I've heard a good deal about the Rock Chucker and it seems to be a pretty good press. How about these others? I'm thinking of purchasing my first press and I'm a little partial towards RCBS. My Dad has an older one and not sure exactly which model but I've used it some and like it. I'll mostly be reloading handgun ammo(9mm & 45 ACP).
RCBS Partner or Special 5?
- Thread starter RichardF
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dickttx
Member
RCBS makes excellent equipment, as most anyone who has used it will agree.
If I were starting out, loading pistol and revolver cartridges, I would give heavy consideration the the Lee Classic Turret. Apparently you have some experience with handloading, so after becoming acquainted with the LCT by using it as a single stage it would be an easy transition to using the auto index feature. This would significantly increase your output over a single stage. And probably for about the same cost.
If I were starting out, loading pistol and revolver cartridges, I would give heavy consideration the the Lee Classic Turret. Apparently you have some experience with handloading, so after becoming acquainted with the LCT by using it as a single stage it would be an easy transition to using the auto index feature. This would significantly increase your output over a single stage. And probably for about the same cost.
I have all three on my bench, a Partner, RS 5 and a Rock Chucker.
The Partner does probably 95% of my loading, mostly because of where it is on my benches, but if I were to choose only one of the three, and price was a consideration, or any other reason to omit the Rock Chucker, I'd go with the RS 5. The RS 5 has more room around the ram for my fat fingers than the Partner, and it has a threaded sleeve that can be removed to take a PiggyBack conversion to make it progressive. Which in my case, the RS 5 has a PBII mounted on it.
The Partner does probably 95% of my loading, mostly because of where it is on my benches, but if I were to choose only one of the three, and price was a consideration, or any other reason to omit the Rock Chucker, I'd go with the RS 5. The RS 5 has more room around the ram for my fat fingers than the Partner, and it has a threaded sleeve that can be removed to take a PiggyBack conversion to make it progressive. Which in my case, the RS 5 has a PBII mounted on it.
ILLWIND
Member
I thing the reloader 5 is cast iron??? That is more desirable than the aluminum partner press. (IMHO) Since you aren't loading rifle ammo, either will work well for pistol ammo. My friend has a Partner and we noticed that the frame flexes slightly when FL sizing rifle casings. We bumped the die with the shell holder when setting up the press. Only after trying to force a cartridge into the chamber did we notice the problem. We thought the die was defective. Under close scrutiny did we find the press flexing. One more turn of the die and problem solved.
novalty
Member
Other RCBS presses that are on the inexpensive side are the JR2 and JR3. My father-in-law has reloaded on his JR3 for 20+ years, everything from large rifle to handgun. Only downfall, it has the same primer ejecting issues the are common with the Rockchucker.
