Got a new progressive press

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
1,542
Location
NE Georgia
Well, life has finally settled down since I brought my Dad to live with me and he's gone through all the various doctors and while he has some issues, apparently he's got nothing going on that any doctor is willing to operate on him for, etc. So the good Lord has blessed us. It's been an expensive and stressful road, but I feel it'll be worthwhile in the long run vs. putting him in a nursing home.

All that said, I'd decided to sell my Hornady LnL AP I'd had for a long time, since I didn't feel the need for a progressive and I could use the cash to help my Dad. As soon as I did, my son let me know he'd hoped to one day use that press with me and my wife expressed a desire to go back shooting more, like we used to do.

So since I had the Hornady for a decade, I was in the mood for something new and different. A decade ago, when shopping progressives, I'd been interested in the RCBS Pro 2000, but didn't like the fact it was a manual advance. I'd tried out a Dillon 550 for several months and never liked the manual advance.

I also, even after a decade, ever warmed up to tube fed primers and the peck, peck, peck of loading them. So the RCBS strip fed priming system was attractive to me. In doing my research, I'd read very few folks who had problems with it.

But sometime since then, RCBS has come out with an automated advance for the Pro 2000. The press is cast iron, something I always liked and comes with quite a bit of stuff. A bundle of primer strips, a primer strip loader, a Uniflow powder measure with rifle and pistol cylinders, a case activated powder drop and a micrometer for the powder measure, a bullet tray, a cartridge bin and a case bin.

A buddy of mine got it for me at a huge discount and even then, it was still expensive, but I feel it's worth it. Rugged and simple describes this press.

The box weighed a ton and even after I took out all the various goodies, the press itself was heavy as all get out. This thing is built like a proverbial tank.

I ordered a bunch of die plates and other accessories I knew I would need. It's a lot easier ordering a new progressive the second time around. Once you made the decision, you know what you will reload for and can get everything you need the first order.

I also ordered Hornady's bullet feeder dies in three pistol calibers I plan to load. I'm going to make up some tubes so I can pre-load several hundred rounds, then load away. I will be adapting these to feed cast bullets. I also plan on getting their rifle bullet feed dies when they come out in my highest volume calibers.

Needless to say, I'm excited. I've rearranged my "man cave/reloading/gun room" and plan on adding another rolling cabinet to store reloading stuff in. Hopefully in a few more days I'll have some pics to share.

Thanks for all the helpful information I've gotten here lately on Uniflow tubing, etc.

Dave
 
Congrats on your new press. I really like mine. I'll be interested in how your bullet feeder works out.
All the best to your dad.
 
Well, you're just up the road from me, I live in Jefferson GA.

First off let me tell you how great it is that you are taking care of your Dad; taking him into your home with medical problems was a huge decision and in the end you'll be blessed for it. Plus, you'll get to know one another all over again in a much deeper level. Sometimes that can be good...sometimes not so good. Anyway, hat's off to you for doing that.

Loading with your son is a great thing to share with him; my sons don't share my love of shooting as much as I do but they go and shoot with me occasionally. So congrats on getting back into reloading with him.

I load 38s on a dedicated Dillon 650 for my CAS habit, go through lots of rounds. I also have a Lee Turrett for everything else and also have a Lee 9000 for the shotshells I use in CAS. Lots of fun shooting and reloading.

Have fun setting it all up...its a lot of work to get those progressive "mechanical monstors" running on all cylinders but its worth it in the end.
 
Cool Dave, hope you will update us when you get things up and running.

I have been wondering if a press mounted APS priming system would be more reliable than the tube fed primer system. I have been using the hand APS priming tool and like how it works.

I hope your Dad continues to do well.
 
Man cave photos are almost as good as gun photos - hint, hint.

May the Lord bless you for takin in your Dad.
That never would've worked for me.
Both he & I were too set in our ways.
 
It is a great press had mine over 9yrs, like you I tryed the L-N-L and 550 then the PRO2000, I really am impressed with this press. It will funtion even better as you get to know it.

One little thing I might offer about the APS, get some "caned air" and blow out the crud that tracts in from the deprimer, I do that after each loading session, keeps it running like a top. Also I use a "zip tie" the right size to push a Q-tip through the spent primer tube every now and then to keep the crud clogging it up.

Sure would like to know how the bullet feeder works out for you. Good Luck with all
 
Congrats..!

Congratulations on getting, in my humble oppinion, the best 5-station auto index press on the market. I too have a Pro 2000 and love it. If you have any questions, send me a PM.. I am in no way an expert like Peter M Eick or GWStaar, but I have loaded thousands of rounds on my Pro 2000...

