rusted rock chucker

[Axis II]

My buddy used to reload 22-250 and is getting back into it again after years and found his old rock chucker but its rusted and he says its hard to raise and lower the ram and also the shell holder is rusted to the ram if i understood him right.

any fixes for this? Im not sure if the ram is rusted or just no lube to make it smooth but what should we look for to make sure the press is good to go?

 

[badkarmamib]

I would try some penetrating oil to free everything up, a complete disassemble, wire brush and/or polishing compound as needed, and reassemble with a good lubricant/protectant.

 

[Blue68f100]

Use some 0000 Steel wool and oil and start removing the surface rust. Soaking it down in Kroil before hand will help loosen the rust. If dies are rusty try soaking them is a mild hot solution of citric acid. This will attack the rust but not the steel. Even using some emory cloth and do a shoe shine will clean it up too.

 

[R. Cobb]

I'd let it soak in a five gallon bucket of vinegar for a few days. It will eat any rust or old grease off the press.
It will take about 4 days to clean the rust off. After washing off with clean water, dry off and re-lube the press. I found this method on YouTube, it works.

 

[mstreddy]

I have a Rock Chuckber that I had put away for several years that I wasn't loading. I pulled it out of the shed and it was rusty in spots. I sprayed the ram and all the parts with WD40, let it soak and started on it with 000/0000 steel wool. Little by little the ram was easier to move as the oil worked in. The steel wool helped knock off the surface rust. In stubborn areas I used a steel bristle cleaning brush and/or some 400/600 grit sandpaper. The area with the worst rust was the handle, the ram was pretty easy to clean up. After some elbow grease the RC was as good as new.
The press was bought used in the late 80's, used through till 1992, put away until 2005. That's when I pulled it out, cleaned it, and it's been on the bench since.
As you work on it, keep in mind the shell holder is a press fit into the ram and IIRC it has a clip that provides tension. If its tough to remove, hit with a penetrating oil for a bit. Bear in mind the shell holder comes out in one direction only.
After it's clean, oil or grease the joints and use a dry lube on the ram.

 

[dgod]

That is the key, clean, lube, re-assemble, the RC is a solid press and will come back to life with a little TLC.

Good Luck

 

[hdwhit]

I second what badkarmamib and dgod wrote.

I got a great deal on an old RCBS Reloader Special press that looked like it had been used as a boat anchor and did exactly what badkarmamib is suggesting here and like dgod says, it "came back to life".

 

[horsey300]

My dad's had the same problem, use a solvent lube (I used Essentialube) atf could work too, soak it in a bucket of the stuff for a few days, once you can disassmble it, clean it off with a good Degreaser, starting fluid, or brake cleaner, then treat all moving parts with an appropriate lubricant periodically.

 

[Shaq]

Contact RCBS. Their customer service is excellent. They sent me a new ram - no charge. It was very easy to install; two clips & one pin.

 

[ray15]

http://www.evapo-rust.com/product-info/

They have small bottles on the shelf at Wallyworld in the paint department, for bigger containers look on Amazon. It will remove the rust far better than vinegar (as in absolutely, completely) and will not affect the metal like acid-based methods will. Just soak the parts in it for a while and they will look new.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was given a Rock Chucker with a rusted solid ram. I soaked it in oil and disassembled it. I used steel wool and lightning oil to remove all the rest from the ram. I gave the press to a new reloaded and three years later he is still using it without any problems. With a little time and work it will be fine.

Like said above, if you need any parts that are too badly damaged or missing RCBS CS will take care of you.