Opinions on RCBS rockchucker

[GW Staar]

Alot of people don't care for that new angled handle and the sloppy linkage. It torques the whole assembly to the right and makes the press feel like a POS.

1. The handle isn't angled...where it screws in is. My point was the handle they sell now with the ball on the End is a direct replacement for old Rock Chucker handle.

2. If you have a R.C. with sloppy linkage...call RCBS and get it fixed.

You said "alot of people" don't care for the new angled handle??? I haven't used one, so I don't know about torquing to the right. You're the first complaint I've heard. (which of course doesn't mean a lot....as there's plenty of things I haven't heard)

How about a lot of you people who actually have and use the new handle design commenting on how it works for them? We'd all be interested in that...so would the O.P.

 

[possum]

i used one for about a year before i got my lee classic turret press. I still have it, and before it was mine, my dad used it for about 25years and it is still going strong. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

 

[918v]

The handle isn't angled...where it screws in is.

The handle is at an angle to the ram. When you apply downward pressure to the handle, it torques the handle and the linkage to the right. The linkage is sloppy.

 

[GW Staar]

The handle is at an angle to the ram. When you apply downward pressure to the handle, it torques the handle and the linkage to the right. The linkage is sloppy.

You called it an angled handle, it isn't. Didn't want others to misunderstand. Probably the only reason you feel any "torque" is because of your "sloppy" linkage. If it was mine I'd get the linkage replaced for free...its not hard...call or email RCBS. The handle itself still straight. Of course you could get another handle and screw it in to the other side and stroke the press torque-free with both hands. Ok, now I'm kidding.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Improved ball grip? I prefer the tubular grip on my Forster Co-Ax to the ball-grip option. It provides more versatility in hand location, and less fatigue for me. A ball-gripped handle would not be a "direct replacement" for me!

So, what is RCBS replacing BigMax or Green Machine presses with for free these days? The Green Machine might not have had a lifetime warranty on it, but I'd bet the BigMax did.

Andy

 

[oldreloader]

possum do you preferr the Classic Turret over the RC?

 

[DM~]

So, what is RCBS replacing BigMax or Green Machine presses with for free these days? The Green Machine might not have had a lifetime warranty on it, but I'd bet the BigMax did.

Back in the day, RCBS offered to buy back the Green Machines, including mine. My Big Max is nothing but tough!!

DM

 

[bamacisa]

I bought my Rock Chucker press in 1975. It is still going strong...use it every week. No problems.... GREAT PRESS!!!!

 

[918v]

Probably the only reason you feel any "torque" is because of your "sloppy" linkage. If it was mine I'd get the linkage replaced for free...its not hard...call or email RCBS.

All new Rock Chucker presses have sloppy linkage. RCBS will not replace it.

 

[RidgwayCO]

I used to have an RC IV... it replaced a Lee Challenger that was then relegated to depriming duty. Then I bought a Lee Classic Turret to speed up my production, and liked the way it handled spent primers so much that I bought a Lee Classic Cast single stage. They work at least as well as the RC IV, so I sold the RC IV and Lee Challenger for what I paid for them. It took awhile to get here, but I'm a happy reloader...

 

[oldreloader]

I have an old RCII.There is some slack in the linkge but NOT in the ram. I called RCBS and was inquiring on how to tighten it up. They told me as long as the press was not sloppy enough to cause problems with the brass entering the die, they wouldn't fix it. Actually there is nothing wrong with the press it's self, and it still works fine.. All I needed was some spacers to take the slack out of the pins with those wonderful E clips on them. I'll work it out for myself.

 

[jinxer3006]

All new Rock Chucker presses have sloppy linkage.

Not mine.

 

[GW Staar]

All new Rock Chucker presses have sloppy linkage. RCBS will not replace it.

I started a new thread to test to test that statement...so far...its busted. In fact, so far more people like their R.C.'s than don't, and few have loose linkages.

 

[918v]

Have you considered that some people don't know any better? They don't have a basis for comparison. They don't know what sloppy linkage is, or how tight you can have a press set up, i.e. Redding.

 

[AnyMouse]

I suppose this response isn't particularly relevant, since my Rock Chucker is 26-ish years old and I didn't buy it as a kit, but here goes anyway ...

By way of background, I started out with a Lyman 310 "tong" tool (Gawd, did I hate it!), later bought a Lyman Spar-T for about $25, then my Rock Chucker for about $90, then finally bought my XL650 13-14 years ago. A couple of years ago I added a Harrell's press for precision work. I still have them all, although I don't use either Lyman any more.

