got a new press, how did i do?

[kmw1954]

You can certainly be proud of yourself with that acquisition. As stated it is a great press and built like a tank. Even at twice that purchase price you did good. I have an old JR3 press that is slightly smaller framed and has just simple leverage instead of the compound that the RC2 does. Enjoy!

 

[GW Staar]

I'm jealous....mine has the green vinyl shrinkwrap instead of a nice comfy ball at the handle end. Now you need to make it kick cases and keep spent primers under control.

 

[JFrank]

You can take the plug out where you screw the dies in snd convert the press over to the Hornady Lock n Load bushing system.

True, but now your stacking tolerances and may see that later with inconsistencies in shoulder set back and seating. I like the older presses with the machined top and 7/8 threads no insert but of course that a personal choice.

 

[gifbohane]

You can take the plug out where you screw the dies in snd convert the press over to the Hornady Lock n Load bushing system.

That is exactly what I did and it saved a lot of time. Now I mostly use the T7 but the Rockchucker is always standing by and gets used.

 

[OFFGRID]

I Load alot and enjoy the fast die swap out.
It does have a cost but is well worth the extra cost of the bushings

If I decide to get out or cut back on reloading I'll recoup that extra cost and maybe a little more then I paid for them with all of the high cost of this crazy inflation.
I have two die sets for every caliber that I use alot. If I get a stuck case or any other problem I can grab the other set take what die I need and keep going and fix the problem at a later date.
Most of the bushings I bought when they were $4 a piece. Now they are about $6 apiece.

Every one has thier own system and thoughts on reloading and finds what is comfortable to them.

With your new to you RCBS press you have the option to switch it over at any time to the bushing system.
You did good buying your press and getting it all cleaned up. You will never wear the press out. RCBS built them to last a lifetime plus.
I have bought a lot of extra reloading equipment and have several complete reloading set ups extra. When I start doing reloading classes if someone takes a class and decides to jump in the rabbit hole I will have what ever they want to go home and get set up.

I just bought a complete reloading set up with a Rockchucker press on Sunday. I am picking you another Rockchucker press next weekend.
I have atleast six maybe a few more Rockchucker presses not counting the two I have for my reloading classes.

What calibers will you be loading for?
I'm sure we can help you get set up if you have any problems finding stuff you need.

I have lots of 9mm and 40 cal brass if you need any
I will give you the brass and mail it to you for free.
Plus I have extra 308 brass that I can send to you
I fave a friend down in Olympia Wa. that deals in used reloading equipment. He just recently bought about $8,000 in reloading equipment from an estate.
He went all threw it and is starting to list it on the local gun forums. He usually has stuff you can not find elsewhere. If you want his contact information I can PM his number.
Do you have anyone local that can mentor you threw the initial set up and guide you on the right track and help out down the road with any problems that might arise.
Which there will be.

You can always post any questions or concerns on here and you will get some good answers.
Good luck to you and enjoy your new hobby.

thanks. im still gathering stuff up to load 243 win and 30-06. just ordered some pacesetter dies i found on sale and an rcbs case lube set today. eventually ill be looking for some brass for those but it will be a while. still need to get a scale, trimming gear, some half decent calipers and maybe a lee dipper set.

im probably gonna go with the lee quick trim set up and a cheap scale like a lee beam scale or a lyman pocket scale or something.

eventually i want to try and neck down some 308 cases to 243. ive seen a couple videos on it and it doesnt look terribly hard.

 

[kmw1954]

Case lube, I use the Hornady Unique and apply with just the finger and thumb, no pad. I use the Lee trimmer and when kept clean it works wonderfully. The Lee scale also work just fine but is a bit more involved to use. I use a Lyman D5 scale which is the same as the RCBS 505.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

thanks. im still gathering stuff up to load 243 win and 30-06. just ordered some pacesetter dies i found on sale and an rcbs case lube set today. eventually ill be looking for some brass for those but it will be a while. still need to get a scale, trimming gear, some half decent calipers and maybe a lee dipper set.

im probably gonna go with the lee quick trim set up and a cheap scale like a lee beam scale or a lyman pocket scale or something.

eventually i want to try and neck down some 308 cases to 243. ive seen a couple videos on it and it doesnt look terribly hard.

You’ve got the right press for reshaping brass. RCBS stands for Rock Chuck Bullet Swage. That press can handle swaging antimonial lead wire into bullets.
Case lube is a whole other matter. There’s threads and threads on the subject. Those discussions can get pretty spicy so wear your flame-retardant undies before wading through them.

