Calling all RCBS Pro 2000 Experts!

[C-5Driver]

I discovered while loading some 308 match loads the other night that my shell plate doesn't line up with the die plate! Looks like it's off by about 1/16"! Anyone know if this can be adjusted? I asked RCBS tonight by email on their website, but I probably won't see an answer for 3 business days or so. Ideas?

 

[Numinous]

Try removing and replacing it, and be careful to make sure the ball detent goes down into the hole properly. If that doesn't work then I sense some RCBS warranty work in your near future.

 

[C-5Driver]

Thanks Numinous. Tried reinstalling the shell plate already (I change calibers fairly often, too).

I just took the top of the ram off (two cap screws). There's a little play in the holes, but not enough to give much rotation capability to speak of. You're probably right about the warranty work. I sure hope I don't need to ship the whole press off! I'll bet it's big bucks for something that heavy!

 

[lycanthrope]

Got another die plate?

That shouldn't be. There's almost no way you can install one or the other incorrectly.

 

[C-5Driver]

I have and use several die plates. I first noticed the problem using a Hornady New Dimension seater that has a sliding support that goes over the neck of the case for seating. It was real obvious that things weren't lining up.

I don't think either of the plates can be installed incorrectly as long as you use the pins in the die plates and push down on the shell plate to keep the spring-loaded ball bearing in it's hole under the shell plate.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

If you are off that far you have a problem. Mine is off a bit less than that. I have just lived with it by adjusting the bulk of the error out by turning the whole base assembly on the ram to its limits with the two cap screws.

I was going to check with RCBS if they have some sort of rebuild program or if this can be fixed easily. My guess is the ram is mis drilled but just a bit thus the angle problem. You could probably just grind off a bit more material on the upper assembly but I really don't want to do that without talking to RCBS.

You will tend to notice this more with tall thin rounds like the 30 carbine. Other rounds like 357 mag will occasionally crush a case.

Please let us know what RCBS does so we don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Thanks and good luck. They are great presses with just a few quirks. This is the one with mine I have not really solved.

 

[alellis]

Is it the same when you load other calibres.


al

 

[C-5Driver]

RCBS Customer Service

Wow! They emailed me first thing this morning (CA time)! Called and talked to Brian Goff (very helpful). He hadn't seen anything like that with these presses before. They're sending me a replacement shellplate holder (the main part attached to the ram) to see if that will do it. If not, I'll probably have to send the whole thing in for them to look it over. I'll keep y'all posted!
Dave

 

[lycanthrope]

Yeah, I broke the cam that indexes the primer feed the first week and I swear they two day delivered a new one with no questions asked. Really good service.

 

[C-5Driver]

Parts arrived, but didn't fix it

RCBS sent out a complete shellholder assembly priority mail (basically everything attached to the top of the ram). Unfortunately, it didn't change the alignment any. That means it's probably the ram itself. The customer service rep said the next step would be to send the press in, but I'm not really anxious to do that. These things MUST be expensive to ship! Anyway, since I have a new spare part, I decided to operate on my original assembly. Yep, got out the trusty Dremel! I slightly enlongated those precisely drilled holes and got the rotation I needed. I plan to try it out later tonight, but it looks like it will work.

 

[Serendipity]

Now that you've elongated those holes, I guess any further comment is moot; however, there was probably something really simple going on that could have been fixed without elongating holes. Good luck on getting that press to work; they enjoy an excellent reputation.