Shot Show: RCBS 7 station Pro Chucker Progressive

[FMJBT]

You're right. I see it listed as a cast aluminum frame on Midsouth.

From the little time I was able to play with it, it really impressed me. I do plan to retire the lnl for the 7 station press. As much as I don't need it, I want it

 

[Paddy]

Sell me the LnL!

 

[RealGun]

I am heavily invested in Hornady LnL AP but love the concept of 7 stations, wondering if Hornady now might be developing plans for a competitive, 7 station LnL AP +. Replacing the press alone wouldn't be that bad. Actually I would just have a dedicated press in the keeper and use the new 7 holer as the primary machine for multiple setups.

I would have to research what, if any Hornady components would not readily migrate to a RCBS 7. $700-800 just for the base RCBS press is pretty sobering though, if I have the pricing right. I would kinda like to wait and see with Hornady.

 

[codefour]

I finally received a response from RCBS regarding my inquiry. They did not mention whether the Pro 7 will be available to purchase die plates and QC powder measures separately. RCBS also did not answer if the Pro 7 or 5 will have their exclusive lifetime warranty. They did not comment on the aluminum frame as such:

THE NEW PRO CHUCKER 7 PRESS IS CAST HARD ALUMINMUM FRAME, WITH IRON CAST LINKAGE ARM AND TOGGLE BLOCK. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVING ANY ISSUE CAMING OVER THE PRESS.

John Thor

Technical Service

 

[Walkalong]

If the whole manual is written that way.........

 

[GW Staar]

What way it that? Misspelling Aluminum or dodging questions?

My Cast Iron Pro 2000 just started looking better to me. After all...I swapped my lock-out die for my video powder cop anyway. Not sure I have to have 7 stations.......maybe time will change my mind.

One thing I know I can't mod is the ?%!@# aluminumiumium frame.

Unless RCBS has added to their cast iron foundry/factory so they can pour aluminum, the stupid casting might be Chinese-cast. But don't quote me on that and start another Chinese rumor, as it's just a thought based on that some of their cheap line aluminum presses are Chinese castings, the cast iron ones are pure **********n. (Rock Chuckers, Pro 2000s, and Summits)

 

[higgite]

If the whole manual is written that way.........

We can only hope the tech rep wasn't quoting the manual verbatim.

GWS, your video powder cop mod is looking more tempting all the time.

 

[GW Staar]

What I don't look forward to is this.....



.....with green paint!

 

[RealGun]

Tough crowd. It was an email, for crying out loud. At least he found his shift key. Now, back to the real substance.

 

[Walkalong]

Well, I expect well written replies from people who want me to spend money for their product.

Sorry.

 

[RealGun]

Is that really important enough to hijack the thread?

 

[jmorris]

Aluminum would not be a deal breaker for me. Done right is can last a long time, better than poorly done cast iron for sure. You have to remember things like top fuel dragster engines that make 5000 hp out of 500ci (yeah 10hp/ci) are made out of aluminum and are subjected to considerable stress.

 

[Walkalong]

Is that really important enough to hijack the thread?

Seriously? It didn't bother the OP. He made a nice joke out of it.

 

[cfullgraf]

Aluminum would not be a deal breaker for me. Done right is can last a long time, better than poorly done cast iron for sure. You have to remember things like top fuel dragster engines that make 5000 hp out of 500ci (yeah 10hp/ci) are made out of aluminum and are subjected to considerable stress.

Yep.

Also, if one is afraid of aluminum, don't step into just about every airplane in the sky these days.

I'm kind of interested in the shell plate indexing on the Pro Chucker 5 but not sight unseen at this time. So, it may be a decade or two before we see one in the backwaters of TN.

 

[GW Staar]

Dragster engines and Airplanes are made out of aluminum because of its lighter weight, not because it's stronger. Ever seen an airplane after hitting something at the end of a runway (that they should have flown over)? Compare that to an automobile hitting something at the same speed. But there's no better choice since steel airplanes are too heavy to fly.

Now Titanium presses would have the advantages of both, but then cost would triple. Airplane example? The titanium skinned SR71 black spy plane, comes to mind.....now that was an airplane. Engine example? Don't know. I do know the big dragster aluminum blocks don't last that long. They wouldn't be suitable in a car you want to last for 100,000 miles.

BTW my bench doesn't care how heavy my Pro 2000 is.....it doesn't have to go anywhere fast.....or high, and doesn't have to resist air pressure or gravity. But evidently it now costs too much or at least costs more than they want to ... to machine.

Aluminum would not be a deal breaker for me. Done right is can last a long time, better than poorly done cast iron for sure

Apples and apples: both are cast....poorly done aluminum ....poorly done iron ....both can break. Well done cast iron never breaks unless you drop it onto concrete from a distance. You just have to do a google search. You can't find cast iron press breakage, but aluminum cast breakage...yes even green ones. And yes there are rare exceptions. I know of one R. C. broken by a guy who was trying to shape something it was never designed for. don't recall if he was swaging lead or what, but after days of abuse (both hands and all his weight over and over until it gave).

