Advice on Rock Chucker? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Wynder · 09-26-2007, 05:48 AM

So, in the process of doing the paper work to get my concealed carry license, one of the older guys I ask to do an affidavit (X-Navy), strikes up a conversation about firearms -- he apparently has a decent collection of stuff that he's trying to unload, but he also has a reloading press that he's practically about to give away because, when he moved to my area, he couldn't find anyone to shoot with.

It's an RCBS Rock Chucker "combo" press -- he mentioned it having a primer catch and a tumbler, oh and something for measuring the powder, if I recall.

Me, being the complete n00b about this, I don't know if this is decent enough to crank out 9mm rounds, though from what I've read, I think it's a single stage press.

Any thoughts or advice on this -- I mean, even if I offer him $25-50 for it, it'd be a hell of a lot cheaper than $100-$400 to, at the very least, get me started.

CharlieHo · 09-26-2007, 06:29 AM

The Rock Chucker is a great press!!!

Yes, It is a single stage. It has been "improved" to the Rock Chucker Supreme in recent years. I have the Supreme model, my uncle has the regular model. If I remember correctly, the regular model facilitates a primer feed tube of sorts, which can be convenient or not, depending on the user. I actually prefer to seat my primers by hand, so the differences in the two presses wouldn't matter to me.

Someone else may have more pertinant info on the differences, but in my opinion, it'll serve you well

Wynder · 09-26-2007, 07:01 AM

It looks like that the press is most like this model:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RCBS-ROCK-CHUCKE...QQcmdZViewItem

Outside of a 9mm die set, power, primers and bullets (and tumbler), what would I need to really get going?

CharlieHo · 09-26-2007, 11:03 AM

I'll try to make a must have list off the top of my head (some items may be pretty obvious) with the addition of some of my personal "nice to haves"

press (duh)
tumbler (a media seperator is very handy as well, but not necessary)
die set (I have really come to like Lee's Factory Crimp Die as an addition to ANY die set)
shellholder (comes with Lee die sets)
good beam scale (I don't care for Lee's product here)
powder measure
powder
primers
priming tool (RCBS's new model doesn't even use shellholders)
bullets
caliper
loading manuals (more than one!)
loading block

You will be ahead of the game if you get a manual and read it through before ever starting (or buying).

Also read some of the tacked threads here in the ammo section Getting Started Reloading

fredj338 · 09-26-2007, 11:51 AM

Yes the RC is a single stage press, a very good one at that. The only real diff. w/ the new RC is the new RC has a larger "window" (the press is a bit taller for loading longer rifle rounds). Single stage presses make fine ammo but it's slow. If you use a powder measure to throw your charges, you can load upto 60rds/hr. Not real fast but gets the job done for sure. Get the press & tumbler for free & buy the other things on CharlieHo's list & get your feet wet handloading for very little investment. You can always move on to a progressive press for large volumns of handgun ammo & still use the single stage for small batch loading.

09-26-2007, 05:48 AM	#1
Wynder XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delaware Posts: 66	Advice on Rock Chucker? So, in the process of doing the paper work to get my concealed carry license, one of the older guys I ask to do an affidavit (X-Navy), strikes up a conversation about firearms -- he apparently has a decent collection of stuff that he's trying to unload, but he also has a reloading press that he's practically about to give away because, when he moved to my area, he couldn't find anyone to shoot with. It's an RCBS Rock Chucker "combo" press -- he mentioned it having a primer catch and a tumbler, oh and something for measuring the powder, if I recall. Me, being the complete n00b about this, I don't know if this is decent enough to crank out 9mm rounds, though from what I've read, I think it's a single stage press. Any thoughts or advice on this -- I mean, even if I offer him $25-50 for it, it'd be a hell of a lot cheaper than $100-$400 to, at the very least, get me started.

09-26-2007, 06:29 AM	#2
CharlieHo XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 514	The Rock Chucker is a great press!!! Yes, It is a single stage. It has been "improved" to the Rock Chucker Supreme in recent years. I have the Supreme model, my uncle has the regular model. If I remember correctly, the regular model facilitates a primer feed tube of sorts, which can be convenient or not, depending on the user. I actually prefer to seat my primers by hand, so the differences in the two presses wouldn't matter to me. Someone else may have more pertinant info on the differences, but in my opinion, it'll serve you well __________________ "The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90 MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20." - Sam Cohen, inventor of the Neutron Bomb

09-26-2007, 11:03 AM	#4
CharlieHo XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 514	I'll try to make a must have list off the top of my head (some items may be pretty obvious) with the addition of some of my personal "nice to haves" press (duh) tumbler (a media seperator is very handy as well, but not necessary) die set (I have really come to like Lee's Factory Crimp Die as an addition to ANY die set) shellholder (comes with Lee die sets) good beam scale (I don't care for Lee's product here) powder measure powder primers priming tool (RCBS's new model doesn't even use shellholders) bullets caliper loading manuals (more than one!) loading block You will be ahead of the game if you get a manual and read it through before ever starting (or buying). Also read some of the tacked threads here in the ammo section Getting Started Reloading __________________ "The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90 MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20." - Sam Cohen, inventor of the Neutron Bomb

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09-26-2007, 07:01 AM	#3
Wynder XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delaware Posts: 66	It looks like that the press is most like this model: http://cgi.ebay.com/RCBS-ROCK-CHUCKE...QQcmdZViewItem Outside of a 9mm die set, power, primers and bullets (and tumbler), what would I need to really get going?

09-26-2007, 11:51 AM	#5
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,226	Yes the RC is a single stage press, a very good one at that. The only real diff. w/ the new RC is the new RC has a larger "window" (the press is a bit taller for loading longer rifle rounds). Single stage presses make fine ammo but it's slow. If you use a powder measure to throw your charges, you can load upto 60rds/hr. Not real fast but gets the job done for sure. Get the press & tumbler for free & buy the other things on CharlieHo's list & get your feet wet handloading for very little investment. You can always move on to a progressive press for large volumns of handgun ammo & still use the single stage for small batch loading.