Piggyback II finally went down

Status
Not open for further replies.
loose noose

loose noose

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
3,456
Location
Southern Nevada
Well like I said the infamous progressive reloader I've owned for at least 20+ years has taken a dump, after I estimated it put out close to a million rounds of ammo. Everything from .32 auto all the way up to .45acp.

Anyway what went wrong, is the case detector spring came undone. I've tried to put it back in the groove however, to no avail, the detector just wouldn't go all the way over to the support post to keep the powder from dropping down.

I've since took my dremmel tool a put a slight groove into the back of the case detector to give the spring a bit more push and this seems to work, but I prefer the elbow of the spring being inserted in that little hole in the detector itself.

I know I can get a new spring for it from RCBS but I've got no idea on how to get the old case detector off of it and be able to replace it. Anybody here familiar with what I'm stating? Any suggestions here would be greatly appreciated.
 
I know I can get a new spring for it from RCBS but I've got no idea on how to get the old case detector off of it and be able to replace it. Anybody here familiar with what I'm stating? Any suggestions here would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Call RCBS - they will make it right.....and for FREE
 
i upgraded my Piggyback II to include the case-activated linkage kit and have been very happy with it. I had a couple of squib loads with the original setup which led to the upgrade.
 
loose noose, I'm sure that RCBS will send you a new case detection arm and spring. I've had a PBII since '95 and really like it. It's a compact progressive that has proven to be very reliable and it produces excellent ammunition.


GW Staar said:
It's a way better method than the old system.
Click to expand...

I agree but with one caveat. You still need the spring loaded case detection arm in place (see picture below) or else the case won't be held in place beneath the powder measure. I made a new one out of aluminum that is much smaller and works great with a Redding 10X or BR-30 powder measure and Hornady case activated powder drop.

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/PiggyBack_II_Conversion_Unit_Instructions.pdf

case_detection_arm.jpg


hornady_redding_br-30_1.jpg
 
Reckon I'll have to get one of those, once I get the case detector thing straightened out. Noticed they only take calls Monday-Thursday from 0630-1600 so I'm gonna have to wait until Monday morning. I'm still baffled as to how you get the pin off of the case detector in order to get the spring inserted, so far RCBS has just about rebuilt my entire press. They are definitely great people to deal with.
 
They are surely great to deal with. They sent me a list of parts for a progressive and wouldn't let me pay anything. I've got a piggyback in the box that I believe is unused. Haven't even checked to make sure its all there.
 
I've got the Piggy Back mounted on a A53 RCBS older press, I leave my Rock Chucker unaltered for the big cartridges like 45-70 etc. I checked out the new setup but I don't see how the Uniflow can drop the powder charge with just the case going up into the spout. Forgive me I'm just old fashioned I guess, and no I'm not from Missouri (The Show Me State) Can someone explain how this works?
 
Simple. Look at the picture 1858 provided: As the case goes into the charge die, it pushes the expander upward, which in-turn pushes the whole Uniflow up until the linkage which is tied to the charge die on one end and the Uniflow on the other, forces the cylinder to rotate. It's the center lever (in front of the spring) that's tied to the Uniflow threads that pushes the linkage up when the Uniflow goes up. Clear as mud right?:)

The one thing that is clear, is that it works perfectly every time. Totally reliable.

I can see why he says the case detection arm is needed .... since it does dbl. duty as a case keeper.

The Hornady linkage that he used is nearly identical to the RCBS version and can be used just as well. The RCBS Powder-through expanders are superior to the Hornady ones.....but then they can be bought and used on the Hornady product as well.
 
Thank ya GW, now does that have to be adjusted for each different casing such as 9mm, .45acp, 38spl. in other words does that activate on the rim of the case, or the inner base of the case? BTW I have the RCBS Uniflow Powder measure.
 
826556.jpg 152982.jpg You need powder-through expanders like these (9mm and .45 ACP)...for each caliber you want to reload for. They drop into the powder die that comes with the linkage kit. Read the reviews of this linkage kit....others like you have converted their Piggybacks successfully.

These powder through expanders replace the funneled spacers inside the Uniflow. As you raise the ram the case goes on to the expander. This expander expands the case to seat a bullet while also providing the path for powder to drop into the case as you finish the ram's upward stroke where powder drop occurs. At the end of the stroke your case is filled with powder and the case is expanded for the bullet seating operation.
 
Last edited:
GW Staar said:
You need powder-through expanders like these
Click to expand...

I don't use powder-through expanders on my PBII. It's a five station press so I (1) resize, (2) flare, (3) powder, (4) seat and (5) crimp. I see no need to use a powder cop die or similar so don't need to free up a station by using the p-t expanders. Just giving loose noose some more options. The case activated powder drop is so reliable and fail safe unlike the original powder drop system which is an accident waiting to happen.
 
