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Pro Chucker 7 (Page 2 of 2)
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Originally Posted By bm3:
I was going to switch over to the 7 but after fighting all the cheap plastics parts on the 5 I have decided to move on. I'll still use it for .45 but everything else will be done on a 1050. No more green for me. Sorry to hear.. I load all my mass production stuff on 1050... Just love the versatility of 7 positions but cant load most of my 20+ calibers on anything else (with 7 stations anyway). I even run black powder on it with compression, etc so you could immagine how much I appreciate it. I hate the case feeder on PC7 but find placing cases so much faster and easier than bullets... so again... another position needed for MBF... Other than case feeder, I think I have gotten bugs worked out of PC7. It is so much better than LNL. If by chance Dillon or someone came out with a true 7 station with a wider availability of shellplates, I might be swayed to drop PC7. But for now, I am still enjoying it. |
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Originally Posted By djryan13:
Sorry to hear.. I load all my mass production stuff on 1050... Just love the versatility of 7 positions but cant load most of my 20+ calibers on anything else (with 7 stations anyway). I even run black powder on it with compression, etc so you could immagine how much I appreciate it. I hate the case feeder on PC7 but find placing cases so much faster and easier than bullets... so again... another position needed for MBF... Other than case feeder, I think I have gotten bugs worked out of PC7. It is so much better than LNL. If by chance Dillon or someone came out with a true 7 station with a wider availability of shellplates, I might be swayed to drop PC7. But for now, I am still enjoying it. My case feeder runs fine after I changed out the soft plastic release plunger to a hard plastic button. The die plate set screws stripped out because of all the case prep. They couldn't take the abuse of sizing bottle neck cases. I tapped an threaded bigger set screws , now nothing moves . Next is to make the rotating arm out of some harder metal. Rcbs went way too cheap on the parts that take the most abuse. If you just run a few bricks of ammo a year it's the press for you if your a 3 gunner or someone who shoots a lot this isn't your press. This was s just my assessment after abusing the press with brass prep and loading. Don't get me wrong it still has a place On my bench it's just not what I wanted it to be. |
Snarky man child
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Originally Posted By bm3:
My case feeder runs fine after I changed out the soft plastic release plunger to a hard plastic button. The die plate set screws stripped out because of all the case prep. They couldn't take the abuse of sizing bottle neck cases. I tapped an threaded bigger set screws , now nothing moves . Next is to make the rotating arm out of some harder metal. Rcbs went way too cheap on the parts that take the most abuse. If you just run a few bricks of ammo a year it's the press for you if your a 3 gunner or someone who shoots a lot this isn't your press. This was s just my assessment after abusing the press with brass prep and loading. Don't get me wrong it still has a place On my bench it's just not what I wanted it to be. Bah!!! Guess what??? My threads stripped out too. I actually sent it back for a replacement of the entire body... Then I figured out the problem... The set screws are only there to keep die plate from rotating. It doesnt matter if it floats a bit up/down. That is the point of the design. The 550 is the same way (maybe 650 too). Basically, let the plate stop in the upward direction resting on the press (not screws). The die just needs to touch shell plate to lock it off. Dont allow set screws to be involved. On the 550, they use pins to keep die plate from sliding out but there is plenty of play in up/down direction. Thats what RCBS should have done too. I tighten the screw down, then back it out a couple turns. As long as plate doesnt rotate, its good to go. If I ever do strip them again, I will drill holes through plates and drop in pins like 550. Call RCBS and tell them to send you the main press body and you will return the old after. Tell them you dont want to be out of a press for weeks. |
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Originally Posted By djryan13:
Bah!!! Guess what??? My threads stripped out too. I actually sent it back for a replacement of the entire body... Then I figured out the problem... The set screws are only there to keep die plate from rotating. It doesnt matter if it floats a bit up/down. That is the point of the design. The 550 is the same way (maybe 650 too). Basically, let the plate stop in the upward direction resting on the press (not screws). The die just needs to touch shell plate to lock it off. Dont allow set screws to be involved. On the 550, they use pins to keep die plate from sliding out but there is plenty of play in up/down direction. Thats what RCBS should have done too. I tighten the screw down, then back it out a couple turns. As long as plate doesnt rotate, its good to go. If I ever do strip them again, I will drill holes through plates and drop in pins like 550. Call RCBS and tell them to send you the main press body and you will return the old after. Tell them you dont want to be out of a press for weeks. I've already talked to them about it. It's just time to move on to something that will take a beating in brass prep . |
Snarky man child
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So far, I am remaining positive about the PC7.
