RCBS Reloader 5 Press - binding problems

G

Gunsmoke

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I am having problems with my RCBS Reloader 5 Press....not sure what is causing it. The problem is that the ram binds within the frame such that one cannot achieve a smooth up and down stroke without binding several times....hence as soon as one applies any sort of pressure while resizing...everything binds up. It was almost impossible to resize 30.06 brass. I have tried everything....pulled the press apart and carefully cleaned the ram and the hole in the frame...used a light silicone oil...used no oil. Nothing seems to prevent this binding issue.

Anyone else run into this? I will be calling RCBS to see what they say but this is the second such press that has given me this same problem.
 
Remove the dies,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, now work the press up and down.
this will let you know if you have a press prob. or a die problem.

If the press is ok, re read your dies instructions and set them up again.

M.
 
The one downside to most of the RCBS presses is the way the dead primers are dropped down through the ram and spit out the side. The ram gets crusted with carbon and dirt and must be cleaned regularly or it will drag as you described.

Clean it with Hoppes or similar and you should be OK
 
Ice-Pick and 'Boo;

Thanks for your feedback; I appreciate it. It is a ram problem, it wants to bind on both the upstroke and downstroke even without a die. So when you try to pull the casing back down out of the resizing die, you cannot exert any pressure/force because the ram binds and voila....you have a case stick in the resizing die (ARGH). Yes, the carbon and gunk from depriming does get between the ram and the frame. I took the entire press apart and cleaned it thoroughly and have tried it both "dry" and with a sparing amount of silicone oil applied to the ram to see if that helps. Still wants to bind even with the silicone oil but not as bad.

This same problem occurred about 8 years ago with the same model of press (Reloader Special 5) and at that time I returned it to RCBS, they had an entirely new press in my hands within 2 weeks. To date, I have no problems with RCBS and their warranty policy.

I will be getting in touch with RCBS on Monday to see what they suggest as remedies. I think the next step might be to upgrade to a Rockchucker.

In posting my topic; I thought that I might get some other folks who may have had similar problem(s) and perhaps identify a problem with that type of press. I take real good care of my stuff and wipe my press and dies with a lightly oiled cloth each time I use them to prevent any rust.

There must be a reason for this happening....
 
I should have read you original post a little more carefully earlier especially the bit where you said you had cleaned it up ........... :redface:

It is possible the bore of the press is worn to the point where the ram binds when under load. The reloader special presses are made of cast aluminum rather than the cast iron of the Rockchucker so this may be a possibility if yours has seen heavy use.
 
My reloader Special 5 is actually made of cast iron; it's too heavy to be cast aluminum.

I solved my problem and the binding issue is gone...guess what I did?...and solution was so simple.

Applied a small amount of grease to the ram and voila....the binding issue is completely gone. I called myself dumbass for the rest of the day.....

thanks a bunch guys....
 
rofl, laff, ok now that's funny,
That was so obvious I didn't even consider mentioning it. I figured everyone lubes them to a certain degree, problem is the junk sticks to the ram once you've lubed it. That's why I figued you had to clean it all the time, laff.

M.
 
STOS is the best press lube that I have ever used.My Rockchucker is closing in on 30 years old,and it shows almost no sign of wear despite a constant diet of large capacity magnum cases.
 
'Boo said:
The one downside to most of the RCBS presses is the way the dead primers are dropped down through the ram and spit out the side. The ram gets crusted with carbon and dirt and must be cleaned regularly or it will drag as you described.

Clean it with Hoppes or similar and you should be OK
Click to expand...

I have a RCBS 4x4 and this is not the case. The primers fall through a tube to a small holder, no were near the ram. Not sure how the 5 works.
 
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