RCBS Pro 2000

[mikemyers]

Considering that I've never, ever, even seen an RCBS Pro2000 in person, the more I think about it, the more I feel like setting it up exactly as per the RCBS instructions at first. I found a very straight-forward video on what I now plan to do (with one addition):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnfeTPZeOMQ

If I do it this way, station #4 is empty, just waiting for the lockout die.


I'm sure that those of you who know a lot more about this have found ways to improve the function, especially using the separate crimping die. I can always change in the future. For now, I just want to set the machine up "stock", and get used to using it.

(I also like the convenience of having the powder dispenser on the frame, so I can easily change die-plates when/if I want to, and that doing it this way makes it easier to pour out the powder at the end of each day.)

Doing it this way, while also using the lockout die, seems very simple.



Question - someone up above mentioned using some kind of "kitchen roller" to roll over the primers once they are pressed into the strips, to be sure they are all fully seated. Is this something most of you do, and if so, what kind of roller did you buy? If that really is a potential issue, this seems like a simple way to prevent it.

 

[jmorris]

Considering that I've never, ever, even seen an RCBS Pro2000 in person, the more I think about it, the more I feel like setting it up exactly as per the RCBS instructions at first.

That is not a bad idea, at least you will then know how they intend for it to be used.

 

[edfardos]

Kitchen roller for APS primer strips? A finger should be sufficient. The primer strip loader device wasn't very expensive if I recall correctly, and very easy to use. Faster than traditional tube loaders too.

 

[cfullgraf]

GWS,

Your press must be older than mine or I’m misreading your post or something. The APS primer strip advance on mine doesn’t operate like yours. When I push forward on the press operating handle, the primer rod does push a primer up out of the strip and into the primer pocket if there is a case in station 2, as you described. When I cycle the handle (ram up and down, etc.), it advances the shell plate and advances the APS strip one notch, positioning a new primer for the next case, as yours does. Also like yours, if there is no case in station 2 and I push the handle forward, the primer rod pushes the new primer up as if there was a case there. When I pull the handle to cycle the press again, the primer rod withdraws and the primer is lowered to where it just rests on the hole in the APS strip that it came out of, again like yours, I think. But, unlike yours, on my press the APS strip does not advance if the primer was not used and the shell plate rotates over the top of the primer without touching it. It will continue to do that until a case shows up in station 2, at which time it primes the case and the APS strip advances one notch again. I routinely, at the end of a loading session, cycle the press until the last finished round is ejected. The same primer just keeps popping up and down with each cycle of the press if I push the handle all the way forward.

Another forum member located near me has a Pro2000 that operates as higgite describes.

My Pro2000, purchased in late 2012 or early 2013 does not. The APS strip advances, or tries to advance at every stroke of the handle regardless if there is a case in position or not. In the latter case, I usually get a jam which can take some time to clear.

I will not say some operator actions are not aggravating the situation. Unfortunately, exact details are a bit fuzzy as it has been a while since I ran my Pro2000. I currently only load 204 Ruger and 300 BLK on it and I'm flush with those cartridges at present.

I do not know what the differences are between the two Pro2000 priming systems, if any.

 

[GW Staar]

I mentioned a wallpaper (seam) roller.....mine's like this:



lay 4 strips together anvil side up on a smooth surface (benchtop?) and one roll does it.

As for RCBS instructions, if they are the same as when the press was released in 2000, they didn't have powder-through expanders, (PTX's) as Hornady calls them, then.....so their instructions reflect that.

Their intention then was to put the Uniflow at station 3, period, in the stationary station. The intention was to use one Uniflow, not one for each caliber like Dillon speed kits offer. They've done a bout face on that with their new Pro Chucker 7, not only doing away with the stationary station, they are forcing the purchase of a new Uniflow with each new die plate you buy! (Pro Chucker 7 only) So much for the cost advantage of sharing a powder measure.

But still you can buy the lower P.M. parts for each die plate, ($25 or so) and set them depth-wise to work for a particular caliber. That saves having to screw in the powder measure each time and set for depth.......or you can do it Dillon style and buy a P.M. for each one and display populated plates in a line above your bench if you have room.

I put my plates populated with the lower parts in small Sterlite boxes from Walmart....out of the New Mexico dust.





I have to qualify the pictures above as a demo of the concept only.....station one a Lee something (FC die? maybe I was experimenting with not ejecting at 5...don't remember) old RCBS .45 expander in S2 where the P.M. parts go, permanent S3 is perfect for your powder cop, S4 has a Hornady bullet feeder die, and there's still room in the box for the .45 assoc. parts for the bullet feeder. Pictures were taken the day I bought the boxes and long before I had the P.M. parts, or actually set up any die plates the way I have them now.