 

[jmorris]

Well, don't fly your press into the side of a mountain or crash it at speed

I have seen a lot of broken cast iron in my days that is why I have special welding rod to repair it. That said I have never broke any of my presses in 30 years cast iron or cast aluminum. The aluminum ones that I do have all have lifetime warrenty and not just my life time, transfers to the next guy.

All of that said I would rather have one made from cast steel or better yet machined from a billet.

 

[RealGun]

Aluminum engine blocks have steel cylinder sleeves. Just sayin'.

 

[codefour]

If I decide to buy a new Pro Chucker 7 this year, I will not be getting rid of my Pro 2000 anytime soon. It has been like ole' faithful. It just works and works. I would like to increase production though, especially handgun ammo. The Pro 7 seems to have help that a lot.

RCBS Rep advised the lower linkages are iron and the main frame is "strong aluminum". I responded to his E-mail asking if the Pro will have the lifetime warranty. That is still a big concern. I also asked if the new Pro 7/5 will be made in America. GWStaar, that whole China concept you mentioned concerned me. I am not trying to start a false rumor but it would be good to know if they are made in China.

I will post the response verbatim again if I get one.

 

[GW Staar]

One other thing concerns me a little. The new presses don't look as massive as a Dillon 650. The 650's have huge castings for a reason. The pro 2000 doesn't need the over-sized mass, being iron, but the new ones need more material to even approach the same strength as iron. Maybe these are more massive than a Pro 2000....not sure until I see one or at least see one next to a Pro 2000 in a picture or video.

cfullgraf, I'm always a little bit nervous flying....in a car if the engine quits, you pull over and flag down another car.....in an airplane..........need I say more? It's a moot point if you are in a steel tank or a paper thin aluminum shell....the end is the same. We who fly are always at the mercy of imperfect mechanicals and imperfect people.....it's amazing.....or just plain stupid....that we take the risk!! It only happens to others right?! But that's another subject.........speaking of other subjects and our faith in imperfect people.....I am amazed at the track record of military parachute packers!!!!! Not on MY bucket list. I'd much rather risk a Dillon or Hornady style pipe bomb primer system.

Codefour, if I buy one, of course my Pro 2000 will stay in cartridge production! I'd love to have one just because I never get tired of new toys to tinker with......I just don't have jmorris's resources or his ample room in his new facilities! I'd love to be his next door neighbor! If I do get one it's going to require a remodel of my space first........again. sigh.

 

[flashhole]

Does Dillon have any new designs coming forward?

 

[GW Staar]

Ah, that would be the new Dillon 750! (we wish) Such didn't show up at the shot show, so not yet. Maybe the new RCBS presses will ...... encourage & coax it into existence?! That's what good ole American competition is all about!

There was a false rumor (post on my thread) on Thefiringline.com saying that Mike Dillon had Alzheimers and his apparent heir died last year and Dillon was floundering. That was totally false. Mike and his sons and the company are just fine, so if you are waiting for the next from Dillon.....just be patient.

Dillon responded to that thefiringline.com post with this post:

Some posters here should write for reality TV shows. The only employee to pass away last year at Dillon Precision was Mike Laybe, our QC inspector, and a friend. We all shot a lot of local and regional matches together. Mike will be missed by anyone fortunate to have worked or shot with him.
There is no "younger" Mike Dillon. He has two sons, Steve and Chris. Mike does not have alzheimers,however he is in his 70s, and leaves more of the day-to-day business operations to his sons. He is in the shop several times a week, still doing real work . Dillon Precision is a family owned company, and will remain that way.

How about that! Proof! Dillon people lurk and watch!

 

[jmorris]

Aluminum engine blocks have steel cylinder sleeves. Just sayin'.

Yeah but you don't have rings forced out on the ID of the bore on a press, no where near the pressure and heat of combustion, and you don't ever run a press at even close to idle speed of an engine in RPM.

FWIW engine bearings are made of elements like lead and copper, OK, that is cheating a bit because of oil under pressure but...

How about that proof that Dillon people lurk and watch!

I PM'ed Gary "Dillon" or "Dillon help" on many forums and sent him the link, when I read the false post referenced.

I don't mind learning something new but not fond of BS.

 

[GW Staar]

Yeah I don't care for BS either....especially hurtful kind. I was glad when the Dillon rep jumped in. Also extremely glad it was false. I probably fear that disease more than any other.....and every time I catch myself at being less than sharp at something, I fear it some more.....pull out some books and try to learn something new! I mean I'm 65 already and time is flying faster than ever. Now who is Gary "Dillon"?

 

[jmorris]

He just works there, not sure what his last name is. The names are just his user name on different forums.

 

[double bogey]

Also consider that 5000 hp aluminum engine will only have to turn the crankshaft about 600 to 700 revolutions to suit its purpose. And some of them don't make it. (consider how many revolutions its crankshaft makes in a 1/4 mile race)

Not an apples to apples comparison to a progressive reloading press though.