Opinions on RCBS rockchucker

[Arkansas Paul]

Great press. I like the 5-0-5 scale that comes with it too. Overall, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[hydraulicman]

I like my RCBS rockchucker suprime master reloading kit.

It's rock solid . for 300 rounds a month it's just about perfect.

.357/38 are among my favorite calibers to reload. brass lasts forever . loads for puff to POW!

 

[buck460XVR]

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

Great starter kit............it will be all you need.

 

[ranger335v]

It appears my readers have read with filters. Note that I have an RC myself. It's good, it's some 24+ years old and is as good today as it was the day I took it outta the box.

Thing is, I have used other iron presses. My RC is as good as the others, incuding Lee's Classic Cast, but not a bit better than any of the others in general use. Stating how strong or durable the RC is as if it's unique in any way is unjustified.

Lee's alum body presses are quite good but no one would suggest they are as strong as a massive iron press, that would be silly.

What is NOT silly is to recognise that Lee's Classic Cast (cast iron body, steel linkage and is entirely made in the USA rather than China) tool is slightly bigger than the RC, has a larger diameter ram for even better wear resistance, plus it has excellant spent primer handling and a fully adjustable lever system (the RC has neither) is in addition to the normal strength and durability features of any compariable press made by anyone.

I drink no one's Kool-Aid and I don't make knee-jerk judgements about anything without information; I leave that type reactons to libberul main-stream news commentators, they are better at it than I could ever be.

 

[jcwit]

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.)

By the above remarks we are now to assume you drive a Rolls Royce also?

Implying Lees customers as a "cult" can also be applied to any of the other reloading equipment manufactures. Which "cult" to the rest of you belong to.

Does not RCBS now have their castings made in china and India? By all means support foreign labor.

Neither do I drink Kool-Aid, but I have stayed at Holiday Inns many times.

 

[arizona_cards_11]

I was making the very same decision about a month ago. Basically, it came down to the Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit or the Hornady LNL Classic kit.

I found the Hornady LNL Classic kit 'on sale' for $250 minus $20 on any purchase over $200. So....I bought the LNL for $230. That made my decision pretty easy, but had they been the same price....idk which I would have picked.

 

[medalguy]

The RC is probably the best built press in the industry. I would only add the powder measure stand to the kit. That's well worth the couople of bucks it costs.

I also highly recommend using Imperial Wax instead of the pad. It's faster, easier, and I have never stuck a case with Imperial. I used to use the pad and I do have a used stuck remover kit sitting on the shelf collecting dust. I haven't used it in years but it has been used. Need I say more?

 

[MAUSER88]

Fantastic press. I've been using one since 1982.

 

[Jaybird78]

Been reloading since '04 and it's a great press.

Ad a trimmer, hand priming tool, uniflow stand and 6" calipers for starters.

You will add more equipment as time and money allows. :banghead:

I keep looking at the Hornady L-N-L (for mass handgun loads) but just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[rfwobbly]

I was making the very same decision about a month ago. Basically, it came down to the Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit or the Hornady LNL Classic kit.

Gosh, glad I wasn't in your shoes. Both those kits are so good, it would probably have to come down to which reloading manual do I like the best?


So a guy wants to get into reloading, asks one question and gets 35 responses! It's a good thing none of us is really passionate about our hobby.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The RC supreme kit is a good kit. But no kit includes the best tools available for each function. The RC kit does not even include RCBS' best hand primer (the Universal Hand Primer), nor their best PM (QC Uniflow).

But my point is, there are better (and at the same time, lower priced) single stage presses available, a case in point being the Lee Classic Cast. There are better presses at higher prices too (e.g. Forster Co-Ax, Redding UltraMag, et al). But there are no kits sold that contain any of these alternatives.

There are plenty of reloaders who started out with the RC Supreme kit, and kept using all of its equipment for a long time. There are probably more that have upgraded the kit, either with a few pieces, are almost everything, as they found out what features they like and dislike in each of the tools.

That would tend to argue for starting out with a less expensive kit (it's less expensive to upgrade from inexpensive equipment, having lost less in the initial investment). While I am not a particular fan of much of Lee's equipment, it is serviceable, and more than adequate for learning what features you want and/or don't want as you upgrade your setup.

