RCBS Rock Chucker

[Duckslayer89]

Just ordered the kit off amazon. Pretty excited, anyone have advice before I buy dies? Not sure between the 2 stage and 3 stage

[Curly]

The seating die with micrometer adjustment is really nice to have.  Several companies make them but I've got the Forster Ultra Micrometer Seating die and it is real nice.  It is a good time saver for when doing seating depth testing.

[bobcat]

You mean a 2 die set or a 3 die set? The 3 die set probably comes with a neck sizing die, which I wouldn't want. I always used RCBS dies, but if I was starting over I'd go with a Lee collet neck sizing die. They have a 2 die set that comes with the neck sizing die and a seating die, and the shell holder is also included. If you neck size rather than full length size, you won't need to lube your brass and the cases will last longer.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011211120/lee-collet-2-die-neck-sizer-set

[bobcat]

Don't forget to order calipers if you don't already have one, as I don't believe it's included in the kit.

[Duckslayer89]

Ya I meant the 2 or 3 die set. Will those lee dies work with the rcbs rock chucker?

[bobcat]

Ya I meant the 2 or 3 die set. Will those lee dies work with the rcbs rock chucker?

Yes, that's what I have, a Rockchucker. The Forster seating die that Curly suggested is a great idea too. You also might want a Lee universal decapping die, and a Redding body die to occasionally bump the shoulder back if you're only neck sizing.

[Duckslayer89]

Ya I meant the 2 or 3 die set. Will those lee dies work with the rcbs rock chucker?

Yes, that's what I have, a Rockchucker. The Forster seating die that Curly suggested is a great idea too. You also might want a Lee universal decapping die, and a Redding body die to occasionally bump the shoulder back if you're only neck sizing.

This is all so foreign what did I get myself into lol...ill have to just take it one step at a time I think it’s going to be worth it in the end for accuracy and options on bullets

[JimmyHoffa]

   It begins.....

As long as the dies can thread into the press or any kind of adapter and advance far enough for a full stroke on the press, they'll likely work.

If you are planning to use a bolt gun/bottleneck cartridge you can even just get the neck sizing die.  The other dies will be cartridge specific and the neck sizing is caliber specific.

Just a little confusing until you've made a few rounds.

[Duckslayer89]

Do you have to size the brass on brand new stuff? Or is that just ready to roll?

[JimmyHoffa]

For rifle I usually do because case mouths seem to have dents or weird shapes (I think I've seen remingtons with square mouths  ).  So I like to get that adjusted. 

[bobcat]

Do you have to size the brass on brand new stuff? Or is that just ready to roll?

I've loaded new brass up without resizing first and it worked just fine. But it does depend on the quality of the brass. The latest new stuff I bought was Remington 338 Win. Mag. brass. At first I ruined a case or two when seating the bullet because the mouth wasn't perfectly round, and I was loading Partitions, which are a flat base bullet. If they had been boattails it wouldn't have been an issue. After I ruined a case I ran all the brass through my Lee neck sizing die and that solved the problem.

[Curly]

You might wish to watch this :

Get this:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012743827/hornady-lock-n-load-headspace-gauge-5-bushing-set-with-comparator

You will find lots of nifty little items that you want to add.

[yorketransport]

I like Hornady dies but I've got dies from just about every common manufacturer as well as a couple of custom sets made by smiths. They're all capable of getting the job done.

The best advice I think you can get is to not over think the process. I've loaded up a lot (as in thousands) of .25 MOA ammo on a cheap Lee press with some even cheaper Lee dies. If you're just looking to have fun and shoot .5 MOA groups then just get a 2 die set and start loading. If you're planning to compete, then it may be worth worrying about specialty dies. Being consistent with the equipment you're using is just as important as the actual equipment.

[wadu1]

For rifle I usually do because case mouths seem to have dents or weird shapes (I think I've seen remingtons with square mouths  ).  So I like to get that adjusted.

@JimmyHoffa is right on, I've also had Remington brass odd mouths, not square with the cartridge and even over length. The only brass I have found that was ready to go was some Nosler in 6.5X55 Sweed. 

[Calvin Rayborn]

Just ordered the kit off amazon. Pretty excited, anyone have advice before I buy dies? Not sure between the 2 stage and 3 stage

Right on - Welcome to the awesomeness that is Rock Chuck Bullet Swage! Started turning-out 30 WCF loads on Gramps A2 when I was about 12; ahh the good ole days...

