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I was interested in this press two years ago, glad I didn't buy one. Looks like RCBS is once again not committed to a true Dillon progressive competitor.
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(I was interested....) Me too, Jeff, but I don't think it's a lack of commitment......I just had an email from one of their engineers.......he's sounds pretty committed to me! He's been using the 7 since the beginning, and he was a Pro 2000 lover like me. He thinks the 7 is better in every way, except that he misses the APS primer system. The Market ruled on that system, so they changed back to tubes......but he's hoping that APS, or something even better will eventually come back for the safety of it.
He's convinced that those who break the P.C. 7 would break any progressive .... being that progressives have to be learned and never forced during the learning process. I can see his point. Dillon makes "maintenance kits" for their 650s (the parts that break). That leads me to believe that they break when forced as well. I personally have witnessed a new 650 user break his......and we both spent the next half hour picking up primers and sweeping up powder all over the floor. And I admit to breaking a part on my Pro 2000......once.....then I learned the "feel". IOW's, when something’s not right stop and fix the problem rather than push though it, breaking things.
I have observed the last 10 years that people give Dillon a lot more slack than they do RCBS. Blue presses aren't perfect either......I don't think there is such a thing as a perfect press. The one thing that is equal in my observations are that the two companys totally support their products and customers.
When I emailed this engineer, I have to admit my patience is thinner than it used to be, and I probably sounded a little irate, being that I've been waiting since the press came out for some good news of product stability. IOW's I want one only when the bugs are worked out.....and unfortunately, for me at least the window may end up closing. But that's just me, as I may have to quit reloading period in a few years, no matter what I reload on. (Unless my Health starts improving).
But back to the email, and what I heard/gleaned:
1. That they ARE going to offer the P.C. 7 die heads separate from the powder measure.....it's in the works. (when is still a secret I guess)
2. That the beefed-up primer slide is working. They are NOT willing to make it break proof. The reason? They want it to fail first to prevent the kind of primer disasters that can hurt you. (they want a "safe" primer system) [I think if they put their minds to it they can achieve that without broken parts.]
3. The company is receiving more positive feedback than negative now. And their success rate with talking customers past the learning curve is high. [I still see no evidence of that on the forums]
4. Finally, he told me that with my progressive experience, I shouldn't have any problem with the P.C. Seven. But! If I should decide to buy one, and don't like it, they will be happy to refund everything.......no questions..... He did not think I'd be returning it.
I dunno........thinking about it....I must be nuts....I have a progressive that works just fine......but 7 stations! Geeze.