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Rock chucker question
6/13/2012 2:02:28 PM
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions? 
6/13/2012 2:45:26 PM
If you are just going to use it for deprime/resize, no need to spend for a rock chucker.
Go for a used RCBS Jr3, smaller in size but strong enough. Older ones are always for sale on the internet, usually less than $30.
I picked up a couple of used (1980 era) RCBS Jr3 presses from a friend. They both work very well for all loading
Not my auction, but:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-JR3-SINGLE-STAGE-RELOADING-PRESS-w-PRIMER-ARM-Used-/170856079813?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c7d0e1c5
Go for a used RCBS Jr3, smaller in size but strong enough. Older ones are always for sale on the internet, usually less than $30.
I picked up a couple of used (1980 era) RCBS Jr3 presses from a friend. They both work very well for all loading
Not my auction, but:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-JR3-SINGLE-STAGE-RELOADING-PRESS-w-PRIMER-ARM-Used-/170856079813?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c7d0e1c5
6/13/2012 3:43:54 PM
My primary press is a late 50s vintage RockChucker that my dad got used in the 60s. One hell of a tool! It would be hard to wear it out without intentional neglect.
But, if all you are going to do is deprime & size itty bitty 223 brass, you don't really need such a monster. Go with something smaller, lighter and less expensive.
However, If you pick up a used one cheap, RCBS has the greatest customer service in the world and will do what ever it takes to get it back in service.
MLG
But, if all you are going to do is deprime & size itty bitty 223 brass, you don't really need such a monster. Go with something smaller, lighter and less expensive.
However, If you pick up a used one cheap, RCBS has the greatest customer service in the world and will do what ever it takes to get it back in service.
MLG
6/13/2012 4:26:23 PM
The reason why I code the rock chucker was because of the rep, warranty and I would be able to expand its use. Just gonna start to use it for depriming and resizing first. Thanks for the info.
6/13/2012 4:26:33 PM
If you can get one for the right price then there is no reason not to buy a good used press.
6/13/2012 4:53:26 PM
Originally Posted By oper28:
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
6/13/2012 7:28:47 PM
You really can't go too terribly wrong with a used Rock Chucker. It is a well built machine and unless it way stored in the backyard there really isn't too much that can go wrong with it. I thought I had left mine in the dust after getting a Dillon 1050 but here I am doing small batches of 223 and planning on reloading 5.7x28 on it. Pretty close to 30 years on the thing.
6/13/2012 8:40:17 PM
My Rockchucker A-1 was bought new by my dad in the 60's I've had it rebuilt once and it's still cranking out all of my ammo, Several K a year since 1967
6/13/2012 11:19:39 PM
Does that imply the new ones are different? Guess I am getting obsolete myself.....
I have two purchased many years apart and they are the same. One is from about the late 70s and the other from about the early 90s.
When did they change?
Great tool BTW.
I have two purchased many years apart and they are the same. One is from about the late 70s and the other from about the early 90s.
When did they change?
Great tool BTW.
6/13/2012 11:26:19 PM
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
Originally Posted By oper28:
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Rockchucker/PC270344-1.jpg
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
That's the only way I prime also. I tried a hand held one when they first came out, didn't take long before I broke it, so I went back to what has always worked for me and haven't looked back since. That was back in the 80's.
6/13/2012 11:26:37 PM
The newest version has a different spent primer catcher, and no provision to prime.
6/13/2012 11:31:10 PM
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
The newest version has a different spent primer catcher, and no provision to prime.
The newest version has a different spent primer catcher, and no provision to prime.
Wow, thanks DryFlash. I need to get out more often.....
6/14/2012 1:28:02 AM
I'd find it hard to try to talk someone out of buying a Rock Chucker. I've had mine since the 1980s and have loaded tens of thousands of rounds on it.
On my reloading bench there is a Rock Chucker, a Redding T-7, and a Dillon XL650. They'll all be on there for some time to come. They all do different things well.
I resize .375 RUM rounds on my Rock Chucker. I wouldn't want to do it on a lighter press.
I, however, don't prime on the Rock Chucker. I use a RCBS Auto Priming Tool instead.
I say: "Go for it!" Get one.
6/14/2012 1:28:42 AM
Double tap.
6/14/2012 9:28:40 PM
That primer feed tube is dangerous. I took mine off and don't use it anymore. You can put your eye out with one, no joke. I am not very safety concious myself, and even I recognize them as dangerous.
