I have a mec 9000 now but have the opportunity to buy a grand with lots of components.
how are they comparatively?
how are they comparatively?
thoughts on RCBS grand
Bronco123
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156 Posts
Junk. If you can get the components without the loader you’ll be better off.
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223 Posts
I started with a Grand. AH was right, if you have time to spend on the phone ordering poor quality parts, then go for it. I replaced mine with a Spolar, never regretted it. Get the components, forget the grand.
I've loaded with every MEC available, decent loaders. I've loaded with PW, again fine loader. I've loaded with a Spolar, perhaps the best there is. Currently I have two RCBS Grand loaders. They are very good loaders. I've loaded in excess of 15,000 rounds on the one I purchased new. The other I purchased used from a person who used it for years. Yes there are plastic parts that may have to be replaced, I just send an email and in a week I have the new parts. I now have a small stock of the parts I know may require replacing so I'm never down and can't load. As I became accustomed to the loader I find I rarely break any parts at all. One of the things I like about The Grand is if a hull is not present for the powder and shot drop positions nothing drops. That feature alone and saved a lot of time. If I was going to buy a loader to replace a different loader I would not hesitate to purchase a RCBS Grand. A side note. The Grand is the loader Leo Harrison recommended.
I've Had a Grand 12ga.. loader since they first came out, Have broken a few of the primer transfer bars and some wad fingers and one primer tray bar and did the upgrades as they were available and I had to replace the primer drop tube because I overtightened it and crusher it. All parts were free and sent within a week. I also have a Grand in 20 ga.. I also have 3 Mec 9000's a Grabber 2 Sizemaster's and a Spolar Gold. They all work well. When my Spolar malfunctunes at the primer feed. I wind up using my Grand to get my Spolar back in action. I have to say that Mt Grand is my go to loader. It's built like a tank except for the plastic parts that break once in a while. If RCBS made the Grand in the 28 ga. and 410, I would have them also.
I think the Grand is a superb reloading machine. I bought one of the early ones. Eventually some of the fingers on the wad guide broke off. I called to get a replacement. The lady said sure, then asked if I had replaced this, that and the other thing. I said no, they are not broken. She said they had upgraded those three parts and she was going to send them to me. She urged me to install them even though the original parts still worked. I did.
After 60,000 rounds or so the little spring plungers that hold the hull in were starting to go. I called and asked for two replacements. I was told that since two were going, the rest would soon follow. So I was send an entire replacement set. The gentleman said that since you had to take the plate off anyway, why not replace them all.
I'm well past 100,000 now and it is still going strong. I'm thinking the people complaining about cheap parts abused their machines, or did not adjust them properly. I like mine much better that the MEC and Pacific 366 I previously loaded on. I liked it so much I bought a 20 ga. head for it. Remove four screws, swap heads, tighten and you are back in business with another gauge.
After 60,000 rounds or so the little spring plungers that hold the hull in were starting to go. I called and asked for two replacements. I was told that since two were going, the rest would soon follow. So I was send an entire replacement set. The gentleman said that since you had to take the plate off anyway, why not replace them all.
I'm well past 100,000 now and it is still going strong. I'm thinking the people complaining about cheap parts abused their machines, or did not adjust them properly. I like mine much better that the MEC and Pacific 366 I previously loaded on. I liked it so much I bought a 20 ga. head for it. Remove four screws, swap heads, tighten and you are back in business with another gauge.
Joined
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329 Posts
I bought a used Grand five or six years ago. I sold my two MEC's after buying it. It is a great machine, smooth operating linkage and solidly built. I have not broken any parts, plastic or metal. I did replace one wad guide and like zzt, I replaced the keeper springs. I have reloaded over 25,000 shells on it. I like the fact that it won't drop powder or shot if no hull is present at that station.
Bob K.
Bob K.
Joined
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574 Posts
I love my Grand. Gave four MECs away and never looked back. Broke the primer transfer bar (part #789102) and wore out SSWad guide (part#189016). RCBS sent me new parts no questions asked. Spolar seems to be the hot reloader now, but I have not observed one in operation. Maybe you tube???
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50,530 Posts
Spolars are nice, but really pricy. Even used brings big price tag.
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