RCBS Rockchucker Single Stage Press Kit Or Lee Turret Press Kit

Status
Not open for further replies.
peeplwtchr

peeplwtchr

Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2019
Messages
1,608
EDIT: The thread title should be RCBS Rockchucker Single Stage Press Kit Or Lee Turret Press Kit?

Hi All-

I shoot weekly, and am fed up with this interruption in my ammo supply chain, and the way prices will likely be for the next year. Due to this, I am going to start reloading. I plan on buying a kit to get started. I have done some research, and my initial choice is this Lee turret kit, as I will be reloading alot of 9mm (2-300 per week): https://www.opticsplanet.com/lee-90304-classic-turret-press-kit-steel.html

So my cart is full of the kit, dies, trickler, tumbler bullet puller, shell plate etc., and I decide to sleep on it for a night before I drop $500 or whatever it was. Today I see an Amazon order hit my email. Not sure how she knew I wanted to reload, but my wife ordered me this secretly: https://www.rcbs.com/kits/rock-chucker-supreme-master-reloading-kit/16-9354.html

I started seriously shooting about a year and a half ago (Self defense pistol training, rifle, 150+ 5-8 hour range days). When I start a new hobby, I am voracious. Because of this, let's just say that I have been enthusiastically purchasing gun related items, ammo etc, don't even want to know the dollar amount.

When she sees a new gun in the safe every X weeks, or cases of ammo from UPS, she has never bitched. For this reason I want to validate her support of my habit, by using the press that she's picked, forever. I usually return the hobby/electronic stuff she gets me, because she doesn't research like I do before purchases.

My question is, will I be losing/gaining much by keeping the single stage Rock Chucker kit over the Lee turret?

Based on reloading videos, I think I can compensate for a loss of turret speed, by using a single die at a time to do large batches of de-capping, priming, bullet seating at a time, to cut down on die changing time.

Based on youtube reviews, they seem kind of even in features and quality, but I don't trust those all the time, because people who don't know much like to make videos too. This forum is the most valuable information resource I know of, so please chime in if you have an opinion.

What would you do based on the info. I have provided?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I have the LEE Classic Turret (LCT) and really like it. You can use it as a single stage or as what call a semi progressive.

I pieced together my stuff instead of getting the kit. So I got some better tools. That said the stuff in the Kits are usable and not horrible, although you’ll probably wind up getting better stuff over time.

One nice thing about the LCT is you can put the dies in a turret and set them. Then to switch calibers simply switch turrets.

Overall LEE isn’t the best Stuff but the LCT is really good. I really like my LCT.

I don’t have the RCBS but it too is decent. Some say start with a single stage. And that’s good advice. But you can manually index the LCT and use it like a single stage. If you get the RCBS it won’t be a waste as sometimes it’s nice having a second press.

So both are good and whatever you do is not going to be a bad decision.

Just be sure to Get a few manuals and read them. I like the Lee one as it’s well written and goes through the processes well. Lyman is also another favorite of mine.

Also go to the powder companies and get their free downloads and order their books that they’ll send you free

other than that, take your time, be safe and if you have questions post here and folks will help you out.
 
Depends on how much time you have as the single stage will be a bit slower (A case-kicker from Inline Fab will help a little.)
While I firmly believe the LCT can produce 'match grade' bottleneck rifle loads, I'd most likely lean towards the crusher instead for that purpose.

RE: I want to validate her support of my habit, by using the press that she's picked, forever.

Whether or not you want to validate it, she did good with the Supreme Master Kit purchase, no doubt about it. Same kit I started with. Zero regrets.

My vote is to stick with the Crusher kit. you can add an LCT later if you still feel like you really need one.
 
Last edited:
I have the RCBS and use it a good bit. If you're loading a lot of pistol rounds, it'll leave you wanting that turret press. You can't beat the single stage for loading larger rifle rounds though, my opinion.

You have the right idea about batch processing though regarding the rcbs. An hour at a time doing one thing and after a few of these hour sessions you have a pile of ammo.

I dont see a scale in your list, but could be in the etc. Part of your post. A reloading manual is a good idea too.

Edit to say, just saw it was the master kit. You're ready to pretty much load, just add components.
 
