Hadn't been doing this long and started with a Lee Anniversary kit. Have bought several things since and it's done great from 357 to 7 mm mag and everything in between. Arm feels like it has some slack in it and everything is torqued up good. Have been looking at a RCBS Rockchucker. Midway has them on sale now for $139.00. Was wondering if all my Lee and Hornady dies and she'll holders are compatible. Any pros and cons I need to know. I'd like to have the Foster but too rich for my blood. Also will I have to buy RCBS lock rings for all my dies or will Lee lock rings be ok. Thanks in advance for any info. Single stage loading only.
Wanting a new press
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
Forster is king of the heap, IMHO, and they are tough, so you might cast around for a used one as another way to go.
If you are buying new and are budget minded, the Lee Classic Cast (iron) press is also very good. Mine is quite tight. $117 at Midway. I see the Rock Chucker Supreme on sale at Midway for under $127. I like a couple of design features on the Lee. It won't cam over, for one, which some folks have done damage with, and I like its single priming system. But RCBS has a better warranty (lifetime vs. 2 years with Lee). Either will do fine for you, I think. Both will take any die with a 7/8-14 thread, which is standard on all the dies you mentioned. Lock ring choice is yours. You don't have to buy new ones if you like the way the Lee rings work.
If you are buying new and are budget minded, the Lee Classic Cast (iron) press is also very good. Mine is quite tight. $117 at Midway. I see the Rock Chucker Supreme on sale at Midway for under $127. I like a couple of design features on the Lee. It won't cam over, for one, which some folks have done damage with, and I like its single priming system. But RCBS has a better warranty (lifetime vs. 2 years with Lee). Either will do fine for you, I think. Both will take any die with a 7/8-14 thread, which is standard on all the dies you mentioned. Lock ring choice is yours. You don't have to buy new ones if you like the way the Lee rings work.
Your dies should be compatible, they all use the same threads.
My Lee press also got a little loose after a few years, but I still use it for the universal decaper.
I have seen some reports of the Lee dies being too short for a Hornady LnL-AP progressive press, and I don't know if that will be a problem with the Rock Chucker.
Also you can get an adapter that screws into the Rock Chucker in place of its own adapter, that will allow the use of the Hornady Lock n Load bushings.
The Lock n Load bushings allow you to set up your dies once, and they can stay adjusted when removed from the press, as long as the LnL bushing stays on the die. But all of those bushing for all your dies cost $$.
Personally, I am using an older Redding Boss press that is still showing no signs of wear, so i can't justify a new Rock Chucker.
My Lee press also got a little loose after a few years, but I still use it for the universal decaper.
I have seen some reports of the Lee dies being too short for a Hornady LnL-AP progressive press, and I don't know if that will be a problem with the Rock Chucker.
Also you can get an adapter that screws into the Rock Chucker in place of its own adapter, that will allow the use of the Hornady Lock n Load bushings.
The Lock n Load bushings allow you to set up your dies once, and they can stay adjusted when removed from the press, as long as the LnL bushing stays on the die. But all of those bushing for all your dies cost $$.
Personally, I am using an older Redding Boss press that is still showing no signs of wear, so i can't justify a new Rock Chucker.
stubbicatt
New member
OP. The Rock Chucker is indeed a strong press. It's method for handling spent primers is not so good.
Just last week I received a Lee Classic Cast press. It probably is not as strong as a Rock Chucker, but it ejects spent primers down a tube thru the ram and into an awaiting trash receptacle.
Some folks like the Forster Co-ax, as recommended by Unclenick. I had one for several months before I happily sold it down the chain of commerce to some other poor unfortunate. I hope its new owner is as happy with it.
Just last week I received a Lee Classic Cast press. It probably is not as strong as a Rock Chucker, but it ejects spent primers down a tube thru the ram and into an awaiting trash receptacle.
Some folks like the Forster Co-ax, as recommended by Unclenick. I had one for several months before I happily sold it down the chain of commerce to some other poor unfortunate. I hope its new owner is as happy with it.
Out of curiosity, what did dislike about the Co-ax?
