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Hi Guys,
I've been using a mates Lee press and have had good results.
But I am keen to get a Rockchucker press.
I've got hornady dies and have the Lee quick change bushings on them for the lee press.
Can anybody tell me how the rockchucker press works with the dies and how easy it is to interchange dies and reset everything.
the thing I like about the lee is the quickchange dies but i've only ever used the lee gear.
The RCBS rockchucker can use the Hornady Lock 'n' Load quick change bushings which are the same sort of thing as the Lee ones.
If you get them for the rockchucker, you set them up once in the bushings and just swap them over like the Lee ones.
I have the Hornady ones in two single stages presses, a rockchucker and a Hornady Classic Reloader.
I would recommend them.
I find the quick change system annoying and inconsistent. I've got a Hornady press and would gladly convert to a screw in press.
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I've got a Lee and a Hornady press, I prefer the Lee quick change system and the bushings are a lot cheaper.
Cheers guys good advice. Main reason I'm looking at the rockchucker is its been recommended by two different people I trust. But my mates Lee set up is fine, hes got a 50th anniversary one, i'm just not a big fan of the primer loading set up.
I'm not doing tons of reloads but I just really enjoy developing a load and then shooting it.
I have a Lee and Rockchucker.
Still use the Lee for repriming and priming (yes I prefer it) and use the chucker for
sizing. The Lee being alloy actually stretches under pressure and leads to inconsistent sizing/headspace
as others mention.
Never had a consistency issue with my lock n load press loading pistol or rifle ammo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Feather or Shoot
I am actually amazed how consistent it is with seating and powder throwing considering what they are.
I have 9 bushings and one I don't use as it was slightly loose in the press. Tolerances not quite right when it was made I spose. The rest are fine and lock in firm.
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I have no end of difficulty with them. Unless I torque them in with a wrench they work lose during use, but if I make them too tight they unscrew the lock and load insert on the press when I try to take them out, or the die unscrews from the bushing. Plus when you buy a new calibre you have to buy a whole new set of the lock and load bushings or you are farting around changing bushes and wasting more time than they ever saved you in the first place. [emoji35]Quote:
Originally Posted by R93
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That would piss me off considering the cost of one of those presses.
Sounds like the inserts in the press could be buggered if it still does it with new bushings? Like I said I have had 1 out of 9 not to tolerance and it is highly unlikely every bushing you have is poked.
Maybe you could get the press bushings replaced under warranty?
Hope you can get it sorted.
When they work, they work brilliantly.
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Press out of tolerance?Quote:
Originally Posted by Feather or Shoot
Re r93 comment on bushings.
I've got the Lee challenger press and had the Lee hand press, both been very good, quick change die system on both presses has been faultless.
I have had no issues with inconsistent ammo, like all things in reloading it's all about attention to detail and being consistent, get those two things sorted and you will produce good ammo.
I like the lee quick change bushing system but that's all I have ever used and know no different.
I also only load 223 so as for the Lee press stretching I doubt that very much, easy and light case that's pretty thin walled.
I don't think so. Although I could be wrong. It has happened with more than one insert and they have all been new. I was thinking of selling it and getting a rock chucker. Something with just the screw inserts. Maybe that iron press.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaker
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It has to be something not right with either the press or bushings.
They should just lock in hand tight and not move.
I do check mine every now and then, but they are always solid.
Give workshop innovation a buzz and see what they say.
Better yet get onto Hornady and they might sort you out free of charge. Never know your luck.
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My rockchucker cracked right through the frame...
R-S: that is amazing. I'm sure RCBS would want to know the whys and wherefores. I've found them a good company to deal with.
Yes I sent it back via company I bought it from and it was replaced, in the meantime I started using a basic lee press and havnt bothered changing them back over yet, does the same job, without breaking
Chinese casting?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
Re the hornady / lee bushing systems.
I bought a Redding Big Boss 11 and since it had the large thread capacity decided to go with the Hornady quick change system.
For the extra out lay on bushings i might as well have gone for a T7 :omg:
Sometimes you loose sight of what is needed.
Takes me all of 12 seconds to wind a die in or out of my ancient RCBS press. Slightly longer if stopping to sip my coffee or to add a Skip's shim with the die. :P
Currently load for myself and mate over 15 different calibres using 3 die sets that's 45 quick change bushings I would need FFS.
Same here, though I only have four case types. I like the die locking nuts with a pointed grub screw going into the thread to lock it in place. Set the locking nut where needed and just spin the die in. So easy.Quote:
Originally Posted by zimmer
Good discussion
Thanks guys
Gadget man and zimmer do you not have to piss around with getting the right seating depth if you screw the die in? I thought that was the whole point with the bushings, you set them once and you're good to go?
Also with the rockchucker it mentions it accepts sizes 7/8"-14 threaded dies or 1-1/4"-12 with the bushing removed. So I guess that means to fit the quick change bushing you need a 1-1/4"-12 threaded bushing to accept the L'n'L bushing?
Cheers
Dan
The whole point of the bushings is quick change "flick of the wrist" (whatever that means ha ha) is how they descibe it I think in the blurb.Quote:
Originally Posted by i41do2
Whether using dies screwed into qc bushings or the older convention of straight into the press the dies still need initial setting up and then the die locknuts are locked in that position. So to answer your question once you set up the die and its locknut and locknut's grub screw is tightened the die will set up exactly the same each time it is screwed into the press and down snug against the machined face on the top of the press. Again this is for a non qc press with just 7/8" x 14.
Oh, and the 1.25 x 12 will let the press take bigger dies for fat cases like 577 Snider and 577/450MH.
Cool
thank you
at the moment i'm reloading 7mm08 and .308 but looking to expand the armoury with a .223 and maybe a .204 in the not to distant future. Plus probably loading for a mate and my father in law. Its good fun.
Would like flexibility to go bigger just in case i want to do that one day.
Just had a look at those redding presses and they do look good. I do like the spent primer catcher system.
Damn to much to choose from
@Ryan_Songhurst I would get in touch with them. They might fix you up for it.
Didn't cost me anything to have it replaced and was a relatively straightforward and painless process, apart from the trip to town to get it sorted. I did think I might run into some sort of drama due to the retailer I bought it from but apart from the wait it was easy. Disappointed it broke in the first place though.
Yes indeed. I had a lee turret which broke the handle. I got a second but it started to ware out pretty fast. I decided the Rockchuker IV looked durable (i hope). Haven't loaded anything bigger than .308 on it though. I reloaded .338/300 win mag on the lee. Probably a bit much for it's thin alloy leaver casting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
Do you have any photos of the broken press id be keen to see where it broke
I snapped a cheap press. Smart reloader i think. Snapped on the levers coming off the handle by memory. Sent it back to magnum sports and got a Hornady press back, stoked.
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I snapped a Lee press, got the rockchucker as a replacement based on using a friend's one.
Work's mint, its just a press, theres nothing they need to do other than be stout as fuck.
If your not spending 3 seconds to check your seating depth, then any press will "work as good" as any other IMHO
Chris