• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

How is RCBS in business?

T

Twinsen

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 23, 2013
277
121
AZ
I've had a number of RCBS products over the years and I think I've yet to have one work.

I got a Chargemaster and it was terrible. I returned it and got a replacement. The replacement didn't work. I had that refurbished, because RCBS refused to support it. Big shock, it doesn't work. The zero wanders so it won't auto dispense reliably. It measures to within 1.2 grains as I can have it dispense 28gr, pick it up, put it back down and have it read 26.8 to 29.2gr in a handful of tries. RCBS told me to wipe it with a dryer sheet. It now smells nice.

I got an RCBS Ultrasonic cleaner as a combined christmas and birthday gift from my family. It didn't work, so I returned it for a replacement. That also doesn't work. RCBS won't support it.

I had an RCBS trimmer and the two sides were so off center you could see it with the naked eye. The deburring piece will cut straight through the wall of one side of a case well before it touches the other side. With the plain cutter piece, it'd cut the brass at a 5 degree angle. I ruined a piece of brass and then the unit seized up hard. I returned it immediately. They unseized it, but it's as off center as it was. I threw it and all the $35 bits away.

I got an RCBS #43 shell holder today. It's for WSM brass. It's even marked 43 on the piece. RCBS only lists this one case head for the #43. It won't accept Winchester, Federal, nor Remington WSM brass. I see no burrs. It's just the wrong size for the case.

RCBS imports a bunch of chinese garbage that doesn't work, but if I go online and search for a product to get a job done, half the internet suggests RCBS. There's a steady stream of chargemasters for resale and nobody will admit they're garbage?!
 
My charge master worked for 10 years and then I sold it for what I paid for it. I’m sure it’s still working. My RCBS dies all work as advertised. I haven’t had anything from RCBS that did not work, couple thousand dollars worth of tools.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cbkytle1, jmornoinf, arleyg and 9 others
I had trouble with a couple die sets in the early 2000's. I stopped buying RCBS products after that. I must say that I was all RCBS in the 70's and early 80's before I had to pack it all away for 20 years.
 
My chargemaster worked great and I sold it and I'm sure it's still working great. All my other rcbs stuff works too. I don't have a ton of rcbs stuff but I sweat by their lube and pad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Flyin6 and lash
They’re about half an hour from work for me. I don’t have much of their stuff but what I do has been good and they are pretty accommodating. I know they have corporate overlords now but they seem like the only folks in oroville that aren’t tweakers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tillroot1, todd and arleyg
To echo what everyone else has said, never had an issue with RCBS.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cruze5
Twinsen said:
I've had a number of RCBS products over the years and I think I've yet to have one work.

I got a Chargemaster and it was terrible. I returned it and got a replacement. The replacement didn't work. I had that refurbished, because RCBS refused to support it. Big shock, it doesn't work. The zero wanders so it won't auto dispense reliably. It measures to within 1.2 grains as I can have it dispense 28gr, pick it up, put it back down and have it read 26.8 to 29.2gr in a handful of tries. RCBS told me to wipe it with a dryer sheet. It now smells nice.

I got an RCBS Ultrasonic cleaner as a combined christmas and birthday gift from my family. It didn't work, so I returned it for a replacement. That also doesn't work. RCBS won't support it.

I had an RCBS trimmer and the two sides were so off center you could see it with the naked eye. The deburring piece will cut straight through the wall of one side of a case well before it touches the other side. With the plain cutter piece, it'd cut the brass at a 5 degree angle. I ruined a piece of brass and then the unit seized up hard. I returned it immediately. They unseized it, but it's as off center as it was. I threw it and all the $35 bits away.

I got an RCBS #43 shell holder today. It's for WSM brass. It's even marked 43 on the piece. RCBS only lists this one case head for the #43. It won't accept Winchester, Federal, nor Remington WSM brass. I see no burrs. It's just the wrong size for the case.

RCBS imports a bunch of chinese garbage that doesn't work, but if I go online and search for a product to get a job done, half the internet suggests RCBS. There's a steady stream of chargemasters for resale and nobody will admit they're garbage?!
Click to expand...
You had a problem with a Vista Outdoors product, I would have never guessed lol
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: slick19, BurtG and Aftermath
I have had a problem with my RCBS hand primer several times. One time the metal guide bar bent after 15 years. Next the plastic tray that holds the primers cracked and would not stay shut after 20 years.

Both times I sent them an email and I had a replacement part within 7 days. I hope they keep doing what they are doing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arleyg, kylec, Doc68 and 1 other person
Twinsen said:
I've had a number of RCBS products over the years and I think I've yet to have one work.

