Is the RCBS progressive reloader (especially the priming mechanism) the worst piece of Rube Goldberg engineering ever?

I've reloaded maybe 500 (pistol) rounds, it took probably 200 crummy ones to finally get it working right and now the thing is coming apart.

I bought the Ammomaster 2000 so I can reload my long rifle rounds (338 Lapua, 50 BMG, neither of which fit in the rockchucker) anyway I hand prime and weigh each powder charge on the rifle cases, the but it would be nice to be able to sit down and bang out a few hundred pistol cartidges while watching TV.

With this thing, it ain't happening.

Anyway, are the Dillon progressives any better? I don't mean service after the sale (RCBS has cheerfully replaced busted parts at no charge) I mean I want something that ISN'T GOING TO NEED replacement parts or service in the first place!

I just want something that will work, 99.9% of the time without hassle...is that too much to ask?

Any input from people who have used both would be welcome.

When I was heavily into IPSC I used the Dillon without fail. In my opinion, when it comes to progressive pistol reloading, the Dillon is the only one to use.

You definately can't load 50 BMG (don't know about the Lapua though I doubt it.) on any of the Dillon presses (unfortunatly). They are great otherwise. I've had mine almost 20 years, and have never broken anything. Loaded countless rounds over the years too.

I haven't used their progressive, but I got a Piggyback some years ago, used it once and haven't touched it since. In fact, if anyone wants a cheap Piggyback, just rattle my cage. I have had no problems with any other RCBS product.

Steve

I have used a Dillon 550B for close to 10 years. Nothing on it has worn out or broke and it still works like a champ. If I knew what I know now when I first started reloading, I would have skipped buying single stage presses and bought a Dillon press to begin with. All of the upgrades would have been free.

Count me in as another satisfied 550B user. I do think it is by far the best out there considering everything. If someone wasn't too sure about reloading or not, and was only going to do pistol rounds, then I might suggest the lee progressive for a starter, but I'm happy with my Dillon, and I urge anyone reloading more than 2 hours a week to buy one.

Yorick,

I've been using a 2000 for about a year now, and can't say that I've had any troubles that didn't fall into the operator error category. The 2000 is my first foray into the land of �progressive presses� so I�m not qualified to tout the virtues and faults of anyone else�s brand of progressive press. However, I haven�t had to contact RCBS�s �tech help� line for any reason as regards the 2000, I�ve managed to load several thousand cartridges both rifle and pistol and have been well pleased with the end product.
Fact is, I thought RCBS�s strip priming system was quite an improvement over the tube feed system that the other manufacturers use. Further, I own a Lyman press that uses the tube type priming system, I find it cumbersome to use, a real pain to load the primers into, and the results suspect! So it sits in a drawer unused and taking up valuable storage space while I use a hand type primer tool before I run a batch through the Lyman machine.

As regards your opening statement that the 2000 is a �Rube Goldberg piece engineering�, I�ve believe it to be a simpler design than the Dillon. What with all it�s rods, springs and adjustments of the same being needed before you can begin loading is the other reason I chose to purchase the RCBS press over the Dillon 550-B.

About the only criticism I have concerning the 2000 is the design of the frame. The way it�s made you are forced to do most of the work left-handed. This leaves only the cycling of the press and indexing of the shell plate that can reasonably be done with the right hand.

Please make no mistake I think that the Dillon is a fine machine, the fact that there are so many in use and that they are so beloved by their owners speaks volumes about them!
However, I do like my 2000 and I think it too has virtues over the other brands of presses. The strip priming system is, in my opinion one of those virtues. Of coarse in due time the market place will certainly tell the tale, as to whether the 2000 is a good press and a good value or a �Rube Goldberg piece engineering�.

OBTW,
If I may, I strongly recommend you turn the television off while reloading, as anything that distracts your attention from the job of loading cartridges could very well have the most dire consequences and perhaps, may just account for your troubles with the RCBS 2000 as well!

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Abe

If everyone tought like me, I'd be a damn fool to think any differently!

Alas poor Yorick....You should have bought a Dillon. Really sorry about that one....I just couldn't resist.

Dillon 's are SO well designed and SO well made that little if anything wears out or really requires fiddling, timing,indexing, replacement, etc. One just loads ammo .

If you do go Blue, DO buy the dillon dies, especially for pistol, they make it all very easy.

FN