Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/17/2009 12:45:52 PM EDT
|
I do all my handloading on a RCBS Rock Chucker II from in the early 90's. It has an on-press priming system where the primers feed from the pickup tube for priming. Generally I prime the cases when I either resize or bell them, depending on the dies I'm using.
Being somewhat set in my ways, and not having any interest in adding yet another step to handloading, I don't want to use an off-press hand priming system. I want to add another press to my inventory to help speed the process somewhat. I'm thinking either a turret or a second single stage, I haven't decided that, so I'm interested in either. The current Rock Chucker is a different set up, which involves either handling single primers, using a hand priming off-press system, or perhaps buying other parts not included with the press to feed primers on the press (not sure about that last one). I have considered just finding a used Rock Chucker II like the one I already have, but they seem to be going for new prices, and I'd rather buy a new press if that is an option anyway. I'm not married to RCBS, I just want a good press with a priming system I can live with. So, what are my options? TIA Here are a couple pics of the priming system on my current RCII in case I didn't do a great job describing what I am looking for. 
|
When loading single stage, I prime on my Rockchucker. Here I am belling 357 and priming in the same step. I tried the RCBS hand primer, and never liked it. For me, just too much extra work, and took longer. Some like hand priming, I don't. When I want to load faster, I use a progressive. |
|
I am sure there are better methods to prime, the system I'm using is what I'm use to and I find it both quick and sure. I can feel the primers seat and tell when I pocket is loose. As I said, I'm not looking to change the way I do the priming, just a press that offers a similar method to what I use now for the sake of consistency.
I looked at Lyman products and it looks like the same type system on the older Rock Chucker. I'm thinking I might go with a turret, perhaps the Lyman T-Mag 2. I have access to Dillon progressives for volume handloading if I want to use them. I have a friend that has a 550RL and a Square Deal B in his shop (actually, the Square Deal is technically mine). I know I could load much faster using them, but speed is not necessarily my goal. I like the precision of a single stage, and the slower work tends to keep me from making stupid mistakes. How much I load really depends, sometimes its a couple of hundred rounds a month, sometimes its a couple thousand. I've loaded about 900 rounds of .38 Special on my Rock Chucker this month and I've got another 1000 cases resized, primed, and belled waiting for powder and bullets that I also did this month on the Rock Chucker. Thanks a lot for the input folks. I think I am probably going to go with a turret, then leave one press set up for small primers and one set up for large. |
| Any single stage press should work fine. I think most of them can be set up with primer feed systems and even some with flipper trays so you don't have to handle primers. If I was to buy one for the main purpose of priming cases, I'd propably buy whichever one was cheapest. I started out loading on a lyman turret and there is enough flex in the die turret plate that I hated seating primers with it. It was impossible to get a good feel for when the primer was seated properly especially when loading mixed lots or brands of brass due to variations in pocket depths. If you've never used one, save a hundred bucks and buy the Lee auto primer. You can practically seat primers in the cases with this tool faster than you can load primers into the tube feeder on your press and never touch a primer. They look extremely cheaply made but they are definately the easiest, fastest and most accurate primer seating tool I have ever used and I still use the same one I bought over 20 years ago. You'll need a set of shellholders that fit the tool but the set will allow you to prime practically all cartridges, including most but not all magnums. I never question whether a primer is seated good or not due to the way you can actually feel the primer seated. If you ever try one, I can almost guarantee you'll never prime on a press again. In fact, if you bought one and tried it and didn't like it, I'd even buy it from you for the price paid since mine is over 20 yrs old. You can get the tool and the shellholders at Cabelas now for about $30.00 total. Trust me, I'm not a Lee equipment lover or salesman, I just want to let fellow shooters know about a great product, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. |
Armory Sponsor