bigtubby
Member
looking at buying one of these master kits anybody use them? Opinions please good or bad!! Going to be a newbie re-loader don't need to crank out a ton of ammo maybe 200 to 300 rnds a month in .38 spec and .357
Opinions on RCBS rockchucker
- Thread starter bigtubby
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MulticalinMO
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- Jan 24, 2009
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I use one and works great. Can't go wrong with one of these.
MultiCalinMO
MultiCalinMO
I purchased the Rock Chucker Supreme Master reloading kit in Late 2006. I haven't regretted it at all and I still think it is a very good value. It's a solid press that will last you a lifetime if well taken care of. Also, RCBS customer service is second to none.
I mostly load rifle rounds, but I do occasionally crank out 9x19 on it. Since I'm a low volume pistol shooter, I don't mind using a single stage for this.
There are other good choices out there as well, but you can't go wrong with a Rock Chucker.
I mostly load rifle rounds, but I do occasionally crank out 9x19 on it. Since I'm a low volume pistol shooter, I don't mind using a single stage for this.
There are other good choices out there as well, but you can't go wrong with a Rock Chucker.
cheygriz
member
Truly excellent machine. In the same class with Redding and Lyman.
A reloader that your son will be able to pass on the your grandson!
A reloader that your son will be able to pass on the your grandson!
smurf hunter
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- 62
I have similar reloading habits. I went the cheap route, and got the Lee Anniversary kit. For straight walled pistol cases like .38, I find a single stage is more than adequate. I routinely reload 100 each week, and if I add up the steps I take, it's probably a little more than an hour if you factor in setup.
I've heard excellent things about the RCBS. I'm sure you won't regret it. Personally I've not found something to dislike about the Lee, but I'm also a newbie in the last year.
I think you'll find that your immediate plans of .38/.357 won't require the most sophisticated setup. If you eventually plan to do precision rifle loads, or something more elaborate, that's when some of the advanced features come into play.
I've heard excellent things about the RCBS. I'm sure you won't regret it. Personally I've not found something to dislike about the Lee, but I'm also a newbie in the last year.
I think you'll find that your immediate plans of .38/.357 won't require the most sophisticated setup. If you eventually plan to do precision rifle loads, or something more elaborate, that's when some of the advanced features come into play.
OP
OP
bigtubby
Member
Thanks for the input got a good price on one $245.00 shipped
DM~
Member
Although i have several reloading presses, the two that i keep bolted to my bench are a C0-AX and a Rockchucker,
The RC is a great press that will pretty much do it all...
DM
The RC is a great press that will pretty much do it all...
DM
GuysModel94
Member
This is a great forum, lot's of good info, you might also try the Reloader's Nest, great bunch of guy's over there too.
OP
OP
bigtubby
Member
Dm that is a very nice set up wish I had that much room to set up in. Is that a garage or basement?
mbopp
Member
IMHO the Rockchucker is an excellent press. I still use it for reloading rifle ammo and for my Contender calibers.
But when I started shooting more 38 / 357 and 45 ammo I picked up a used turret press. It's not as fast as a progressive but it's faster than the Rockchucker. And I can keep the dies mounted in the turret head and not have to change them for every operation like the Rockchucker. YMMV.
But when I started shooting more 38 / 357 and 45 ammo I picked up a used turret press. It's not as fast as a progressive but it's faster than the Rockchucker. And I can keep the dies mounted in the turret head and not have to change them for every operation like the Rockchucker. YMMV.
THe Dove
BOOMER SOONER!!!
Get it and don't look back. JMHO
The Dove
The Dove
Glock20
Member
The RockChucker is built like a tank and will last several lifetimes with nothing more than an occasional cleaning and a little oil on the ram & pivot points.
The only negative I have with mine is the method to catch spent primers. But even with this minor annoyance, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
The only negative I have with mine is the method to catch spent primers. But even with this minor annoyance, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
Historian
Member
Glock20,
Here's a tip for catching those spent primers. Take a plastic straw and trim it so it fits in the groove on the front of the ram. When you deprime, all the primers will drop into the tray the way they are supposed to. I got this tip off THR a couple of years ago and it works like a charm. I love my Rockchucker and use it for both rifle and pistol rounds. I load about five hundred rounds a month (when the weather's warm enough for me to sit out in the garage for a couple of hours). I agree with an earlier poster that the lube tray is not the way to go. I have come to prefer Imperial Sizing Wax. Good shooting.
Historian
Here's a tip for catching those spent primers. Take a plastic straw and trim it so it fits in the groove on the front of the ram. When you deprime, all the primers will drop into the tray the way they are supposed to. I got this tip off THR a couple of years ago and it works like a charm. I love my Rockchucker and use it for both rifle and pistol rounds. I load about five hundred rounds a month (when the weather's warm enough for me to sit out in the garage for a couple of hours). I agree with an earlier poster that the lube tray is not the way to go. I have come to prefer Imperial Sizing Wax. Good shooting.
