Where is the RCBS Rock Chucker Manufactured?

I believe it's China...which one, "free" or Commie, I have no idea.

-- John D.

I think I read an article in one of the magizines that said the castings came from over seas but were machined here in the USA.
I am pretty certain I am right on this but the the old noddle aint what it use to be.

I also heard they were made in China.
Rusty

I think I read an article in one of the magizines that said the castings came from over seas but were machined here in the USA.

Click to expand...

I remember seeing that in an article in Handloader, a few issues back (sometime in the last year).

I believe it was the Handloader mag that I read it in and yes it was only a few months ago.

This topic came up in a thread back in December of '06. I emailed RCBS and asked them about it.

Here's the thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=241195&highlight=RCBS+China&page=3

Here is the response I got from RCBS.

Well, here's what RCBS responded to me with. Vague, but I kind of expected that. (I cut out the email addresses for spam/abuse prevention.)

----- Original Message ----
From: rcbs tech
To: kamicosmos
Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 6:16:36 PM
Subject: RE: rcbs.com - Ask RCBS Form

Thank you for contacting RCBS with your concern. Most of our products
are still produced right here in our factory in Oroville CA. However,
we do purchase some items from China or other countries around the
world. Any items we source outside of our operation are closely
monitored to insure they meet our quality expectations. The only reason
we choose certain items to be produced over seas is to provide our
customers with the best possible products for the lowest possible cost,
or in other words, to give you the best value for your hard earned
dollars.

It is important for us to here from our customers and we appreciate you
taking the time to provide us with your input.

-----Original Message-----

Click to expand...

Cast in China (Commie for those who don't shop at Wal Mart), machined in the US.

Take Care

Bob

I note that Canada gets along well enough with Communist China that you can still get Norinco 1911 knockoffs there. But then they have threatened to nuke Los Angeles, not Vancouver.

Jim Watson

Jim that kind of insightful post stretchs your credibility a lot. Canadians fought and died in Korea with distiction. If you think banning Norinco small arms serves American foreign policy by getting back at China or holding on to hate makes you a better person then you live on a much different planet then most.

China is the 2nd or 3rd largest holder of US debt, is presently financing most of your war in Iraq by buying your government bonds and is likely your 2nd largest trading partner behind Canada. China likely, now has the largest ecnonomy in the world so live in your make believe cacoon but going on about dumb past Chinese foreign policy comments is no more brighter than hanging on to some of the dimmer US foreign policy moves. Just doesn't serve anyones purpose least of all yours.

Take Care

Bob

ps Walk through WalMart sometime and ask yourself what effect banning a $300 1911 is having on the Chinese economy. Oh and as a matter of interest the RCBS Rock Chucker press has to arguably be, the best single stage on the market, never mind where the casting were made.

I feel kind of guilty about my Communist Chinese sneakers, but there are few alternatives, although it will probably bite us in the ass one of these days.

As far as guns go, as Mr Mason told Mr Dixon, we have to draw the damn line somewhere and I refuse to send money directly to the arsensals of the People's Republican Army.

I can remember when Walmart proudly advertised that they sold the maximum available Made in USA merchandise. That was when Sam Walton was alive. The heirs don't care.

MY Rockchucker was Made in USA and I do not plan to replace it with multinational gear.

Some line! A little bit like trying to empty an ocean with a garden pail. I should add the American Government gets along quite well with China these days for obvious reasons, see post above.

I suspect the Norinco gun ban has as much to do with protecting some parts of the US small arms industry and political correctness than anything else. I understand Executive Orders are seldom ever recinded by future Presidents. Kind of Divinity Clause I guess.

Dumb move IMHO as the Norinco 1911's are great buys, very well made and when tuned up make outstandingly accurate firearms.

Incidently my Norinco M 14 cost $399 Cdn or $375US with all forged parts.

Take Care

Bob

ps On the subject of guns ...yup.

If I remember correctly the Norinco gun ban was purely an attempt at gun control via executive order. I'm not sure if my memory is correct but I'm pretty sure that it was done around the same time as they bumped the cost of an FFL, etc. I was buying brand new Norinco SKS's for $89 apiece before it happened. (I could be wrong . .but it was about the time I gave up my FFL) The SKS's for that price came with a set of web gear, a cleaning kit, and a bayonet. (wish I had held onto 3-4)

I don't know how many SKS's I sold with a 540 round tin of 7.62x39 . .I think guys were walking out with them for about $130 and I was making more than enough to cover my FFL fees and buy new toys for myself.

Regards,
Dave

Not to get to far astray, but you guys need to think carefully about china. I worked in China, I have Chinese contractor's working for me at times (like right now).

I have had long discussions with them. Yes the country is Communist, but they are probably more capitalistic right now then we are. Yes they lack a lot of basic freedoms but as I heard several times "you cannot eat freedom".

