RCBS A-2 single stage press function and value

[oley55]

I have found an old vintage RCBS A-2 press for sale. By picture is has some surface rust but seems to have all the primer components. Are these old tanks worth having/using or is the newer Rock Chucker better.

It's a local Craigslist sale and the lot includes an old Redding scale, RCBS Uniflow and stand. From what I see in the PICs the A-2 is the keeper. Any ideas what a reasonable price should be?

 

[riflewoman]

The A2 was a bit beefier than the Rock Chucker and is a classic. It has a collector value and finding a functional one is a find. I’d offer a discount price for a Rockchucker, say 200 for the lot.

 

[Shooter13]

The A2 was a bit beefier than the Rock Chucker and is a classic. It has a collector value and finding a functional one is a find. I’d offer a discount price for a Rockchucker, say 200 for the lot.

You're a better man er woman than me (well that's awkward), it may be a classic but looks rough, I'd offer $25 for the lot and see where they go from there, remember it is a yard sale.

 

[oley55]

The A2 was a bit beefier than the Rock Chucker and is a classic. It has a collector value and finding a functional one is a find. I’d offer a discount price for a Rockchucker, say 200 for the lot.

Thanks, I guess that explains the high asking price for the Lot at $275 of mostly surfaced rusted Florida stuff. There really is only the three items, plus a handful of plastic ammo boxes and a couple case holders. I'm not a collector so...……...

 

[johara1]

I will tell you this it is head and shoulders better than a rock chucker. the ram is huge and uses tapered pins the that have a nut to draw them tighter removable handle. I got mine used in the early 70's for 25.00...... go for it and clean it up and it will never wear out..... BTW if it didn't have the primer attachment cut were the ones to make bullets the base is adjustable for tilt.... Also the ram you see is an insert in the main ram... jim

 

[Kracken McGraw]

If it takes that much to buy it I would run. Get a new Redding Big Boss II, and enjoy life.

 

[JFrank]

$25 - $50 for the press is fair,
I’ve bought several older ones in that range.
J

 

[pertnear]

$25 - $50 for the press is fair,
I’ve bought several older ones in that range.
J

I agree with this appraisal. It's a GREAT press & with plenty of TLC it can be put back in good condition. But $50 max. What they are asking for the whole lot is definitely too much.

 

[bobm]

"I have found an old vintage RCBS A-2 press for sale."


You just gave this in demand press a ton of exposure, including location. Better act quick. Mine cleaned up real good. I had it powder coated after sandblasting. Yard sale steal at $20.00 a decade ago.

 

[JFrank]

I actually prefer the older RS or JR models

 

[pertnear]

"I have found an old vintage RCBS A-2 press for sale."


You just gave this in demand press a ton of exposure, including location. Better act quick. Mine cleaned up real good. I had it powder coated after sandblasting. Yard sale steal at $20.00 a decade ago.

View attachment 1168214

bobm, I just have to comment.

Im not a collector, but I tip my hat to a guy that can take that classic RCBS press & bring it back to full glory - Fantastic!

 

[RDA72927]

Go over to Cast Bullet's and see what the value is. All the A Series is very popular with anyone swaging lead bullets..

Robert

 

[D-4297]

"I have found an old vintage RCBS A-2 press for sale."


You just gave this in demand press a ton of exposure, including location. Better act quick. Mine cleaned up real good. I had it powder coated after sandblasting. Yard sale steal at $20.00 a decade ago.

View attachment 1168214

Good looking piece . I have a A-12 with the primer attachments in place that works like a champ ; that I use regularly , and love it for "heavy" work . The new Rockchucker may be a good press , but I'll keep my A-12 , thank you . Newer is not always better , Just newer . If it ain't broke , stop trying to fix it .

 

[johara1]

You can take the handle off and use the stub that it slips over, or cut the handle off and make it shorter. you don't need all the leverage it has for normal shells .... jim

 

[Webster]

I have found an old vintage RCBS A-2 press for sale. By picture is has some surface rust but seems to have all the primer components. Are these old tanks worth having/using or is the newer Rock Chucker better.

It's a local Craigslist sale and the lot includes an old Redding scale, RCBS Uniflow and stand. From what I see in the PICs the A-2 is the keeper. Any ideas what a reasonable price should be?