Historian
ranger335v
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- Dec 3, 2006
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"In the same class with Redding and Lyman."
That's true enough, including Lee's Classic Cast. Meaning all single stage iron bodied presses are essentially the same.
That's true enough, including Lee's Classic Cast. Meaning all single stage iron bodied presses are essentially the same.
cheygriz
member
I must respectfully disagree!
IME, Lee is NOT in the same class with RCBS, Lyman and Redding for quality.
IME, Lee is NOT in the same class with RCBS, Lyman and Redding for quality.
DM~
Member
Thanks!, It's in my basement and i'm getting ready to saw out and add another 6' on the end of the above one! I have more than enough room to build what ever i want down there.
DM
Steve in PA
Member
I bought one of the RCBS kits more than 30 years ago and everything is still going strong! No complaints here.
ColtPythonElite
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- Jan 8, 2011
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Another long time user here. I bought a Master Reloading Kit 20 years ago. It's been great equipment.
Last edited:
ranger335v
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"I must respectfully disagree! IME, Lee is NOT in the same class with RCBS, Lyman and Redding for quality."
Saying "Lee" when addressing presses is about as indefinate as saying "RCBS"; each brand makes several presses so without specifying which Lee/RCBS press you refer to, or why, it's impossible to know what you disagree about. (If you don't care for Lee's alum alloy presses I assume you also don't care for the RCBS Partner?)
It appears you are unfamiliar with Lee's Classic Cast? A young friend of mine has one, it's fully as good as my old Rock Chucker II. In fact, so far as its excellant user features, size and strength, it's actually a better press than mine. I drink no one's Kool-Aid.
Saying "Lee" when addressing presses is about as indefinate as saying "RCBS"; each brand makes several presses so without specifying which Lee/RCBS press you refer to, or why, it's impossible to know what you disagree about. (If you don't care for Lee's alum alloy presses I assume you also don't care for the RCBS Partner?)
It appears you are unfamiliar with Lee's Classic Cast? A young friend of mine has one, it's fully as good as my old Rock Chucker II. In fact, so far as its excellant user features, size and strength, it's actually a better press than mine. I drink no one's Kool-Aid.
rfwobbly
Member
Stay focused
The OP is talking about a kit, so let's hang with him on that subject thread....
The thing that gets me about the Rock Chucker Kit is that the accessories that come with the kit are every bit as solid and over-designed as the press itself. Not only will your grand-children be using the Rock Chucker dear old grand dad left them, but they'll also be using the Uniflow and the 505 scale.
Quite frankly, the Uniflow is the powder measure that all others are measured against. The 505 is the scale that all others are measured against.
Since RCBS introduced their O-frame press many, many years ago, they've picked up a lot of competition in that market segment. But nobody has matched the quality and value of the total package combined in the Rock Chucker Kit.
The only pieces you need to seriously consider to enhance this kit are the optional powder measure stand, a case trimmer for rifle cases, a 6" caliper, and adding Imperial Sizing Wax to the lube pad.
The OP is talking about a kit, so let's hang with him on that subject thread....
The thing that gets me about the Rock Chucker Kit is that the accessories that come with the kit are every bit as solid and over-designed as the press itself. Not only will your grand-children be using the Rock Chucker dear old grand dad left them, but they'll also be using the Uniflow and the 505 scale.
Quite frankly, the Uniflow is the powder measure that all others are measured against. The 505 is the scale that all others are measured against.
Since RCBS introduced their O-frame press many, many years ago, they've picked up a lot of competition in that market segment. But nobody has matched the quality and value of the total package combined in the Rock Chucker Kit.
The only pieces you need to seriously consider to enhance this kit are the optional powder measure stand, a case trimmer for rifle cases, a 6" caliper, and adding Imperial Sizing Wax to the lube pad.
cheygriz
member
"I drink no one's kool aid"
Nor do I! I realize that Richard Lee has a very strong "cult" following in the reloading community. But he still makes the "Hyundai" of reloading equipment.
After extensive reloading since the summer of 1965, I could not in good conscience recommend his equipment to anyone as being equal to "brand name" equipment. (the FCD and case trimmer being notable exceptions.)
Nor do I! I realize that Richard Lee has a very strong "cult" following in the reloading community. But he still makes the "Hyundai" of reloading equipment.
After extensive reloading since the summer of 1965, I could not in good conscience recommend his equipment to anyone as being equal to "brand name" equipment. (the FCD and case trimmer being notable exceptions.)
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