I got a Chargemaster and it was terrible. I returned it and got a replacement. The replacement didn't work. I had that refurbished, because RCBS refused to support it. Big shock, it doesn't work. The zero wanders so it won't auto dispense reliably. It measures to within 1.2 grains as I can have it dispense 28gr, pick it up, put it back down and have it read 26.8 to 29.2gr in a handful of tries. RCBS told me to wipe it with a dryer sheet. It now smells nice.

I got an RCBS Ultrasonic cleaner as a combined christmas and birthday gift from my family. It didn't work, so I returned it for a replacement. That also doesn't work. RCBS won't support it.

I had an RCBS trimmer and the two sides were so off center you could see it with the naked eye. The deburring piece will cut straight through the wall of one side of a case well before it touches the other side. With the plain cutter piece, it'd cut the brass at a 5 degree angle. I ruined a piece of brass and then the unit seized up hard. I returned it immediately. They unseized it, but it's as off center as it was. I threw it and all the $35 bits away.

I got an RCBS #43 shell holder today. It's for WSM brass. It's even marked 43 on the piece. RCBS only lists this one case head for the #43. It won't accept Winchester, Federal, nor Remington WSM brass. I see no burrs. It's just the wrong size for the case.

RCBS imports a bunch of chinese garbage that doesn't work, but if I go online and search for a product to get a job done, half the internet suggests RCBS. There's a steady stream of chargemasters for resale and nobody will admit they're garbage?!
Click to expand...
Maybe it's the operator, not the equipment. Check headspace and timing and you might get them to work.
 
I have someones used Chargemaster and its still working. I have quite a few sets of RCBS and dies, and Rockchucker from 1972. Their hand prime is the best hand primer I have used so far.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arleyg
My bench mount swager broke shortly after buying it. The bushing disintegrated and the large punch broke. Still waiting to hear back
 
Twinsen said:
You guys nailed it. The reason a casing doesn't fit in the case holder is me.
Click to expand...
You’re right…it is you. They have your pic up in the break room and at lunch they come up w new ways to screw you! jk

I’m sure what you said is correct and true but it seems you had had a very unusual run of bad luck w their products.

I have a MatchMaster and priming tool of theirs and have had no issues at all.

Maybe go w another vendor. If it happens w them then it’s god that hates you and you’re screwed.

Best of luck.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: hino895, Rich4, 308pirate and 1 other person
I’m looking at a #43 RCBS shell holder that I know works with 223 wssm. The wssm and wsm cartridges share the same rim diameter. I could send it to you and we could settle this “is it me or RCBS” debate. But, if it didn’t make it back to me, would I ever find another that works???
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Twinsen and lash
our son uses one of the chargemaster’s and I load with it when staying in his home. I don’t trust it and weigh every change. (On a good old fashion beam scale) He does as well. Same when using my old Uniflow hand powder throw at home. Beam scales, cared for and checked with scale weights still weigh charges more accurately than I can shoot.

Otherwise, most everything I have purchased from RCBS works as advertised. I have busted an item or two, most through operator error, and RCBS has been quick about replacing those items, often for free. (Can‘t say that about some other concerns). I currently use equipment from RCBS, Redding, Dillion, Lyman and one die from Lee)

But in the end, I am old school, VERY old school. The only electronic piece of equipment in my entire reloading setup is my caliper. I suppose the epitome of modern in my reloading room is a couple of Dillon 550’s. (The newest of which is already more than a decade old.) (and I forgot, the Annalize that our son donated to me after upgrading to the Anneal Made Perfect. ) I suppose it is modern and electronic.
 
Maybe you'll have better luck with this RCBS item?

0000376_rcbs-sportsman-cap_600.jpeg
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: winxp_man and Carlos Danger
Wiillk said:
our son uses one of the chargemaster’s and I load with it when staying in his home. I don’t trust it and weigh every change. (On a good old fashion beam scale) He does as well. Same when using my old Uniflow hand powder throw at home. Beam scales, cared for and checked with scale weights still weigh charges more accurately than I can shoot.

