Shot Show: RCBS 7 station Pro Chucker Progressive

[higgite]

The press doesn't jerk like a Stock 650 does. It rotates smooth. I do also like how it has an ejector wire, like the old Hornady presses.

FMJBT,

It looks in the photos to be the same ejector wire that is used on the Pro 2000, except pointed in the opposite direction since the shellplate rotates in the opposite direction from the Pro 2000. I believe, based on my Pro 2000 experience, that the ejector wire is shown in the wrong position in post #3 and in the proper position in posts #5 and 21. Can you confirm that?

Also, there is a slight last second jerk in shellplate movement with the Pro 2000 that can splash powder out of pistol cases when the detent clicks into place. RCBS actually provided a weaker replacement detent spring to mitigate the effect. How does the Pro Chucker behave when the shellplate detent clicks in?

 

[Walkalong]

The ejector wire on the LNL was very finicky. Does it work better on the RCBS?

 

[GW Staar]

The photo in post 5 showing the 5 station press shows the wire pointing the right direction. The 7 station press obvious was not set after removing the shell plate to show someone the secrets underneath.

Station 1 is in the back next to the left side of the frame. (appendage for a case feeder is there)

Station 2 is in the back on the right side of the frame. (appendage for the priming unit is there)

clockwise.......Pro 2000 is indeed counter clockwise.

As to the wire. I don't know what you mean by finicky.....you tighten it with a hex headed set screw through the side of the shell plate base. It's pretty simple. I've only had a problem with it when a case rim is less than pristine, and won't rotate well in the shell holder. Such cases can stick.

The fix is to file the case head a little or toss the case. I remember it happening a couple of times using LC brass that got past my head inspection.

The little video I did showing how to orient and place a shellholder on the Pro 2000 shows the wire on that unit up close.....maybe it will help you visualize. Near the end of the video I raise the ram and you can see the hole under the wire where the allen wrench goes to tighten it up. I doubt the new one is much different.

Notice the shell plate screw is definitely different....the new one is just a nylon nut on top keeping.....we can hope....a ball bearing? (compare to video to the picture below it)

 

[Walkalong]

I don't know what you mean by finicky

The wire on the LNL worked great with some calibers, not so great with others, and not worth a damn with others. And if you start playing with it,

The newest system on the LNL works so much better. Near flawless. And when it doesn't it is likely to be a damaged case head causing the problem.

 

[Blue68f100]

The wire ejector on the LNL was problematic on small base ammo, 9mm. Once you got up in size it worked fine. The cases would tilt and bind it up. If you were going slow most of the time it worked. But the ez-eject was a huge improvement.

 

[cfullgraf]

The Pro2000 has a similar wire ejector system as the new RCBS press and I find it works as well as the EZ-Ject on my L-N-L. aka similar failure rate. Not necessarily small vs large cases but some cartridges on both presses eject better or worse than others.

I currently load 204 Ruger and 300 BLK on the Pro2000.

A little tweaking of the rod's position is necessary but that is easy as it is locked in place with a set screw and can be easily raised/lowered and rotated to optimize its position.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Looks like a good progressive option

If I was looking on changing from Dillon or Hndy, I would need to see one in person and if making a purchase, wait a few months before selling my old press. Looks beefy. Seven stations!

I do like my 550b. It is not in the Ammo Plant output class.

 

[GW Staar]

What has worked for me is using a little paste wax on my shell plates where the cases sit. It's a matter of friction. Also I think it's important to position the wire as low as you can get it so as to decrease any tendency for case topple and the resultant "lean" of an edge.

I don't load 9mm, and so I can't speak for how they fare rotating, but I can say that I have no trouble with .40, .45, .357, .223, or .308.

I did "spin" some .9mm around the plate when I tested my H.M. case feeder for that caliber. Maybe I was lucky.....don't remember any snags.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Well fascinating. I had been complaining to RCBS about a 5 station press being too limiting for years, so I guess I will have to buy the 7 station and all new die plates to put my money where my mouth was. Man finances will be tight in the future!

To me, though, I feel the loss of APS is a crime as I went APS for the safety off it. SIGH! Oh well, what can I say.

I know I will have to see and study it in person to figure out how to use it. I always seat and crimp separate but would like to add separate deprime station and separate expansion from powder dispense. Having one station do two things is a compromise in my opinion.

Well, I guess my Pro2000 will do about 350,000 in its lifetime. I have about another 35,000 primers to go already in APS strips so I need to burn them off before I go buy a new press. Best get loading.

 

[Walkalong]

It's a matter of friction

I polished every bit of the sub plate and ezject button, as well as the shell plates where they touch the brass, and that helped a lot. My ezject rarely fails me, and it is always a case with a bad spot on the case head or rim.

I have always liked the RCBS stuff, so the new 5 station press is very interesting to me.

 

[GW Staar]

Here's some more prices....
Anybody buy from Precision Reloading? I had never heard of them. Anyway....

They're ready to sell this new stuff whenever RCBS gets around to sending it to them. Presses, shell plates, die plates, and the conversion kit are all cataloged and priced, but of course "out of stock".

Here's their listed prices:

Pro Chucker 7 .. $759
Pro Chucker 5 ... $537
5 Die Plates ... $25 ea
5 Shell Plates ... $37.50 ea
7 Die Plates (with included giant Uniflow) ...$250 ea!
7 Shell Plates ... 52.50 ea

5-7 Conversion Kit ... $300

 

[FMJBT]

Natchez has the pro 7 for 993.83.

