Pro Chucker 7..... OK Finally! .... I'm Tempted!

[GW Staar]

1. They improved the breakage problem last year and have instructions given to help prevent user breakage.
2. And Finally! They have Pro Chucker 7 die heads (on sale $40) without having to buy another Uniflow.
3. And They now sell separate powder dies!!!! fits my Pro 2000 too, (on sale $36.50).
4. They even sell a powder die funnel adapter (on sale $7.640 to allow you to pour weighed charges directly if you want, instead of using the powder measure?!? Hmmm....interesting option for a progressive. That too will work on the Pro 2000.

Midway Midway
Midway (Goes inside the powder die)
The press itself is also on sale at Midway, and the RCBS $175 rebate to boot.
Lets see, ProChucker 7, $722 on sale minus rebate equals $547 for seven stations.
Real tempting.....
After begging my RCBS engineer acquaintance for 2 of these products, last November, he assured me this was coming......I'm afraid after the Shot Show I gave up looking.
Mind you nothing's in stock yet but Midway says overdue and is taking orders on everything......

 

[higgite]

But, alas, still no APS. And not likely to be on the ProChuckers.

 

[GW Staar]

Higgite, to tell you the truth, Walkalong's habits are rubbing off on me. (no big head Walkalong!) I'm starting to lean towards the little APS bench primer, sitting quietly on my bench. That thing is simple! Near flawless.....and with cfullgraph's brass insert, it is flawless. If the Pro Chucker primer feed still gives trouble....I'll bag it. I'll never want a power drive anyway.....but 7 stations....that I want......and with priming off press there will be a lot less to change, lot to lot, caliber to caliber.

The only thing that held me back was the stoopidly expensive die plate/powder measure. With two presses I may even try out the weighed charge option on rifle reloading on one of them.

I'm also not a bit shy about buying the case feeder and a Dillon Case Collator. I have a bullet feeder that works great. I'll probably shift things around on the bench and use the Collators on both progressives......I sure won't be using them at the same time.

I'll go ask the boss..........................she said, "Well its about time!" Love that woman. It's all on sale right now! and I need a project, while my Carpal Tunnel Release operation heals.

 

[higgite]

Doh! I haven’t used my RCBS bench primer in so long, I forgot about it. I’ve only used it for single stage rifle loading, which I need to get back into. But, for progressive press pistol loading, it’s an extra step I can do without. If and when preloaded APS strips are no longer available and if I get tired of loading them myself, I’ll probably reconsider the ProChucker and some sort of primer tube loader. Seven stations would be nice. Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to convince me that I need one. Looking forward to your review(s). Heal soon.

 

[Kaldor]

I was really interested in this press at one time. @GW Staar what did they actually fix? Was it the primer slides?

 

[GW Staar]

I was really interested in this press at one time. @GW Staar what did they actually fix? Was it the primer slides?

Yes, they designed the "expendable" plastic primer slide as a "safety feature" into the primer system to prevent the kabooms reported in Dillon and Hornady primer systems. Could work too, except that the slides broke for some users every time they used the press. Not wanting to totally redesign, they redesigned the slides. Guess I will find out for myself if that cured the problem without returning to the kaboom potential of other tube-fed primer systems.....

I was ensured that I could return the press if it turns out unacceptable.....and I would have ordered one last year, except for the unacceptable (to me) expense of being forced to buy an expensive Uniflow bundled with each and every die plate. That's been addressed, so........

Still not really happy with the price of shell plates ($57), but that's far less a thorn than the $270 die plates, which are now $40. Nearly everything Pro Chucker is on sale right now, so if I ever do it now's the time.

... Seven stations would be nice. Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to convince me that I need one. Looking forward to your review(s). Heal soon.

Thanks....I will review it thoroughly, but not until I learn it and can do it fairly. I guarantee one thing, if it doesn't perform it'll go back....on the other hand I will do my best to make it work first.

 

[Rule3]

But just think of how many of the new LEE presses you could buy instead!

 

[GW Staar]

That hit my funny bone. NOT because I think the Lee's funny, but because I was planning to order one come April 1 to be my spring hobby project......then I just happened to go to Midway, clicked on Pro Chuckers, and there and behold I see PC7 die plates.......JUST the die plates....and everything PC7 is on sale! OMEN

You, sir, need to take my place on the Lee side of things and help report on the new lightweight, and inexpensive 4-holer!

I ordered the green 7 hole press last night.....took way more green....and this morning I am already wondering where my brain went......But that always happens....second guessing is my middle name and I'm used to it. Of course it's all back-ordered.....hoping it comes in as soon as you smarter guys get your Lee's!

 

[AR-Bossman]

are you getting the brass feeder too?

 

[Rule3]

That hit my funny bone. NOT because I think the Lee's funny, but because I was planning to order one come April 1 to be my spring hobby project......then I just happened to go to Midway, clicked on Pro Chuckers, and there and behold I see PC7 die plates.......JUST the die plates....and everything PC7 is on sale! OMEN

You, sir, need to take my place on the Lee side of things and help report on the new lightweight, and inexpensive 4-holer!