You can load pistol ammo up to 150-200 rounds per hour with the Lee. The primary time savings is in the handling of the cases. One time vs. three or four. They are both good tools. Some of the other items in the RCBS kit will be of better quality than the Lee stuff. There is really no bad choice between these two.
 
Skgreen said:
Depends on how much time you have as the single stage will be a bit slower (A case-kicker from Inline Fab will help a little.)
While I firmly believe the LCT can produce 'match grade' bottleneck rifle loads, I'd most likely lean towards the crusher instead for that purpose.

RE: I want to validate her support of my habit, by using the press that she's picked, forever.

Whether or not you want to validate it, she did good with the Supreme Master Kit purchase, no doubt about it. Same kit I started with. Zero regrets.

My vote is to stick with the Crusher kit. you can add an LCT later if you still feel like you really need one.
Click to expand...

Case Kicker - You mean this? https://inlinefabrication.com/products/case-ejector-system-for-rcbs-rockchucker-single-stage
 
Good advice given so far.

Like many others, I started out with a single stage press and then went to a Lee Classic Turret press. I have both setup on my reloading bench. I normally keep a RCBS universal decapping die in the single stage. I like to decap then clean everything (gives me an extra chance to inspect cases). I will also setup the single stage to size all of my 223 brass in batches. I'll then use the LCT to load 223 rounds when I am ready to do so. I do all of my pistol reloading on the LCT.
 
Highland Lofts said:
Ixm not a Lee Fan so i would go green.
Get the Rock Chucker and use the Hornady Bushings. Adapter available in the six packs of the bushings. I have a lee press kit up stairs that I bought a couple of months ago.
Sitting there in the box is a good place for it.
Click to expand...

I would agree on the Hornady bushing conversion kit. Makes swapping dies a three second job. I don't know anything about Lee so I can't comment there. A turret would be faster but you have a lot going on on top of that press. I like to keep it simple, my RC II for example, starting out. Jump to a turret or progressive once you have your feet wet and feel the need for speed and congestion. Your first kit won't gather dust when you decide to move on to a T or P. It will always have its uses.

Oh . . check to see if you have a small, powder measuring drum with that kit unless the new kits makes that irrelevant. I had to by one to the tune of $30 plus shipping for my Uniflow.

My thoughts on the matter. Great wife by the way in supporting your hobby or sport.
 
peeplwtchr said:
Lee App?
Click to expand...

12Bravo20 said:
Good advice given so far.

Like many others, I started out with a single stage press and then went to a Lee Classic Turret press. I have both setup on my reloading bench. I normally keep a RCBS universal decapping die in the single stage. I like to decap then clean everything (gives me an extra chance to inspect cases). I will also setup the single stage to size all of my 223 brass in batches. I'll then use the LCT to load 223 rounds when I am ready to do so. I do all of my pistol reloading on the LCT.
Click to expand...
I saw this decapping then cleaning method in a video, could save a step depending on the tumbling media. Anyone used rice before? Seems much cheaper over time.
 
Last edited:
I would keep the single stage. The way people like to do things varies from person to person. My first press was a single. Got a lct a while later. It's ok. Pairs well with an auto charge dispenser. I just dont like that style as well. Seems like a lot of handle pulling and has to be full strokes to index the turret. Between the two I prefer handling the cases more and being able to short stroke the press with a single stage. Also gives more opportunities to inspect and find potential problems.
If you decide you enjoy reloading and volume makes it desirable to decrease time spent reloading go with a progressive after a while. I recently did and love it. Its Fast without even trying.
I honestly dont notice an appreciable difference in loading speed between the turret or a single stage though the turret should be somewhat faster. Other nice thing about the single batches is for some of the processes I feel comfortable watching YouTube videos or TV or whatever , but with a turret or progressive I need to be 100% focused the whole time. Probably frowned on and personal choice there...as a new reloader you should be 100% focused all the time.
Awesome that your wife bought you a press to encourage the hobby. If I was buying from scratch I think that's the ss I would get also.

