RCBS Pro Chucker stuff in Stock at Midway

[GW Staar]

RCBS Pro Chucker Parts in Stock at Midway..Are we close?

Yup, shell plates and die plates are actually "in stock" today!
Shell plates
Die plates
Quick Change Powder Meaures
and parts


......OH!..........you want the press? No sign of those yet.
However, if they are stocking and selling the parts, I'd say the presses are very close.....finally.

At least now we can examine the plates. Midway even has their magnifier working on these pictures on their site.



Sigh......you are going to have to be flush to be able to afford the Pro Chucker 7 in multiple calibers. What are they thinking? So....since you have to buy a powder measure/shell plate for each caliber, for nearly the price of a new Rock Chucker press, and thus set up the p.m. once........no more need for a mic on the p.m. right? Sure.....and everyone only uses one load per caliber right so set the metering and forget? Not likely...different bullets use different powder charge in the case. So, what to do........

 

[groundsclown]

Yeah the price point to change calibers is a deal breaker for me. Not that I was looking to buy one anyways.
I'm more than happy with my pro2k.
If the day ever comes where I'd consider an upgrade/new press...for that money I'd look at a color other than green.

 

[GW Staar]

If the day ever comes where I'd consider an upgrade/new press...for that money I'd look at a color other than green.

You don't want to make rash statements you may have to eat! I think I may have already done some of that!


Okay, I've had time to think this though using a little more objectivity. .......examined the pictures closer .....examined the feature set of the fairly new Quick Change Powder Measure. Nuts! and I just bought my last Uniflow last Christmas at Sportsman's warehouse.........yeah, they had a Quick Change sitting next to it.....I went back and forth and made the wrong decision.....bought the Uniflow. I hate it when I can't see the future! I hate it when manufacturers keep secrets to make you spent more money. But that's water under the bridge. Let's look at their new game plan.....okay maybe zombies didn't get to their brains.

Check out the following Quick Change Powder Measure part! This is called the "Metering Screw Assembly". Gee that looks like the hated metering screw we all learned to hate because it was so hard to readjust for different loads.

Well this incarnation is made to be set up only once or rarely....you buy one for each of your "final" powder recipies. The small cavity one is $15.00 (left) the large is $10. That's why they don't think they need a Mic anymore. Faster without. Microadjustments for powder density variation is simple enough. Notice that the design of the small one means you have to buy only ONE quick change cylinder.....that's a big plus!!



One more thing: They are already set up at the suppliers with the Quick Change parts to change an old Uniflow to a Quick Change. I think I'll bite and buy the parts for one of my three to check it out. Only money......uh, yes, you do have to buy one quick change cylinder to play.

That is one of the things a company needs to get really good at, and they are,.... coming up with unending ideas to lighten customers' wallet loads. Then have exceptional customer service to keep them hooked.

 

[cfullgraf]

The quick change Uniflow looks similar in concept to the Hornady L-N-L powder measure. The latter also has interchangeable metering inserts for the different drums including an optional micrometer unit.

Cool idea and works reasonable well on the Hornady, but for me, it does not ring my bell. Buying multiple inserts is another way to lighten your wallet.

I like using the micrometer inserts.

I can see that the interchangeable metering units would fit some folks' reloading process to a tee.

 

[Kaldor]

Im interested, but Ill be honest, they dont get a case feeder out there for this press, it will never succeed.

The pricing has to be right as well. The 5 station should be somewhere between a LnL and a 650. Higher than that, they have priced themselves out of the market.

 

[GW Staar]

cfullgraf:I like the mics just fine too, but I'm still going to try one. Trying to keep an open mind.

The included instant powder dump feature is convenient, however it's nearly instantaneous to remove the spring and lift the P.M. body and dump it. And in the case where a P.M. as a permanent spot on a die head, how hard is it to remove the die head and dump as well.

Still, there are scenarios where I'd use the feature. Example: I'm loading .45 ACP and I'm not done......but I have to quit for a few days and don't want to remove the bullet feeder, or the die head, but I don't want to leave the powder in the P.M. either.

One thing has become clear, at least in my hobby. Yes, I spend some serious dollars every once in a while. But I get over it.......in fact......in a few months I'm no longer even affected, except that I'm not about to sell the goodies and go back to the old ways. Yet.....I could in an emergency. Which bring up another point: I'm thinking I need to document for my wife what I have, what it's worth, and where she could sell it after my funeral. She doesn't realize it's money in the bank, just like my guns, and should be part of estate planning.

Kalbor: The lastest rumors suggest that the press is ready, but held back for the case feeder coming this summer. So it's coming...just not here yet. That said, there are large number of LnL buyers who don't up for their case feeder.......so it's weird that that little spec is made so stupid important. I have both feeders on my Pro 2000, but if I had to give one up it wouldn't be the bullet feeder! For me feeders aren't for speed....they are for removing obsticles to powder level focus in the cases.