I ordered the green 7 hole press last night.....took way more green....and this morning I am already wondering where my brain went......But that always happens....second guessing is my middle name and I'm used to it. Of course it's all back-ordered.....hoping it comes in as soon as you smarter guys get your Lee's!

Heck I want the RCBS also but don't want to spend the money and I do not want anything Blue.
I had the original RCBS with APS system, nice press but sold it as it was more press than I needed.

I will let the Beta Testers check the new Lee out before I bite on that one.

 

[GW Staar]

are you getting the brass feeder too?

One thing at a time.......if the press works out, yes. Maybe this summer.

One thing I want to make clear. I'm biased but angry. Angry at RCBS for abandoning the really solid Pro 2000 with its advance APS primer system, and the customers who bought & supported it. Biased, because I've been an RCBS fan for 45 years. What that means is, my review will be fair.....If the press is truly the wonder RCBS says it is, great. I will move on and enjoy the new press.....if not I will send it back....and that by itself will tell the tale.....

 

[Kaldor]

Yes, they designed the "expendable" plastic primer slide as a "safety feature" into the primer system to prevent the kabooms reported in Dillon and Hornady primer systems. Could work too, except that the slides broke for some users every time they used the press. Not wanting to totally redesign, they redesigned the slides. Guess I will find out for myself if that cured the problem without returning to the kaboom potential of other tube-fed primer systems.....

I was ensured that I could return the press if it turns out unacceptable.....and I would have ordered one last year, except for the unacceptable (to me) expense of being forced to buy an expensive Uniflow bundled with each and every die plate. That's been addressed, so........

Still not really happy with the price of shell plates ($57), but that's far less a thorn than the $270 die plates, which are now $40. Nearly everything Pro Chucker is on sale right now, so if I ever do it now's the time.

Ive never seen or heard of a boom in a Hornady system. Ive run 40 or 50k rounds thru my LnL, never had one, unless I had the press come out of the time, and it pinches on the case when I go to seat it. Never have had a full stack of primer go off in the tube though. Dillons happen due to the carousel system they use on the 650.

Id like to see exactly what they changed I guess. Please update this if you have time. Im looking more for a production press I can just setup to run 9mm or 223 which is by far the bulk of what I shoot. So that means a press with a case feeder and probably a bullet feeder as well.

 

[GW Staar]

Ive never seen or heard of a boom in a Hornady system. Ive run 40 or 50k rounds thru my LnL, never had one, unless I had the press come out of the time, and it pinches on the case when I go to seat it. Never have had a full stack of primer go off in the tube though. Dillons happen due to the carousel system they use on the 650.

Id like to see exactly what they changed I guess. Please update this if you have time. Im looking more for a production press I can just setup to run 9mm or 223 which is by far the bulk of what I shoot. So that means a press with a case feeder and probably a bullet feeder as well.

I used to save posts of primer related kabooms. I eventually got rid of them. Most came from Bian Enos's forum....but I think they may be all purged by now. Most common was the 650 but there was some from the 1050 and one I remember from the 550.......so its not just the 650 carousel. As for the Hornady, I only saw one and it had a primer tube sticking into the ceiling all riddled with holes.

RCBS didn't want any part of that legacy, so they tried to go around it. But nobody, including me, will put up with a safety that breaks every time you use it.....and I don't care how many times they send you a new one.....so I will see if this is a "bull in a china closet", Dufus-caused thing or unrealistic expectations by RCBS, for their users to always need to tippy toe around the press. We are not ballerinas.

Kaldo, I can't predict anything, personally, for the RCBS progressive yet.....give me a few months. If you need a proven "production" press right now for 9mm, I'd suggest the 650 or if you are flush, the 1050, but expect to learn and do the things you must do to keep the primer system safe....you can't take it for granted...and for any tube-fed system, keep the tubes clean....free from primer dust.....that includes Pro Chuckers. 650's come with the most reliable case feeders, collator extra, but no bullet feeders. They don't want to mess with bullet feeders, but they offer "Mr. Bullet Feeder" in their catalog..........don't expect any deals.....with both feeders this system is expensive. Of course you know the 1050 is stratosphericly expensive.

You can see what RCBS did to improve the primer slide over at UltimateReloader.com http://ultimatereloader.com/2016/10/01/rcbs-pro-chucker-priming-system-update/

 

[Kaldor]

I used to save posts of primer related kabooms. I eventually got rid of them. Most came from Bian Enos's forum....but I think they may be all purged by now. Most common was the 650 but there was some from the 1050 and one I remember from the 550.......so its not just the 650 carousel. As for the Hornady, I only saw one and it had a primer tube sticking into the ceiling all riddled with holes.

RCBS didn't want any part of that legacy, so they tried to go around it. But nobody, including me, will put up with a safety that breaks every time you use it.....and I don't care how many times they send you a new one.....so I will see if this is a "bull in a china closet", Dufus-caused thing or unrealistic expectations by RCBS, for their users to always need to tippy toe around the press. We are not ballerinas.