Looking at it from a guns and business perspective, the Communist are learning how to manage the business and give enough freedom to properly move the country forward yet keep everything under control.

Years ago we used to think poorly of Japanese quality products and sneer at their plastics. Now we look to them for quality. The same today can be said about China. We think poorly of the quality (go in any walmart to see the impact) but in the long run they are going to win and we will think highly of their quality and products.

Besides, I am not sure we have the industrial base nor ability to manufacture many of the products they supply to us today. Our "imported" labor force is not skilled enough and our laws preclude that type of heavy industry with the associated environmental impacts.

Is the RCBS cast iron?

As an olde guy that buys building products it was impossible not to notice that the cast iron mills were dropping like flies 30 years ago, reportedly due to environmental regulations. It's a dirty process and expensive to clean up.

Nearly all our suppliers changed to steel or cast aluminum as appropriate.

If the RCBS is cast iron, they've little choice but to go out of country.

Cast aluminum is a different story. We're reasonably competitive with aluminum although there'd likely still be some money to be picked up by going overseas. In my field, they've gotten enough practice that the cast aluminum products are outperforming their cast iron predecessors by wide margins. Whether this applies to reloading press frames, I wouldn't know.

The Dillon is cast aluminum and Hornady's web site has a link identifying the current LnL as having a cast aluminum frame. I don't know if this means either or both are using U.S. castings but this would be far more plausible than if iron castings were being used.

Personally, I'd prefer U.S. made with aluminum castings but it's not really my business.

Out of idle curiosity, wasn't the Hornady once cast iron?

RCBS Rock Chucker is cast iron.

Regards,
Dave

Is there a perception in the reloading community that cast iron is somehow superior to (properly engineered and fabricated) aluminum?

In my field we suffered through a period where cast iron retained a reputation for superiority even while alternative materials were gradually catching up to, then exceeding, the old product.

Reloaders, as a group, seem to make more sense - they'll ding one manufacturer for sub-par aluminum but are fine with Hornady's LnL or Dillon's 650 being aluminum.

I guess I'm wondering if the market rewards RCBS more for cast iron than it punishes it for importing the casting?

I'm not proposing cast aluminum as a solution though - properly done aluminum will likely cost more than imported iron and there's nothing preventing imported aluminum - just wondering what the perception is.

Hawk,

My Hornady Pro-Jector is definately cast iron. It's one heavy piece of gear. I've owned it for about 19 years, but I don't know what the new one's are made from, since I haven't asked. As pointed out, there are different grades and alloys of aluminum, and some are just as strong as steel, but with different characteristics concerning heat resistance, etc.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Thanks.

This page: http://www.hornady.com/display.php?t=9 links to a piece on the LnL-AP which identifies it as aluminum. I couldn't find anything about when they switched or if the LnL was always aluminum.

I do have the impression the LnL was iron at one time but I can't find anything and they say the memory is the first thing to go. The previous model I believe was always iron.

I suspect the market rewards RCBS because they make a very good, dare I say a superior single stage press. A press I would suggest that all others are judged. Somewhat like Dillon Progressive presses.

Consumers buy on price point and quality under the unbrella of perceived value.

China s changing and will continue to change like the West has. 80 years ago coal miners were shot by police when they attempted to unionize in the US and it was less than 45 years ago that the American south began to integrate. Hell in Canada Women couldn't own real property in Quebec until the early 50's. Democracy and freedom is a moving target and one step usually builds on another.

Take Care

Bob

Hey Bob,

I hate to bust you on the Rock Chucker, but it's quality has, in fact, slipped in the last few years. In addition, a few recent innovations by Lee Precision and their new Classic Cast single stage have surpassed the old Rock Chucker. Surpassed it enough that after a side by side comparison over a few months, I sold my RC (An older, well machined one.) and kept the Lee.

Don't pay these days to rest on one's laurels. I like RCBS products a lot, but I go where the best innovation is. Sadly, the RC, while ok, isn't as well machined as what it used to be.

Regards,

Dave

P.S. Let me know if you need some more .45ACP brass. I've picked some up recently.

norinco ban

if you remember Bush banned norinco products because there were a number of full auto SKS shipped here and there were invetigations because it was north china industry that shipped them. I miss the 4 and 6 power scopes at $13.:banghead:

Teddy

I think Clinton even predates Bush on the Norinco ban. I have three of their 1911's and a Norinco M 14. Great guns for the money.

Just decided to finally let go of some of my .45acp brass that had more trips to the range than they should have. Yes, if you send it up here I'll send down the postage.

Don't have anymore .303 brass but expect some in the fall.

Take Care

Bob

The one advantage that most of us have is we already have a Rockchucker. Thus any lower quality work today won't impact us because I doubt I will break mine.

I have been eyeing a turret press though to go with the Pro2000. I will probably stay with RCBS just because they have treated me well over the years.