RCBS RockChucker -- the Agony

[Engineer1911]

Sitting on the reloading shelf was 48 empty 45-70 cases and some cast bullets. You know the drill: clean, lube, resize, trim & deburr, tumble brass; then bell case mouths, load powder, seat and crimp bullets. This simple activity was s -- l -- o -- w . Resetting dies, trimming cases with a Lee trimmer, dispensing powder and flaring case mouths with a Dillon powder measure mounted in a RockChucker took about 2 hours, not counting tumbler time. I can't imagine loading 100 rounds ONE-step at a time using a RockChucker press and RCBS powder measure. I love my Dillon presses.

 

[rwsmith]

I would like a turret or progress press, but I can afford a Rockchucker. Yeah, it's slow and takes a lot of steps, but thankfully I enjoy it and don't consider it to be a chore. Also at this point in my life I have more time than money, so anything I save with my econo-reloading setup is good.

 

[David Sinko]

Back in the day I loaded my first 9000 rounds of .45 ACP on a Rockchucker. I was young and it didn't seem so agonizing at the time. But the Dillon 650 has made it much easier the last few decades.

 

[Doriangray6]

I use a RCBS Rock Chucker press for rifle ammo and a Dillon Square Deal press for handgun ammo.

 

[gwpercle]

I started reloading in 1967 with a single stage press and never wanted to change ... I like doing things one step at a time .
Keeps me out of trouble and I prefer simple way of life .
Some feel the need for speed but I like to take my time and do the job right ... it's just my way !
Gary

 

['79 Magnum GT]

I started reloading in 1967 with a single stage press and never wanted to change ... I like doing things one step at a time .
Keeps me out of trouble and I prefer simple way of life .
Some feel the need for speed but I like to take my time and do the job right ... it's just my way !
Gary

Me too. I've used my RCBS Big Max since 1982. Got it for 308 because the JR. didn't seem strong enough. Both were fine for 44 Mag.
It sure beat the Lee Loader I started with in 1977.

Rick

 

[GypsmJim]

Since 1971 I have loaded tens of thousands of rounds on a single state Lee press. Yes, it's still the same one. On average I load a few thousand a year. I buy once fired brass and have quite an inventory.

I used to save up the empties and have a marathon reloading session in the Winter on snowy days. Now retired, I simply reload the day after I shoot them.

Once upon a time I read about Dillons and had 2 thoughts. First, how do you check the powder charge every time you pull the handle? Secondly, why would I ever pay that kind of money for a loading machine?

 

[IAM Rand]

There is something Zen about using a Rockchucker. I have loaded everything from 45ACP to 300WM. I have to say that reloading 223 is somewhat monotonous. Still, I just plug my phone into a charger, turn on an external speaking and watch the news or whatever. More listening than watching but before I know it, I am done.

 

[glowe]

Don't know why you mention all the case preparation steps that have no bearing on what kind of press you use?? Using my Rock Chucker with a primer dispenser, I size, de-cap and prime with one step. I then flare and add powder in the next step, and finally seat and crimp in a 3rd step. Only extra step is measuring out the powder. Besides, once you set up the dies, it only take seconds to unscrew one die and screw in the next. Once set up with cases prepped, I can load 50 45-90s in way under an hour.

Still use the Rock Chucker for all my brass reloading because I can check every single step with a quick glance, primers in, quick powder check in the reloading block with a flashlight, and quick check of finished cartridge, giving me complete confidence and satisfaction the loads will be perfect.

 

[rwsmith]

,,,,It sure beat the Lee Loader I started with in 1977.

Rick

I enjoyed that too, for a while. But getting out of the stone age beating the cases with a mallet gave way to the wonder of modern machines that utilized mechanical advantage.

 

[Lance Boyle]

My first press was a RCBS Reloader special 3. At the time I only did rifle, 20-50 rounds at a time. Not an insurmountable task.

When I got my first pistol I shot factory and saved my .45 ACP brass. I don't know how I got clued in to the Dillon 550 but that is what I bought for a progressive. It has always been a joy to use. Mostly .45, .38, .357 but have done others and even some bulk rifle FMJ stuff in .223 and .308 win.

