"Thinking" About Reloading 38 Special

[Road Rat]

Is anyone currently using this: Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit for reloading handgun ammo?

I have only reloaded 12 and 20 gauge shotgun in the past. Looking to move into 38/357 reloading. Only need to keep enough on hand for plinking, etc.

 

[LoadEmUp]

Older version

I have the equivalent RCBS kit I purchased about 20 years ago. All of the included tools have worked very well for me. I have not used the case lube pad, because I use carbide dies. I like the scale as well. So, overall, good quality and works very well.

I also have a Hornady classic kit. The tools are good, but I do not like the electronic scale. I do like the quick change die system. I also find the tube fed press primer is easier to use on the Hornady, if you are considering going that route in the future. I also prefer the Hornady hand primer over the RCBS, but the RCBS hand primer does get the job done.

If desired, you can add the Hornady quick change die system to the RCBS press.

 

[AveragEd]

I've been handloading shotgun, rifle and handgun ammo for almost 40 years and a Rock Chucker Supreme is all I have ever needed. I don't shoot hundreds of rounds of handgun ammo each week, so a progressive loader isn't needed. Just yesterday, I loaded 150 rounds of .44 Magnum target loads with that press.

Ed

 

[Road Rat]

Gents, I appreciate the feed back...........

I always enjoyed reloading the shot shells for use in clay shooting and thought I might as well add the 38/357 to the mix.

I realize handgun is more "precise" than shot shell!!!

Again, thanks.

 

[Elliott41]

AverageEd, your reloading bench is disgustingly clean, neat, and orderly! I'm impressed, and jealous because I don't have a permanent setup like yours.

 

[tlay]

Do yourself a favor and ditch the scales that come in the kits and buy a digital electronic scale. They are not that expensive and they are a whole lot faster. If this is the first handgun cartridges you have reloaded you will also need a couple of reloading blocks that hold the cartridges. Good luck.

 

[mikld]

.38 Special and .357 Magnums are pretty forgiving cartridges to reload. They use a large variety of powders and bullets, and you can find a load for everything from hunting itty-bitty spring bunnies to stopping a runaway truck. I started my reloading in '69 using a Lee Loader to reload .38 Specials, and loaded enough to keep me shooting for several months before I could afford a press/dies.

You won't go wrong with an RCBS press, but you prolly won't need all the equipment in the supreme kit. Personally, I prefer to research each tool I need before I purchase and get the one suited for my reloading needs (that's why I have tools/equipment from Lee, Hornady, Lyman, Pacific, RCBS, C-H, and Redding). For straight walled handgun ammo about all you'll need to start is a press, dies, scale, and a reloading manual. Don't worry about trimming, primer pocket cleaning, OAL (just seat to the crimp groove), or tumbling (I reloaded 12 years successfully just wiping each case with a paint thinner dampened rag, and no worn out dies and I could spot any case defects)...

 

[novalty]

Do yourself a favor and ditch the scales that come in the kits and buy a digital electronic scale. They are not that expensive and they are a whole lot faster. If this is the first handgun cartridges you have reloaded you will also need a couple of reloading blocks that hold the cartridges. Good luck.

I hate to be argumentative, but the RCBS 5-0-5 scale is a darn fine scale. They are accurate, easy to read, and wouldn't recommend any reloader "ditch" a quality beam scale for a questionable electronic scale.

Sorry just my $.02 worth.

 

[kennyb]

the RCBS setup is very nice indeed...i have used one for a long time..

 

[zonker5]

I have a Lyman "Orange Crusher" press which is very similar to the Rock Crusher. I found it to be a bit of over kill when loading pistol ammo; .38/357, 9mm, 45 acp. It's bigger and heavier than what you really need.

I settled on an RCBS Reloader Special press and it works great.

I also highly recommend RCBS, their customer service is second to none.

 

[fyimo]

I load all pistol and rifle ammo with a RCBS Rockchucker single stage press and I use a RCBS 5-0-5 scale without any problems and I've been doing it for about 30 years. I also like the Lee die sets as they work for me and are reasonably prices. I've owned all kinds of die sets from the most expensive to the Lee and the Lee always perform for me.
In the 90's I owned a high priced digital scale and it worked great but the beam scale also worked great for a fraction of the price so I sold the electronic scale.

I'm just saying what is just a 69 year old man's experience.