You will really like the APS. Just remember, every 3 to 5 thousand rounds, take the APS apart and clean it out. It is very simple to do. Just remember to NOT over torque the small allens on the case retainer plate. I snapped mine when I was in a hurry. And if you manage to break anything on the press, RCBS will ship it to you at no charge and no questions asked.. I told them I broke the case retainer plate of my own dumb doing and asked to pay for it. Their responded by only asking my address and would not take my Visa number.
 
Dave,

How does visibility compare to the LNL (which you have experience with)? I keep going back and forth between the Pro 2000 and a different brand and the videos on YT make it look nearly impossible to visually check powder levels when seating in station 4. Any insight?

I know seating in station 5 is an option, though.

-StaTiK-
 
StaTik,

I haven't set it up yet, so I couldn't say. You'd have to post and get those guys who've had them a while to advise. My perspective is it doesn't matter, as I can add a mirror setup if that's an issue.
 
Dave I'm happy to hear that your Dad is doing good. I know exactly what you are going through my friend. We moved my wife's Mom from California to live with us last March. My wife isn't working any more and staying home to take care of her.

Congrats on the new press. I can't wait to hear what you think of it after you give it a good test drive and get it set up the way you want. Looking forward to some pictures also.
 
Dave,

How does visibility compare to the LNL (which you have experience with)? I keep going back and forth between the Pro 2000 and a different brand and the videos on YT make it look nearly impossible to visually check powder levels when seating in station 4. Any insight?

I know seating in station 5 is an option, though.

-StaTiK-

StaTik,

I haven't set it up yet, so I couldn't say. You'd have to post and get those guys who've had them a while to advise. My perspective is it doesn't matter, as I can add a mirror setup if that's an issue.

Funny you should mention mirrors. Really, an RCBS lock-out die for your pistol calibers is great way to not need mirrors, but then you add a nifty bullet feeder and use up another station and the mirror idea look good if you insist on crimping separately on station 5.

Here's how I did it.

IMG_0756.jpg

IMG_0758.jpg

IMG_0760.jpg

IMG_0759.jpg

LoadingwiththeHornady001.jpg

The articulated "Third hand" came from a hobby shop ($16), the mirrors came from an arts and crafts shop ($2), and the light on the flex arm came from Hastings ($10)
 
The articulated "Third hand" came from a hobby shop ($16), the mirrors came from an arts and crafts shop ($2), and the light on the flex arm came from Hastings ($10)

And the bubble-gum used to mount the mirrors in strategic locals? Priceless?? :p

Presently, I don't foresee the need for another progressive on my bench but...........The RCBS Pro 2000 with auto index does looks mighty fine.

Seedtick

:)
 
videos on YT make it look nearly impossible to visually check powder levels when seating in station 4. Any insight?
Replace your flaring die in station 2 with the Uniflow and a power expander, and use station 3 for checking powder (either a lock-out die or a powder-check die).
 
And the bubble-gum used to mount the mirrors in strategic locals? Priceless?? :p

Presently, I don't foresee the need for another progressive on my bench but...........The RCBS Pro 2000 with auto index does looks mighty fine.

Seedtick

:)

:) Yeah it does kind of look like bubblegum. Actually it was temporary plastictack I was using to find the right position to fasten the tiny upper mirror. The finished mirror was fastened using velcro 5/8" coins with sticky backs....bought at my wife's favorite fabric shop....priceless? Not quite....$3.00 for 15 sets. The lower mirror was epoxied to the 3rd hand. Sorry I didn't take a picture when it was finished.
5-8coins_black_15stes_100.jpg


You know, what I really would like to do is mount my iPhone display where I can see it while reloading and mount a real time micro video camera where the upper mirror is. If and when the price comes down ($90 for one .375"x.375"x.625").:D That shows on an Iphone screen!
633432642884049036_PC206XP.jpg
or this $200 one with sideways lens
634303457232333750_PC304XP.jpg
Or how about this one...only $360 for the reloader who has everything (uses ir led for light.);)
634359609816027500_PC229IR.jpg
 
Last edited:
Replace your flaring die in station 2 with the Uniflow and a power expander, and use station 3 for checking powder (either a lock-out die or a powder-check die).
It seems like you are saying to use a powder check and NOT visually inspect. I'd rather not do this.

My point was, whether you drop powder in #3 or use a powder check in #3, you still seat in station #4. The other option is to powder check in #4 and seat/crimp in #5. This also seems perfectly reasonable but I was only asking about the feasibility/difficulty of visually inspecting in station #4.

-StaTiK-
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top