RCBS RockChucker -- the Agony

[venomballistics]

single stage? .... I'll never be without one.
While my progressive makes it easy to keep the family of iron fed, there's some meals that just aren't meant to be microwaved

 

[TJm15.38]

I've had an RCBS Rock Chucker since 1981. It's all I have ever used. Too late in life to change now.

 

[moosedog]

I've had my Rock Chucker since 1973. I'm in no hurry so I still love it.

 

[SSGRock]

My press and equipment for 50+ years.

 

[Lance Boyle]

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.

My only cartridge screw up was on a single stage press. I loaded up a bunch or 77 grain .223 rounds charging the cases all at once and setting them in a loading block with empty primed cases that I was saving for later load workup based on this series, Then I seated a bullet only somewhere in the mix I put a hand on one in the row of empties and didn't catch it. It didn't even break the crimp when I fired it and when I pulled the round at home the bullet base was smoked.

After that incident in the 2000's I charge a case then set it on the press ram and it gets a bullet right away. One has to have a methodology to prevent such errors. I had already charged all those cases and peered in to each one making sure they had the same level but still had extra primed cases in the loading block. I found out how to screw up!

 

[GyMac]

I load on a Lee Classic Turret. I shoot a couple of hundred rounds a week and I have no trouble keeping up with that amount of shooting. And I have several hundred rounds in reserve.

 

[Crazywader]

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.

Been there, done that. Most reloading I do has been modern (1940 and newer) rifle cartridges so never had a real problem. I ordinarily spend several hours on 20 rounds making them as precise as possible. The effort shows on the range which makes the next reloading session that much more obsessive. During one of those mid-winter cold evenings at the bench, I saw on the other side of the bench the three sets of dies I needed for my Colt 45 and next to them the 3 other dies for the 454 Casull. And that's when I had an epiphany and bought a Redding turet press. I was able to set both sets of dies up (all 6) along with a capping die, get them perfect, and the rest of time is reloading. Best investment ever.

 

[oO_Rogue_Oo]

I do all my pistol loading on a Rock Chucker and rifle on a Co-Ax. I have modified the RC with a Hornady bushing to make setup faster and shell kicker; One of these; to speed things up a bit. I still weigh every load and probably load more than most. Below is my pistol loading bench.

 

[Greyman50]

Bought my first Rock Chucker in mid 70s, loaded 10 of thousands rounds of 9 mm 38 Spl. and 357 Mag pistol rounds and several 1000 30 Carbine and 30.06 rounds. When I set up again will have 2 Rock Chuckers and a Junior in a row using each press for a function. Had them set up 2 years ago before moving and worked like a charm. Have a strict process and several loading blocks and 0 distractions when loading

 

[BillinAlamo]

I started with a Lee Loader for 16 gauge in 1969, then an RCBS Junior in 1970. Still have the first cartridge I loaded -- a .30-30 round, Sierra 150-grain FN over a charge of 3031 -- and I crushed the neck.
I've had a bunch since then including turrets from Redding, Lyman and Lee and a DillonSquare Deal B, but my current press is a Forster Coax and I am very happy with it.

 

[Hugo Stiglitz]

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

Same. Rock Chucker for most. a 550 and a Square Deal for others. 550 is set up for .30 carbine and SQ is 9mm currently.

 

[Crazywader]

I started with a Lee Loader for 16 gauge in 1969, then an RCBS Junior in 1970. Still have the first cartridge I loaded -- a .30-30 round, Sierra 150-grain FN over a charge of 3031 -- and I crushed the neck.
I've had a bunch since then including turrets from Redding, Lyman and Lee and a DillonSquare Deal B, but my current press is a Forster Coax and I am very happy with it.

Seating bullets in a 30-30 maybe isn't the best first round to start with. For me, even after a half-dozen years of reloading various other cartridges, that one taught me something new.

