Tried to load some 9mm Luger rounds today. Got off to a bad start and had a real hard time adjusting the powder drop on the RCBS progressive press. (This is my small primer progressive press.) I had to switch this press from loading 357 Mag. Well after killing an hour I got things set the way I wanted and proceeded to fill the primer tube. Soon as I went to turn the primer tube up to put it on the press I dumped 100 primers all over the place. Some dummy forgot to check for the clip pin that seals the open primer tube end. Spent the next 30 minutes on my hands and knees picking up primers. Found all but one.
Finally ready to begin loading 9mm after I set the powder drop to the right amount. Put a single case into the press and ran the ram to the top for decapping and sizing. I could hear the spent primer pop out and drop into the catch jar. As I went to pull the case down I heard a loud snap. I looked at the press I could see the 5 station shell plate hanging below the dies with the shell firmly caught in the sizing die.
My first thought was the shell plate broke. After a little examination the shell plate was fine, but the shoulder bolt the holds it to the ram broke. So after another 30 minuted of careful disassembly I was able to free the shell plate, but the case was firmly stuck in the sizing die. I removed the decapping pin and was able to drive the stuck case from the die with a brass rod.
So over 2 hours wasted and not a single round of 9mm to show for it.
It will be Tuesday before I can call RCBS and get a replacement shoulder bolt which will probably take a week to get to me.
Not sure what cause the problem. The case went into the die the with normal resistance. Have I been over torquing the shoulder bolt? Or is this just a weak design failure point? I've been using this press for 25 years without issue. Up until 8 years ago this was my only progressive press for loading pistol ammunition in 9mm, 38 spl. 40 S&W and 45 ACP. I added a second progressive press (for larger primers) when I bought a lightly used Hornady Lock N Load for cheap. I've always have and still load rifle ammo on my single stage press.
Whatever caused the bolt to fail, this press is down for the near term until replacement parts show up.
Paul