Otherwise, most everything I have purchased from RCBS works as advertised. I have busted an item or two, most through operator error, and RCBS has been quick about replacing those items, often for free. (Can‘t say that about some other concerns). I currently use equipment from RCBS, Redding, Dillion, Lyman and one die from Lee)

But in the end, I am old school, VERY old school. The only electronic piece of equipment in my entire reloading setup is my caliper. I suppose the epitome of modern in my reloading room is a couple of Dillon 550’s. (The newest of which is already more than a decade old.) (and I forgot, the Annalize that our son donated to me after upgrading to the Anneal Made Perfect. ) I suppose it is modern and electronic.
Click to expand...
I’m sure your process works and is sufficient for your needs but your comment that you are VERY old school followed by admitting you use a digital caliper has me chortling in my morning coffee.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Codiekfx400, Schütze, winxp_man and 2 others
Baron23 said:
You’re right…it is you. They have your pic up in the break room and at lunch they come up w new ways to screw you! jk

I’m sure what you said is correct and true but it seems you had had a very unusual run of bad luck w their products.

I have a MatchMaster and priming tool of theirs and have had no issues at all.

Maybe go w another vendor. If it happens w them then it’s god that hates you and you’re screwed.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Twinson has problems with a lot of equipment. Off the top of my head, I can recall him bitching about at least three other manufacturers, all their products, and their CS. He obviously is followed by a black rain cloud of bad luck. I trust his reviews and comments as much as I trust the Justice Department and the FBI.
smoothy8500 said:
Maybe you'll have better luck with this RCBS item?

0000376_rcbs-sportsman-cap_600.jpeg
Click to expand...
Wrong color, wrong style, doesn’t fit, customer service won’t answer his calls about it. It’s junk. They suck! 🤣🤣🤣
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Jefe's Dope, Jmccracken1214, winxp_man and 4 others
There's a reason there are so many brands and types of reloading stuff - like many other things firearm related, one size does not fit all.

VooDoo
 
  • Like
Reactions: lash
308pirate said:
Kinda hard to fuck up a painted casting with a hole through the middle. But I'm sure they have.
Click to expand...

When I got my Lee Classic Cast, the RCBS presses were made in China and getting some rough reviews. Whoever's idea it was to do that was hopefully allowed to find employment elsewhere. My old man learned to reload on a rockchucker.
lash said:
Twinson has problems with a lot of equipment. Off the top of my head, I can recall him bitching about at least three other manufacturers, all their products, and their CS. He obviously is followed by a black rain cloud of bad luck. I trust his reviews and comments as much as I trust the Justice Department and the FBI.

Wrong color, wrong style, doesn’t fit, customer service won’t answer his calls about it. It’s junk. They suck! 🤣🤣🤣
Click to expand...
If I ordered that hat, it'd arrive pink, say CBRS, and have no brim.

I bet I did bitch about a bunch of them. I have a bunch of Dillon stuff that doesn't work, a Lyman primer seater that doesn't seat primers deep enough, and I even had endless problems with a GAP rifle for years until I literally drove to Missouri, pretended to be a potential customer to see their shop and then was like, "WHAT THE FUCK, GUYS?!"

I made an order with Desert Tech, received a poorly assembled rifle with a crap trigger, and didn't say a word to them because I already knew they don't even have a customer service department. Months later, their lawyer sent me a letter saying they were suing me for stealing from their bank account or wire fraud or some nonsense. I threw it away. Like yeah dude, I used my reloading press to steal from your bank account. Good call, weirdo.

Saying I'm as trustworthy as a fed, though. Oof. That hurts, man. I never said anything that mean in my life.

I got a Lee shellholder, and went with Frankford Arsenal for a hand primer and case trimmer. I like them both and think the primer seater is perfect. That brand has treated me very well. Whoever their engineers are know chinese manufacturing well because their grey products are coming off the boat a lot better for me than the green or blue brand. Even Lee eventually failed me and is in denial. I have a sizing die of theirs that grinds brass off casings and casings go in about as easy as it is to walk through a concrete wall. It's 50 BMG so I'm into it like $300 and can't load the big boy yet.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Jmccracken1214 and lash
Some electric stuff can reallly mess with the chargemaster fwiw... i have an old tube light that it absolutely hates and tells me loudly by not weighing things right.

Id bet other things interfere with it too, just dont happen to have any plugged in with or right by mine.

Otherwise, pretty solid performance from my rcbs tools.
 
  • Like
Reactions: msgriff
Twinsen said:
When I got my Lee Classic Cast, the RCBS presses were made in China and getting some rough reviews. Whoever's idea it was to do that was hopefully allowed to find employment elsewhere. My old man learned to reload on a rockchucker.

If I ordered that hat, it'd arrive pink, say CBRS, and have no brim.

