RCBS Primer Swage Die and Lee CC

Status
Not open for further replies.
I haven't used one on a Lee but I don't see why it wouldn't work on one. I actually prefer them to the Dillon SS because a press has more leverage but they don't beat a 1050, as long as your not taking price into consideration.
 
Thanks for the quick response. I've been getting by with a reamer, but it seems like swaging is a better way to go. Price is a consideration - I don't have enough brass to process to justify something like a Dillon swager. Now a second 550b would be tempting, let alone something like a 1050, and I routinely talk myself out of making that kind of move (my reloading is too sporadic to go down that path).

BTW, one of the comments in the link said something about a different part from RCBS, but that doesn't turn up in any searches, so I figured someone here must have tried it with the CC.
 
I own one of those kits and no longer use it. I use the CH4D swager/ram prime kit as it works faster for my needs. I do not have a Lee press of any type now but seem to recall the RCBS tool needs a different collar that is longer to work with some Lee presses. I would contact RCBS first and see if you need the additional longer collar before you buy anything. I think that they will provide it at No charge though. The CH4D is less money and uses your standard shell holder.
 
It will work fine on a LCT/LCC. I used to own one as well as one from CH4D. Both were sent down the road for the same reason. I should have purchased the Dillon Super Swage from the beginning.
 
Last edited:
dragon813gt said:
It will work fine on a LCT. I used to own one as well as one from CH4D. Both were sent down the road for the same reason. I should have purchased the Dillon Super Swage from the beginning.
Click to expand...
I hate you.

j/k

I was a little worried about that. Any die type set is over 1/3rd of the way to the Dillon. Do I save my pennies for a better tool? Or hope for the best? Hope is waning.
 
The RCBS you install either the small or large swage tool where the shell holder goes, the drop the cup over it, run a case up, then run the die down until you get the swage you want.

The Dillon is similar in that you adjust the rod but you flip the back up rod to change the case out.

There are also hand and powered pocket reamers as well as home brew stuff. The 1050 swage rod is the one in the center. I have them all and they all work but I like some better than others.

IMG_20150120_102721_411-1_zps5ce96744.jpg
 
Not sure if the ram sits any higher on the classic cast than the LCT, but, i had to get a taller case stripper cylinder that sits on top of the ram. The one with the kit would not remove cases from the swager. RCBS has a taller unit if you call them.
I have one but have switched to a RCBS bench unit. The die version took quite a thump on the lever at the bottom of the stroke to get the case free, and i was using dry lube on the swager head every 5-10 cases.
Here is a thread and photos of the new part.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=781642
 
I have the Lee Classic Cast Breechlock SS press and the RCBS swager you're looking at. The case strippers that come with the set are not big enough (inside diameter) to fit over the ram. RCBS will send you one that will fit. The one they send you is big enough but it won't clear the divider wall next to the ram that sections off the spent primer catch area.

I got a piece of copper tubing to fit over the ram and slim enough to fit between the ram and case stripper. Notched out for the divider wall. With that done the swager will work.

After all that I found the swager to be slow and difficult to use. You have to put the brass over the rod by feel. You can't see the rod looking down at the press. I can get a little rythem going holding the brass in such a manner that I can use index finger to find rod and guide the case on to the rod. This is with .223 brass that barely fits over rod. I do .223 in batches of a 1000 and want something faster. But it does work.

I'm in the hunt for a new swager. Think this time I'll get the blue swager in jmorris picture, or the one from Hornady for the LnL press. Finding the right swager for oneself seems to be a long and expensive hunt for a lot of us. Good luck.
 
I have the standard Classic Cast single stage press, no breechklock. The RCBS kit works fine but like someone else mentioned, you need to contact RCBS and have them send the larger diameter case stripper. They sent me one for free.

Technique plays a bit of a role in the use of the swager. I run the brass up onto the shaft freehand (easily done by feel) then raise the press ram with the expander button and case stipper. I lube the button with Imperial Die Sizing Wax as needed. A little lube goes a long way. The tool works great but I have nothing else to compare it to.

The swage tool won't work with the Lee Classic Turret unless you remove the plastic assembly that is used to auto index.
 
Bang! said:
I'm in the hunt for a new swager. Think this time I'll get the blue swager in jmorris picture, or the one from Hornady for the LnL press.
Click to expand...
I didn't realize that the Dillon and the Hornady were so close in price.