[BigGoonTuna]

Do you have to size the brass on brand new stuff? Or is that just ready to roll?

i did when i started, now i just run the expander down into the case mouth and call it good.

i use lee dies, but change out the lock rings on my resizing dies with hornady lock rings, so i don't have to set them back up every time.  eventually i'd like to get some micrometer seating dies, as the lee seaters are sort of inconsistent when trying to set them up.  can't beat the price, though.

a hornady lock-n-load OAL gauge is a great investment for starting to work up loads, lets you figure out where exactly to start your seating depth at(i like to start as close to the lands as possible, then tune by going deeper into the case if needed).

for calipers, hit the pawn shops for a good quality kind, not the cheap chinese junk that the reloading companies relabel and sell.  i got a really nice mitutoyo digital caliper for $15 at my local pawn shop.

[Duckslayer89]

I think I have a pair of really nice calipers my dad used when he was a tig welder I’ll have to dig them up. If I can’t find them I’ll look at the pawn shop for sure. Are you guys putting crimps on the brass? This guy I hunted with once got a bullet lodged in his barrel when he tried to extract. I really don’t want that to happen to me. Was this because he didn’t seat it right?

[Curly]

I never have crimped. Yeah, that guy probably did not seat his bullet deep enough and it ended up into the lands and got the bullet stuck.

[JimmyHoffa]

If the bullet has a cannelure, then I will crimp. 

[h20hunter]

@Duckslayer89

Regarding your squib, or bullet in the barrell concern.  I would offer this advice. I've now loaded for about 10 years and done single stage and progressive loading of various rifle and pistol. Eventually,  you will screw up and only prime that case,  no powder. Trust your rounds but if ot goes pop and not bang just stop. Stop and check. I have had one squib....it was in 45acp. I remember clearly.  Pulled the trigger, it went pop and did not cycle. I, by habit, racked the slide and prepared to fire. Finger on the trigger my brain registered the difference. Ejected the mag, locked the slide back, layed it down. I keep a dowl in my kit....yup...round in the barell. Drove it out with the dowl and called it a day.

Like others have mentioned,  you can assemble match grade stuff with basic equipment. Good luck and enjoy the process.

[Curly]

I just thought of another invaluable piece of equipment.  A bullet puller. 

I used one like this (link).  It works, but is a pain compared to the one I picked up a couple years ago:

grip-n-pull

It works really nice.  Sometimes you just want to pull a bullet and that tool makes it so easy. 

[h20hunter]

 

Yup. That's what I use.

[Magnum_Willys]

Not a requirement but sure like mine for case prep. 

[Fl0und3rz]

Welcome to the dark side.

[brokemillwright]

rcbs dies have little set screws and I have stripped one set, more than likely over tightened it tho.  I have a Lee die set for my 7mm and I'm pretty fond of my 6.5 creedmoor  hornady custom series ( $30 and self centering full length).  I was going to get the forester bench rest but they were back ordered but have been plenty happy with hornady.

this is a good read and the method I use now. he doesn't bother seating close to the lands, just magazine length and then adjust slightly if you feel the need.
http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com

here are 3 loads using OCW method. first is 115 yds, then 211 yds and the last is 400 yds with 6.5 creedmoor on left and .223 on right.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Woodhunter]

Rockchucker has standard 7/8-14 threads.  Most makers dies fit.

What are you loading for?   2 die set for bottle neck rifle, three die set for straight wall cases like pistol or 45-70.

Buy a quality digital caliper similar to the one shown below.   An old Vernier or dial caliper is likely worn out, especially if has been in a weldors hands.

[CP]

I just thought of another invaluable piece of equipment.  A bullet puller. 

I used one like this (link).  It works, but is a pain compared to the one I picked up a couple years ago:

grip-n-pull

It works really nice.  Sometimes you just want to pull a bullet and that tool makes it so easy. 

Won't that grip-n-pull bugger up the bullets.

[Curly]

I just thought of another invaluable piece of equipment.  A bullet puller. 

I used one like this (link).  It works, but is a pain compared to the one I picked up a couple years ago:

grip-n-pull

It works really nice.  Sometimes you just want to pull a bullet and that tool makes it so easy. 

Won't that grip-n-pull bugger up the bullets.

Not really.  But I think it really depends on the bullet and caliber.  I've pulled 30 cal bullets and you could hardly tell they had been loaded before. 

Other times I tried pulling .224 dia bullets and there really wasn't much bullet exposed because of how deep they were seated.......I ended up not being able to pull some of them and the ones that did come out were kind of messed up.  For those I ended up going with the old style puller and pulled them.  But I never had a problem with .277 or .308 bullets.

