Who knew a Rock Chucker could break in half???

[otisrush]

That's an incredible sight!

Very eager to hear what RCBS tells you. I'm strongly suspecting (and really what I mean is I'm hoping - I'm an RCBS *lover*) they essentially say "OK. Sorry about that."......and about 3 days later a big heavy box shows up at your door.

 

[db_tanker]

Wow. Just...wow.

But RCBS will be Johnny on the spot for you I feel. I have bought used items before that were missing bits here and there...I'll send an email and ask how much and they won't respond...instead I'll have a bag in the mail in a few days from them.

Customer service from them is tops.
D

 

[Rembrandt]

Yep, that's what happens when you don't use case lube.....

 

[ReloaderFred]

They will replace it, no questions asked. They replaced one for me that had frozen up after 20+ years of use.

 

[Blue68f100]

That's a first I've seen on of the RC break. RCBS will take care of you. You will have a new press shortly.

How old is this press? By the paint color it may be from the 70-80's. Looks like there is a small shallow dark area around the edge, on one of the pieces. May have started in that area.

Also was the ambient temp of your room -20F, I know they will break at extreme low temp.

 

[WestKentucky]

Your not supposed to reload in liquid nitrogen. That’s the ONLY way a press should ever be brittle enough to snap like that. Or perhaps RCBS is not quite as “overbuilt” as people make them out to be. Good product and great customer service will get you a long way, so you will be in good shape soon. I halfway expect them to ask for the press back so that they can find the flaw.

 

[Citadel99]

Are you anywhere near Central Texas? I have one I can loan you.

I am and appreciate the offer greatly. However, I decided to take apart a tool head on the Dillon and just use it more as a single stage press...

The press is about 15-16 years old so I'm doubt it falls into the new Chinese category...I was sizing lubed .308 when it happened.

Mark

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Just to hold it until the JB Weld cures.

I know you’re joking
But I wouldn’t do anything before calling them
And then I’d send it back per their instructions.
No need to risk voiding the warranty
As I’m sure they will want to investigate

 

[Citadel99]

Also was the ambient temp of your room -20F, I know they will break at extreme low temp.

Not in Texas! Was about 65 degrees last night...

Mark

 

[dredd]

Yeah, I usually load up a lot of ammo this time of year. I have a Dillon 550B but no spare tool heads and don't really want to adjust the ones I have so it looks like it'll be a pistol loading holiday for me. Was really wanting to try out the .308 Barnes TTSX on hogs and deer at the end of the week but I think that might be tabled at this point.

Maybe a little duct tape?!?!?

Mark

I'm in Arlington.
I have an extra Rock Chucker and extra Dillon 550 Heads I can loan you for your holiday loading.

 

[Citadel99]

I'm in Arlington.
I have an extra Rock Chucker and extra Dillon 550 Heads I can loan you for your holiday loading.

Thanks but I stripped down a tool head I hadn't used for a while to get what I need done. Really appreciate the offers though.

Mark

 

[gojones]

I have two, one on or around 1965 and a supreme. The ole one just feels and heavier and stronger. Hard to see the press be the weakest link in the chain. Just never heard of cast iron giving before brass. Let us know how RCBS proceeds with this.

 

[GBExpat]

So, Citadel99, tell us ... when you get annoyed/agitated/angry do you suddenly bulk-up, turn green and shred your shirt?

 

[Citadel99]

Hahahaha. (Schwarzenegger accent) I just got tired of the girly press. RCBS hear me now and see me later. (/Schwarzenegger accent).

Mark

 

[DM~]

I've always believed the OLD Rockchuckers were/are better than the newer ones, I'm glad I have an OLD one...

I've used mine to make bullet "jackets" with, it was so hard on ME, I bought an RCBS Big Max for that job!!

Unless you are using a "cheater", you shouldn't ever be able to break an RC, especially like THAT one broke!

DM

 

[mcb]

It's a casting. They are super strong in general but can fail if they have a hidden flaw in the casting (bubble, inclusion, porosity etc) and/or have been subjected to shock loading (dropped, hit hard with something etc) especial shock loading at stress concentration like notch for the priming arm where it appears this crack could have started. That crack could have been started years ago and took many many loading cycles to propagated that flaw or crack into the failure that the OP experienced. It is simply the nature of a casting.

 

[DM~]

Yup, just a casting...

They can be made lower quality or higher quality, and they will LOOK the same....but they won't be...

DM

 

[rabid wombat]

Mark,

I know you said you have a work around. If you are near Houston PM me.

Best

 

[Dibbs]

You see, now THIS is why I always use my Hornady press for axle bearings!

 

[H&R Glock]

Just call Phil Swift, he'll fix it with Flex Seal. The press will even work underwater, or in a boat.
I'll bet RCBS won't believe this one!

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Your not supposed to reload in liquid nitrogen.

You see, now THIS is why I always use my Hornady press for axle bearings!

Dibbs, but if you put the axle in liquid nitrogen, the bearing will almost fall in place! No risk at breaking a press LOL!

As far as a Rock Chucker breaking, I am very surprised. I have one of the first RC II, many, many loads. but like I have seen posted B-4, YMMV.........

 

[crestoncowboy]

I've seen a few fail by the primer arm breaking off. As a matter of fact one of my two is broken now but I'm not bothered by it. I prime other ways But as far as in half I guarantee you aren't the first. No way they manufactured that many without a few bad casts. I'm in manufacturing and it's just not possible for as many years as they have been in business. GE aviation has a standard non conforming part allowance... I'm sure rcbs does too
As far as their customer service I bet they replace it. Everyone brags on their customer service but I, like one comment above, have emailed and never gotten a reply. Just my part in the mail (decapping pins). Now I agree that's standing by your product, but I'd think at least an "ok we sent your part" would constitute great customer service. Idk maybe it's me but getting no word and not knowing if they even got your email isn't all that great.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

). Now I agree that's standing by your product, but I'd think at least an "ok we sent your part" would constitute great customer service. Idk maybe it's me but getting no word and not knowing if they even got your email isn't all that great.

Agreed, but sometimes a picture (or in this case a package) is worth a thousand words. Saves them time.

 

[jmorris]

That’s pretty impressive.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Yeah, and I own 3 rcbs presses and 2 red progressives (hornady and lee) 99 percent of my dies and priming tools etc are rcbs. I trust them to stand by them and I'm confident they will, and they are my first choice in reloading. Not bashing them at all. I just find it strange that their customer service doesn't communicate at all.
To be honest until I read that comment above I just assumed something went wrong with the email provider. After all It did happen in the dial-up AOL era. 2000 ish. But I guess it's more common than I thought. Either way I'll continue to support them.