 

[Rick Leslie]

You think the Rock Chucker is slow? I started in 73 with a Lee Load All! Yes, the one that requires a hammer. After a few primer pops my Granddad drug out an antique soda bottle press. I modded it and used it as my 'press' until I borrowed $50 from him and bought an RCBS Junior, 357 dies, and powder scoop assortment from Woolworths. I still have them all.

Over the decades I've acquired several reloading set ups, including the Rock Chucker. That was the Cadillac back in the day, and it's still on my bench. It sits next to a Dillon 550 and Lee Load Master. I despise setting up so I try to leave one for 9mm, one for 45 ACP and the RCBS gets the rifle cartridges. I've got other presses and even redneck rigged a quick change for them, but those three get the most mileage.

I've never considered it a chore, although sometime tedious.

 

[A-300 Dave]

I started reloading back in the late 60's with a Pacific press (still have it). Bought 2 Rockchuckers in the early 80's and they are still in use. I am 86 y.o. with a 200 yd range out my back door and after a Prairie Mutt stint in the late 70's through the early 90's my interest has been centered around "precision" shooting (not the same as accurate shooting). I've tried the modern day Dillons and they simply won't produce this kind of shooting (my opinion). If I was interested in blowing away a few beer cans at 25 yds every weekend these machines might fill the bill, but to attempt to place 5 rounds in the same hole on the target at 200 yds I'll stick with my ole Rockchuckers. Basically, I think each has it's own purpose - The Rockchuckers serve mine!

 

[JimFr]

Reading all the above posts, I can easily separate the "reloaders" from the "handloaders."
As in the automotive field, when it comes to auto mechanics, there are "component replacers" and then there are TRUE "auto mechanics!"

 

[AaronH83]

Started out with a Lee single stage at the insistence of an older colleague who worked with me. Learned all the basics and moved on to a Lee turret press. I only reload 9mm and .38 Special (for PPC) and have a turret set up for each calibre. I don't believe in the deep seated bullet loads, so I'm running 158gr flat points. Makes life easy from a fast reload perspective. 9mm I use 147gr or 127gr depending on whether it's Pistol or Pistol Optics.

 

[Tabby Lynn]

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

I started reloading in 1971, with a RCBS Rock chucker, primarily because I was unhappy with the accuracy of factory loads as well as the cost of ammo. I did a lot of shooting back then, so cost was a big factor as well as accuracy, especially when shooting competitively. I used that same Rock Chucker up until 2023, when I started toying with magnums, 300 WM and currently 338 WM. The Rock Chucker would do them, just a bit of a pain in the butt to place the long cases into the smaller throat of the press. In 2023 I upgraded to a RCBS Turret Press primarily for the increased throat depth which made loading a tiny bit easier. I also like to be able to simply advance the turret to change from die to die. I also liked being able to keep all of the dies in order and not be bothered with changing them for each stage. Is it any faster? Not really, still have to run the handle up and down just as many times. I seat the primers individually using RCBS hand priming tools, one set up for small primers, the other for large. I also measure each powder charge on a digital scale. I use an approach to weight procedure throwing the powder charge short then trickling to the desired weight sometimes one or two kernels of powder until the scale just trips over to the desired charge weight. I figure you can't get much closer than that. Being persnickety usually leads to variations in muzzle velocity of 40 fps or less which makes for darn accurate shooting. I have never rushed loading any ammo. Too easy to make a mistake when rushing. Never loaded a squib load nor a double powder charge and hope I never do.

With the price of some ammo being what it is, I find it cheaper to purchase some ammo rather than reload. I still load 38s, 357s, and 45ACP, but have been purchasing 9mm and 223 simply because it's cheaper than the cost of components not to mention the time. Not as accurate, but then again don't shoot competitively any more either.

Over the years I have learned a lot by reading as well as commenting on forums like this. I do however find it more than a little bit frustrating when some people here tell me that I am wasting my time by following some of the reloading procedures that I follow. Genlemen, please keep in mind that no matter what your thoughts are, it is my time to waste.

