RCBS RC Supreme sloppy ram.

kawicrash

kawicrash

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Anybody else find an awful lot of play in the ram of their RCBS RC IV Supreme press?? It actually rattles in the bore of the frame.
I've been emailing back and forth with RCBS about this but haven't come to a consensus about what the allowable tolerance between the frame and ram is. I get there has to be some clearance between moving parts, but the Lee Classic Cast that I "upgraded" from had nowhere this much play in the ram.
Anyway, still ongoing with RCBS, so we'll see what they say, just curious if other owners are seeing this kind of slop?
Thanks.
 
I had same issue with one, after 10 years of use it was worn out to the point it will not align shell holder with die body. RCBS will not warranty it. They will send you the ram, but press itself they say, send it to their tech department to asses. That is almost same cost or in my case more than just buying new press.
That's what I did.
To keep it from wearing out you have to clean the bore and ram periodically from crud and primer debris and lubing it regularly.
If it lasts 10+ years of use i'm happy with it. Any such press design will wear out so it has to be replaced.
 
Of course I have no idea at all as to how many rounds you guys have reloaded on your presses but I have been using a Lyman orange crusher for over 30 years and some of that time it was in a dirty environment (my mechanics shop) and it has loaded many thousands of rounds and it is still nearly as tight as when it was new. I love the green stuff but there are other colours that make quality tools too. Just Sayin!
 
I have been using a Red classic cast for years. Very minimal slop if any in the ram. I have been very happy with it. I even have a spare new in the box if something where to happen to it.

Had a RCBS JR for years. It got sloppy. I also deprime on a dedicated press, cheap lee aluminum thing. Cuts down on the wear.

Use good oil for lube.
 
kawicrash said:
I bought it in January, been like this from day 1.
Not sure if this video works?

[video]https://photos.app.goo.gl/tMVg2HS1QzsEhWpLA[/video]
Click to expand...

My original Rockchucker is still going strong after 40+ years with no noticeable play. I found that while inspecting plain bearings that if you can feel movement back and forth it has at least .005” play before feeling it, my RC doesn’t have any you can feel. I used to load .38 Spl. on my RC before getting my progressive and I took my bullets to the range in peanut butter jars. All to say that RCBS QC has gone down hill.
 
There was a large review of 14 presses on You Tube , Ultimate Reloader, or something like that. He goes into that. That will give you an idea of acceptable slop.

Cast iron can be used as a bearing material, but it's not one of the best . We couldn't afford the best. A press is worn out when you can wiggle the ram fully extended.
 
Watched your video ????

Is that a sleeve on your ram (lower part of ram ) ????

if it is a sleeve and it moves .... maybe it should be locktighted into the body of the press
 
Rcbs outsourced to China many years ago, I wouldn't buy any of their new presses, old US made presses were good.
 
The tolerance looks large but does it make decent ammo?
Tight tolerances are good if everything aligns, otherwise a bit of float and the case/bullet follow the path of least resistance. Which often is a good thing.
 
Buckmastr said:
The tolerance looks large but does it make decent ammo?
Tight tolerances are good if everything aligns, otherwise a bit of float and the case/bullet follow the path of least resistance. Which often is a good thing.
Click to expand...

Ya, I thought about that too, like it would float and self centre with any variances in the different dies. I've just never seen a new press flop around like that.
The ram is two pieces, it's not a sleeve. The Lee was the same.
 
Well, RCBS made it right and sent me a new press and return label for the original, no cost to me. They checked the replacement before sending it out, and I have to say it's night and day difference. The new one is rock solid.
Thanks to Alicia at RCBS, fantastic product and general reloading knowledge and no nonsense attitude.
In comparison, I needed the nut that holds the decapping pin for a forster bench rest die, $3.45. No way would they throw one in an envelope and mail it to me. I could buy one from them, regular channels, or buy one from somebody else, thank you, goodbye.
I'm sure the warranty system for all companies gets abused, but my dealings with Hornady and especially RCBS have been exemplary.
 
As per posters on this thread: ht tps://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/rockchuker-press-versions.3799095/, there were at least three versions of RockChucker press sold by RCBS since RCBS started up in 1943.

So, perhaps many years experience with "a" RockChucker means not much for OP with his newest RockChucker Supreme - I am quite sure that the latest one is made in China. I was not able to determine when the "Supreme" version was made for sale in Canada. Not sure that I can ID which version that I have - has "-RC-" cast into left side of body at rear; the press handle linkage appears to allow for right hand handle only; it has a bushing on top to go from normal 7/8" dies to much larger ones; the throat opening in the "O" is about 4" (something less than 10 cm). I periodically dribble 3-in-One oil into the linkage bushings and around the ram - more to flush out crap than anything - no complaints, at all. The compound leverage is very handy for case re-forming, versus my first one, which was an RCBS JR single leverage press.

That "no complaints" comment - there is one - as received, RCBS gizmos and attachments do not handle pushed out primers very well - I gave up de-priming on that press - spent too many hours chasing down loose primers that bounced away from that RCBS system.
 
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