 

[Kaldor]

Kaldor: The lastest rumors suggest that the press is ready, but held back for the case feeder coming this summer. So it's coming...just not here yet. That said, there are large number of LnL buyers who don't up for their case feeder.......so it's weird that that little spec is made so stupid important. I have both feeders on my Pro 2000, but if I had to give one up it wouldn't be the bullet feeder! For me feeders aren't for speed....they are for removing obsticles to powder level focus in the cases.

The issue is the price. The MSRP's Ive seen for this price are a little, well, high. The press will have to be markedly better than both a LnL and a 650 to get it to sell for more than $600. Right now most places Ive seen the price, its coming in at about $620ish for the 5 station. Thats simply too high. Is this press worth $50 more than a 650 or $200+ more than a LnL? Probably not.

As far as the case feeder goes, I agree. While loading it allows me to concentrate on more important stuff like powder, bullet, etc. However, for case prep the case feeder is an absolute god send. Being able to prep 700+ rifle cases per hour, decapped and sized, is a big deal. I hate case prep!

However, guys that shoot 1000's of rounds a month, a case and bullet feeder is generally mandatory. This is one of the things that makes a 650 a little better than a LnL, as the 650 does a much better job handling the cases. If the Pro Chucker cant handle cases as well as a 650, then not only will be be more expensive, but it simply will not work as well.

I dont use a bullet feeder, yet. I simply cannot justify a minimal increase in my loading speed or comfort by adding a bullet feeder. Im hitting about 450-500 per hour with a case feeder, adding the bullet feeder would probably only increase my speed to 550-600. If I shot thousands of rounds a month, then Id use a Mr Bullet Feeder, which is frankly better than anything Hornady or RCBS have ever designed.

As a disclosure note, I use a LnL with case feeder. Other than a few small issues, I consider it to be equal to a 650 with case feeder, except for sheer volume, the 650 does that better . All mechanical devices have their good points and bad points.

RCBS better do their homework on this one. They can build a fantastic press, but if the case feeder never shows up, the price of the prices and accessories is high, they did something wrong.

 

[GW Staar]

Grafs lists the soon coming Pro Chucker 5 at $575. That's $12 more than the Pro 2000. Not terribly out of the running. The Pro Chucker 7 is still a no show price-wise except at the early catelogers who like Natchez and MidSouth who are sending price feelers out on the high side......way on the high side.

If I buy one, I'll probably start with the 5. Upgrade a later year when the sticker shock dissipates. But you know what.......I'm going to be patient....there I go again.....saying words possibly eatable........

 

[Kaldor]

Grafs lists the soon coming Pro Chucker 5 at $575. That's $12 more than the Pro 2000. Not terribly out of the running. The Pro Chucker 7 is still a no show price-wise except at the early catelogers who like Natchez and MidSouth who are sending price feelers out on the high side......way on the high side.

If I buy one, I'll probably start with the 5. Upgrade a later year when the sticker shock dissipates. But you know what.......I'm going to be patient....there I go again.....saying eatable words........

I hear ya. Im really liking the video Ive seen of this press. Its very smooth, and Ive always liked RCBS stuff. I have no doubts I can sell my LnL for a decent price to a friend, and this might be a reasonable upgrade. Tell will tell for me though as a case feeder is mandatory.

 

[Artofgolf]

Hey Walkalong

Check out the following Quick Change Powder Measure part! This is called the "Metering Screw Assembly". Please see post 9891408

AC, is that the drop assembly you used on your LNL mod for the Redding 10-X PM? Thanks

 

[cfullgraf]

cfullgraf:I like the mics just fine too, but I'm still going to try one. Trying to keep an open mind.

By all means give the powder measure a try.

I feel the replaceable metering insert is an innovative design. It certainly has advantages over conventional drum style powder measures.

I prefer using a Redding 10-X for my handgun charges so the Hornady powder measure does not get much use these days.

 

[GT1]

I don't see how the 5 will compete with the price of the AP or 650.
I don't see where the 7 fits in at all. Not at the prices I see. 900 by the time tax and shipping. With nothing on it but a measure. I don't think so.

The main issue is it will have to prove itself, and that will take time.

 

[fguffey]

The main issue is it will have to prove itself, and that will take time.
__________________

I have absolutely no interest in RCBS Pro, If I was going to do anything I would add parts to my old presses.

F. Guffey

 

[RealGun]

I don't see how the 5 will compete with the price of the AP or 650.
I don't see where the 7 fits in at all. Not at the prices I see. 900 by the time tax and shipping. With nothing on it but a measure. I don't think so.

The main issue is it will have to prove itself, and that will take time.

Has RCBS EVER been competitive on price? I am interested in the 7 because no one else offers its features, and if not on the bleeding edge with an early purchase, I believe I would have a machine with superior capabilities.