Experience with RCBS Pro2000 Progressive

[tools2teach]

How does this press stack up against the Big Red and Blue presses? What are the pro's and con's of this press? Looking for a press with a reliable primer feed system. I've tried the Hornady LNL and I was not impressed with the primer feed. There were many occasions where it would not insert the primer. RCBS uses a plastic stripper to insert primer.

[spencerhut]

Primer feed is second to none on the Pro2000. No tubes to fill. I can load an entire case (3000) of 9mm and never touch a primer.

I like mine. Over 50k loaded and going strong. No failures, broken parts to date.

[SikDMAX]

Will be watching this thread close, I think this will be my next purchase. Also will add the bullet feeder.

Seems like the auto index Pro2000 is the way to go as well.

[TKM]

Cast and loaded over a thousand 45acp rounds today.

I like mine.

[MG34]

Had a Pro 2000, sold it. One of the reasons I did't like it, the primer system is a JOKE. Got spoiled by the 550.

[spencerhut]

Had a Pro 2000, sold it. One of the reasons I did't like it, the primer system is a JOKE. Got spoiled by the 550.

Now that surprises me. What about the Pro2000 priming system made it a joke?

Please explain your statement.

[tools2teach]

How often do change out the strip? It's hard to fathom reusing the strips after a few hundred rounds. Also, there is 25 primer's on each strip, so are they chained together to make a continuous flow of primers? How easy and fast is it to load primers using the RCBS loading primer tray?

[SikDMAX]

The APS strips lock together so you could have a huge long chain of them together.

Not sure if primers loaded in APS strips are readily availible, I would imagine. Otherwise use the primer loader that comes with the press and do it yourself!

I think Im going to pick one up this week.

[TKM]

Hey Sik, do you have a C&R? This is one of those items where dealer pricing saves you a lot of lunch money.

[tools2teach]

ok....I'm going to take the plunge on the RCBS press.

[SikDMAX]

Hey Sik, do you have a C&R? This is one of those items where dealer pricing saves you a lot of lunch money.

The day my C&R comes in the mail, I will be placing my order

Wheres the best place to purchase from with C&R Discount?

[f4tweet]

You will like it. I have had mine for 9 years and wouldn't trade it for any other press. I like the priming system a lot. It takes the same time to load a tube of primers out of a flip tray, as it does to install them in the indexed strips. A lot safer also. Good luck.

[Waldog]

After getting the primer system properly adjusted and very slightly polishing the slide and a little graphite, my LNL has never failed me.

Except with S&B pistol brass which has a REALLLLY small and tight primer pocket.

[chickenfried]

A friend and I split the purchase of a RCBS PRO 2000 and accessories. Made my first few reloads on that machine. But I didn't care for it, much happier with the dillon 650. Since you can now get a case feeder and automatic indexing for the 2000, that's one con that no longer applies. But I didn't like the primer strips. Primer seating always felt funky no matter how I tinkered with it. Not enough stations to install a powder check unless you seat and crimp at the same station.

I could've sworn they had had a case feeder out for the pro. But I was just looking up upgrades for the old pro 2000 and didn't find a case feeder. Add that to the dislike list, no case feeder available.

[spencerhut]

A friend and I split the purchase of a RCBS PRO 2000 and accessories. Made my first few reloads on that machine. But I didn't care for it, much happier with the dillon 650. Since you can now get a case feeder and automatic indexing for the 2000, that's one con that no longer applies. But I didn't like the primer strips. Primer seating always felt funky no matter how I tinkered with it. Not enough stations to install a powder check unless you seat and crimp at the same station.

I could've sworn they had had a case feeder out for the pro. But I was just looking up upgrades for the old pro 2000 and didn't find a case feeder. Add that to the dislike list, no case feeder available.

The Pro2000 has a bullet feeder option, I'll do a video next time I load a case of Montana Golds.

Seating and crimping (with a Lee FCD) is a crutch. If you set the dies up properly, yes it takes effort and patience, you will get the a good roll or taper crimp from RCBS or Lee pistol seating dies.