RCBS Primer Pocket Swager tool question?

[Springfield_1911SS]

Does any one have a RCBS primer pocket swager combo tool?

How does it work, how is it configured?

Can I use it in my lee SS press? Can I use lee shell holders or do i have to use the RCBS?

 

[ReloaderFred]

The RCBS primer pocket swager doesn't use a shellholder. The swaging plug goes into the press ram in place of the shellholder, and a sleeve fits over the plug and ram. The shell is placed on top of the plug, with the primer pocket on the plug, and then run up into the swaging die body, which has a rod in the middle of it that presses against the web of the case when the ram is raised. The rod acts as an anvil and the swaging plug expands the primer pocket mouth to remove the crimp. When the ram is retracted to the bottom of it's travel, the sleeve pushes the case off the swaging plug.

I don't have any Lee presses, so I can't tell you if it will fit over the ram on the Lee press or not.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ocabj]

Here's a couple pictures from an incomplete reloading guide I wrote:






Here's the URL to the incomplete guide if you are interested:

http://www.ocabj.net/oldindex.php?content=handloading_guide

But I highly recommend the Dillon Super Swage 600. I wrote a review of the Dillon tool recently:

http://www.inlandshooters.net/index.php?contentid=80

It's a far better tool and if you plan on processing crimped primer pockets on more than 1000 cases, it's definitely worth the extra cost over the RCBS tool.

 

[Otto]

You don't say which Lee press you have.
On the Classic Cast, the ram is too large for the case stripper cup.
You'll still be able to swage the case but you will need to remove the casing by hand.
You'd probably be better served with the Super Swage 600 for $87.

 

[trueblue1776]

For $87, I'd just as soon use a cutter-type chamfer tool like the Forster.

 

[sublimaze41]

I was told to get a Dillon and don't look back. I got one and it works great! I can easily do 400 cases per hour. Plus the Dillon comes with several other caliber conversions for no additional cost.

 

[stubbicatt]

I have the Dillon, and after experimenting with others, this is the tool to get.

 

[alsaqr]

i use chuck a case neck chamfering tool in my drill press. This is fast and easy.

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

i have a lee classic cast turret and a lee reloader press, i have about 200 rounds that need the mil. crimp removed. I can get the RSBC tool for $23 so if it takes a little longer i dont mind

 

[strat81]

For 200 caes, I'd just use a chamfer tool by hand. The RCBS one is around $12. If you had buckets of brass, then I'd say get the Dillon. A buddy of mine has the Dillon and he raves about it.

If you're set on a press swager, don't forget the one by CH4D.
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/?p=57

And some good articles:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/squeezeplay/index.asp
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/squeezeplay2/index.asp

 

[ocabj]

This was my primary motivation to acquiring the Dillon Super Swage 600:

The RCBS tool was not going to be fun when attacking this bucket of LC03.

Cutting away the crimp is not the most optimal way to remove crimp simply because often the reaming procedure results in an offcenter primer with respect to the flash hole.

 

[Jim M]

I have one of the RCBS Primer Pocket Swagers, and it works quite well, although it is a bit slow. Other than a Dillon 1050, I don't think any method of swaging primer pockets will be any faster. ReloaderFred and ocabj have given a good description of the swager and how it works.

The only issue is the size of the ram on your reloading press. The case stripper sleeve that comes with the RCBS swager has a 1.000" I.D., so it only works with a ram that is one inch or smaller in diameter.

I use an RCBS "Big Max" press, also known as the A-4, which has a ram 1.250" in diameter. When I bought the primer pocket swager, I called RCBS and explained that the case stripper didn't fit my press. They sent me a new case stripper that is also 1.25" in diameter, so the swager works well. No charge for that new case stripper, by the way.

I measured a couple of other presses that I have in the shop, and most have a ram that measures 1" or less. If yours fits that description, then the RCBS at $23 is the way to go. I have a Lee Classic Cast Press with a ram that measures 1.125" in diameter. Of course, the original case stripper wouldn't work, but the larger one (1.250" for the A-4) does work on the Lee Classic Cast press.

If you have a press with a ram larger than 1" in diameter, but no larger than 1.25", I would call RCBS before I buy the primer pocket swager, and see if they still have the larger case stripper available. They didn't charge for mine, so availability seems to be the only question.

Jim M

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

CH4D also makes a primer pocket swager that is similar to a ram-prime unit (in fact they sell it alone or as a set with the pieces to swage and seat primers). It is independent of the ram size, and will even work in a forster co-ax if you have their shell holder adapter plate. With an adjustable handle press like the Lee classic cast, it would probably be very fast to use, on par or better than the Dillon. In fact, a classic cast press + the ch4d swager is about the same price as the Dillon super swage alone.

Andy