I agree there have been some weaknesses. However, I wouldnt blame it all on RCBS. I think most have been due to either a lack of understanding of the press or just lack of attention on my part. Like any press, there is a learning curve. I have nearly mastered the PC7 and have RCBS on speed dial in case of issue. Other presses have their weaknesses too. RCBS has been fantastic about support so I can't complain about them. I think the set screw thing is a big weakness they didn't understand themselves (or at least the people writing the manual). If people don't do it the way I described above, they will strip a lot of threads. The manual just says to tighten the set screws.... Again, if there was another true 7 station press on the market, it would be mine (assuming it was better). I think if you are in the market for a 5 station press, the PC5 is still a great option under certain circumstances like: 1. You don't want a case feeder (650 doesn't run well without it). LNL and PC are the only progressives ergonomic enough for skipping case feeder. 2. You want good primer seating (never got LNL to seat primers deep enough). 3. You don't want the risk of a rotating primer system (650 is dangerous IMO) 4. You want good, clean indexing (PC is a better option over LNL) 5. You prefer toolheads over bushings. |
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Rcbs is having a problem getting parts. I've had parts on order for over 2 months now.
The pro checker is officially down. I left it set up for 223 so it might get some use if I ever get parts. I still like a lot of things about the press but the cheap parts ruined it for me. |
Snarky man child
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Originally Posted By bm3:
Rcbs is having a problem getting parts. I've had parts on order for over 2 months now. The pro checker is officially down. I left it set up for 223 so it might get some use if I ever get parts. I still like a lot of things about the press but the cheap parts ruined it for me. I had a PC5 that was setup nicely on an Inline mount. Really liked how smooth the press was. I had it setup but couldn't use it for over a month because of broken parts right from the start. I didn't even get a chance to load a single round on it. Once I got the updated primer actuator bars and a new index rod (my fault on breaking it originally) I started loading .223 on it. Loaded about 30 rounds or so and the updated primer actuator bar broke. Replaced it and ran a few rounds, then it stopped indexing. Broken index rod again. Not really sure what happened the second time around as I was loading rounds as normal. I think I may have loaded 35-40 rounds total on it before it broke again. This time it came off the bench and went right back into the box. It was promptly replaced. RCBS has a major parts logistics issue with spare parts for sure. It took almost a month to get the updated primer actuator bars. Their CS was always very good to deal with however. IMO, this press has some very poorly engineered parts and too many cheap pot metal and/or plastic parts. I know I would never recommend this press to anyone. Shout out to djryan13 for helping me out however. Very solid dude and dealt with my ranting a time or two. 
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Originally Posted By jefflebowski:
It is astounding how RCBS is letting this thing die. I know right? I was actually hopefull they would push and support it. However, the 7 stage is what I wanted and the ridiculousness of price of the plates was an instant turn off for me. I am in the market for a new press this year. I guess the 650 is where Ill be headed unless something changes with RCBS... |
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Originally Posted By Kaldor:
I know right? I was actually hopefull they would push and support it. However, the 7 stage is what I wanted and the ridiculousness of price of the plates was an instant turn off for me. I am in the market for a new press this year. I guess the 650 is where Ill be headed unless something changes with RCBS... Originally Posted By Kaldor:
Originally Posted By jefflebowski:
It is astounding how RCBS is letting this thing die. I know right? I was actually hopefull they would push and support it. However, the 7 stage is what I wanted and the ridiculousness of price of the plates was an instant turn off for me. I am in the market for a new press this year. I guess the 650 is where Ill be headed unless something changes with RCBS... I am going to remain hopeful. I enjoy the PC7 and havent had any issues since I have learned the weak points. Indexing and priming (when slides dont break), are way better than Hornady. I value the 7 positions - especially when I am running black powder. I think I am fortunate in the fact I run all my volume stuff on a 1050. I use the PC7 for anything under 500 round count. Below 200 or so (rifle only) run on my 550 or single stage. Its common to have a press go down due to breakage. It's nice having lots of backups. Guess that is why I am not as concerned as many of you. |
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Originally Posted By GWhis:
I can't afford these. I will have to stick with my Pro 2000, until they come to their senses and offer die plates without Uniflows.......period. I already have 4 Uniflows. If I bought a Pro Chucker 7 that would make 5. ENOUGH! If I ever buy one, I would at least want another 4 die plates for it ...... but that would mean 4 more Uniflows, at $265 each! That's another $1,060 after you buy the press, just so you can load 5 calibers? Who's doing their marketing, Dillon? Do they want to sell these or not! Dillon's got to be laughing their heads off. Originally Posted By GWhis:
I can't afford these. I will have to stick with my Pro 2000, until they come to their senses and offer die plates without Uniflows.......period. I already have 4 Uniflows. If I bought a Pro Chucker 7 that would make 5. ENOUGH! If I ever buy one, I would at least want another 4 die plates for it ...... but that would mean 4 more Uniflows, at $265 each! That's another $1,060 after you buy the press, just so you can load 5 calibers? Who's doing their marketing, Dillon? Do they want to sell these or not! Dillon's got to be laughing their heads off. Okay, repenting of temper tantrum over the price of die plate/Unflow combos. RCBS made the combo product for a reason: the seven stations of the die plate are very close together. They reasoned that P.M.'s removed from them would require also removing 1 or 2 dies at the same time due to die nut size! There is a better way.....hint....picture in one of my posts above. Change is coming soon.......patience....stay tuned .......... 
