Early RCBS presses.

Axman

Axman

Active Member
Picked up 2 early RCBS press's a while back.
From what I can find out one is a Pre-A press, not marked though other than RCBS,it’s the brown one.
The other is an A2.
Kinda neat, anymore info would be helpful.
Thanks
 

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RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Go to the "Antique Reload Tool Collectors Association" website. They have many threads on RCBS presses.
 
J

JustJim

Well-Known Member
Dean Grinnell wrote quite a bit about them. I have trouble using an O-frame press due to damage in one arm, but he still made it hard for e to pass up one of the old RCBS presses.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
JustJim said:
Dean Grinnell wrote quite a bit about them. I have trouble using an O-frame press due to damage in one arm, but he still made it hard for e to pass up one of the old RCBS presses.
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Sorry if this is nosy, but can you elaborate a bit on that? All presses work, it comes down to ergonomics and individual preferences, do you use a C press of some sort? Good one you for keeping going on reloading.
 
J

JustJim

Well-Known Member
richhodg66 said:
Sorry if this is nosy, but can you elaborate a bit on that? All presses work, it comes down to ergonomics and individual preferences, do you use a C press of some sort? Good one you for keeping going on reloading.
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In the process of breaking my neck a couple decades ago, I managed to crush the ulnar nerve on the right side, and get what they call a "double-crush" injury on the left radial and ulnar nerves. Right side recovered fairly well, left side was partial. In some arm/hand positions it doesn't work well. I gave up on the Dillon 550 and O-frames when I realized I was doing almost all operations with my right hand. (That's why the Dillon and Rock Chucker were at a friend's house when he passed away, and why I don't mind their loss.)

I do most of my loading these days on C-presses, a turret, and a hand press. If I don't swap it off first, I'll eventually try out that C-H inline progressive I picked up.

Honestly, it bothered me more when I couldn't rack the slide on my beloved 1911s. I've known several guys who load fine with one hand (I've taught a couple of 'em). Just a matter of picking your equipment and knowing what works for you.
 
Pressman

Pressman

Active Member
Your Pre A, I can't tell if it's the early or late version. I would need a front view for that. They were made from 1951 to 1955.
It looks like yours has a universal shelllholder adapter. They have an "ODD" system of changing the stroke for swaging or reloading. How well they work I cannot say as I have yet to try one. I plan to do that later this summer.

Your A2 looks like the early, cast steel version.
 
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