 

[scooter123]

I use my Rockchucker Supreme for 308W, 38 spl., 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.. It may not be the fastest method of reloading but it's a good well made press and I've not had any problem "keeping up" with my shooting. In addition I fear that a progressive would not be well utilized by me because of the funds I have available for components. Fact is that a Dillon 650 with all the bells and whistles can produce 600-800 rounds per hour and that would be a rather expensive press to feed with bullets ranging from 8 or 9 cents each up to 50 cents or more.

However, I did not go with the Kit. IMO these kits tend to contain a lot of Fluff that isn't really needed. Instead I got the basic press and put together my own "kit" that has what I consider essential. For example I currently have two powder measures so that I can devote one to my preferred load for 40 S&W and the other to my preferred load for 45 ACP. I also have two RCBS universal Hand Primers, one set up for Small Pistol and the other for Large Pistol and Rifle. At some point I plan on adding a third powder measure for 38 spl. but don't shoot that caliber much so no hurry. Point is, don't waste your money on a kit that won't be an exact fit for you and instead build your own kit that really fits your needs.

 

[AveragEd]

As zonker touched upon, a Rock Chucker Supreme is more press than needed for handgun ammo. But aside from bigger, heavier parts, the primary difference between it and its smaller cousins is the "window" opening. The Supreme's is larger to better accommodate long rifle ammo and that difference became important to me when I started loading rounds like the 7mm STW and Remington Ultra Mags. You never know what you will be reloading in the future.

My old Rock Chucker would work but I had to feed the shell with a bullet sitting on the case mouth up into the die with one hand while holding the bullet in place with the other before sliding the shell into the shell holder. With the Supreme, I just slide the charged shell into the shell holder, place the bullet on it and pull the handle.

Ed

 

[CMD-KY]

You might think of a turret. I have the Redding T-7, load .38's for revolver and rifle. I enjoy using it. The
RCBS 5-0-5 is a fine scale, I have used mine for several years. I have an electronic and use it very little, I trust the 5-0-5 for the low weight Bullseye and 231 charge.

 

[Geno44]

The Rockchucker provides versatility if you later go to larger rifle rounds. If you know you are going to stay with smaller handgun rounds like .38 sp, moving the mass of linkage in the Rockchucker requires more effort than needed. An old RCBS Junior works very well for handgun ammo. Once in a while this older used stuff turns up at gun shows or on Craigslist or perhaps Ebay and can be a good value if you are on a budget. I don't have any Lee presses but they might be worth looking into. The smaller the outside area of a case is, the less leverage it takes to size it.

 

[Titegroups]

It dont get any easier. Jump in.

 

[zonker5]

However, I did not go with the Kit. IMO these kits tend to contain a lot of Fluff that isn't really needed. Instead I got the basic press and put together my own "kit" that has what I consider essential.

+1, a "kit" is a waste of money.

 

[2152hq]

For 38/357,,any single stage 'C' type press I can think of will do the sizing operation just fine along with the rest of the job, especially when working pistol brass.
They'll do a lot more too if you get into other calibers.

I loaded everything in pistol calibers plus 30-06, 7mm Mauser and 30-30 on a simple Lyman 'Spartan' single station press for almost 25yrs.

I bought a Lyman Orange Crusher in the 80's(?) sometime. Nice press.
I like the leverage when case forming, something I couldn't do with the Spartan.

Simple does it and even if you upgrade later,,the single stage will still find work set up as a dedicated press for one caliber of job.

Get a decent scale. A beam balance is fine. Electronics is the way of today, but my old as the Spartan Redding beam balance scale still does the job. Get what ever you feel comfortable using.

RCBS through LEE, to Herters, Pacific, Hollywood Gun Shop, CH and some unknown die mfg in my bunch. Set them up, they all seem to work OK. Lube the cases using steel dies. Keep everything clean.

I still don't have a case tumbler/cleaner, never have. Maybe some day.

It's a gadgety hobby for sure. Some are necessities like a scale. But the basics are really few.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I've been handloading shotgun, rifle and handgun ammo for almost 40 years and a Rock Chucker Supreme is all I have ever needed. I don't shoot hundreds of rounds of handgun ammo each week, so a progressive loader isn't needed. Just yesterday, I loaded 150 rounds of .44 Magnum target loads with that press.

Ed

Your bench is way too clean, how do you find anything? If I can get my Bobcat started I'm going to clean my reloading room

 

[m657]

Component costs may be moderating a bit, unsure of that trend.

Who would have ever predicted it would be cheaper to reload a box of 38s than buy a box of 22LR?

This past week, my LGS had for the first time in MONTHS, some 22LR CCI....at $9/100. The next closest LGS with 22LR for sale has been getting $10/100!!!