RCBS 12ga Brass shell die

Fairshake · June 26, 2009, 09:46:57 AM

Just purchased the RCBS cowboy 12 ga die that is intended to be used for loading the brass hulls. I read the directions and put the die together. Ran the first hull in to be decapped and nothing happened. Looked to make sure pin was not broken and tried again, still nothing. Tried different hull, same results. What in the hell is going on? Took out the decapping rod and noticed a c clip that was holding a spring had come out of the groove on the shaft that was made to keep it there. Put the c-clip back and tried again, same results. Took die back apart and the clip had moved again. Tried again , same results and realized that I was in a exercise in futility. Called RCBS and they said that they would send a new decapping rod. My question is has anyone had the same thing happen? If the rod coming is made the same then I see no way it's going to work the groove in the shaft is too shallow to hold the c-clip. Any one else have this die?

Fingers McGee · June 26, 2009, 10:47:49 PM

I've got one and it works just fine.

Fairshake · June 30, 2009, 06:42:16 AM

Fingers, I'm sure that there are thousands that work fine. I was hoping for a little more info, like I had one that did that and this is how I fixed it. Some one with your experience and knowledge should be able to give more feedback. I hope your not a doctor in your day job. If I would come in and say Doc, I'm not sleeping well and your answer would be, I did next person please. Ha!! Ha!!

john boy · June 30, 2009, 05:37:24 PM

David - in the meantime before the new one comes, if you happen to have a Lee Loader, just knock the primer out with the punch. Bit slower but it works
PS: Have no experience with any RCBS dies

Sod Buster · June 30, 2009, 06:32:20 PM

Fairshake,
Mine works (er doesn't work) just like yours! It doesn't de-prime at all and isn't very good at sizing the shells.
What I do at the moment is pull the lever ahd "help" the de-prime by hitting the top of the die with my rubber mallet.

Let me know how the replacement works for you. If it does, them I will call them and get the replacement.

Fingers McGee · June 30, 2009, 07:08:52 PM

Fairshake, Your original post asked two questions.

Quote from: Fairshake on June 26, 2009, 09:46:57 AM
My question is has anyone had the same thing happen? If the rod coming is made the same then I see no way it's going to work the groove in the shaft is too shallow to hold the c-clip. Any one else have this die?

I thought my response succinctly answered both questions. I'll try again to answer your questions - in reverse order:

I have on of the RCBS 12 Ga die sets.

The C clip doesn't pop off of the decapping rod of mine when I decap cases.

I'm afraid that's all the knowledge and experience I can impart in regards to the subject.

Dick Dastardly · July 01, 2009, 08:37:48 AM

Mayville Engineering Corporation (MEC) makes an all brass hull conversion kit for 12ga Magtech hulls. I have one that they made for me in 20ga. Love it. I load my all brass shells on the MEC 600 Jr. Mk-V (the most popular shotshell reloader in the world) and glue the over shot wad in off the press.

So, you MEC users, there's a part made by the manufacturer of your unit that allows you to do all the operations, except crimp, on the same unit you're using for plastic and paper hulls. The change over is very quick and easy. Contact MEC for details.

DD-DLoS

Fairshake · July 02, 2009, 09:15:50 AM

Fingers, I was making fun and was not serious about your answer. I know you have been at it for a while. DD, I too use a Mec in the form of the Sizemaster and use it for all my loading of BP hulls. I had a chance to pick up the RCBS 12ga set for $50 and thought it would be good to have. You could load the brass hulls with your regular press and not have to change anything on the MEC as I don't load alot of the brass hulls. I have found that the brass hulls when fully loaded are too heavy for the drop two feature of my 1887 and cause it to jam so that you can only load one or lose time while putting the lever in position. I started to looking at the de-cap rod and broke out the dremel tool. I increased the depth of the clip slot all around and put it back together. It now works and I had no problem with the decapping process. Sod buster you might want to try this with yours. Finally, John Boy I did just that as I have a couple of the kits. Thanks for the input to all and that includes Fingers. Ha!! Ha!! Later David

Dirty Brass · July 02, 2009, 10:53:35 AM

Quote from: Dick Dastardly on July 01, 2009, 08:37:48 AM
Mayville Engineering Corporation (MEC) makes an all brass hull conversion kit for 12ga Magtech hulls. I have one that they made for me in 20ga. Love it. I load my all brass shells on the MEC 600 Jr. Mk-V (the most popular shotshell reloader in the world) and glue the over shot wad in off the press.

So, you MEC users, there's a part made by the manufacturer of your unit that allows you to do all the operations, except crimp, on the same unit you're using for plastic and paper hulls. The change over is very quick and easy. Contact MEC for details.

DD-DLoS

Hmmmm......guess I'll have to look into that DD - wasn't aware they had that. I've been looking at my MEC 650, pondering and wishing it would work for my brass cases

Thanks for the heads-up!