Currently I feel it's a little tedious doing .32 H&R and S&W Long on the single stage. But that is what I am doing for now. I did buy a Dillon conversion kit but I have yet to use it. Maybe when I finalize on some loads. I am still prospecting and exploring.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

Don't know why you mention all the case preparation steps that have no bearing on what kind of press you use?? Using my Rock Chucker with a primer dispenser, I size, de-cap and prime with one step. I then flare and add powder in the next step, and finally seat and crimp in a 3rd step. Only extra step is measuring out the powder. Besides, once you set up the dies, it only take seconds to unscrew one die and screw in the next. Once set up with cases prepped, I can load 50 45-90s in way under an hour.

Still use the Rock Chucker for all my brass reloading because I can check every single step with a quick glance, primers in, quick powder check in the reloading block with a flashlight, and quick check of finished cartridge, giving me complete confidence and satisfaction the loads will be perfect.

I do the same thing but prime using a Hornady Hand Held Priming Tool and I check the seating after every case is primed. There have been occasions where I have seated the primer upside down or sideways. I've never had much success with the little priming device that comes with the press.

Rick

 

[H Richard]

I find single stage loaders promote more accurate ammo. Especially if you are retired and don't have anything special to do that day.

 

[madmikeb]

I do all my loading on a Rockchucker. It seems like every time I've read of a gun blowing up due to a faulty handload it was on a progressive press. I do 100 rounds at a time, using 2 50 round blocks and prime with a lee hand primer. I can check primer depth by running a finger across the primer when I put it back in the loading block. After I powder charge 50 cases I visually inspect them with a good light, seat the bullets then move on to the other 50. I can do 100 rounds in a little over an hour. In the last week I've loaded 1200 rounds of handgun ammo.

In Maine I reloaded in the winter, here in Arizona it's a summer project.

I don't really reload any rifle ammo so that's not an issue. Also, 99% of my loads are light to mid-range so I've got cases I've used for probably 40 years.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

I do all my loading on a Rockchucker. It seems like every time I've read of a gun blowing up due to a faulty handload it was on a progressive press. I do 100 rounds at a time, using 2 50 round blocks and prime with a lee hand primer. I can check primer depth by running a finger across the primer when I put it back in the loading block. After I powder charge 50 cases I visually inspect them with a good light, seat the bullets then move on to the other 50. I can do 100 rounds in a little over an hour. In the last week I've loaded 1200 rounds of handgun ammo.

In Maine I reloaded in the winter, here in Arizona it's a summer project.

I don't really reload any rifle ammo so that's not an issue. Also, 99% of my loads are light to mid-range so I've got cases I've used for probably 40 years.

LOL, that's the exact same way I do it! When I prime I'm sitting on the couch with my two collies. Instead I drop the casings in a small plastic tube after priming and then go over to a table and put them in the reloading block 50 at a time then charge. Check the charge for the proper amount then place the bullets. When 50 are done I go out to the press in the garage to seat and crimp and place in the MTM case gard 100. Then come back in for the next 50. Gets me up and moving around and it's not boring or monotonous. I'm in no hurry anyhow.

Rick

 

[gym cat]

I own a Dillon 1050 a 550 and a rockchucker. I will not get rid of the rockchucker ---can't believe how handy it comes in for special jobs.

 

[Roofuss]

Bought a used Rockcrusher years ago from an old shooting buddy for $35. It has served me well, and has loaded thousands of my 11 different calibers I currently load, never had an issue . Slow, yes, but so am I at 75, retired and gives me something to do during the Montana winter months . Not to mention it gets me out of the wife's hair, lol !

 

[Engineer1911]

You Win ! ! ! I will never write another non-positive statement about my RockChucker. Way back in the early 1980's I and a friend reloaded 1,000 38 spl wadcutters every Saturday night from 6 PM to mid-nite while listening to the local radio station playing the 'Saturday Night Cruise'. I worked the RockChucker and he handled the brass. I found out about Dillon 450 and never looked back.

 

[GypsmJim]

I enjoyed that too, for a while. But getting out of the stone age beating the cases with a mallet gave way to the wonder of modern machines that utilized mechanical advantage.

As a college kid with a delivery boy job and living with my parents I used the whack-a-mole for years and years. I loaded literally thousands of rounds.

If I had known about Dillons back then I probably would not have bought another gun because of the cost of ammo. Even a single stage didn't fit my budget.

After 55+ years of making ammo, I still think Mister Lee was a genius.

 

[DixieRanger]

First reloading was with Lyman 310 tool for 30-30...nuff said