Big boss/BB2 vs Rockchucker.

G

goose_boy

New member
Hey guys, looking at upgrading my Lee turret to a more solid single stage press. The Lee has done its job, but lack of a solid stop on the downstroke is leading to too much variation in headspace and COAL.
I initially thought Rockchucker, but then also saw the Redding Big Boss and Big Boss 2. I am a big Redding fan, but haven't been able to get hands on with them. I will not be reloading any magnums, mostly 223 and 22-250 but hopefully a 260 or 308 in the future. Mainly I like the primer catch of the BB2, but will the long stroke be a pain with small cartridges?
So, those of you who have experience with the Reddings, especially if you have a pro/con with experience on both, please tell me your thoughts. Thanks fellas!
 
My main press is a RCBS Rockchucker . it has been in servce since 1991 and I wouldn't trade it for the world . You can't beat their customer service . However, if I was buying a new one I would get a big boss for 2 reasons: 1. The RC throws primers every where 2. On the down stroke there is no stop and the linkage cams over . I think presses with stops are easier to use and they definitely work better with some types of dies . I have an RCBS JR as well and I use it mostly for seating bullets . I also have a Redding T-7 and it is similar to the boss as far as the primer tube and stop. I want to stress that most of my stuff is RCBS and it is always solid equipment and is my goto brand.

I wouldn't worry about the stroke you can get extended shell holders. I use one for 22 hornets on my t-7.
 
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I have a Redding Big Boss II and love it. I load a bunch (1000s) of 9mm as well as 1000s of .223 with mine. There are no stops, and coming off a Lee Breech loader there was some learning curve involved.

Due to there being so much leverage availible it was easy to crush the shoulders on my first 2 .223 cases I sized. After that I paid closer attenting to my action. The Press is so much beefier than the Lee that I need to screw the dies deeper into the press than I was used to so much adjustment was needed.

The support arms are designed in such a way they do not get in your way and allow plenty of access to the ram. The Ram as stated is hollow and allow the primers to neatly be collected in the tube or one can direct them to a waste can.

There are also 3 attachment points to the press as opposed to 2 so you can really get a good secure mount. The handle is comfortable to hold and leverage easy to apply.

I load a fair amount of .270 and 30-06 and it breezes right through these cases.

What is neat is the priming system. I normally hand prime on a separate system for my .223 and 9mm,but my larger rifle caliber I use the Redding system. You simply size the case then as you are on the upstoke you flip the priming arm into place. When you have the case inserted into the die you can place a primer into the priming mechanism then on the down stroke you just give it a little extra tug and the primer is inserted. Done. No need to bust out the other equipment and get it converted over. One can prime small or large primers but I leave it set up for large. You do not have to keep flipping the arm up every time either once you use it it stays in place. When you are done simply flip it out of the way and continue on.

I love mine and feel that I made the right choice for me. 100% American made too!!
 
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Originally Posted By: benbI can see the benefit of having the stop- so which brands do have the stop built in? thx

There are no "Ram stops".

All quality presses are designed to "cam over", it is how they work - they are supposed to cam over... and the type of die makes no difference.

You do NOT want a press that does not cam over.

All modern, quality presses made in the last 80 years comes to a hard stop AFTER the ram has cammed over. (I don't speak for LEE)

The poster that wrote this, didn't have any experience to draw from. Don't take advice from guys that sit around reading catalogues - art directors write catalogues, not handloaders.

The Big Boss-II is a dynamite press. Definitely buy the most badassed and bestest press that you can afford, because it is the center of what you do.

If you do decide to get a RockChucker, buy a used one on eBay - the new "RockChucker Supreme" is smaller and whimpier than the original RC. You can get a very good RC on eBay for $80-ish dollars.

 
Thanks catshooter, I am trying to get educated so I can get started with the best equipment first time instead of POS that I will have to replace later
 
Originally Posted By: benbThanks catshooter, I am trying to get educated so I can get started with the best equipment first time instead of POS that I will have to replace later

Also, I wanted to add - extended shell holders will NOT shorten the throw of a press - they are used for very short cases in very long dies - like a 221 FireBall when using an RCBS comp seater.
 
I don't know about the rock chucker but in my lee single stage if I don't have the little attachment for priming on the press mine flings primers everywhere but if it's on there it shoots them into the tube.
 
There are stops that project from the body of the Boss presses and the t-7. It is a pin and it stops the link arm about 10 degrees before the link arm gets to the vertical position . They are clearly visible on photographs of the Redding presses and on my T-7. They hit the link arm stopping upward movement of the ram. The RCBS Rockchucker does not stop till the link arm hits the toggle block just past vertical which is what I considered caming over. All these presses get their power from the compound linkage .
 
Originally Posted By: RamjetThere are stops that project from the body of the Boss presses and the t-7. It is a pin and it stops the link arm about 10 degrees before the link arm gets to the vertical position . They are clearly visible on photographs of the Redding presses and on my T-7. They hit the link arm stopping upward movement of the ram. The RCBS Rockchucker does not stop till the link arm hits the toggle block just past vertical which is what I considered caming over. All these presses get their power from the compound linkage .

The "Ram stop" you refer to is not the ram stop (in function) that is being discussed.

It is a swing link "travel limit" to keep the swing linkage from continuing around and up the other side because of the design of the link - these presses do "cam over" and there is no way of limiting it in the press.
 
In my opinion to cam over the link arm would have to go a few degrees past top dead center which is what my chucker does .Regardless of the location of the stops the ram motion upward is stopped positivly. My point was I believe this is a more consistent and repeatable stop than hitting the togle block like the RCBS press does ; giving more uniform control of bullet seating depth and if your using a collet die more control of neck sizing. Again the press power comes from the compound linkage regardless of who's you buy. Knowing what I do today I would buy a Redding but my old chucker has given 23 years of reliable service and my rcbs jr has given 32. Sizing with it and no compound linkage is a completly different experience.
 
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