If you really want that priming system, I can send you my old one if you can't find one.
:) There are not many demons inside a rock chucker. If looks OK, it is OK. Even one worn out with a lot of slop can be used or fixed with free parts from RCBS.
If you really want that priming system, I can send you my old one if you can't find one.
:) There are not many demons inside a rock chucker. If looks OK, it is OK. Even one worn out with a lot of slop can be used or fixed with free parts from RCBS.
6/15/2012 8:56:19 AM
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
Originally Posted By oper28:
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Rockchucker/PC270344-1.jpg
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
I've been priming on my RCBS Rock Chucker for over twenty years now. No complaints or issues. However, the newer presses are supposed to have a better spent primer retention system. With the old press, primers tend to get strewn around unless you do one of the home remedy cures!
6/15/2012 12:04:20 PM
Originally Posted By mlg123:
My primary press is a late 50s vintage RockChucker that my dad got used in the 60s. One hell of a tool! It would be hard to wear it out without intentional neglect.
MLG
My primary press is a late 50s vintage RockChucker that my dad got used in the 60s. One hell of a tool! It would be hard to wear it out without intentional neglect.
MLG
The Rock Chucker is a great press, however it first came on the market in 1966 or 1967, I got one of the earlier ones, mine's dated 1970.
6/15/2012 12:20:02 PM
I just picked up a Lee Reloader for sizing/depriming. Sized/deprimed about 200 223 acouple of days ago with NO problems. It seems to be plenty strong enough and was like $24.95.I know this isnt what your original question was about but i just wanted to share another/ cheaper way to size/deprime.
6/15/2012 1:58:40 PM
I got mine from my pops,it was bought new back in probably 79 or so. we did alot of pistol on it back then. it sat for about 12 years,got some surface rust on it. I cleaned it all up and now its doing quite a bit of 223 and 308. it is awesome, i love it.
I would just buy one used,they never break. If you run a search on google you can find them cheap. i bought a lee turret press on the EE here for $40 ! that was perfectly fine,once cleaned up.
I would just buy one used,they never break. If you run a search on google you can find them cheap. i bought a lee turret press on the EE here for $40 ! that was perfectly fine,once cleaned up.
6/16/2012 3:32:31 PM
Every reloader should have a Rock Chucker press in thier stable. I have mine from the 70's and still use it evry year to clone load my hunting rifle rounds.Keep em clean and properly oiled they will last a life time. So depending on your budget get the one you can afford. Use a Lee "hand primer" to prime your brass.
6/16/2012 4:40:39 PM
My reloading room includes a Rock Chucker and Rock Chucker Supreme and a few Dillon 650 XL's.
Each fills a specific need.
For basic processing, sizing, de-priming, flaring, seating, the Rock Chuckers are Great.
For high production rifle ammo, the Dillon Progressives take it to a whole different level.
And yes, the old RC's are workhorses that last forever.
Each fills a specific need.
For basic processing, sizing, de-priming, flaring, seating, the Rock Chuckers are Great.
For high production rifle ammo, the Dillon Progressives take it to a whole different level.
And yes, the old RC's are workhorses that last forever.
6/17/2012 10:10:40 AM
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
Originally Posted By oper28:
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Rockchucker/PC270344-1.jpg
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
Dryflash your not alone on that. I prime on my RC too....
6/17/2012 11:03:16 AM
Originally Posted By ireload:
Dryflash your not alone on that. I prime on my RC too....
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
Originally Posted By oper28:
I have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Rockchucker/PC270344-1.jpgI have a question for those who have a Rock chucker press. Everyone likes new, but the question I have is if I were to get a Rock chucker, would it be better to get a older style one with the primer feeder tube system off EBay or get a new one? Just like anything you purchase used, there is some untold demon inside or it is in worse shape with missing parts. No one in my area has an old one they want to sell. So I may have to go on line. Looking to use it to just deprime and re size 223. Opinions?
If the price is right, get a used one.
I am probably one of the few here that prime on my Rockchucker.
RCBS stands by their products, even if you buy them used.
At the funshow around here, they go for $75-$80.
Dryflash your not alone on that. I prime on my RC too....
Only time I use a hand primer is for Berdan cases.
Priming can be done many ways, do what works for you.