James
 
All of these posts hold great info. guys, thanks, and keep them coming please. For work, I manage small-large scale Technology projects, and I rely on my Engineers for expertise; you guys are my hobby engineers. :)
 
I can tell you one thing, one press won't be enough !!! When you go down the "reloading rabbit-hole" there will always be something else !!!! All kidding aside, it's a whole lot of fun !! IMG_20200630_092402295.jpg
 
I would stay with the single stage as the first press. You will always need a single stage and the Rock Chucker is hard to beat. Down the road if you want to speed things up, you’ll have a better idea of what you want, torrent or progressive.

For what it’s worth, I started with a Lee Challenger Breech Lock kit, got a Hornady LnL AP for .223 and 9mm. Was gifted and older Lee Single. Got a RCBS Partner on the cheap for decapping and priming (meh) and now I’m considering another, beefier single like a MEC Marksman or a Rock Chucker. I mostly reload for rifles and I really enjoy the process of reloading so the singles get used a lot. I go through phases of what I load and shoot. Right now I’m gearing up to start loading a lot more .223 and 9mm on the LnL AP.

Anyways, you will never regret having a quality single stage press like the Rock Chucker.
 
peeplwtchr said:
I saw this decapping then cleaning method in a video, could save a step depending on the tumbling media. Anyone used rice before? Seems much cheaper over time.
Click to expand...

Yes I can save a step by cleaning my pistol brass then decapping/resizing/loading on the turret press. I like doing things the way I do simply because a lot of my brass is range brass and it gives me another chance to inspect the cases. On rifle brass, I reload a lot of 223/5.56 cases and I want to inspect and swage as needed any military crimps before trying to prime them. Plus I like cleaning, lubing, and resizing my rifle brass in batches.

There really is no right or wrong answer on how or when you decap your brass. Personally for me decapping then cleaning also allows me to inspect the primer pocket and flash hole on all the cases before reloading them.
 
peeplwtchr said:
My question is, will I be losing/gaining much by keeping the single stage Rock Chucker kit over the Lee turret?
Click to expand...

IMHO...you might loose a little bit of speed, but you're giving up a lot of quality.

peeplwtchr said:
Based on reloading videos, I think I can compensate for a loss of turret speed, by using a single die at a time to do large batches of de-capping, priming, bullet seating at a time, to cut down on die changing time.
Click to expand...


Yep.....kinda how I do it. I keep a lot of brass prepped and ready to go, so all I have to do is charge, seat and crimp.
 
Skip the rice. It may work but likely won't clean flash holes if you decide to deprime before tumbling. 10 or 20 lbs of corn or walnut media is cheap considering what you're spending overall. The rice will wear out quick and you'll be changing it often.

I settled on a mix of corn and walnut media and have tumbled thousands of cases before it needs attention. Cut up dryer sheets (used) on each batch and a few drops of nufinish keeps them coming out fairly shiny. The polish added puts a coating that makes resizing pistol brass smoother and to me keeps the brass looking good for longer if its going to be a while before you load it.
 
peeplwtchr said:
. . . as I will be reloading a lot of 9mm (2-300 per week)
Click to expand...
This says Lee Turret.

Normally, I suggest a new reloader start with a single stage as it's the best place to learn, with the fewest distractions. In your case, buy the turret, and Pay Attention. This is a fascinating hobby, but you can break stuff if you're careless.
 
I started reloading on an RCBS kit. And I have reloaded thousands of rounds with it. No regrets so far. I would recommend using the RCBS kit for a little while. As you learn and become more comfortable then move up to something else. But for now you can use the money that would’ve bought the turret to get dies and other tools to use with the RCBS. Down the line you may find yourself wanting a progressive and skipping the turret all together.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
turret vs single stage?
2
Replies
42
Views
3K
boom boom
boom boom
S
  • Locked
RCBS Partner Single Stage Press or Lee Deluxe Turret Kit
Replies
3
Views
600
mrapathy2000
M
P
  • Locked
Lee Classic Turret Deluxe Kit or just Press?
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
oldreloader
oldreloader
A
  • Locked
Lee reloading/press kits?
Replies
19
Views
1K
PapaG
P
F
  • Locked
lee classic turret press kit
2 3 4
Replies
78
Views
4K
frankenstein406
F
Back
Top