Trade-What Would You Do

[TenDriver]

Potentially trading a Norinco SKS for a complete Rockchucker set up, case trimmer, two sets of dies, brick of primers and a couple of other items.

I've got a Lee single stage at the moment and all that goes with it.

I'm not real attached to the SKS and already have an internal mag semi auto rifle.

What would yall do?

 

[Lost Sheep]

What kind of Lee press do you have now? If the Classic Cast and you don't actually need the Rockchucker's extras, you will not be all that much ahead. If you have the aluminum "C" frame press, it might be worth it.

But it will depend on the accessories. A Brand new Rockchucker kit is only a couple hundred and is new What is your SKS worth?

Do the math. You could sell the SKS and buy a Lee Classic Cast kit. It handles spent primers better than the Rockchucker and is about equal in most other respects except the RCBS warranty.

However, what I would do (what I did, actually) is get a Lee Classic Turret. I never use my RockChucker any more because the Turret does everything I need, and more conveniently, too..

Lost Sheep

 

[TenDriver]

I've got the classic cast. No clue what a SKS is worth, I'm guessing in the $300 range.

The extras are pretty hefty on the deal. A brick of primers, 2 lbs of powder, 5 boxes of .357 bullets, and "other" stuff.

The trimmer, powder measure and scale are things I can really use and prompted me to attempt this.

EDIT: Looks like a Rockchucker kit is around $300 with shipping. Seems like a decent trade.

 

[TrickyDick]

I'd go for it personally.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A new Rock Chucker kit is $275+. A complete used kit should be worth 200 bucks. It sounds like your deal has 100+ bucks worth of components......The swap sounds like a fair deal to me.

 

[gamestalker]

Not that it's some kind of screaming deal from a monetary perspective, but a Rock Chucker is an excellent press, dies are always useful or can be easily sold, and primers, well we always need those. Compared to an SKS, of which are dime a dozen, you would be getting a great press that will last a life time. I would personally jump on that offer.

GS

 

[splattergun]

I haven't seen a lot of SKS in the area in the past couple years, especially not new. Those few used ones I see are going from $325-$400, and they're mostly the Clinton AW ban variety, missing bayonet lugs etc. The last complete SKS I saw was last year, going for $450.
If you're not attached to your SKS, you might be $ ahead by selling it, then buying your press upgrade needs.

Personally, I have a blast shooting my SKS, and I'm happy with my Lee presses.

 

[mdi]

I've seen SKS prices run $250-$300 in the Shotgun News and/or J&G Sales. Even though my SKS is a hoot to shoot, my 10-22 is just as much fun, I'd do the trade. A full loading set up, with "extras" seems like a good deal to me, especially if one ain't really "attached" to their SKS (if you like semi-auto 7.62X39 guns, Century Arms sells a bunch of AKs).

 

[buck460XVR]

I'd trade for the RCBS stuff and then put the Lee stuff up for sale. Especially since you need a decent trimmer, scale and powder measure.

 

[oneounceload]

Do the trade, it's a good deal.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Can you keep the Classic Cast?

You get to keep the Lee Classic Cast press? It handles spent primers better than the RockChucker and can use the Lee Safety Prime device, which the RockChucker cannot. With keeping both presses, you can decide which you like better.

The Lee Classic Cast press is about as strong as the RockChucker. You will not be shorting yourself if you go that way, except for the lifetime warranty RCBS has. It is exceedingly rare for either press to fail if taken care of.

Lost Sheep

 

[TenDriver]

I was wondering how the RCBS press handles spent primers. I sure do like the way the Lee does. RCBS has a safety prime type setup now.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I was wondering how the RCBS press handles spent primers. I sure do like the way the Lee does. RCBS has a safety prime type setup now.

Rockchuckers drop the primers alongside the ram (via a slot in th ram) and are supposed to drop into a plastic cup that is shaped to wrap around the base of the press, just abut benchtop height. 60%-80% go where they are intended without some help, usually from homemade cardboard or plastic or sheet metal guides.

My RockChucker uses tubes to send primers into the priming arm. This is much more reliable and easier to use than the Lee Safety Prime, but (and it is a bit but) filling the tube takes more time than the convenience of the reliability saves and stacking live primers atop one another is a safety hazard-low probability, high consequence.

Does RCBS have a primer device that feeds directly from the flipper tray? Could it be re-fitted onto a mid-1970s RockChucker? (one like mine, that is)

Thanks

Lost Sheep

 

[Rule3]

It depends on the condition of your NORINCO. Those are not all that common these days. Other brands are.A Norinco SKS in very good shape is worth more than $300

The Rock Chucker will always be available.

 

[TenDriver]

I kept the SKS and swapped. 22, ammo and cash.

The press came with lots of old ammo boxes, two opened containers of Hercules 2400, and various assorted other items. Some of it I'll PIF eventually as I don't need it all.

Now... My question is how to tell if that powder really is 2400. I've never used the stuff. Both containers smell fine and I don't have any reason to think the powder isn't what it claims to be.

 

[243winxb]

how to tell if that powder really is 2400.

None really, unless its a very different size/shape. Photos > http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=127