 

[bph9]

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

I started loading in 1968 and once felt as you do but eventually went to a progressive for loading large batches of pistol ammo. Its true you have to get used to the problems found with all progressive presses and today they are getting outrageous prices for new ones but there is always the used market. I use both single and progressive for shotshell loading as well and I will never look back because now that I am old and decrepit I really appreciate the progressive press and you can load quality ammo on them, otherwise I would never use one.



I still have 6 single station presses both shotshell and metallic and use them for rifle and other various oddball loading projects or ammo tear downs. Single Stage and Progressive Presses all have their place on the loading bench. I could not live without any of them. Some of them I bought for only a song and a dance "used" but in good mechanical condition and some I bought brand new.

Many people are hesitant to get into the complexities of a progressive press but once you try you will catch on quickly. I have a brother about as mechanically inclined as an orangutan but he learned how and makes quality ammo as well as I do.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I started reloading in 1971, with a RCBS Rock chucker, primarily because I was unhappy with the accuracy of factory loads as well as the cost of ammo. I did a lot of shooting back then, so cost was a big factor as well as accuracy, especially when shooting competitively. I used that same Rock Chucker up until 2023, when I started toying with magnums, 300 WM and currently 338 WM. The Rock Chucker would do them, just a bit of a pain in the butt to place the long cases into the smaller throat of the press. In 2023 I upgraded to a RCBS Turret Press primarily for the increased throat depth which made loading a tiny bit easier. I also like to be able to simply advance the turret to change from die to die. I also liked being able to keep all of the dies in order and not be bothered with changing them for each stage. Is it any faster? Not really, still have to run the handle up and down just as many times. I seat the primers individually using RCBS hand priming tools, one set up for small primers, the other for large. I also measure each powder charge on a digital scale. I use an approach to weight procedure throwing the powder charge short then trickling to the desired weight sometimes one or two kernels of powder until the scale just trips over to the desired charge weight. I figure you can't get much closer than that. Being persnickety usually leads to variations in muzzle velocity of 40 fps or less which makes for darn accurate shooting. I have never rushed loading any ammo. Too easy to make a mistake when rushing. Never loaded a squib load nor a double powder charge and hope I never do.

With the price of some ammo being what it is, I find it cheaper to purchase some ammo rather than reload. I still load 38s, 357s, and 45ACP, but have been purchasing 9mm and 223 simply because it's cheaper than the cost of components not to mention the time. Not as accurate, but then again don't shoot competitively any more either.

Over the years I have learned a lot by reading as well as commenting on forums like this. I do however find it more than a little bit frustrating when some people here tell me that I am wasting my time by following some of the reloading procedures that I follow. Genlemen, please keep in mind that no matter what your thoughts are, it is my time to waste.

Ditto! I was able to correct a lot of my mistakes that I didn't know I was doing by reading online. I used to set dies up as instructed to cam over on the press. Holy moly when I got in to it more due to issues with an M1a and bought some headspace measuring tools I found out how to really set up my dies. I had one set, RCBS FL .223 Rem dies that were yielding 18 thousandths free headspace. That's a brass massacre not torture.

 

[Dave Haynes]

The RockChucker has been great except when they tried to make them in China. RCBS has great equipment and they will really take care of the customer. When I bought Maj. Bires' guns in the 70's he unloaded everything, hundreds of boxes of match and regular ball 45, Markle reloads. and I almost bought his Ponsness-Warren .45 press but it was just too big. Imagine US Match 45 for $3 a box and regular ball for $2? I settled on the then new Rockchucker and never looked back. When I started Trap I bought a well used MEC Grabber for $200 (in 1980) and that thing was great, a box of shells in 10 minutes! It was always the fact that you could check your powder 50 rds at a time with a flashlight. When Lee came out with the Priming tool the problem was solved. The RCBS 10-10 scale is the single best item and in the end most important tool. I wish I could get a new plastic hopper for the big OHAUS powder dump RCBS sold and then discontinued.