I think maybe it boils down to the personality of the reloader. If you are one who confidently goes about a task without wondering about whether a better tool exists for this or that, the RCBS Supreme kit and Hornady LNL single stage kits are about the best available. But if you are the kind of person who likes really well designed and built tools, this may sound backwards, but start out with the Lee, and then upgrade after you have a little experience. There is nothing wrong with either approach.

Andy

 

[Randyc74]

I've still using the RCBS Rock Chucker kit I purchased 30 years ago. My press has the plastic grip on the handle rather then the improved ball handle on current presses. Mine came with the Uniflow powder measure and 505 scale. I do my high volumn 9mm/40cal reloading on my Dillon 550B, but still use my Rock Chucker for my .45 cal loads and general load development with my other calibers.

 

[ranger335v]

Randy, et al, beside my RC II, I'm still using the Lyman Spar-T turret press and autoprimer feed, Redding Master powder measure, Ohaus M5 scale and Lyman dies I bought in '65. What's that prove? Actually, not a lot; anything will last a very long time if it's not abused or neglected. ??

How anyone can say any version of the RC is the 'best built press in the industry' escapes me. Maybe a total lack of experience with the various comparable and fully equal presses (Lee CC, Hornady LnL, Lyman Crusher, Redding Boss/Big Boss) or much the superiour presses (Forster CoAx, Redding Ultramag, Harrel)?

 

[TH3180]

I have one and I love it. I haven't used anything else so I really can't compare it to anything. One tip that I just learned the other night. Don't try to de-prime your thunb it hurts like hell.

 

[ranger335v]

"I have one and I love it. I haven't used anything else so I really can't compare it to anything. "

Now that's a valid comment!

 

[twofifty]

Presses are like girls - you stick with the one you brought to the dance.

 

[GW Staar]

"I have one and I love it. I haven't used anything else so I really can't compare it to anything. "

Now that's a valid comment!

It would have been valid if he'd said "prefer not to compare..." You can validly compare presses without using any of them...to a point.

I agree with your taking to task, the previous poster exuberantly glorifying the Rock Chucker beyond reality, yet I disagree with some of your answer to him.

You included the Lee Classic Cast as one of the "equals." And while it probably is, functionally, being a strong cast iron beauty, and apparently well made (and even has a primer catcher that's gotten some raves), still it lacks one thing the others have....a lifetime warranty. If I want a press to last my lifetime...I'd rather not have, how ever great it seems to be now, a press with only a 2 year warranty (don't much care that it has a better primer catcher)...at least not while some of its competitors beat that 2 year warranty...by a lifetime. My R.C. is 40 years old with no change in operation...and no parts replaced except a free (part time) primer catcher. We will see how exuberant C.C. owners are in 40 years....correction...you young guys will see...I'll be dead, and my grand sons will still be using the R.C.!

And consider the next "superior" press list you made: only Redding advertised a genuine lifetime warranty like RCBS's. Harrells little 6 lb wonder doesn't advertise a warranty at all? Why? Forster's warranty is worded, "guaranteed for the life of the tool." That means when production is over, so it the warranty. RCBS and Dillon warranties, are for the lifetime of the buyer...and usually the lifetime of his heirs as well. You can still get free parts for presses built 40 years ago from RCBS. Hornady's "lifetime" warranty is similar to Forster's....they don't support obsolete (meaning no longer produced) tools. I'm sure my research isn't infallible, so if I'm wrong about any of this please feel free to correct me...but please do the research first.

For the price, quality, and the guarantee that you get, the Rock Chucker is still a great deal I feel comfortable recommending...along with other good presses with good warrantys. I also think the Lee C.C. and C.T are recommendable tools...but don't expect free parts after two years.

 

[TH3180]

It would have been valid if he'd said "prefer not to compare..." You can validly compare presses without using any of them...to a point.

No I can't compare them. When I bought my press I wanted to buy locally and not from a big box store. I bought it from a place I can go in get a cup of coffee and ask the owner questions and get advice. When looking at getting into reloading I asked him what he carried for single stage presses. He said RBSC for single stage and a few brands for progressive presses. I went home researched RBSC and from what I read 99% of it was good. I didn't research any other presses really, so I can't compare my press to any others. The OP asked for opinions good and bad. I gave my honest opinion in full. Just like I can't compare my G17 to any other 9mm or for that matter any other center fire pistol. I have never shot any other center fire pistol other than my G17. I could give opinions based on what I have read, but not 1st hand.

 

[arizona_cards_11]

Presses are like girls - you stick with the one you brought to the dance.

