Looking to add a new single stage press to my reloading bench (no rush.) I have an older RCBS rockchucker press (works great.) Would just like to add one more press to my loading station. Was looking at the newer RCBS summit.
New Press
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- Last Post 02 April 2013
richidaho
posted this
29 March 2013
I reload 40-65, 45-70, 45-90, 223, 308, 30-06, and 9mm. I do re-size brass for the 223, 9mm, 30-06, and 45-70 the first three are auto loaders and the last I shoot in a win 1886. At times my rockchucker strudels to re-size the 45-70. Also, when I first got my 45-90, and 40-65 brass for my win 1885's I re-sized. This was a struggle/arm workout.
Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on a new press that has a bit more torque then my current rockchucker.
Thanks
Rich L
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Duane Mellenbruch
posted this
29 March 2013
I have not ever felt like the Rock Chucker was a problem, but I did put a round ball on the end of the handle and got rid of the bicycle grip. Maybe that gave me a little more leverage. I bought mine used, many years ago upgraded from the Bonanza O frame. Duane
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cityboy
posted this
29 March 2013
I used a rockerchucker for years and never had a problem with it. I loaded mainly for the 30-30 and 30-06. If it ain't, broke don't fix it
Jim
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Adk Mike
posted this
29 March 2013
I have a Rockchucker myself. Off to the side I have a Lyman all American that I leave set with seater dies and a M die. Set up works good. The Rockchucker is my go to press.
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RicinYakima
posted this
29 March 2013
richidaho,
What do you want the press to do?
Ric
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Michael K
posted this
29 March 2013
My Rockchucker has served me well for many many years and a gazillion press stokes.
Any chance that insuffiecent lube may be a contributing factor? Are any of your cases squeeking as they enter or exit the die? I have noticed over the years, too little lube makes for more work. Imperial case wax is my “go to lube” especially for case forming. All the best. Michael.
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Chargar
posted this
30 March 2013
I started out with an old Pacific Super C in the late 1950s and it worked for many years. I gave it to a kid and bought a RCBS Rockchucker which was a great press and lasted for years. I gave it to a kid after many years and hunted up an old RCBS A2.
The A2 is only slightly larger than the Rockchucker, but is made from cast steel and not cast iron. It is brute strong and very slick and smooth. I will never need another.
As long as you avoid the cheap alloy and pot metal presses that are so popular, there are many many good presses out there new and used. It really is hard to upgrade from a Rockchucker, unless you go to a larger steel version and that is the RCBS A2. At least that was my thinking.
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6pt-sika
posted this
30 March 2013
I started with a Ponsness Warren Metallic II about 30 years ago and thats still what I use for rifle loading !
I had a Lee 1000 for awhile to load 38's and eventually that went down the road .
I have a CH-4D single stage now as well for loading the 505 Gibbs , but if the PW would accept the larger bodied dies for the 505 we wouldn't have gotten it .
I had a RockChucker I bought used for a year or so until someone wanted it more then I needed to keep it .
And last but not least I have a Lee hand held press that i take to the range occasionally !
That PW I have was $200 when it was purchased back about 1983 or 1984 and it still does an excellent job . But then I've never owned a PW product that didn't do an excellent job , and I've owned a good many PW products :cool:
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afish4570
posted this
30 March 2013
Started with an RCBS Jr. years ago and switched to a Redding 25 turret...seems to have more leverage and was satisfied with both. The Redding press is currently be an improved version called the T7...Don't know what the improvements are but a call to Redding Customer Service should answer any questions ( try an email first)afish4570:fire:fire
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wizzbang
posted this
30 March 2013
If you're looking, I have a Redding Big Boss, with a new ram which has the primer catch tube available. I went to the turret style Redding.;)
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richidaho
posted this
01 April 2013
I'm not having any problems with my RCBS rockchucker press other then the amount of torque required to re-size 45-70 and 45-90 cases at times. As Black and Blue said I may have had lube problems with some of my re-sizing, NOT press problems. I was looking to add one more press to my loading station, and I would like the press to have a bit more torque then the RCBS rockchucker. What I was asking is what press would have more torque? Too lessen my arm fatigue and quicken my loading time with out changing dies on presses.
Thanks
Rich L
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RicinYakima
posted this
01 April 2013
RichIdaho,
I believe the C&H “Champion” has the highest mechanical advantage of any press, then the Redding “Boss” press. But the RCBS Rockchucker is next. If you are having problems look for: dirt/debris inside the ram channel, dirt / debris inside the pivot points, and lack of lube. There is something wrong some where if you are having issues with the Rockchucker not having enough leverage. If you want more speed, try a smaller “C” press for just depriming and seating. They have less movement of your arm for full ram travel, but less leverage.
You can easily resize 30/06 brass down to 250/3000 Savage in one stoke, and one hand, with the Rockchucker and Imperial Sizing Die Wax.
FWIW, Ric
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badgeredd
posted this
01 April 2013
I have a RCBS Big Max (A4) which will do about any reforming and a lot of swaging as well as loading. I also have a new Lee Classic Cast which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to most folks for a good single stage press. RCBS Rockchucker is a great press too. As said above, I'd look for lack of lubricant and dirt if the RC doesn't have enough leverage, or consider adding a couple inches to the handle to increase torque/leverage. If one wants a decent turret press, I'd recommend the Lee Turret Classic with the cast steel base which I use a lot for everything from 358 Norma Mag on down.
Edd
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biddulph
posted this
01 April 2013
If the handle is anything like my Lee press you could try just getting a longer rod and installing it... leverage would only be limited by its length...
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onondaga
posted this
02 April 2013
The torque is simply a function of the length of the operating handle to the length of the ram movement. You can modify that yourself with some ingenuity on any press.
The video on the new press was interesting. Thanks for the link. I'm sure it will have followers due to the large ram diameter alone. There are proponents of big, fat and solid that will love this press. The biggest negative that makes the new press unattractive to me is that there is no provision for priming, none is planned and a dedicated separate priming system is required. The $220 average dealer selling price is a non issue to a lot of loaders, but that price puts this simple press significantly costlier than my favorite press that is loaded with a lot more features and options, the, Lee Classic Cast Turret. Particularly , the self aligning feature of my Lee has me preferring it by a wide margin.
Gary
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