I think I might purchase one and start reloading .

On sale at cabelas, plus I have gift cards.

I learned to reload on one. Very comfortable press to operate with tons of leverage. Having loaded untold thousands of rounds on one, I've since moved on to a Dillon 1050 (an entirely different animal that I'm still tackling) but I keep my RC for single loads like match ammo.

First, make sure you know what you're doing before you start reloading. Do a lot of reading. Never trust just one source. Find a local mentor.

 

Second, the Rock Chucker is a great single stage press. I've loaded thousands of rounds on mine, mostly pistol calibers but it is serving me well as I start reloading for my .303 British Enfield. 

 

What calibers are you looking to reload? 

7mm rem mag.

9 mm

45acp

And soon 338 lapua.

 

It's gonna take me a while to even pull the lever. Need all the other stuff Ill buy over time. I always read this section, I find it very interesting.

 

Good luck with the Dillon Midwest, I read you and it aren't synergizing. Lol

Candyman, what reference material would you suggest?

This may sound weird buy watch a lot of youtube...there are countless hours of good video and how to's. It's a great way to get familiar with stuff IMO. Having someone that you know help you or even to bounce questions off of is a real great thing to have also.

I have one de mentor.

But you are right Carl, I have watched a lot iv you tube vids about reloading.

 

Plus I have you guys:)

Same here , the RockChucker press.  Cant even count how many rounds went thru it.

7mm rem mag.

9 mm

45acp

And soon 338 lapua.

 

...

Candyman, what reference material would you suggest?

 

Looks like a nice variety of rounds... 

 

Since you're shooting a mix of both pistol (9mm is only around a ~5-6 grain charge) and rifle (338 Lapua is around a ~100 grain charge) I'd probably look into getting a second powder measure. Here's why:

 

The standard RCBS powder measure comes with a cylinder that will do up to 100 grains of most powders. That unfortunately means it's not so accurate for pistol loads. RCBS sells a cylinder that does up to 50 grains of most powders, which allows you to dial in your pistol charges a lot more accurately. 

 

Since I primarily load pistol, I use the small cylinder. My .303 Brit is at the high end of that cylinder, but a .338 Lapua would need to get charged twice with the smaller cylinder. 

 

Other than that, I think the Rock Chucker Supreme Kit has almost everything you need. Just will need a case trimmer on top of all that. 

 

As far as references: Lyman's Handgun Cartridge Manual is a great book, as well as the ABC's of reloading. The NRA Metallic reloading handbook gives a lot of background as to the WHY you do what you do, and not just WHAT you do. Helps you make better decisions when deciding to substitute or not.

 

When you get into the actual nitty gritty and loads, I compare a Speer Manual, Hodgdon Manual, and Lyman manuals, as well as manufacturer websites. I use Loadbooks.com as well too (about $11 shipped for a manual compiled from many sources that are caliber specific)... helps me narrow down info when getting into a new cartridge, and covers more bullets than a single manufacturer's manual.

 

And as Carl_G said... watch youtube, but with a grain of salt. Many loaders on there don't actually know why they're doing what they do and there have been several videos I've seen where people recommend something un-kosher (for lack of better terms). Watch multiple videos and you can be fairly certain that the things that are consistent are correct.

I have the RCBS Jr, which is slightly less heavily-built than the Rock Chucker.  According to the stamp, it was built in 1977.  I bought it used.

 

The RCBS presses are tanks - your grandchildren will be reloading with these.  Knowing that, you may want to watch the 'for sale' lists...might save you a few bucks.

I was consideringa digital powder scale( the ones that feed the charge)

It's gonna be a long time before I pull a handle.

 

W2mc that's good to know. I hate buying junk.

I am using my grandfather's rock chucker. I like the simplicity of it. Reloading is complicated to get into and I appreciate the ease of use.

 

Any single stage will work, but RCBS will take care of you on warranty stuff.

I was consideringa digital powder scale( the ones that feed the charge)

It's gonna be a long time before I pull a handle.

 

W2mc that's good to know. I hate buying junk.

 

Those work too! I just haven't gotten around to spending the money on one... 

Lol, I wonder what my wife is gonna say when the box shows up.

Well, let's jus keep that our little secret.