Until she runs off with your friend instead......wait, we're talking about presses right?

 

[ranger335v]

TH3180: "I have one and I love it. I haven't used anything else so I really can't compare it to anything. "

Now that's a valid comment!

GW: It would have been valid if he'd said "prefer not to compare..." You can validly compare presses without using any of them...to a point."
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Ah.... but Mr. TH3180 didn't compare anything at all and specified that. He only says he loves his RC press, implying it's doing what he wants (which of course it would). I sorta think that makes his post quite valid and that's what I recognised. ??

If anyone wants to think a cast iron press will, or even may, wear out after two years and is willing to pay 2-3 times more for a "lifetime warrantee" on something that isn't gonna happen he has my blessing, the guys at RCBS want to make a nice living so they appreciate the business!

It was NOT my intent to take anyone "to task", I was simply countering an opinion with my own.

 

[918v]

Redding's Big Boss press is alot nicer.

 

[918v]

Fantastic press. I've been using one since 1982.

Today's Rock Chucker ain't what it used to be.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

RCBS does not support, let alone replace parts for, presses they no longer make or keep parts. They just happen to still make the RC, but not some of the other presses, let alone tools, they have ever made. Want RCBS to replace that old style handle grip? Good luck with that.

Dillon's official, legally binding warranty is as follows, straight from their 550b manual on their website:

All Dillon machines are warrantied for life from defects in
material or workmanship (except the Super/RL 1050), plus a
one year 100% warranty against normal wear. All
electrical/electronic components in Dillon equipment are
covered by a one year warranty.

While many reloading companies' customer service extends beyond the terms of their warranties, they are not legally obligated to do so (even if they are still in business). Note also that refunding your purchase price (which is the lowest price ever offered at unless you can prove how much you paid for it) is legally acceptable warranty service.

So, in 40 years, if your grandson found a manufacturing or material defect, he might just get the original selling price of an RC back, and nothing more, assuming RCBS is still in business then.

If you want to pay for a "lifetime" warranty on a single stage press that is either wrong at the start (well within a 2 year warranty) or will last practically forever if well taken care of, go ahead. I prefer not to have to clean up spent primers and debris off the press, bench and floor.

Warranties, beyond material and workmanship coverage, are simply insurance policies, the price of which is rolled into the selling price. Insurance is for things you cannot afford to replace. Self-insure everything else.

Andy

 

[GW Staar]

Depends on if they had a lifetime guarantee.

RCBS does not support, let alone replace parts for, presses they no longer make or keep parts. They just happen to still make the RC, but not some of the other presses, let alone tools, they have ever made. Want RCBS to replace that old style handle grip? Good luck with that. You are right, for products without the l.t. guarantee. But.. if you have an RCBS tool that has a lifetime warranty, they will replace it, if they can't fix it with new parts, with that product or newer one of equal or better value. As for the old handle grip...I think anyone but a purist collector would prefer to have the better ball handle as a replacement. I do know a guy who owned a 510 scale, replaced by a 10-10 scale. (his cat knocked it off a high shelf and broke it beyond repairing.) RCBS no longer had that 510 model made by Ohaus, so they replaced it with the 10-10...

Dillon's official, legally binding warranty is as follows, straight from their 550b manual on their website:



While many reloading companies' customer service extends beyond the terms of their warranties, they are not legally obligated to do so (even if they are still in business). Note also that refunding your purchase price (which is the lowest price ever offered at unless you can prove how much you paid for it) is legally acceptable warranty service.

So, in 40 years, if your grandson found a manufacturing or material defect, he might just get the original selling price of an RC back, and nothing more, assuming RCBS is still in business then. Maybe...but if RCBS is still in business more likely they would replace it with a current press. That's their current practice.

If you want to pay for a "lifetime" warranty on a single stage press that is either wrong at the start (well within a 2 year warranty) or will last practically forever if well taken care of, go ahead. I prefer not to have to clean up spent primers and debris off the press, bench and floor. To each their own of course, wouldn't dream of making you clean up your press, bench and floor, but for me...5 seconds with a hand vac once a month isn't a big deal. Free replacement of broken or worn out parts is.

Warranties, beyond material and workmanship coverage, are simply insurance policies, the price of which is rolled into the selling price. Insurance is for things you cannot afford to replace. Self-insure everything else.

Andy

 

[918v]

As for the old handle grip...I think anyone but a purist collector would prefer to have the better ball handle as a replacement.

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.