RCBS Grand Progressive Shotshell Press

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I am looking for comments from anybody who has one of these or is familiar with it. I am thinking of buying one. Specifically, I am wondering if the Riser Stand is needed or not. Does this move the press forward so the bench does not interfere with the linkage, or is it simply to raise the press up for loading while standing? Any and all comments welcome by those who are familiar with this press.

No, thanks I am not interested in a MEC or any other brand, I am specifically interested in the RCBS Grand, and not the Mini Grand. I am specifically interested in the feature where the press will not dump powder or shot if no hull is present. Am also interested in how reliable it is. I am tired of crushing hulls on the MEC Progressive press that I have.

Thanks

 

[Rick Courtright]

I am looking for comments from anybody who has one of these or is familiar with it.

Hi,

Not gonna try to talk you into any other brand, but when I ran the trap & skeet range, I knew 100s of handloaders who put together some serious numbers of shells each year, and not a one of them I knew used an RCBS...

Dunno exactly what that says...

FWIW, top brands among the guys I knew were:

Low priced: MEC (650 and Grabber)

Medium priced: Pacific-Hornady (366)

High priced: Ponsness Warren (today the Spolar, made by an old time friend, has gained a lot of ground against the P-Ws, in a similar price range.)

BTW, where are you crushing your shells w/ that MEC? If it's at the final crimping station, a lot of folks have that die maladjusted, and if you're using a slightly longer case you may require some readjustment (yeah, all the cases "say" 2 3/4" or whatever length, but there's at least 1/8" variation from brand to brand in those sitting on my bench right now.) I can turn out a beautiful Brand A while crushing a Brand B any day of the week if I don't readjust that die on my own MEC! Instructions are available from MEC and many other sites online.

People don't normally trim shotshells, but the guys at Ballistics Products have tools to do the job if you so choose. They have other case conditioning tools, too.

Good luck!

Rick C

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Just comments on the RCBS Grand please.

I am not interested in reconditioning hulls. I only use Remington STS hulls. When they are worn out I discard them.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Just comments on the RCBS Grand please.

Hi,

No problem--check these discussions:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=5087

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-480714.html

You can also go to www.trapshooters.com and do a search for RCBS Grand. There are a few discussions.

Decide for yourself.

Rick C

 

[XP100]

I have sold 2 and know of a couple others that use the Grand. After a learning curve and getting the machine adjusted everyone loves theirs. Easy to pull handle. Most users get the riser after they have the loader for a while. Easy to change over fron 12 to 20 after a couple of times doing it. Great customer service too.

What model MEC do you have?

 

[2manyguns]

Hi, had my Grand for a few years now. Great machine. The riser will offset the loader toward you and to clear the bench. Also sits much lower then the Mec Grabber on the same bench. Not sure how it would work without em. Marty

 

[longgunnm]

We purchased one of the early Grands to use for trap shooting reloads.
It is the first shotshell loader I bought and have never regretted it. It is a loading machine.
We don't change bushings very often, but shot and powder shut off is very easy, large capacity also.
Learn the adjustments.
RCBS supplies any broken part you may need.......you will need the 16 shell holders on occasion. They wear from being seperated each time a hull is sized on each stroke. The powder and shot shut offs will wear. Just have parts on hand.
The Grand is a work horse. We've loaded thousands of shells. Bought it based on RCBS metallic reloading equipment.
Good luck,
Mark