a new aluminum press like they did when they "upgraded" the venerable Cast Iron Pro 2000 with the Aluminum Pro Chuckers.

I'm sure the Dillon above was replaced for free by Dillon......but I can't fathom how replacing presses free is better and cheaper than making them so they don't break in the first place. Not to mention the hair wringing, crying and cursing customers get to go through....and then there is their lost time. The heavy duty Dillon press, the 1050 "commercial" model is their only cast iron model.

 

Just got a box from RCBS yesterday with a new Partner Press. No option to upgrade but I appreciate their replacement.

 

My RCBS press lasted 40 years. They have had the money I paid for it and have been able to invest it in their business and get a return on it for those four decades. I suspect most people who bought presses 40 years ago are either dead or so old they don't care to reload any more, so there's little worry about having to replace more than a token number of their presses. And replacing the few that actually do break serves to cement their reputations for excellent customer service - and that goes a long way towards selling their products today.

 

I bought a used RCBS Rock in mid 70's. Been just ticking along. I'm not a high volume loader so its had an easy life...but it is still going...and that makes us ( me and wifey ) very happy!

Mark