1858, I also have the 5 station, which I thought all the PBII's were. I 1. resize and push the spent primer out, 2. replace with new primer, and flare the case, 3. Put the powder in the case, 4. use the RCBS powder checker, to make sure I got a charge, and the 5th simply seats and crimps the bullet.

I definitely like that little powder checker die, as I can safely state I've never had a squib load. However I do believe I'm going to get that Powder linkage for my press. I thank everyone for their input.
 
Granted they are not critical to be able to reload. It's just a matter of options available to make it faster and more fun.....you have more with powder thru expanders. Things like bullet feeders for example.

1858: I like your conversion to make your Redding powder measure work with the Hornady linkage. I use both RCBS's and Hornady's linkage on Uniflows.....I wondered what it would take to use a Redding P.M. Good conversion.

1. resize and push the spent primer out, 2. replace with new primer, and flare the case, 3. Put the powder in the case, 4. use the RCBS powder checker, to make sure I got a charge, and the 5th simply seats and crimps the bullet.
Click to expand...

loose noose, With a powder-thru-expander you can 1. Size & deprime, 2. Prime, flare, and charge the case. 3. use a bullet feeder (even the $28 version). 4. seat the bullet. 5. crimp separately. Powder cop? Not me, I used to use a mirror....now I use THIS:
IMG_1620.gif
th_MVI_1619.gif "] th_MVI_1619.gif [/URL]Click this picture for a video.
 
Last edited:
GW, very nice setup, BTW I got a hold of RCBS yesterday, they sure are nice folks and they are sending me everything I'll need to repair that case detector. I also ordered that new linkage from Midway, hopefully they will all get here about the same time.
 
GW Staar said:
I wondered what it would take to use a Redding P.M. Good conversion.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The only thing I had to do was remove the plastic drop tube from the Redding powder measure and then thread the inside of the powder measure so that the Hornady drop tube could screw in.

loose noose, here's a photo showing the aluminum piece I made to replace the case detection arm once I'd installed the Redding 10X and Hornady case activated powder drop. All it does is keep the case in place on the shell holder using the factory spring.

pbii_case_detection_arm_upgrade.jpg
 
1858, that is a neat little gizmo, rather ingenious I might add. I also ordered the case detector linkage kit from Optics Planet.com for $82.79 including shipping. Below is a photo of what I did to improvise the case detector to operate with the spring.

DSCN0908.jpg

DSCN0909.jpg
 
Ha, just got an e-mail from Planet, and was advised that it would be 4-6 weeks before they could ship my case detector linkage, what a bunch of caca. They had me believe that they had them in stock, Oh well no one else had them in stock either, but at least they let ya know up front.
 
I already posted a link to the Hornady linkage that's in stock at Midway.
 
I saw that, however you need the droppers or whatever you call them, and the price is only a few dollars less than what I'll pay at Planet Optics delivered. Besides that I've got an RCBS Uniflow set up on my Piggy Back now. In fact I've got two Uniflow powder measures, and one Lyman, used strictly for BP. Would like to know where I could get one of those little gizmos, that come out the end of the powder measure though in order to more accurately determine the amount of powder dropping out of the Uniflow powder measure. I presently have that little wheel with the rod, that I've been using for over 20+ years.
 
loose noose said:
Ha, just got an e-mail from Planet, and was advised that it would be 4-6 weeks before they could ship my case detector linkage, what a bunch of caca. They had me believe that they had them in stock, Oh well no one else had them in stock either, but at least they let ya know up front.
Click to expand...

Exactly......4 to 6 weeks...and that's only if you're lucky. The first and last time I ordered from them this went on 3 months before I just canceled the supposedly "in stock" item.

If they have to lie to get orders.....what about returns? I stay away from them.
 
GW, Ya got that right, the only reason I ordered from them is last year, I ordered some lens caps for my Bell & Howell Binoculars that were very clear, and I didn't want to take a chance and get the lens scratched. In fact that was the only place I could find them. I had the lens caps in less than a week.

It don't look like I'm gonna have similar luck with the case detector linkage though. Anyway I've got Midway going to let me know when they've got them back in stock.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

loose noose
  • Locked
What's up with RCBS
Replies
9
Views
868
shoebox56
S
J
  • Locked
Piggyback indexing issue
Replies
4
Views
1K
jeepmor
J
M
  • Locked
Hog hunting in bed.
Replies
10
Views
888
jmorris
jmorris
O
  • Locked
Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Update
Replies
3
Views
348
LiveLife
LiveLife
S
  • Locked
Push through, spring steel, bullet puller
Replies
8
Views
609
stubbicatt
S
Back
Top