I think I'd go with the Hornady just for the entertainment value of watching the cases travel through the carousel and popping up through the third die
 
I've never had a problem but I always uniform the primer pockets after running them through the swage tool.
 
9mmepiphany said:
I didn't realize that the Dillon and the Hornady were so close in price.

I think I'd go with the Hornady just for the entertainment value of watching the cases travel through the carousel and popping up through the third die
Click to expand...
Yes! Exactly my thoughts watching the video. Hornady it is.

Lubbing the button is a great idea. The lube will wash off in final cleaning before loading.
 
9mmepiphany said:
I didn't realize that the Dillon and the Hornady were so close in price.

I think I'd go with the Hornady just for the entertainment value of watching the cases travel through the carousel and popping up through the third die
Click to expand...
I use the Hornady one on my LNL. Once you get in a rythem you can go through a bunch in a hurry. It helps to lube about every 20 primer pockets to keep it form sticking. If the primer pockets are dirty you may not need it. I had some brass that did not require it and some did. Went through about 300 before I had one stick. The way the swaging die is setup you don't want to be taking it apart to lube. They use a bellville spring pack to pop the swagged case off. If you do you will be forced to adj it every time. Shooting a shot of OneShot will work though.
 
GaryL said:
Was just wondering if anyone has any experience using the RCBS Swager on a Lee Classic Cast.

I apologize if this has been covered in detail - if so, kindly point me in the right direction. :)
I did a quick search and came up blank, but my patience for forum search functions isn't very strong.

FYI - this is the tool I'm referring to:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/235832/rcbs-primer-pocket-swager-combo-2
Click to expand...
If you havent already purchased it, avoid the rcbs one, it gets poor marks. As suggested by another poster, the CH4D swage kit is a very good piece of equipment for the money. I own the rcbs deal and also owned the dillon. I sold the dillon, I found the ch4d to work just as well but it seemed a decent bit faster and it is nice to just have a single die that I keep in a spare hole in my 300blk turret.
 
Thanks for all the info. While I don't have a large pile of brass to work over, I just tapped into a tin of 223 mil-surp that will eventually need processing.

Bang! said:
After all that I found the swager to be slow and difficult to use. You have to put the brass over the rod by feel. You can't see the rod looking down at the press. I can get a little rythem going holding the brass in such a manner that I can use index finger to find rod and guide the case on to the rod. This is with .223 brass that barely fits over rod. I do .223 in batches of a 1000 and want something faster. But it does work.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed explanation.


How does that old saying go now?
Something old, something new...
Something that works? something blue?

...think I'll go off and count pennies now....
 
So, about a month back, went on Dillon's site and couldn't find their swager listed. All I found was replacement parts for some reason. Decided to give the RCBS tool a try (it being on sale may have tipped the balance a little).

After a few dozen cases, all I have to say is that it works a lot better than a reamer IMHO. It will be good enough for now.

Also, it doesn't fit the Lee CC ram, which I knew going into it. But I did have fender washers, and enough odds and ends to figure out something. Turns out I had a bronze sleeve that is close to a perfect fit.
 
Gary all you have to do is contact RCBS and they will send you the stripper that fits the Lee Classic Cast press ram for free.
 
flashhole said:
Gary all you have to do is contact RCBS and they will send you the stripper that fits the Lee Classic Cast press ram for free.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^^^

I used the RCBS on the LEE and e mailed RCBS, they sent me the "stripper" in a few days,

I also used the CH4D on the LEE press. Both work just fine on the Lee press.

Have sold both of them as I prefer reaming with a powder drill. and reamer attachment.
 
Here's some pictures to help explain my previous post. This is the Lee Classic Cast single stage. This press will need the copper pipe insert to deal with the divider wall of the spent primer collection area. The LCT will be different.

I did get the the one for my LnL to do .223 and it is a hoot. Had this one out to work on .308. It's easier to do bigger cased .308 than .223.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    102.2 KB · Views: 10
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Is anyone using the RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2 for .223 brass
Replies
20
Views
2K
moxie
M
trigga
  • Locked
rcbs swager combo 2
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
Rule3
Rule3
merlynski
  • Locked
  • Poll
Opinion/Review request: RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2
Replies
23
Views
1K
Akula69
Akula69
N
  • Locked
Lee Challenger with RCBS Primer Pocket Swager?
Replies
3
Views
856
dickwholliday
D
S
  • Locked
RCBS Primer Pocket Swager tool question?
Replies
12
Views
2K
BigJakeJ1s
B
Back
Top