Note that there are two Classic cast presses. The one you and I have and the one designed for the Breechlock system. They handle primers differently. I prefer what we got. The other one dumps the to the side, like some other Lee presses.
Note that there are two Classic cast presses. The one you and I have and the one designed for the Breechlock system. They handle primers differently. I prefer what we got. The other one dumps the to the side, like some other Lee presses.
Everyone is different.
I gave away a Dillon 550B.
There are cobwebs on my rockchucker.
The two co-ax presses in the reloading room get used.
The two RCBS partner presses get used in the vehicle.
Sometimes I clamp on Lee reloader press to this desk and watch youtube while doing a single operation.
I gave away a Dillon 550B.
There are cobwebs on my rockchucker.
The two co-ax presses in the reloading room get used.
The two RCBS partner presses get used in the vehicle.
Sometimes I clamp on Lee reloader press to this desk and watch youtube while doing a single operation.
>I have seen some reports of the Lee dies being too short for a Hornady LnL-AP progressive press, and I don't know if that will be a problem with the Rock Chucker.
From Lee haters. All I ever did, when I wanted a few more threads (not sure I needed them, just wanted them) was to remove the o-ring from the lock ring and install the lock ring upside down (o-ring groove up).
The thing is, if you change dies often, and have Lee or Dillon solid-nut lock rings, you need to have a press with a removable tool-head or die bushings (which is the only way to go nowadays), or you will lose the settings when you change dies.
So, if you are looking for a press, it really needs to use die bushings, removable tool-head, or a slot like the Forster Co-Ax.
The only negative I could imagine about the Co-Ax would be priming (and the primer capture bottle was a lightyear lead up from the RockChucker I happily sold). I already had an RCBS Bench-Mount Priming tool (RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool on sale at MidwayUSA: $71.99) and never worried about it. There are so many positives, that I would still be happy with it if I had to load primers singly and by hand.
PS: the priming tool is great.
From Lee haters. All I ever did, when I wanted a few more threads (not sure I needed them, just wanted them) was to remove the o-ring from the lock ring and install the lock ring upside down (o-ring groove up).
The thing is, if you change dies often, and have Lee or Dillon solid-nut lock rings, you need to have a press with a removable tool-head or die bushings (which is the only way to go nowadays), or you will lose the settings when you change dies.
So, if you are looking for a press, it really needs to use die bushings, removable tool-head, or a slot like the Forster Co-Ax.
The only negative I could imagine about the Co-Ax would be priming (and the primer capture bottle was a lightyear lead up from the RockChucker I happily sold). I already had an RCBS Bench-Mount Priming tool (RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool on sale at MidwayUSA: $71.99) and never worried about it. There are so many positives, that I would still be happy with it if I had to load primers singly and by hand.
PS: the priming tool is great.
I wasn't aware the classic cast from Lee would let me use the 36 bushings I've already bought. It doesn't show it in the specs. It's a little more than the Rockchucker but would be nice to change dies with a 1/4 turn. I don't hate the Lee. I've probably loaded 10,000 + rounds with it. Just wasn't sure if I was going to like reloading when I bought it and 308 was all I was loading at the time.
Lost Sheep
New member
What's not to like?
So, we wonder which particular features you liked or did not like and why?
Thanks
Lost Sheep
I, too am curious. I know that there are some features of the Forster Co-Ax that are unlike any other press, some likable and some not so much. But which ones rub you the right way and which ones the wrong way are open to fitting your personal loading style. (Spent primer handling is one almost universally liked; the way the operating lever works is has had mixed reviews.)stubbicatt said:
So, we wonder which particular features you liked or did not like and why?
Thanks
Lost Sheep
Amazon has the 4 slot Lee Classic Turret Press for $99.99 with free shipping. Great press ... take out the auto advance rod and it is a single stage press. I find it a very nice press to use, as I like to load a complete cartridge before pausing (resize, prime, add powder and expand neck, then lseat the bullet). I think this results in less chance for me skipping adding powder, or double charging by getting distracted. Fifferent strokes for different folks, so the dual use makes sense to me.
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B003BWTF1E
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B003BWTF1E