View attachment 1168142

I wouldn't touch it. Other than the press it's a pile of junk. Even if it's servicable it isn't worth the time and money to disassemble , glass bead and paint. I have a RCBS RC IV that I bought 2 years ago. for about $150. I don't think frame strength is an issue at least for me. I can size 6BR cases holding the handle with the tips of my thumb and 2 fingers. A very low amount of force. All the different brands and models look the same to me in photos as far as the amount of cast iron in the frame? I think a big issue is wear of the ram and hole it goes thru. Castings have warpage. I would assume the accuracy, alignment and squareness of the ram hole and threaded die hole to each other would be the biggest issue. Machining is much more accurate on modern mass produced parts than it was 50 years ago??? It isn't worth $25 to find out if it's in good shape.

Added later:

Driving to the range, range membership, reloading supplies and gas diving about 1500 miles a year are a greater expense than a good press. Everyone has a different idea of who makes the best press. Listen to what the serious competition shooters like ignore everyone else. There are a lot of keyboard experts on this website and some of the the country's best.

Can I buy a new hunting license with all the stores closed?

 

[linebaugh]

I have the bulk of that kit you have pictured and still use that press weekly. I would be concerned only on the amount of rust on the ram on the press.
I use that old powder drop to drop muzzleloader loads and occassionally on shotgun when roll crimpimg buckshot loads. I have even used it to drop shot for handgun shot loads.
That little brown scale still sits on my bench and is still as accurate as I need it to be.

Whats the value? Dunno. I don't even need it but would pay $100 for that set up if it all looked serviceable.

 

[KY_Windage]

The scale and the powder measure with stand are worth at least $100. If it is just surface rust I'd say the press is worth $100.

But I'd offer $150.

 

[johara1]

I wouldn't touch it. Other than the press it's a pile of junk. Even if it's servicable it isn't worth the time and money to disassemble , glass bead and paint. I have a RCBS RC IV that I bought 2 years ago. for about $150. I don't think frame strength is an issue at least for me. I can size 6BR cases holding the handle with the tips of my thumb and 2 fingers. A very low amount of force. All the different brands and models look the same to me in photos as far as the amount of cast iron in the frame? I think a big issue is wear of the ram and hole it goes thru. Castings have warpage. I would assume the accuracy, alignment and squareness of the ram hole and threaded die hole to each other would be the biggest issue. Machining is much more accurate on modern mass produced parts than it was 50 years ago??? It isn't worth $25 to find out if it's in good shape.

Boy do you got it wrong, the rockchucker is a step up from jr. and sure isn't in the same class as the A2. There is more machine work in the linkage and pins on the A2 than in the whole rock chucker...... jim

 

[Jud96]

I actually prefer the older RS or JR models

I do too. I just picked up a JR-3 a couple months ago for like $40. They had a used Rockchucker for $100 beside it. I never really got the big deal with the Rockchucker. I have no problem sizing anything from 38 Special to 300 Win Mag on my JR. The feel and sensitivity of the JR press when seating bullets is one of the best for an off the shelf press. I would much rather take the sensitivity and feel over being able to size brass with a little less effort. To each their own.

 

[rogn]

I wouldn't touch it. Other than the press it's a pile of junk. Even if it's servicable it isn't worth the time and money to disassemble , glass bead and paint. I have a RCBS RC IV that I bought 2 years ago. for about $150. I don't think frame strength is an issue at least for me. I can size 6BR cases holding the handle with the tips of my thumb and 2 fingers. A very low amount of force. All the different brands and models look the same to me in photos as far as the amount of cast iron in the frame? I think a big issue is wear of the ram and hole it goes thru. Castings have warpage. I would assume the accuracy, alignment and squareness of the ram hole and threaded die hole to each other would be the biggest issue. Machining is much more accurate on modern mass produced parts than it was 50 years ago??? It isn't worth $25 to find out if it's in good shape.

Added later:

Driving to the range, range membership, reloading supplies and gas diving about 1500 miles a year are a greater expense than a good press. Everyone has a different idea of who makes the best press. Listen to what the serious competition shooters like ignore everyone else. There are a lot of keyboard experts on this website and some of the the country's best.

Can I buy a new hunting license with all the stores closed?

In the PR of Maryland you can do it on line.