Petty wide gap in pricing.

 

[GW Staar]

Yes sir, I posted Natchez's prices in post 7 along with R&R's price of $615 for the 5. That makes two at the lower price.......hoping Natchez is wrong.

 

[FMJBT]

My fault for not reading. One too many alcoholic beverages today, celebrating my birthday.

 

[cfullgraf]

My fault for not reading. One too many alcoholic beverages today, celebrating my birthday.

Apologizes for going off topic but us late January folks have got to stick together.

Happy Birthday., FMJBT I'll be indulging in adult beverages on my birthday on Monday. I qualify for to receive Social Security payments then and plan to collect before the government goes bankrupt.

Back on topic, I'm sorry the APS primer system is not included in the new press.

 

[GW Staar]

Happy Birthday both of you.........not too many now.

When I started on this forum mentioning APS and Pro 2000 brought cat calls and arguments from those who never tried it and weren't about to.

There were only a handful of us who bought the Pro 2000 in the face of all that misinformation. Peter Eick I blame for me getting hooked.

Since that time after sharing our experience with the system, there's been a lot more brave souls willing to try it. None that I know of who gave it time enough to learn the system are not relishing the thought of ever having to go back to the tubes. But it is what it is. A 7 station press is quite a force to resist! But I'm going to try......for a while.

On the Pro Chucker 7 version, I'm not real happy about RCBS forcing us to buy a new case-activated Uniflow every time we want to add another caliber.......so what am I supposed to do with the 3 I already have! Instead offer to sell us the big hoppers to add on!

Everybody make a noise in RCBS's emailbox on that one!

 

[FMJBT]

Speaking with Kent Sakamoto regarding being forced to buy a new uniflow every time, he did allude that they will eventually offer them seperately. However, for the first year of availability (I'll assume) we are stuck with that.



I really want the 7 station, but it will depend on what my dealer discount through them will be.

 

[Joatmon]

Did RCBS basically say that the Pro2000 will cease to be manufactured? Are we left to assume this since the sales rep said that the acceptance of the primer strip feeding system has been "disappointing"? It would be nice if they would continue to manufacture the 2000 for a few more years. Anybody with any knowledge of this (unless I missed it in the posts above).

 

[FMJBT]

Did RCBS basically say that the Pro2000 will cease to be manufactured? Are we left to assume this since the sales rep said that the acceptance of the primer strip feeding system has been "disappointing"? It would be nice if they would continue to manufacture the 2000 for a few more years. Anybody with any knowledge of this (unless I missed it in the posts above).

I'm sure that they will continue to support it. My personal guess is that production will be phased out this year for the pro 2000, but don't quote me on that. RCBS reps told me the pro Chucker 5 was supposed to be a direct replacement for the pro 2000. Now if he meant that as a sales point regarding pricing or asmanufacturing point, I don't know.

Not that the aps system is disappointing, rcbs is giving the majority of the reloading community what they want, a tube fed priming system. Regardless if it's an inferior system, that is what will sell.

 

[Joatmon]

Sure, I guessed that the support will be there for the forseeable future (I still get parts from them for my 4x4). I was just hoping that they would continue to manufacture for a while. No argument that the primer strip system is a better mousetrap, I am bummed that they seem to be giving up on it. Most everything I have (progressive) is tube fed, that does not mean I like it.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Having to buy a new uniflow for each caliber will bite. I have a bunch of them already why buy more of them?

If they hold us to that, I may be forced to sit it out until they let us buy the die place separately.

Time to step back and "re-evaluate the situation" a mite.

 

[FMJBT]

While a nuisance, I'll probably just work with one tool head on the pro 7 and fiddle with the adjustments.

The 5 is tempting because they will sell it seperately, and I can always upgrade to a 7 later.

I have more time than money anyways.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I agree, but I started thinking about it.

If I look at my loading, I would need the following caliber to cover the bulk for me.
1) 38 Special/38-44HS/357 Magnum/357 Maximum
2) 40 S&W/10mm
3) 38 Super
4) 45 ACP
5) 9mm

If I were to buy a 7 hole one in 38 Special and then at 10mm and 38 Super that would get about 80% of my shooting.

I could just keep loading 9mm and 45 acp on the Pro2000 and continue.

Hmmm......

Have to keep thinking about it.

 

[cfullgraf]

Having to buy a new uniflow for each caliber will bite. I have a bunch of them already why buy more of them?

For me, having to get another Uniflow with each die plate would be a real negative. For handgun, I use a modified Redding 10-X on both my Hornady L-N-L and Pro2000. If I invest in a Pro Chucker, I suspect I would continue the practice.

I do use my Uniflow powder measures, I have two, for small rifle cartridges like 204 Ruger and 223 Remington.

I suppose I could sell the extras but I hate ebay.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Its not so much the new uniflow that is the problem, it is the fact that it is new. My older ones are so smooth in operation due to being cycled hundreds of thousands of times. Why do I need to give up that worn in quality just to get two die slots?

I don't know, I keep going back and forth on this one.

Plus given the costs, there are some really neat new guns coming out that I want and finances will be tight in 15.

Anyway, I keep thinking and considering the issues.