Have you thought about or looked into the Lee Classic Turret press for your first press? Taking a quick look at the rock chucker looks like you have to change the die for each step(typical single stage set up)...with the LCT press, while it is a single stage press, I call it a semi progressive as you dont change dies between stages...the turret spins each time with every pull...4 pulls makes a complete round. set up each turret per caliber and just swap out the turret when you wanna change it up, easy easy. Just another option.

I am using my grandfather's rock chucker. I like the simplicity of it. Reloading is complicated to get into and I appreciate the ease of use.

 

Any single stage will work, but RCBS will take care of you on warranty stuff.

How are you doing so far? I've read your posts with questions. I'll be you eventually

Have you thought about or looked into the Lee Classic Turret press for your first press? Taking a quick look at the rock chucker looks like you have to change the die for each step(typical single stage set up)...with the LCT press, while it is a single stage press, I call it a semi progressive as you dont change dies between stages...the turret spins each time with every pull...4 pulls makes a complete round. set up each turret per caliber and just swap out the turret when you wanna change it up, easy easy. Just another option.

I have considered it. I'm gonna get my feet wet slow and steady.

A Dillon would be my next thing if I reload enough.

Watch Bill Morgan's Youtube videos. While the brands may not be what you have the operational foundation(s) are pretty much the same. Get yourself Lyman's and Hornady's reload books. Read, read, and read again and ask or look for any questions you have. I just went thru the whole press buying process (which one, what accessories, manuals, etc). I won't advise about single, turret, or progressive presses, but I will strongly advise you to buy the best press and components you can afford. Buy once, cry once.

I have considered it. I'm gonna get my feet wet slow and steady.

A Dillon would be my next thing if I reload enough.

Thats what I did...for my personality I didnt want to bother wasting time changing dies but I wanted to learn and take it slow at the same time, the LCT does exactly that...keeps things easy cause once the dies are in place and set, dont touch a thing. Then after about a year, I picked up  the Dillon 650...both presses are always set up ready to go lol. Good luck!

How are you doing so far? I've read your posts with questions. I'll be you eventually

Pretty good. Getting into reloading is complicated because there is a lot of things to it. I'm overly cautious because I don't want to injure anyone.

 

I'm 67 rounds of 45 ACP into reloading right now and I still have a ton of questions to ask. Thankfully, this forum is very kind to dumb questions.

 

The thought of a progressive makes me cringe. I'm weird and throw powder from my measure onto a scale for every round.

Pretty good. Getting into reloading is complicated because there is a lot of things to it. I'm overly cautious because I don't want to injure anyone.

 

I'm 67 rounds of 45 ACP into reloading right now and I still have a ton of questions to ask. Thankfully, this forum is very kind to dumb questions.

 

The thought of a progressive makes me cringe. I'm weird and throw powder from my measure onto a scale for every round.

I must have looked like an idiot when I checked every single piece of the first 100 I loaded on my 1050. I literally grabbed each round, brought it to my ear, and shook it to make sure I could hear powder inside

Old pilots and bold pilots. You'll never find and old bold pilot.

Heads up http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/classifieds/item/3739-wts-reloading-press-and-stand/

I have the RCBS chargemaster, Giraud case trimmer and annealer, and a rock chucker.   I have spent a lot of money on reloading equipment and I still use the rock chucker exclusively.  I shoot far more rifle rounds (including the 338 lapua) and the rock chucker has proven itslef to excell here.  If you shoot more pistol you will most likely want to get a progressive press at some point but the rock chucker will always have a purpose.  In my opinion, get it!

Ken

I started with a Dillion 550B which was recommended from Garden State Armory since they are pushing millions. 9mm was the first setup I went through and all kinds of nervousness and excitement putting that thing together. They set me up with everything which was nice. Loaded loaded about a thousand rounds or so since I started in April of last year. For example I use a 4.2 grain and it's always spot on after I dump the first 5 charges back in the powder measure. Only had 1 squib so far which was my own fault not paying attention when loading one session.

 

Got into .223 and I check every charge basically treating my dillion as a single stage loader at first. Getting better every time I get time for a loading session.

 

Not easy on the wallet when starting out but I think and hope I will save money in the end. Besides I like loading my own rounds and can't wait to reload .308

 

Got to start somewhere.

My Rockchucker is going to see regular use once more.  I'm setting up for 6.5 Creedmoor and I'll be doing all my reloading for that on the Rockchucker instead of my 1050 (which is running like a sewing machine now)