I bet I did bitch about a bunch of them. I have a bunch of Dillon stuff that doesn't work, a Lyman primer seater that doesn't seat primers deep enough, and I even had endless problems with a GAP rifle for years until I literally drove to Missouri, pretended to be a potential customer to see their shop and then was like, "WHAT THE FUCK, GUYS?!"

I made an order with Desert Tech, received a poorly assembled rifle with a crap trigger, and didn't say a word to them because I already knew they don't even have a customer service department. Months later, their lawyer sent me a letter saying they were suing me for stealing from their bank account or wire fraud or some nonsense. I threw it away. Like yeah dude, I used my reloading press to steal from your bank account. Good call, weirdo.

Saying I'm as trustworthy as a fed, though. Oof. That hurts, man. I never said anything that mean in my life.

I got a Lee shellholder, and went with Frankford Arsenal for a hand primer and case trimmer. I like them both and think the primer seater is perfect. That brand has treated me very well. Whoever their engineers are know chinese manufacturing well because their grey products are coming off the boat a lot better for me than the green or blue brand. Even Lee eventually failed me and is in denial. I have a sizing die of theirs that grinds brass off casings and casings go in about as easy as it is to walk through a concrete wall. It's 50 BMG so I'm into it like $300 and can't load the big boy yet.
Click to expand...
I agree that some companies know how to spec and source their chinesium manufactured products very well as compared to others. And it may be that some companies are inspecting product to ensure compliance to specs too.

Bigger companies can sometimes be both better and worse in that respect. They often have more stringent expectations and controls in place. On the negative side, their purchasing is often under great pressure to reduce costs every year and show savings. Managers feel that pressure and manufacture savings in various ways. Sometimes that includes pressure on the QC guys to be more lenient with sub par suppliers. I’ve seen it many times.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Twinsen
I don’t think people are this unlucky…. You didn’t get all those things and every one of them was a fluke…

You’re either a snob, or ignorant and tear shit up instead of using it correctly.

You’re right, it is you. Have a good day.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Sniperwannabee
Twinsen said:
When I got my Lee Classic Cast, the RCBS presses were made in China and getting some rough reviews. Whoever's idea it was to do that was hopefully allowed to find employment elsewhere. My old man learned to reload on a rockchucker.

If I ordered that hat, it'd arrive pink, say CBRS, and have no brim.

I bet I did bitch about a bunch of them. I have a bunch of Dillon stuff that doesn't work, a Lyman primer seater that doesn't seat primers deep enough, and I even had endless problems with a GAP rifle for years until I literally drove to Missouri, pretended to be a potential customer to see their shop and then was like, "WHAT THE FUCK, GUYS?!"

I made an order with Desert Tech, received a poorly assembled rifle with a crap trigger, and didn't say a word to them because I already knew they don't even have a customer service department. Months later, their lawyer sent me a letter saying they were suing me for stealing from their bank account or wire fraud or some nonsense. I threw it away. Like yeah dude, I used my reloading press to steal from your bank account. Good call, weirdo.

Saying I'm as trustworthy as a fed, though. Oof. That hurts, man. I never said anything that mean in my life.

I got a Lee shellholder, and went with Frankford Arsenal for a hand primer and case trimmer. I like them both and think the primer seater is perfect. That brand has treated me very well. Whoever their engineers are know chinese manufacturing well because their grey products are coming off the boat a lot better for me than the green or blue brand. Even Lee eventually failed me and is in denial. I have a sizing die of theirs that grinds brass off casings and casings go in about as easy as it is to walk through a concrete wall. It's 50 BMG so I'm into it like $300 and can't load the big boy yet.
Click to expand...
Dude GTfO… lmao…

Rcbs sucks, Dillon sucks, everything I buy sucks. Desert tech sucks. All my stuff breaks..
“Lee is awesome” lol

What a f&cking troll you are.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mtrmn
He should buy Redding presses and AI rifles ;)

I still have RCBS reloading equipment thats 25 plus years old,,, never a issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jmccracken1214
BCX said:
He should buy Redding presses and AI rifles ;)

I still have RCBS reloading equipment thats 25 plus years old,,, never an issue.
Click to expand...
Nope, you’re stuff is broke… you’re just not smart enough to know it.

