RCBS bench top primer seater?

[Martini 38-55]

I have one of the early RCBS bench tools. I have it mounted with a wedge under the front of the tool, and still have to clamp on a C-clamp to the primer tube holder to get it to retract when I lower the priming plunger with the lever. It's gone through I don't know how many dozen sleeves of primers in the 40 years I've owned it!

 

[M3845708Bama]

OKanyone got any tips for a better feed from tube to ram? I started having issues with primers trying to roll out of the ram when using small rifle primers. are there any adjustments or modifications to be made to make it run smoother.

 

[fiver]

the inner tube diameter can make a difference.
the only real adjustment you have is screwing the little spring held cap on the primer ram down tight since that little cup comes up and pushes the stop back out of the way.
the stop is spring loaded and you might have some gunk in there.
or the cup is catching/dragging on the shell holder and not letting the cup come up all the way.
I have had to drill and polish out a few shell holders.

 

[Rick]

The only issue I have had is if the cup comes unscrewed a little. Make sure it's clean and tight.

 

[Fiddler]

After breaking 3 different Lee designs over the years and reading this thread from the beginning and I bought a used one. Nice tool, it's a keeper. It came with long tubes that whipped back and forth so I got another set from ebay with the idea of shortening them, they were already shorter than the originals.
My bench setup dictated that the RCBS be mounted to my left, a little awkward, looking at the possibility of mounting on a board or steel plate for temporary setups.

 

[Rick]

First thing I did when I bought mine is get the longer tubes, holds a full 100 count box of primers.

 

[fiver]

I hate loading 96 rounds then trying to poke 4 more primers in the tube.
I mounted mine on a board that is mounted on the bench with a through bolt.
I can pick up or swing the board around and use the cannelure tool on the other end, or just push it to the side so the handle isn't hanging over the edge of the bench.
it generally sits sideways since one of the Dillon's sits to the left of it at a 90* angle.

 

[Fiddler]

It's pretty unusual for me to load more than 50 or so at a time and then it's off to another brand for the next batch. I see that they sell racks for multiple tubes, makes it handy for a lot of reloaders. But, alas, I'm not very neat and my loading area is already too crowded.

 

[fiver]

pringles can...

 

[JWFilips]

The only issue I have had is if the cup comes unscrewed a little. Make sure it's clean and tight.

Yes I sure second this! That is the one thing I noticed that needs attention after a few hundred cycles. My other issue I said earlier in this thread that the piviot bolts of both the handle and primer arm tend to back out on mine & I will notice feeding issues. I'm sue it would be a simple fix with a lock or wave washer but I haven't gone there yet. Guess it isn't that much of a problem for me to tighten them up from time to time.
I used to like the old spit alluminum feed tubes from the 70's I only have 2 but now days they have that darn little nylon spit attachment which I do not like!
jim

 

[M3845708Bama]

FOUND IT! Went over all ovious bolts and screws and they were still tight but did find the two part ram for small primers was not screwed together fully which reduced the spring tention on the sliding cup which hold the primers in place. Screwed it together finger tight and no longer had a problem. Thanks guys

 

[Rick]

It has a hole in the side for tightening, I put a punch in that hole and tighten it as much as I can. Still comes loose every now & then. I've been gonna put a drop of lock tight in it for about 25 years now but ya just can't rush into these things. Guess it ain't that much of a problem or I would by now. I stick the punch in it & tighten every time I use it.

 

[Fiddler]

Come to think of it, I had a problem of the punches not dropping back. Probably why it was being sold. They were hanging up on the cup. I put a slight bevel on the cup and still had the problem. The rods were .248" or a bit smaller so I made replacements out of .250 drill rod. They work good now.