 

[OFFGRID]

You’ve got the right press for reshaping brass. RCBS stands for Rock Chuck Bullet Swage. That press can handle swaging antimonial lead wire into bullets.
Case lube is a whole other matter. There’s threads and threads on the subject. Those discussions can get pretty spicy so wear your flame-retardant undies before wading through them.

id be willing to bet there have been hundreds of thousands of rounds loaded with every brand of lube.
i reckon its like motor oil, everyone has their favorite.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I can send you some 30/06 and 308 brass. If you want some PM me your shipping information

 

[OFFGRID]

I can send you some 30/06 and 308 brass. If you want some PM me your shipping information

thats awful nice of you to help a stranger. thank you! i have a few 308s that i want to try necking down before i get any more. it may work out or maybe not. well see. i habe dies coming, when they get in ill give it a shot

 

[barnfrog]

thats awful nice of you to help a stranger. thank you! i have a few 308s that i want to try necking down before i get any more. it may work out or maybe not. well see. i habe dies coming, when they get in ill give it a shot

You will find a great many folks on this forum who are willing to help out people they don't know from Adam's off ox. I read one other reloading forum, but spend most of my internet time here. Solid upstanding crowd.

 

[derek45]

these printed EBAY primer catchers work really well.

 

[hdbiker]

I bought my Rock Chucker, set of .308 dies and a shell holder combo in I think about 1974, for 42.00, we ordered two combos and got free shipping. Took it apart for cleaning & lube a couple times, still going strong.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

the same thing as the lee breechlock?

i think thats kinda silly. then you have to buy bushings for every die.

I do have to use the LNL-bushing on mine.
Did you notice the white spacer on my RCll press, under the bushing?

That is a spacer to raise the Hornady LNL bushing up to be compatible with the LNL-AP press behind it. I can pull a die out of the LNL-AP and put it in the RCll and not have to change the die adjustment. Before I bought the Lee ABLP press for .357 mag, in the far back where you can't see it, I loaded all pistol/revolver loads on the LNL-AP.

I'd fix any rejects on the RCll at the end of the session. With the spacer and bushing, the dies swap out without changing their settings.

This keeps me from having to buy more than one die of each, having to setup the die for a different press, and having to set up the die for one reject round, then have to set it up again when I put it back in the Hornady press.

If I load precision rifle loads I take the bushing and spacer out and put the original RCBS insert back in. My rifle dies are set up for it.
I don't load many rifle loads right now, looking for a new shooting range for rifle that I can afford.
I personally like Hornady's die bushing system. I do not like Lee's, They are to finicky to use and are easy to mess up the threads on them, then the dies tightens up before it supposed to and the dies are now off.

Just starting out you will find a lot of things "questionable" but the more you learn about reloading equipment, the more of it will make sense to you when you see something like this.

 

[Highland Lofts]

If you decide to try out the Lock n Load bushings I have extra adapters to switch it from screw in dies to the bushing system.
Once you get going you will see what works for you..

 

[OFFGRID]

If you decide to try out the Lock n Load bushings I have extra adapters to switch it from screw in dies to the bushing system.
Once you get going you will see what works for you..

thats awesome man, thanks!

 

[Hank McMauser]

You will ALWAYS need this press. No matter what ends up on your bench, THIS press will be used.

SUPERB purchase at a great price. Congrats!

This is the truth , I gave away my $10 Lyman spartan press when I inherited a dillon 550 a few years ago, and then realized how much it cost to set up especially true for calibers that you rarely shoot so don't need bulk reloads (7.7 Jap) this is where a stout well made single stage shines. BTW I finally replaced my old Lyman with a Pacific press I bought off FB marketplace for $20.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I have a newer single stage Hornady Lock n Load press with the bushings and love it. I also bought an older Pacific single stage press that you need to screw in the dies.
I had a friend bore it out to except the Lock n Load bushing adapter. He machined it so they are exactly the same when at the top of the stroke.
I did buy another and had the samething done so I have an extra press if I need it..

I have two of the presses set up side by side on my bench.
When reloading rifle I seat the bullet take it out of the 1sr press then right into the other press to crimp

For pistol reloading I resize, take the case out of the first press then right into the 2nd press to flare.

I use the Lee Bench Prime.
When loading I put the powder in a case, put the charged case into the first press and seat the bullet.
That the seated cartridge out of the 1st press and right in to the 2nd press to crimp it then put the done cartridges into my plastic ammo case.

By using the Teo presses sitting side by side it saves putting the cartridges down after seating then picking them back up again to crimp.