I’ve had my chargemaster lite for 5+ years, hand primer for 10 and numerous matchmaster dies.. never once a problem with rcbs.
I’ve had more issues with Hornady stuff but still not many.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BCX
Jmccracken1214 said:
Dude GTfO… lmao…

Rcbs sucks, Dillon sucks, everything I buy sucks. Desert tech sucks. All my stuff breaks..
“Lee is awesome” lol

What a f&cking troll you are.
Click to expand...
I much rather have Lee dies over RCBS , I think their dies are a piece of shit . I use their other products , but not their dies . Sorry if that hurt your feelings .:rolleyes:
 
Haney said:
I much rather have Lee dies over RCBS , I think their dies are a piece of shit . I use their other products , but not their dies . Sorry if that hurt your feelings .:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I agree, kind of. I’ve never used Lee dies, but I also do not like the regular rcbs dies. The higher end ones I’ve had good luck with. I use them or Redding.
Hornady for bulk/non precision stuff.
 
redbullitt said:
Some electric stuff can reallly mess with the chargemaster fwiw... i have an old tube light that it absolutely hates and tells me loudly by not weighing things right.

Id bet other things interfere with it too, just dont happen to have any plugged in with or right by mine.

Otherwise, pretty solid performance from my rcbs tools.
Click to expand...
This is my first thought when people talk about their digital scales constantly drifting... Fluorescent lighting... and/or neutral/grounding issues with their electrical system.

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: lash
OkieMike said:
This is my first thought when people talk about their digital scales constantly drifting... Fluorescent lighting... and/or neutral/grounding issues with their electrical system.

Mike
Click to expand...
It’s not uncommon to find brand new homes with poor grounding or even the occasional polarity issue. The average ‘electrician’ that does big builders’ subcontracting these days is a grunt, usually base labor rate, working on the electrical contractors’ license. All they know is pulling wire, drilling holes, and throwing in receptacles and switches.

Rarely is there any actual high pot hot testing for insulation piercing and ground issues. These issues are actually quite common and is one reason why GFCIs are now required in more and more locations throughout the home, ostensibly to protect you from yourself. A little bit of circuit testing in your home is always a good idea.
 
I have a couple rcbs items and they work fine. Primer pocket swager that works good. 5.56 dies, 9mm dies, both fine. 3 way trimmer head and a chargemaster I bought used off the hide that I've had for 3 years, which is very accurate that I use to load precision ammo for PRS. I think OP is the issue
 
Jmkjr87 said:
I have a couple rcbs items and they work fine. Primer pocket swager that works good. 5.56 dies, 9mm dies, both fine. 3 way trimmer head and a chargemaster I bought used off the hide that I've had for 3 years, which is very accurate that I use to load precision ammo for PRS. I think OP is the issue
Click to expand...
Yup.
always heard "if everyone in your life is an asshole, you might be the asshole" lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jefe's Dope
I started with their basic dies. No complaints but also not earth shattering.

The Chargemaster was shelved for YEARS as I could never get it to drop the same charge weight no matter how hard I tried, like many others. Then I bought a power conditioner and it still holds up well against even my ADI and Autotrickler.

Rockchucker press is what it is. It just works.

The electronic case mouth trimmer was a dumpster fire that was angled right out of the box and had a noticeable warp to the rod the cutter was supposed to sit on the end of.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MarinePMI, sirhrmechanic and lash
lash said:
It’s not uncommon to find brand new homes with poor grounding or even the occasional polarity issue. The average ‘electrician’ that does big builders’ subcontracting these days is a grunt, usually base labor rate, working on the electrical contractors’ license. All they know is pulling wire, drilling holes, and throwing in receptacles and switches.

Rarely is there any actual high pot hot testing for insulation piercing and ground issues. These issues are actually quite common and is one reason why GFCIs are now required in more and more locations throughout the home, ostensibly to protect you from yourself. A little bit of circuit testing in your home is always a good idea.
Click to expand...
Yep. I rarely deal with residential but industrial isn't much better... Usually you're trying to troubleshoot a mess that every jake-leg maintenance guy has had his hands in over the last 20 years.

Most facilities have adopted a "no energized work" policy. It's a nice sentiment, but not realistic. You could spend days/weeks trying to trace down which panel/breaker feeds a recep or light... You're better off gloving up and working it hot.

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: lash
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

tam4511
Reloading Equipment WTS Forster CoAx, RCBS Chargemaster, Franklin case trimmer, dies, etc
Replies
5
Views
589
tam4511
tam4511
Z
Reloading Equipment RCBS TrimPro2 Power Trimmer
Replies
0
Views
88
Zetlock
Z
D
New Trimmer Advice
Replies
29
Views
782
Rio Precision Gunworks
Rio Precision Gunworks
B
Has rcbs gone down in QC or was always bad?
Replies
11
Views
755
cstumpf750
C
S
Pistol cartridge info
Replies
13
Views
355
John?
J
Top Bottom
Back