Okay, RCBS APS true believers, I’m waiting to be converted

[jmorris]

Only negatives I can think of is that they force you to use only RCBS equipment and there are no "auto load" devices for them, unlike tube style primer feed.

 

[GW Staar]

I had trouble with the strip reloader until I found this mod:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/39...t_the_End.html

Sorry, you had to go so far away to find my mod.....

I posted it on THR as well. Here's the THR version.

Sorry the mod on the "in" side didn't work for you. Works great for me and several others who reported in. You're the first to report a break. Glad the marble worked for you!

Only negatives I can think of is that they force you to use only RCBS equipment and there are no "auto load" devices for them, unlike tube style primer feed.

You are right, if you already are heavily invested in tube-fed presses. But some won't prime on their progressives. For them APS bench or hand APS primer machines are a reasonable option.

As for auto-feed.....as long as you can buy preloaded strips.....auto loading, pecking, and strip loaders are all pointless, excepting the case where CCI's in strips don't cover all your primer needs. Say in the case you want military cups or another brand for a specific purpose. But nothing is perfect.

Do you ever accidentally vibrate a primer in upside down with those things? I've read threads in both Brian Enos and 1911 forums who have. That would be a pain, since you won't find it until it makes it onto the feed plate or worse. Then there's reports of having to dink around with them adjusting for different primer brands. Again, nothing is perfect.

 

[jell-dog]

GWStaar,
Yes, I went the long way around to get your tip on "Improving the RCBS STRIP LOADER" but that was the forum that came up first at the time I searched the web for articles on the strip reloaders.

I read it, book marked it, printed it out and made the mod within 2days of finding it!!
I have to hand it to you, your article is well written with plenty of photos to make understanding how to "DYI" easy.

Since I made your mod to my strip loader, I have not looked back and actually enjoy the strip filling, rather than looking at it as a tedious part of brass prep.

I have read reviews of your mod and there were no reviews that stated the reviewer was the least bit sorry to have made the mod.
And neither am I!

I was only stating my experience with the mod to help with finding the sweet spot to be able to easily advance the filled strip.
You can't be sorry about a caveman/gorilla approach to the weak plastic on these primer reloader tools.
A person modifying their strip loader can always add that mod on if they feel the need.

Great mod and hats off to you for sharing it!
Respectfully,
JD

 

[jmorris]

You are right, if you already are heavily invested in tube-fed presses. But some won't prime on their progressives. For them APS bench or hand APS primer machines are a reasonable option.

As for auto-feed.....as long as you can buy preloaded strips.....auto loading, pecking, and strip loaders are all pointless...

Do you ever accidentally vibrate a primer in upside down with those things?

I guess the rounds I don't load in tube fed progressives could be replaced with a strip loader vs hand primer.
I actually like CCI primers for some of my loads, would just be and added step for the rest.
I don't have the "flipped" primer problem anymore but can't say I never did.

 

[GW Staar]

If CCI discontinues APS primers then there are fewer pluses for the system if one doesn't have an adaquate stock of strips in every flavor one uses. The only thing I know for sure...is that CCI and RCBS will discontinue APS someday and there won't be any more warning.....that seems to be their method....keep customers buying until the plug is pulled. That's a universal business practice, I'm afraid. Can't have everyone jumping ship before the stock is sold.

Those who invested in tools and strip loaders ought to buy preloaded strips while they can. That's the cheapest way to stock up on strips. The strips last and last if you don't store them upright so they bend.

Jelldog, thanks for the kind words....love to share anything I make for my tools that actually improves them enough to be of interest to my fellow handloaders. Jmorris is a good example of that mentality too. Not sharing the ideas is not an option for him either.

 

[Mike67]

Having used the Pro 2000 since it's inception I have to say the APS is a great system. It is faster to load the strips than tubes and it's suppose to be safer. I also have the LNL AP, RL 450, and an old Piggyback 2 tube fed machines no problems with them either. Fortunately I've never had a primer explode in 20 years of reloading hope it never happens.

 

[higgite]

Using the above methods, even when correcting some primers, I have no problems loading 80 strips (1000 primers) in an hour or less.

JD,

80 strips = 2000 primers.

Maybe I'm just lucky with the strip loader. I load 200 primers at a time into the tray, make sure they are all anvil up, put the lid on and start shaking and baking. I do have to make a second run at filling all the slots sometimes, but no biggie. I haven't seen the need to modify the loader, yet. I've learned how far to press the handle to slide the strips in and out easily. I take each loaded strip and lay it anvil down on my bench top and run my thumb over it to make sure the primers are properly seated in the strip. I only load 40 strips or less at one sitting, so maybe that's why my thumb isn't worn out, I dunno. Takes a couple of extra seconds, but so far, no glitches. But I do understand why GWS came up with the mods. There are just some things a man has to do. Been there, done that.

Also, a good idea of GWS' to buy loaded strips while you can to stock up on cheap strips for the future. Wish Midway (or anybody else, for that matter) would have another 1/2 price sale on CCI APS 500's. Fat chance, eh? I'm just glad I caught it when I did. How many times in my life have I said "If I only knew then what I know now!"?

 

[GW Staar]

Having used the Pro 2000 since it's inception I have to say the APS is a great system. It is faster to load the strips than tubes and it's suppose to be safer. I also have the LNL AP, RL 450, and an old Piggyback 2 tube fed machines no problems with them either. Fortunately I've never had a primer explode in 20 years of reloading hope it never happens.

Since its inception! I'm a relative latecomer discovering it the December after Obama was elected the first time.....just over 6 years?

So when did the Pro 2000 come out? That, I've never heard.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I believe that the Pro2000 came out in the spring of 2000 (hence the name?). I bought mine in the fall of 2000 I believe but that was a long time ago so details fade.

 

[higgite]

That sounds about right. IIRC, the primer strip loader was patented in the late 90's.

 

[fguffey]

That sounds about right. IIRC, the primer strip loader was patented in the late 90's.

The primer strip made it out in time to make an appearance in R. Lee's book on modern reloading.

F. Guffey

 

[GW Staar]

I wonder how many years it was only manual feed. Pete, if you got yours in late 2000, I assume it was a manual feed that you updated later? Correct?

So 2000 to 2015....so the Pro 2000 has had a 15 year run....so far.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Yes mine was manual for years. I got really good and indexing the plate with the right hand will stuffing shells and bullets with the left. I actually was faster in manual mode than automatic.

I switched to automatic rotation for the safety aspect of it. I would have to check my records but I would guess I changed over to automatic around 2008(?) but that is a WAG!

I did decide I will do some gopro movies of my loading on the Pro2000 next week. I figured I do it differently enough I should document for others to see and maybe I can pick up some tips.