RCBS Pro2000 Powder measure question

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Milt1

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I'm on the verge of getting back into reloading and this question is for RCBS Pro2000 owners. My question is what are the steps that you have to take in order to change powders? Do you have to remove the complete powder measure unit from the press in order to empty the powder hopper or is there a simple method to remove and the replace the empty hopper without removing the entire unit? I can't find any info on this anywhere!

Thanks for your help!
 
There is a finger screw that holds the linkage arm on the side. Unscrewing that will release the hopper along with linkage. You can then pour entire hopper empty. It is quite simple and fast.
 
Release the spring THEN unscrew the thumb screw and remove the entire measure. Dump the existing powder and refill with the powder of the day......
 
As said, easy to remove the powder measure from the press and leave the powder die in place.

The Hornady case activated powder drop system will work on a Pro2000, and vice versa, and is a little easier to remove the powder measure from the powder drop die. On the RCBS unit, the screw must be completely removed, on the Hornady unit, once the screw is losened, there is a slot in the linkage arm to slip the linkage arm off. I run the Hornady system on my Pro2000 with a Redding powder measrue.

I believe RCBS makes a Uniflow with a quick dump system but it is not the powder measure supplied with the Pro2000. The Hornady L-N-L powder measure does have a drain tube that can be inserted in place of the metering screw and will allow dumping the power measure. But, I find it just as easy to remove the powder measure and dump it.

Hope this helps.
 
"I believe RCBS makes a Uniflow with a quick dump system but it is not the powder measure supplied with the Pro2000. "

I called RCBS about retrofitting with the Quick Change system. They say it's entirely doable. But so far don't really see a need. I think when I find myself switching from pistol to rifle often I may reconsider. Otherwise it's pretty fast as-is.
 
Thanks guys for the quick replies and this has solidified my decision to go with the RCBS Pro2000 progressive.

Milt1
 
One little feature nobody mentioned is that if you buy a caliber specific powder-through expander for each pistol caliber, you can give yourself back a station by moving the Uniflow to station two, where you can prime, expand, and charge your pistol case....leaving station 3 for a powder cop or lock-out die or even a bullet feeder die!

This means you have the opportunity to completely set up a die head with an adjusted sizer, powder/expander, Bullet feeder die, & seater/crimper.
Or another option: move the feeder to stationary #3 and you can use a separate crimper. I plan to do that now that I no longer need a lock-out die.:)
IMG_1915.jpg

Notice the parts below of the case-activated powder measure (Hornady's loaded on the die plate, RCBS's to the side for comparison....either work fine). The parts on the die plate are those that make up Hornady's "Quick-change kit". You can buy one for each caliber you load. Therefore sliding in the die plate and dropping the Uniflow over the powder die....and of course connecting the linkage and spring....means you are adjusted and ready to load...in this case, .40 S&W. Using wisdom not understood by Pro 2000 users, RCBS doesn't sell a "quick-change kit". You get the RCBS parts by ordering by part #'s Price is about the same, but I prefer to add the spring to the "kit" because RCBS keeps the spring with the headed spring retainer.....Hornady's is loose. (I dropped it 3 times taking the two pictures)

IMG_1916.gif

Here's the 8 RCBS parts to order for each caliber's die plate:

7788949 back bracket
7788950 front lower bracket
7187210 bracket screw 1
7187211 bracket screw 2
7788941 spring anchor cap nut
7788928 powder die
7187214 spring
7109187 die lock ring

You can also order the thumb screw but you have to unscrew it each time anyway so I didn't. On the Hornady you just loosen it, because the linkage lever is slotted rather than being a hole..........Hint.....use a dremel and make a slot in the RCBS part and go ahead and order Thumbscrews.
7186146 THUMB SCREW

If you order RCBS parts, be sure to complain that you'd prefer to be able to buy a simple kit from their dealers. If they get enough suggestions they will respond.
 
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If you do order it from RCBS be prepared to wait, and wait, and wait, and I'm still waiting. But then again no one has the Hornady one in stock either.
I started my quest to get the necessary parts back on 1/25. The last email conversation I had with RCBS was on 3/10 and in response to my question of a shipping ETA I got this response---"Unfortunately due to the heavy volume of sales at this time we do not have a definitive eta. Thank you for your patience."

It would have been nice if I was told these items were not in stock when I ordered them, and that they had no date for restocking.
 
As others have said, changing powders is a simple matter of unhooking the spring and unscrewing the thumb screw.

Being a gadget obsessive sort, I popped for a Quick Change conversion kit. IMHO, using the QC dump tube is an unnecessary hassle and potential mess compared to the procedure outlined above. Especially after I got a 25 cent funnel to use for dumping the powder back into the original container. ymmv
 
I was pretty sure the QC dump tube was an answer for a problem that doesn't exist.......thanks for verifying. It's hard to beat unhooking a spring, unscrewing a thumb bolt, lifting and dumping.

Edster12: Didn't know the shortage prevents small parts orders! What a world Obama created! The manufacturers are making a mint, selling more than they can produce, and paranoia keeps it going. Could be worse....they could, by executive order, make the NRA an enemy of the state and shut them down.

I have noticed that RCBS products are beginning to stack a little at Sportsmans Warehouse.....maybe that's a good sign. Still no good powder.
 
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I was pretty sure the QC dump tube was an answer for a problem that doesn't exist.......

I came to that conclusion with the Hornady quick dump tube. It was too kludgy to install the tube while holding the powder measure up while installed in the press. If you removed the powder measure from the press, why not just dump the powder directly back into the powder canister.

So, I never gave the RCBS QC dump tube a look.

I am amazed what is still out of stock. Lot more items, not just reloading components, than in 2009 and the shortages are lasting longer.
 
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