Conclusion: with the notable exception of the 310 tool, they all work fine. I suspect that all of them, especially the RCBS and the Dillon, are overbuilt. The Rock Chucker will do you fine, and will be used by your grandchildren ... but so would a Hornady, Redding, or Lyman. Not so sure about a Lee, but lots of people use them.

However, as others have noted, while a kit is the quickest way to get started it is not necessarily the best. As you upgrade your stuff over time you will probably replace many of the kit items with items manufactured by another company ... but by then you will have acquired the experience to know what you really need. I think that BigJakeJ1s’s suggestion of starting out with inexpensive Lee equipment makes a very good point.

I have a fair amount of RCBS stuff, but for many applications I use Redding, Hornady, etc. And as a disclaimer I should note that all of my stuff is made in the USA. I cannot comment on the quality of presses manufactured in the PRC.

Hornady sells adapters into which you screw your dies to use with their Lock-n-Load system. However, they also sell an adapter that screws into a Rock Chucker into which you can then insert your Lock-n-Load-adapted dies. It makes switching dies much easier and is, IMHO, a necessity for any single-stage press which will accept the adapter.

The Rock Chucker is a good press, but it’s not “the best built press in the industry.” Kinda like an F250 vs. a deuce-and-a-half. While I personally feel that Dillon makes the best mass-produced press, Hornady, Forster, Redding, et al. make good ones as well. Among small press manufacturers, Neil Jones and Harrell stand out, at least IMHO

 

[twofifty]

ergonomics

^^^^ this.

For my purposes and the way my reloading space/bench is setup, equipment from different companies was the way to go.

For example, I chose one company's scale but not their trickler. Another company's trickler but not their powder dispenser. And so on. I don't think any one company's full kit setup is necessarily best suited to one's needs or practices.

It's easier to pick and choose what suits if you can first see and use a couple friends' setups. To me, good ergonomics makes for good workflow.

 

[DM~]

And as a disclaimer I should note that all of my stuff is made in the USA. I cannot comment on the quality of presses manufactured in the PRC.

I'm just wondering what presses are "made" in china? Are you refering to some of RCBS's castings coming from china? All of the machine work on them is done in the USA, just like CAT Diesel engine blocks that come from a foundry in china, as does MANY of John Deere's parts.

YES, i WOULD prefer that Deere and CAT, along with MANY "others" including RCBS would bring that work back to the US!

DM

 

[THe Dove]

They can't bring it back to the U.S., DM...... Not profitable.....

Sad, but true.

The Dove

 

[GW Staar]

Have you considered that some people don't know any better? They don't have a basis for comparison. They don't know what sloppy linkage is, or how tight you can have a press set up, i.e. Redding.

Have you considered that your press might not be representative?
Have you considered that most reloaders are pretty intelligent people, and do know better.

I will concede one thing to you...I have the old press, and have always thought the reversable handle was the answer to a problem that didn't exist. I'm left handed. It doesn't bother me at all stroking the press with the right hand.

One more thing, Rock Chuckers are not cast in China, but in the same California plant they always have been cast. How do I know? I called them and asked.

 

[DM~]

One more thing, Rock Chuckers are not cast in China, but in the same California plant they always have been cast. How do I know? I called them and asked.

I don't know if they are being truthful or not, but if they are, it's VERY good news!

BTW, i'm left handed too, and it also doesn't bother me to use my right hand.

DM

 

[918v]

Have you considered that your press might not be representative?

I think it is. This is my second Redding. I had the old RC and the new. I have access to a dozen new RC presses scattered throughout SoCal. They are all alike. The RCBS is sloppy. The Redding is tight.

Having owned both, I will never ever use a new RC again. The old RC is nice, but I prefer the angle of the opening on the Redding better.

 

[GW Staar]

You have a right to your opinion...even if it is wrong.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

918v: Did you define "slop" somewhere in these 3 pages? I have a relatively new RC and I'd consider it free from axial and radial ram misalignment, runout, and many other mechanical woes. It would be instructive if you defined slop for me. Then maybe I could get out some measuring tools and quantify your complaint.

What would I know, I'm just an old fossilized mechanical engineer. :banghead:

 

[jeadams]

I am new to reloading but I am using my fathers old RC JR2 press date stamped 1971 that has seen quite a few reloads in its day. After I cleaned & lubed the press it still works good as new. I think that the selling point for me regarding RCBS is their customer service. I emailed them explaining that this was my fathers old press and that the primer arm assembly was missing a few parts. I wanted to know how much it would cost for the assembly & both large & small primer sleeves would cost sent to my address. They replied saying that they are sending me replacements under warranty no charge.