Kaldo, I can't predict anything, personally, for the RCBS progressive yet.....give me a few months. If you need a proven "production" press right now for 9mm, I'd suggest the 650 or if you are flush, the 1050, but expect to learn and do the things you must do to keep the primer system safe....you can't take it for granted...and for any tube-fed system, keep the tubes clean....free from primer dust.....that includes Pro Chuckers. 650's come with the most reliable case feeders, collator extra, but no bullet feeders. They don't want to mess with bullet feeders, but they offer "Mr. Bullet Feeder" in their catalog..........don't expect any deals.....with both feeders this system is expensive. Of course you know the 1050 is stratosphericly expensive.

You can see what RCBS did to improve the primer slide over at UltimateReloader.com http://ultimatereloader.com/2016/10/01/rcbs-pro-chucker-priming-system-update/

Ive been along time surfer on the BE forums, never seen a Hornady press blow a stack of primers, but I guess it might be possible.

I know what you mean. The 650 with a case feeder is a known quantity, and Ive debated back and forth with myself on the merits of my LnL vs 650 vs ProChucker, and ended up not buying anything. Right now the its just kind of out there with the ProChuckers, as the press looks absolutely great on paper. I was really disappointed when I seen major issues cropping up (primer system and no case feeder at release) and just plain bad business decisions (7 station die plates). This turned me off pretty quickly. Im not buying anytime soon, so I guess time will tell. But if I do buy one, I can absolutely guarantee that the first time a primer slide breaks, I will make one from fiber reinforced delrin with steel pins. And if I broke that one? Brass...

 

[Livin_Cincy]

" Will the ProChucker Seven take Glock Magazines "

 

[GW Staar]

" Will the ProChucker Seven take Glock Magazines "

????? Not sure what you are thinking with that comment.....Glock Magazines?....progressive press? Explain?

 

[cfullgraf]

Real tempting.....

I'll be interested in your experience once the ProChecker 7 gets back in stock.

 

[GW Staar]

Ive been along time surfer on the BE forums, never seen a Hornady press blow a stack of primers, but I guess it might be possible.

Just for you! I don't know who's loading room this is, but my master bedroom is above my loading room.....can you imagine what my wife would do if BOOM and a primer tube came flying through the carpet? New wife or new hobby....for sure! And I'm too old for either.

 

[GW Staar]

I'll be interested in your experience once the ProChecker 7 gets back in stock.

I think I'm nuts to want to do this....I'm pretty darned happy with the Pro 2000. I haven't had a challenge for a while is my only excuse....hopefully I've designed and built my last commercial building.....trying real hard to retire....but you've got to keep thinking or you may get Alzeimers! yeah! ur what?!

 

[Kaldor]

Just for you! I don't know who's loading room this is, but my master bedroom is above my loading room.....can you imagine what my wife would do if BOOM and a primer tube came flying through the carpet? New wife or new hobby....for sure! And I'm too old for either.
View attachment 783453

Looks like a tube from a 650 IMHO

Either way, totally preventable very likely. Ive crushed a few primers in my LnL, press gets a little out of time, catch the edge of the case, or maybe the case has a crimp I missed, and boom, like a little firecracker.

 

[cfullgraf]

I think I'm nuts to want to do this....I'm pretty darned happy with the Pro 2000. I haven't had a challenge for a while is my only excuse....

Not crazy from my point of view.

I have four different models and three different manufacturers of progressive presses and I like each for what I bought them for. Each solved a reloading issue that I was having with one of the predecessors. But, in part they were purchased because they were something new to "play" with.

I'm a bit of a tool junkie so I like trying out new things.

 

[jmorris]

Jump in and give us the full review!

 

[higgite]

Not crazy from my point of view.

I have four different models and three different manufacturers of progressive presses and I like each for what I bought them for. Each solved a reloading issue that I was having with one of the predecessors. But, in part they were purchased because they were something new to "play" with.

I'm a bit of a tool junkie so I like trying out new things.

I know the feeling. I have 6 presses of various breeds and configurations, two of which I actually use. He who dies with the most toys wins!

 

[GW Staar]

I know the feeling. I have 6 presses of various breeds and configurations, two of which I actually use. He who dies with the most toys wins!

Already know who's going to win that one......jmorris! If he's one short he'll just make it.

 

[Tilos]

I've been wondering why discussions of the chucker 5 and 7 have faded and just assumed no one is buying them.

I never could warm up the steep angle of the primer cam plate that is bolted solidly to the press so the primer slide BROKE rather than the cam breaking away like the cam WIRE on the Piggyback/Pro 2000/Ammomaster Auto.

I was really interested in the chucker 5 rather than the chucker 7 for reasons GW Starr mentioned, but any interest had faded, only to be resurrected by this thread

Here's the chucker 5 for $400/free shipping and with any rebate would be cheaper...
https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-88910-C...pID=41fc9umMHEL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
I've been jonesing for the new Lee 4 station too, and will probably go that way even though I have 3 piggybacks and an Ammomaster auto...sorry RCBS.
I see no need to buy a press that comes with a Uniflo measure as I already have 2 of them gathering dust on a shelf.