Tonight a buddy gave me a RCBS RS loader. After a quick trip to the gun shop, I learned that maybe I'll have to purchase special dies for this loader? I saw the dies marked Reloader Special. Maybe you guys can tell me, will my regular FL dies fit and work in this press or do I have to buy the Reloader Special Dies that I saw at the gun shop tonight? It looks like an older loader, single linkage, little dirty but it would clean up good.

Would suspect someone is jerking your chain. They should be standard die threads 7/8"-14 that's universal in the reloading arena. Best to try a set of regular dies first or go to RCBS's web site and check there instructions and parts listings for your press model. Years ago there was a larger thread size but were talking sixty years or better and that would have been the RCBS Model A press time frame.

I cant say if they were jerking my chain or not, but I did see both FL regular dies at the gun shop tonight along with Reloader Special Dies, both in various calibers, so it made sence that I might have to buy that certain die for this press? The threads are the same, and my regular dies tap in, I just didnt know what to think when I saw 2 different types of dies, one matching my press name "Reloader Special"......bring on the help.

Does the frame of the press have RS5 on it. I looked in the RCBS catolog and they don't show RS dies. If in doubt give them a call there # is 800 533-5000. They would tell you for sure.

The RCBS RS press takes standard 7/8" x 14 dies of any brand. The die set marked Reloader Special is a "see through" package, right? RCBS sells this die set at a lower price since it doesn't come in the hard plastic box. Same quality dies but in less expensive packaging. Hope this clears up your question.

Yes, that it correct, the dies are in a clear package, but are labeled "Reloader Special" dies. Is this just a coinsidence that these dies and my press have the same name?

And to answer the frame question, it does not have RS 5 only RS. I see on RCBS website that there was a RS, RS3 and now a RS5. I did contact RCBS via email, so, waiting on a reply, all I wondered was if I can use my regular dies in this press, and I think I got my answer from Marshal Kane.

. . . Is this just a coinsidence that these dies and my press have the same name?
For want of a better answer, yes just a coincidence. No way are the "Reloader Special" dies meant only for the Reloader Special Press. Reloader Special dies are standard threaded dies like the ones you have now and will fit any press designed to take 7/8" x 14 dies. I passed on a set of these dies once because I wanted the hard plastic box.

Just a note on the hard plastic box, am I missing something or are the dies never where you placed them in the box? There should be some sort of retaining clip or strap, did anyone figure out a way to rig these guys in place?

"Reloader Special" is simply the name RCBS uses for their bargain line of products. The presses were and are of a lower strength level than the top of the line Rockchucker, and lack a few small features. They're a bit smaller, also. I haven't examined their RS dies, but suspect they might be polished a bit less (at least the exterior) and come in cheaper packaging, just to shave a few cents off the price.

BUT, all the dies and presses are fully interchangeable. It's most fortunate that the reloading industry has almost fully standardized dimensions on parts. Could you imagine being able to use a Ford carb on a Chevy like you can use Redding, Hornady, Lyman or Lee dies and shellholders in an RCBS press? Miraculous!

Lucky for me too Rocky...I have loading stuff that came in every color box you can imagine and some I picked up at gun shows that I have no clue where they came from.

I was setting up some of my dies tonight in this Reloaders Special that I've been talking about and when I turn the die in until it hits the shell plate and then another 1/8 or so turn, I dont feel any camming action when I cylce the press, it just simply gets tight and then cylces back down,never seems to cam over center, does this sound normal to anyone?

Depending on tolerances, some do and some don't. Yours might if you back the die out just a hair. I like to have mine where I can JUST feel a tiny "break" at top dead center.

Just a note of thanks to all the guys that reply, I have the loader set up an it works like a charm. It was missing a few things, when I called RCBS, the lady went through all the parts and sent me everything I was missing, no charge!

. . . It was missing a few things, when I called RCBS, the lady went through all the parts and sent me everything I was missing, no charge!
Didn't even ask you if you were the original owner did she? Yeah, RCBS stands behind their products with a first class customer service program.

without starting a new thread, I tumbled some brass for the first time last night, and when I put in 3 teaspoons of polish, the media just clumped up into balls, never really smoothed back out either, is this normal? The brass seemed to clean up okay, but I cant help but wonder if it would have done a better job if the juice would have spread out a little better.

That sounds like a lot of polish to me, but I suppose you followed the directions. You almost always have to run the tumbler with ONLY the media in it (no brass) until the polish gets evenly distributed. That can take an hour or more - and that's one of the reasons I quit using polish. With good media, polish isn't needed at all, and more is definitely NOT better if you do add it.

. . . I tumbled some brass for the first time last night, and when I put in 3 teaspoons of polish, the media just clumped up into balls, never really smoothed back out either, is this normal?
You didn't mention what kind of tumbler you use or the brand of polish but:

When I add polish to my vibratory tumbler, the media also tends to form clumps. So before I add any brass, I use a stick of some kind to break up the clumps while the tumbler is running. Stirring the media with the stick in the opposite direction that the media is flowing helps break up the clumps. No need to run the tumbler for an hour just to break up these clumps, I'm ready to go in under 5 minutes. Don't overdo the polish as this will make your media "sticky" and the polish won't work as well. You sure ask a lot of questions.:D

I'm not one to notice something, or wonder about this or that and "hope" it all works out, besides, how do you know I dont already know, and just checking to see if you know? Ha Ha, I guess I figure when you guys get tired of giving me answers, I'll just have to switch forums and bug someone els. Do you really want to keep all that info bottled up inside?

So all of this is nothing more than a. . . a, TEST??????;)

I'm not one to notice something, or wonder about this or that and "hope" it all works out, besides, how do you know I dont already know, and just checking to see if you know? Ha Ha, I guess I figure when you guys get tired of giving me answers, I'll just have to switch forums and bug someone els. Do you really want to keep all that info bottled up inside?

Keep asking, I learn something from the responses to all of your posts.:)