Is anyone using the RCBS bullet feeder?
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GW Staar
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I had one on order from Grafs for 5 weeks. RCBS hasn't sent them one yet, which is ok by me, because I finally absorbed enough information about the thing, to decide it's not for me. I canceled my order.
Midway has allowed you to backorder it since May. Evidently RCBS has sent them one or two, which were supplied to backorder customers, but Midway still lists them as out of stock. One of their customers finally wrote a review, and that influenced me to cancel. http://www.midwayusa.com/ProductReviews/?productnumber=684180
Here's the scoop:
The feeder's collator places a bullet on a case, but not under the bullet seater. That's bad news two ways. 1. The feeder uses up a station that could otherwise be used for a powder check die, or a Lee Factory Crimp die. 2. The case with bullet on top has to be indexed to the next station where the bullet must then be seated. That means the the case mouth has to be belled enough so that the bullet, while changing stations, won't fall off. (reduces case life)
I use a RCBS Pro 2000 so I was excited to finally have a bullet feeder to buy.
But finding out that RCBS didn't design it to be used on the bullet seating station is a major disappointment. No wonder the price was cheaper by $200 than the "Kiss" (now marketed by the inventor directly as the "Mr. Bullet Feeder"
New and good news for me is that "Mr. Bullet Feeder" will work just as well on my RCBS Pro 2000 as on a Dillon. (Got that from an Email from Rick himself) Also Rick's unit has kits to feed .223 and .308 rifle as well. Pricey, yes, but I think I'm going to do it...just as soon as I talk my wife into being happy about it.
Really its not that hard, I just have to buy her something expensive that she wants. Fair's Fair.
Midway has allowed you to backorder it since May. Evidently RCBS has sent them one or two, which were supplied to backorder customers, but Midway still lists them as out of stock. One of their customers finally wrote a review, and that influenced me to cancel. http://www.midwayusa.com/ProductReviews/?productnumber=684180
Here's the scoop:
The feeder's collator places a bullet on a case, but not under the bullet seater. That's bad news two ways. 1. The feeder uses up a station that could otherwise be used for a powder check die, or a Lee Factory Crimp die. 2. The case with bullet on top has to be indexed to the next station where the bullet must then be seated. That means the the case mouth has to be belled enough so that the bullet, while changing stations, won't fall off. (reduces case life)
I use a RCBS Pro 2000 so I was excited to finally have a bullet feeder to buy.
But finding out that RCBS didn't design it to be used on the bullet seating station is a major disappointment. No wonder the price was cheaper by $200 than the "Kiss" (now marketed by the inventor directly as the "Mr. Bullet Feeder"
New and good news for me is that "Mr. Bullet Feeder" will work just as well on my RCBS Pro 2000 as on a Dillon. (Got that from an Email from Rick himself) Also Rick's unit has kits to feed .223 and .308 rifle as well. Pricey, yes, but I think I'm going to do it...just as soon as I talk my wife into being happy about it.
Really its not that hard, I just have to buy her something expensive that she wants. Fair's Fair.Peter M. Eick
Member
I looked at it long and hard and had to pass on it also.
I don't shoot that many jacketed bullets anymore and since it says no lead, I am pretty well done.
Also I just went to great effort on my Pro2000 to splice in a hornady bell, expand and powder drop into my system so I can get a powder check die into the spot 3 that to loose a die slot to the bullet seater is unforgiveable.
I agre with the post above. RCBS blew it when they made a 5 station press is the biggest problem with the Pro2000. They really should have made a 9 or 11 station real beast of a machine that you could have some room to grow the press to do other things. They should have planned for the bullet seater, brass loader, lube die, trim die, seater separate from crimper, etc.
I don't shoot that many jacketed bullets anymore and since it says no lead, I am pretty well done.
Also I just went to great effort on my Pro2000 to splice in a hornady bell, expand and powder drop into my system so I can get a powder check die into the spot 3 that to loose a die slot to the bullet seater is unforgiveable.
I agre with the post above. RCBS blew it when they made a 5 station press is the biggest problem with the Pro2000. They really should have made a 9 or 11 station real beast of a machine that you could have some room to grow the press to do other things. They should have planned for the bullet seater, brass loader, lube die, trim die, seater separate from crimper, etc.
Peter M. Eick
Member
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=456654
Here are both. Enjoy.
I will add that it works slick. I was worried that the looseness of the die plate on top might cause issues, but if anything the shaking has made the charges more consistent. I particularly noticed this with Unique. I bet 800x would work even better now with more jostling.
Here are both. Enjoy.
I will add that it works slick. I was worried that the looseness of the die plate on top might cause issues, but if anything the shaking has made the charges more consistent. I particularly noticed this with Unique. I bet 800x would work even better now with more jostling.
GW Staar
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I recognize that the selling price necessary for your 9-11 station press would probably make it a risky proposition. It might sell to a few of us "die-hards"
, but not to the general reloading public.What I can't understand is their splitting of the expansion and powder charge stations, and now the bullet feeding and seating stations. That reeks!
I like the RCBS Pro 2000 because of the APS system, its simplicity, and its strength. I even prefer having the powder measure in the permanent spot, so I don't have buy a measure for each die head, (very un-Dillon-like)...and I like having the other 4 stations in an exchangeable head.
My idea of the perfect last station, is a bullet-feeder, seater, and crimper all in one. And the crimper would be adjustable with removable parts to taper crimp, or "factory crimp" as needed. Then you could, 1. Size/deprime; 2.Prime; 3.Expand/drop powder; 4: Lock out or powder check; 5. Bullet feed, Seat, and crimp. And if you must, you can move the Power Measure to 2, and have an extra station.
I'm hoping "Mr. Bullet Feeder" might be a good step in the right direction. At least they feed a seater die, directly, if I'm not mistaken.
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