RCBS: Old JR or New Rock Chucker

[TenDriver]

That old Rock Chucker I swapped some stuff for turned out to be an old Jr. It's a fine press but I'm not fond of the way it feels, and it takes some considerable force to size full length rifle cartridges.

The question now is whether to sell it and buy a new Rock Chucker for $100 or set the Lee back up (I do like that press, but it doesn't like my RCBS swager. Keeping both isn't possible).

Question is for those of you who have been around a while, is a newer Rock Chucker of the same quality as an old Jr?

 

[sage5907]

Some times it doesn't pay to get in a hurry when looking for a Rock Chucker. I like the original cast iron version that is painted bluegreen. The oldest press I have has been in use since about 1970 and it's still tight. As you already know, the original Rock Chucker has the two arms that attach to the ram that give it a lot of mechanical advantage when sizing cases. If I were you I would watch eBay for a used press and also keep an eye on the local pawn shops. I bought one a few weeks ago in an antique store for $35 and I felt guilty about negotiating the low price. I would have paid three times that much without batting an eye. I would guess that a used cast iron Rock Chucker would sell for about $90 with $20 shipping.

 

[TenDriver]

Yeah. I think I'll keep it and set the Lee back up is my primary press.

 

[Otto]

...is a newer Rock Chucker of the same quality as an old Jr?

A Rock Chucker is and always has been a better press. However, the Jr. will do 99% of what a RC does...it just requires more effort.

 

[Blue68f100]

The Jr is a good press for pistol ammo. What I used for years. I did do rifle 308 and even 7mm Rem Mag. Using Imperial Sizing wax it's doable but requires a very solid bench. The RC is better for doing rifle, a lot better mechanical advantage over the Jr.

 

[243winxb]

Post 4 covered it well.

 

[RainDodger]

I use the Jr. press my mom gave me in 1969 (my first press) for seating rifle bullets now. That's all I use it for and it's great for that.

If you have a press, no matter what it is, keep it. Just add to the collection.

 

[moxie]

RCBS hasn't made the JR in a long time.

The Partner press now fills that spot in their lineup. Low profile, small footprint, great "feel", plenty of leverage for all but the biggest.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/403729/rcbs-partner-single-stage-press?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[gamestalker]

I have a small variety of RCBS single stage presses, the lightest one is a Reloader Special 2, 1984 model, I think it's close to about the same as the Partner press, aluminum "O" frame. I also have an RS1, and a Rock Chucker, both are cast iron, and very stout and rigid. But there have been many rimes I resized belted mag brass and other big stuff on the little RS2, and it handles it great. I can feel an obvious increase in frame flex, but it doesn't cause a problem with consistent shoulder bump and such, leverage is great, no complaints here.

Single stages presses aren't exactly tough to sell, so maybe you could get some money out of it and go buy something a bit more suitable?

GS

 

[TenDriver]

I have a small variety of RCBS single stage presses, the lightest one is a Reloader Special 2, 1984 model, I think it's close to about the same as the Partner press, aluminum "O" frame. I also have an RS1, and a Rock Chucker, both are cast iron, and very stout and rigid. But there have been many rimes I resized belted mag brass and other big stuff on the little RS2, and it handles it great. I can feel an obvious increase in frame flex, but it doesn't cause a problem with consistent shoulder bump and such, leverage is great, no complaints here.

Single stages presses aren't exactly tough to sell, so maybe you could get some money out of it and go buy something a bit more suitable?

GS

I'm just going to hold on to it and keep my Classic Cast set up as well. That JR3 doesn't have any flex in it, but tries to pull up from the bench due to it having two mounting bolts as opposed to three. It's still a very stout press.

When I learn how to start casting plastic / resin parts I'm going to form another primer catch with a hole in the bottom to drop spent primers into a tube - separate container like the Lee set up and use it to decap, swage and pull bullets. Until then I'll just use it for whatever.

 

[cmb3366]

How about selling the Jr and using the proceeds to buy a Dillon or RCBS bench mounted primer pocket swagging tool. Keep the Lee classic and have aghood press and a much faster means of swagging crimped brass

 

[WestKentucky]

JR has been more than enough for me to do anything with. I have done everything from .223 to 30-06 in rifle and from 38sw to 44 mag in handgun. The hardest I ever have to work is resizing necks for my .256 winmag or my 7-30waters. It does get tiresome after a couple hundred cases but that's fine. I did mount a rockchucker to my bench last time but I am going back to the JR for my mobile setup until I move and get another proper bench set up.

 

[Fishalaska]

I dont know much about the old and new...but this one I bought works like a champ.

 

[Fishalaska]

Here

 

[TenDriver]

"ow about selling the Jr and using the proceeds to buy a Dillon or RCBS bench mounted primer pocket swagging tool. Keep the Lee classic and have aghood press and a much faster means of swagging crimped brass"

Hadn't thought about it. It's not a bad idea.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've reloaded a bazillion rounds on my Jr up to 3006 with no issues other than a clean and lube maybe once a year. Thats over 40 years.

 

[RainDodger]

I would never sell a single stage press... it's not worth the return you'll get, while the press could be downright valuable to you one day. The Jr. is a great little press. As I said before, I use mine exclusively for seating bullets now, but it will do most anything and it is cast iron. Mine was made in '69 (the date is stamped on the top machined surface in tiny little letters) and has loaded thousands upon thousands of rounds with no wear showing anywhere. Keep it. Get others if you want to, but hang onto it. That's my thought....

 

[kwg020]

That RCBS Jr. is junk. Just send it to me and I will dispose of it for you. It's a crappy press that can do about anything up to 30-06 but small enough to do pistol like 38 Special and 45 Auto. I have almost worn mine out doing .223 so I should be able to wear yours out as well in just a couple of days and it will be scrap iron.

Horrible I say! Horrible! Send it to me and I will dispose of it post haste.

kwg