RCBS Rock Chucker

Smokin250

New member
How many people are using this press?

I purchased one about two months ago and have been using it. I like it so far. One question i had was does anyone use the self priming tool built into this press? I wasn't sure if it was worth it to use that or just purchase a hand priming tool and use it?

Thanks
Brian
 
Last edited:
I have a RC Supreme...I really like it but I have one issue that irritates me. The primer catcher on it suks to no end.

I prefer hand priming or a Lee auto prime II.
 
I use an older Rock Chucker. It was my Dads, I learned to reload on this old press. It's older than me by a few years.
I don't use the Priming set up on it much, but I do sometimes.
Usually I use a Lee hand priming tool.
 
I also use a rock chucker press and have only used the priming tool one time, the hand priming tool is much faster for me.
 
When I first got my press I used the RCBS attachment to seat primers. It doesn't give you much "feel", and it's a dirt collector, but I never had any problems with the primers I seated using it.
I ended up buying a benchtop priming tool that I like a lot better.

This one:

RCBS priming tool

(Wow, that thing got spendy!)

Read the reviews, they're pretty much what I agree with. That thing used to be fairly cheap, if I remember right.
Now, not so much.
crazy.gif
 
Last edited:
I use a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for all my hunting ammo and it works great, I don't use the priming attachment because the hand priming tool give me a better feel and is much quicker.

I agree the primer catcher sucks, it's nearly impossible to empty without making a mess and no matter how careful you are there's always going to be some primers getting missed by the catcher.
 
Quote:I agree the primer catcher sucks, it's nearly impossible to empty without making a mess and no matter how careful you are there's always going to be some primers getting missed by the catcher.

Yep, Forster Co-ax has that problem solved. I still wish I had bought one. I've chased a lot of primers across the floor over the years.
cursing.gif

If I ever move my freezer I bet there's a mother lode under it.
grin.gif
 
Up until about 5 months ago, the Rock Chucker was my favorite and most dependable press. I ran across a deal too good to pass up on a Redding Big Boss which I now use for most of my reloading. The Rock Chucker is now my back-up press. The Redding also has a spent primer catcher which is the only failure of the Rock Chucker. Otherwise I use an RCBS Hand Priming Tool which is far far superior to either the Rockchucker or Big Boss primer tool.
 
Bought my RC in 1973. If I had a penny for every time I have cranked that handle during the last 37 years I would be a wealthy man. I have never used or even wanted any other press during all those years. It has been a faithful companion.

And when it gets time to dump the spent primers, I just slip a plastic shopping bag over the bottom of the press when I take the catcher off. Hardly ever lose any that way and if I do- what the heck- I own a shop vac.
 
Naw, they bounce off the angled cut in the ram of my press and fly out over the catcher. It's not a Rock Chucker, it's an RS model I bought in the early 80's.
If they all landed in the catcher, I'd be happy.
grin.gif
 
I got an "OLD"! RCBS Rock Chucher still as tight as when I bought it. Your are correct when you say the primer catcher sucks. I use a RCBS hand priming tool.
DAB
 
I too bought my Rock Chuker in the early 70's.. It has never missed beat. I do like the Lee hand priming tool better than the one that came with the Rock Chuker originally..
 
My wife just bought the Rock Chucker Supreme press for my b-day a few weeks ago and haven't used it yet. I have been using my dads RCBS progressive press. The priming system on the supreme looks like a pain in the rear. Hand priming seems to work well for me. You seem to have lots of "feel" when pushing them in and it's pretty quick too.
 
Sold my RC about 30 years ago to fund a C&H Magnum, haven't missed it. Just sold the Magnum last month and now have Three Lymans set up on the bench. Just a Happy Little Reloader.

AWS
 
Last edited:
I bought a Rockchucker in 1976 or 77 and have been using it ever since, however I got rid of the priming tool/attachment a long time ago, I don't even know if I still have it anymore, but I've always used the Lee priming tools. Inexpensive and easy to use, once you get all the shell holder attachments. I like how I can feel the primer seating. I bought 2 of them, one for small primers and one for large primers, which saves the time in changing out the innards for diff primer sizes.
 
Sounds like the hand priming tool is the ticket here...i just figured for now since times are tough use the primming tool it came with...
 
Quote:...i just figured for now since times are tough use the primming tool it came with...

Like I said, I did it for a few years and didn't have any issues. You lose some fine "feel", but as long as you don't jam them in there like you're sizing a case, it's a decent system.
Just remember you have a huge mechanical advantsge on a press and keep the force reasonable, and it works fine.
 
I have used a rockchucker press since 1973 and it still works great. I occasionally use the priming arm if Im reloading a caliber I don't have the hand prime shell holder for. Not handy but it does work.
 
If you tape a business card to the inside of the primer catcher they will all stay in the cup. I have had maybe a dozen miss the cup in the last 30 years since I started taping the card as a backstop.I have loaded upwards of 4000 rounds in that time.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top