Savvy Jack Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 How many of you guys use the RCBS Green Machine progressive loading press? I figured since it was manufactured primarily for the 38 Special....... After a few years wanting one, I took the plunge and picked one up a few days ago. After about 30 hours of labor and using words that would make a Marine blush, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I modified mine, manufactured 6-30-1982, to run 44-40 ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 I’ve got one and quite a few spare parts but have never used it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 After nearly 35 or so hours of labor, and many bad words uttered.......IT WORKS! Also feeds 44 Magnum and 45 Colt Below is Video 8 of 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Interesting like how the cartridges feed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Wanna buy another one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Why wouldn’t you put the primers and bullets on the other side of the pressinstead of reaching across in front of the press? Just a thought. Interesting looking machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 8 minutes ago, Yul Lose said: Why wouldn’t you put the primers and bullets on the other side of the pressinstead of reaching across in front of the press? Just a thought. Interesting looking machine. I'm assuming he's holding a camera with his left hand which throws a monkey into the wrench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 12 minutes ago, Grizzly Dave said: I'm assuming he's holding a camera with his left hand which throws a monkey into the wrench. Yeah but, it seems like it would be easier to reach to the right than across the front with his right hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 1 minute ago, Yul Lose said: Yeah but, it seems like it would be easier to reach to the right than across the front with his right hand. agreed. all part of the learning curve with an incomplete machine I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 I’ve seen these reloaders but have never seen one in operation. Thanks for posting the video. How hard is the caliber change from say 44-40 to .45 Colt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 11 hours ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said: Wanna buy another one? I might but I also have a friend who might want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 11 hours ago, Yul Lose said: Why wouldn’t you put the primers and bullets on the other side of the pressinstead of reaching across in front of the press? Just a thought. Interesting looking machine. I dont have enough room on my bench between the machine and the vice!! I may move it when I get done working on it. However, I have posted in the past about right hand vs left hand presses. I think handles should be on the left hand side so I can control ecerything else with MY RIGHT HAND hence a Right Handed press. I operate the handle of my Lee Single Stage press with my left hand and do all of the "work" with my Right hand!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 10 hours ago, Grizzly Dave said: I'm assuming he's holding a camera with his left hand which throws a monkey into the wrench. Oh, that too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 It is a fascinating machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 2 hours ago, Yul Lose said: I’ve seen these reloaders but have never seen one in operation. Thanks for posting the video. How hard is the caliber change from say 44-40 to .45 Colt? Once I made the large rimed case modification, all I have to do is change the dies and desired powder drop. See video 5 on the youtube channel. This is not a detailed explanation but for now it's all I have. Below is video 1 of 8. They will all play in sequence or you can open in youtube and go to video 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 Right Handed Press vs Left Handed PressPart 1.... (fresh upload so give it time to process) PART 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isom Dart, SASS#8096 Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Jack, that's one heck of a machine. I've got a RCBS Ammomaster, and it's been in semi-retirement since I got a Dillon 650. To me, the Green Machine looks overly complicated. I know you said it was made for .38 Spec. but did RCBS not have an adapter kit or something to adapt to other calibers? You kind of sound like me ,,,, "but its not made for it" ,,,,,,,,,,,, (me) ,, "no, sweat I'll get it to work". As far as Rt/LT, I pull all my levers with my rt. arm, and put bullets/primers, or anything else with my lt. I guess I've been doing it so long I'm just used to it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 11 minutes ago, Isom Dart, SASS#8096 said: Jack, that's one heck of a machine. I've got a RCBS Ammomaster, and it's been in semi-retirement since I got a Dillon 650. To me, the Green Machine looks overly complicated. I know you said it was made for .38 Spec. but did RCBS not have an adapter kit or something to adapt to other calibers? You kind of sound like me ,,,, "but its not made for it" ,,,,,,,,,,,, (me) ,, "no, sweat I'll get it to work". As far as Rt/LT, I pull all my levers with my rt. arm, and put bullets/primers, or anything else with my lt. I guess I've been doing it so long I'm just used to it.. LOL, yeah...I am weird!!! It is my understanding that RCBS was in the process and designing or whatever but never sold any kits. I still do not have clarification on that. They may have sold 40 S&W kits but I am unaware what the kit would have consisted of. More than likely Dies (powder funnel and bullet feed insert), for I think the 40 runs on the existing rails etc. Anyhow, I just fabricated a test tube for my large pistol primer feed. check it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isom Dart, SASS#8096 Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 (cont. accidently hit wrong button. Sorry) I don't remember who it was, but someone made a singlestage and a multistage that you could switch handles on. Don't remember who though. Seems like you've got your work cut out for you though. Have fun. I'll be following this thread to see how it comes out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isom Dart, SASS#8096 Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Looks like you've got the primer tube feed working. Are you going to shim the hole where the primers come up, and are you going to use a longer primer feed tube? Looks like you might be able to drill the hole out and either press fit or snug fit with some epoxy. Looks like epoxy would work because there's not a lot of stress in that area. Isom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Isom Dart, SASS#8096 said: (cont. accidently hit wrong button. Sorry) I don't remember who it was, but someone made a singlestage and a multistage that you could switch handles on. Don't remember who though. Seems like you've got your work cut out for you though. Have fun. I'll be following this thread to see how it comes out My Lee single stage, the loader can switch sides....but progressives may be a different story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Isom Dart, SASS#8096 said: Looks like you've got the primer tube feed working. Are you going to shim the hole where the primers come up, and are you going to use a longer primer feed tube? Looks like you might be able to drill the hole out and either press fit or snug fit with some epoxy. Looks like epoxy would work because there's not a lot of stress in that area. Isom Eventually once I get it all set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Keep posting those videos. I love this stuff!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 nope - just a rock chucker - ive never seen one of these in real life ...interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunrunner joe #17093 Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 How old is this press did not think they made that model any more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 25, 2019 Author Share Posted July 25, 2019 1 hour ago, gunrunner joe #17093 said: How old is this press did not think they made that model any more 1982 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 26, 2019 Author Share Posted July 26, 2019 Okay, enough beating on this dead horse!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 14 minutes ago, Savvy Jack said: Okay, enough beating on this dead horse!! Pretty dang cool!! Thanks for sharing. Are you going to use it as your main reloader? I would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 Very nicely done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 On 7/23/2019 at 6:26 PM, Boggus Deal #64218 said: Wanna buy another one? PM sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 26, 2019 Author Share Posted July 26, 2019 Yes, now that I am pretty much done testing 44-40 loads, I have settled for a few loads. Right now I have the Trail Boss hopper on but will also have 4227 and another for Reloder-7. I have also settled for a few bullets as well. It is not exactly a straight forward modification but proof it can be done! As soon as I can settle down and get it running smooth, I will give details as to what needs to be modified and the Hellacious adjustments. I am working with a warn-out machine (main parts) so a nicer machine with less used parts or new parts will be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 This is a great thread, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 i agree - gives hope to many on reviving the older machines to our needs , i like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savvy Jack Posted July 26, 2019 Author Share Posted July 26, 2019 I am going to attempt to make a write-up of the mods I had to do. Here is one photo that shows a few. My numbers could be wrong so make sure you do your homework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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