The following picture shows the lower parts.....left, mounted the parts for the Hornady P.M. case-activated linkage......right, same RCBS parts you can order direct. A lot cheaper than another P.M.

 

[cfullgraf]

Question - someone up above mentioned using some kind of "kitchen roller" to roll over the primers once they are pressed into the strips, to be sure they are all fully seated. Is this something most of you do, and if so, what kind of roller did you buy? If that really is a potential issue, this seems like a simple way to prevent it.

I use a small roller that I got at the hardware store. It is about 1-1/2" wide with a handle. It is either for doing wall paper work, most probable, or installing screens in screen doors or windows. (GW Starr beat me to it see previous post.)

You could push the primers down by hand but the roller is quick and easy. I fill a bunch of APS strips, then run the roller over them. Usually, one pass with the roller does the job.

GW Starr designed a slick system that attaches to the strip filler device and seats the primers as the strip is being removed. The link he included in Post #42 has lots of good info, including the modifications to the strip loader. The following link goes directly to the strip loader modifications he made.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/3..._APS_Strip_Loader__Video_Demo_at_the_End.html

 

[mikemyers]

.......It is either for doing wall paper work, most probable, or installing screens in screen doors or windows......

Gee, all this time I thought the guy was a reloader, and designed the roller for seating his primers, but then had to justify his work-time to his boss, so said the device could be good for wall paper or screens?



Or, more seriously, thanks - simple fix to prevent potential problems.

 

[mikemyers]

.....GW Starr designed a slick system that attaches to the strip filler device and seats the primers as the strip is being removed. The link he included in Post #42 has lots of good info, including the modifications to the strip loader......

I'm saving that for future reference. I figure once again, I should try things un-modified before I start making changes.


Strange that I don't see many people here promoting the idea of having the powder dispenser station mounted to the frame. The more I read, and the more videos I watch, that seems like great idea!

 

[cfullgraf]

I'd guess that having the powder measure in Station 3 was RCBS' dream of how the Pro2000 would be operated. It would make the die plate easier to store without powder measure stuff hung off them. A potential selling point to differentiate the Pro2000 from other progressives.

Reloaders had other ideas.

I like the Dillon SDBs but they have proprietary dies and the threads are different from station to station. So, I cannot move dies around. Shucky-darn. So, the powder measure is installed in station 2, bullets seated in station 3 and crimped in station 4.

On my Dillon BL550, another four station press, I have the powder measure in station one.

Up to now, I've been only loading rifle cartridges on the Pro2000. I'm moving a hand gun cartridge to the press. When I load the cartridge, the powder measure will be installed in station 2, powder cop die in station 3, seater die in station 4 and crimp die in station 5.

 

[TBJK]

I have the lockout die, glad to have it. It's just not on a fancy pro-2000

 

[mikemyers]

I have the lockout die, glad to have it. It's just not on a fancy pro-2000

I'm not sure what you mean about it not on a fancy Pro-2000.

 

[mikemyers]

I'd guess that having the powder measure in Station 3 was RCBS' dream of how the Pro2000 would be operated. It would make the die plate easier to store without powder measure stuff hung off them. ..........Reloaders had other ideas.......

I'm in no position to say much, as I won't even get mine un-boxed until February, meaning right now, I don't have any ideas, other than what I've seen and read. Still, I see things as being much nicer for me, if I follow what RCBS suggests. Doing it their way, I might even buy the extra die-plates.


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I'm repeating myself, but just to confirm - I've read from people here that while you don't HAVE to lube the cases if you're using carbon dies, it helps the machine run more smoothly and evenly. Since I'm not going to be trying to set any speed records, applying a little lube first seems like a good idea to me. Any reasons (other than taking more time) to do this, or not?

 

[edfardos]

I wouldn't use lube with carbide dies, ever.

 

[jmorris]

If you tried it once, it would more than likely change your mind.

 

[cfullgraf]

I wouldn't use lube with carbide dies, ever.

I used to never use lubricant with carbide dies until I tried some when resizing large cases like 44 Magnum, 45 Colt and 460 S&W Magnum.

I'm a believer now. Just a couple sprits of alcohol/lanolin lubricant and resizing goes much easier. Resizing goes quicker and my shoulder thanks me.

It certainly is not necessary

 

[jmorris]

I used to never use lubricant with carbide dies until I tried some...

That is why I suggested he try it once. I was the same way loaded pistol rounds for a few decades before trying it one, now I lube almost everything.

 

[mikemyers]

My plan is to lube the cases.

It can't hurt, and you've convinced me that it will help.
Maybe it will take a bit more time, but that's no big deal to me.

 

[GW Staar]

I'm always for less effort....you get that way as you get older. You need very little lube, don't over do it.