Originally Posted By djryan13:
I am going to remain hopeful. I enjoy the PC7 and havent had any issues since I have learned the weak points. Indexing and priming (when slides dont break), are way better than Hornady. I value the 7 positions - especially when I am running black powder. That's going to prove to be the magic words, "remaining hopeful". It really is a good press. Now I predict I will have one by this Christmas. Yeah I know, I said that last fall.
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Originally Posted By GWhis:
Okay, repenting of temper tantrum over the price of die plate/Unflow combos. RCBS made the combo product for a reason: the seven stations of the die plate are very close together. They reasoned that P.M.'s removed from them would require also removing 1 or 2 dies at the same time due to die nut size! There is a better way..... Change is coming soon.......patience....stay tuned .......... Just buy Hornady powder die for each plate... That is the route I am going with the Uniquetek plates. Hornady's measure is better in every way except capacity IMO. |
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I think they are going to still sell combos, but dieplate/linkage lowers.....like I talked about in an early post.
Combos of that sort is actually better than selling just the plates......because if you want to quick change you'd need to buy linkage lowers separately, anyway. Either way you want the P.M. linkage lower and the dies adjusted once, set permanently...........I mean, I do that now with the Pro 2000. Actually I think the P.C. 5 die plates could be sold that way too and make thing more convenient. Obviously the lowers cost a few more dollars, but nothing like a whole Uniflow. I know some like Hornady P.M.'s better.....but I I've never had problems at all with Uniflows yet.....not sure what's supposed to be smoother. They do have a much stiffer spring on the lowers. What else is different? I'm going to repost the picture from my earlier post to show the parts we are talking about.....lowers (Hornady left, RCBS right).....only the die plate shown is Pro 2000. 
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The Hornady PM also has that rectangular piece with screw on each side to allow a more accurate case expansion. They also sell a rifle sized case expansion insert if you want to expand 30cal.
Overall, the smoothness is what I like better. The RCBS is so heavy/stiff that it ruins my thin mouth 44-40 cases. |
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Originally Posted By djryan13:
The Hornady PM also has that rectangular piece with screw on each side to allow a more accurate case expansion. They also sell a rifle sized case expansion insert if you want to expand 30cal. Originally Posted By djryan13:
The Hornady PM also has that rectangular piece with screw on each side to allow a more accurate case expansion. They also sell a rifle sized case expansion insert if you want to expand 30cal. 
I found it just as effective on my Uniflows too.....I have one for each. Only to convert the Uniflows you gotta buy a few bits of cheap hardware. I did a thread on the simple conversion here on AR15.com....in the tacked thread area. Conversion thread The RCBS expanders are alot more adjustable than Hornady's and have a "M die" effect on cases to make bullets stay put while you advance from station to station. I use them with both brands of linkage parts....and there's no reason they won't work just as well on a Hornady P.M. Overall, the smoothness is what I like better. The RCBS is so heavy/stiff that it ruins my thin mouth 44-40 cases. The one thing I like about the new Uniflow that comes with a Pro Chucker 7, is the huge hopper.....about time. |
Pro Chucker 7 (Page 2 of 2)
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