FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions regarding RCBS products and safe reloading practices. If you can't find the answer to your question here, contact your authorized RCBS dealer, call our help line at (800) 533-5000, or Contact Us to submit your question.
Primer Tube Safety Reminder
In rare circumstances, primers can become lodged in tubes that are obstructed, damaged or improperly maintained. As called out in the instruction manuals accompanying all RCBS primer tubes, RCBS would like to remind its customers to never force or pound/tap on live primers, tap or pound on loaded primer tubes or otherwise attempt to clear obstructions on your own. Doing so can cause serious injury.
GENERAL FAQ
DIES FAQ
1. Be sure the dies are the same caliber as the gun chamber.
2. When setting up the full length sizer die, screw the die down until it touches the shell holder at the top of the press stroke. Then lower the shell holder and screw the die down about 1/8 to 1/4 turn. You will feel a slight thump as the leverage system cams over center. Size the case and again check it in the chamber. Size a couple more cases and check in the chamber. If these cases chamber, go ahead and size and load the rest of the cases.
3. If the cases don't chamber, please return the sizer die along with the five fired cases. The fired cases will give us your chamber dimensions and if the chamber is in standard factory tolerance, we'll make the necessary adjustment in the die for you without cost.
SCALES FAQ
If you have the Powder Pro Powder Scale:
1. Remove the Scale Pan from the Platen
2. The scale must be turned off. (If the "On/Off" button does not work, unplug the scale and depress each of the four buttons five times. Plug the scale back in and proceed.
3. Press the "On/Off" button to turn the scale on. The display will read "test" for about 1 or 2 seconds.
4. While the word "test" is showing on the display, you must simultaneously press and hold for 5 seconds the "Gms/Grains", the "Zero" and the "On/Off" buttons. Do not press the "Cal" button. The display will now read "- -0-". Id the display reads "00.0", either you were not fast enough, or the buttons did not go down simultaneously. Turn the scale off and try again beginning with #3 above.
5. When you get the "- -0-" press the "Cal" button, the display will read "hold" and then"- -20-". Place the 20 weight on platen. Wait about 5 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize, then press "Cal", "hold" will appear and then "- -50-". Place the 50 weight on the platen. Wait for about 5 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize and press hold. The scale will ask for the "- -70-" weight. Place the small weight on top of the large one. Wait for about 5 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize. Press "Cal", the scale will read "hold" then "- -0-". Place the weights back in the storage wells and press "Cal". The display will now read "hold" followed by "00.0". To be absolutely safe, the scale should now be calibrated following the Calibration procedure found in the instruction booklet.
If you have the Partner Powder Scale:
1. Remove the Scale Pan from the Platen.
2. The scale must be turned off. (If the "On/Off" button does not work, disconnect the battery and depress each of the four buttons five times. Re-attach the battery and proceed.
3. Press the "On/Off" button to turn the scale on. The display will read "test" for about 1 or 2 seconds.
4. While the word "test" is showing on the display, you must simultaneously press and hold for 5 seconds the "Gms/Grains", the "Zero" and the "On/Off" buttons. Do not press the "Cal" button. The display will now read "- -0-". If the display reads "00.0", either you were not fast enough, or the buttons did not go down simultaneously. Turn the scale off and try again beginning with #3 above.
5. When you get the "- -0-" press the "Cal" button, the display will read "hold" and then"- -20-". Place the 20 weight on platen. Wait about 5 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize, then press "Cal", "hold" will appear and then "- -30-". Place the 30 weight on the platen. Wait for about 5 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize and press hold. The scale will ask for the "- -50-" weight. Place the small weight on top of the large one. Wait for about 5 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize. Press "Cal", the scale will read "hold" then "- -0-". Place the weights back in the storage wells and press "Cal". The display will now read "hold" followed by "00.0". To be absolutely safe, the scale should now be calibrated following the Calibration procedure found in the instruction booklet.
NOTE: The display may build "8's and 0's" after you release the three buttons in step 4. Press "cal" to get out of this. It will then give you an arbitrary number. Ignore this by pressing "cal" again. Then you will get the --0- reading. Continue with the calibration.
Batteries
The battery in your PARTNER scale must put out 7.9 volts or better for proper operation (a new one will run about 9.5 volts and provide approximately 12 to 15 hours). When the battery drops below this, the scale will display "Err1" when you attempt to calibrate it. Note that while the battery will still have more than sufficient power to operate the computer and power the display, it lacks the voltage required to drive the load cell circuit.
Storage
The PARTNER draws a slight amount of power while it is "off". If you are using your scale every day, the battery may be left in. However, if you're like most re-loaders, many days may separate your reloading sessions. That being the case, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery between sessions.