[Duckslayer89]

@Duckslayer89

Regarding your squib, or bullet in the barrell concern.  I would offer this advice. I've now loaded for about 10 years and done single stage and progressive loading of various rifle and pistol. Eventually,  you will screw up and only prime that case,  no powder. Trust your rounds but if ot goes pop and not bang just stop. Stop and check. I have had one squib....it was in 45acp. I remember clearly.  Pulled the trigger, it went pop and did not cycle. I, by habit, racked the slide and prepared to fire. Finger on the trigger my brain registered the difference. Ejected the mag, locked the slide back, layed it down. I keep a dowl in my kit....yup...round in the barell. Drove it out with the dowl and called it a day.

Like others have mentioned,  you can assemble match grade stuff with basic equipment. Good luck and enjoy the process.

Ok roger. That would be a pain in the ass on an elk hunt or something I’ll have to make sure I’m damn careful to load powder.

I’ll be loading for 7mm Rem mag. I also have a 308 and a 338 but the 7mm was the gun I wanted to start shooting long range with.

Digital calipers sound easy to use I’ll have to look into it. Had the flu the last few days and my mind hasn’t been on anything else but laying here lol

[h20hunter]

I've done a lot of 308 and am just now gearing up for 7mm rm as well. Read up on collett die to remedy case bulge. I doubt you will have issues lacking powder on single stage loading. Keep us updated.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I just thought of another invaluable piece of equipment.  A bullet puller. 

I used one like this (link).  It works, but is a pain compared to the one I picked up a couple years ago:

grip-n-pull

It works really nice.  Sometimes you just want to pull a bullet and that tool makes it so easy. 

I like the press mounted pullers better. I use the RCBS one:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/680804/rcbs-collet-bullet-puller

[jrebel]

I just thought of another invaluable piece of equipment.  A bullet puller. 

I used one like this (link).  It works, but is a pain compared to the one I picked up a couple years ago:

grip-n-pull

It works really nice.  Sometimes you just want to pull a bullet and that tool makes it so easy. 

I like the press mounted pullers better. I use the RCBS one:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/680804/rcbs-collet-bullet-puller

 

Just remember to also purchase the correct collet so you don't get home and realize you have the bullet puller with no collets.....they are caliber specific.  It is what I use and it works amazing. 

[BigGoonTuna]

I have a hornady cam lock puller, it works great especially if you need to pull a bunch of bullets at a time.

[hogslayer]

My bullet puller is a set of lineman pliers.  Might be a waste of money with having to trash bullets.  As far as dies go, I always get the Redding full length bushing die with micro seating.  Ditch the expander after first sizing to uniform dents. Depending on which brass your run, you’ll most likely end up with a .310 or .311 bushing.

[Magnum_Willys]

When seating bullets do it in steps - seat a lil - release - turn bullet a third - repeat til done.  Reduces runout.

After trimming brass and champfering  (inside first then outside)  polish brass face by putting steel wool inside 1/2" socket in your drill-driver and holding brass to it at drill speed for a few seconds.   Evens out bullet seating. 

Watch the lube consistency when full length re-sizing - the amount of lube can change things a lot.

Hand primers and de-cappers can improve your results and better tell you when brass is ready to be scrapped.

Don't worry too much about tumbling brass - your best accuracy will likely be from un-tumbled brass.  Steel pins clean well - maybe too well.  Carbon in the necks can = consistency.  Nylon brush or 0000 steel wool in neck and wipe off outside with a brass cleaner and good to go. 

Shoot at 200-300 yards initially to test loads,

Test your bullet jump !

Most load improvements on first time re-loaders come from shooting improvements not the ammo !

[roscoe]

I've been reloading 7mm rem mag for a few decades now, and  I have pretty much  all the different tools and gauges and probably a few I don't need.  If you ever get in the Maple Valley area, you can bring some basic components and we can do some reloading.

I have lots of brass you can have, along with a set of dies I don't use anymore.

[Duckslayer89]

I've been reloading 7mm rem mag for a few decades now, and  I have pretty much  all the different tools and gauges and probably a few I don't need.  If you ever get in the Maple Valley area, you can bring some basic components and we can do some reloading.

I have lots of brass you can have, along with a set of dies I don't use anymore.

Man that’s generous I appreciate it! Hogslayer offered to show me the ropes too. Part of me wants to dive head first into it all but the other part of me wants to just find a good load for the gun make up a few hundred rounds and call it good.

Do you guys always load off the lands or sometimes is the bullet actually in the lands? Does factory ammo always touch the lands?

[Magnum_Willys]

For hunting I would stay off the lands - start at .010 off and work out.  Factory ammo is generally well off the lands but also crimped commonly.  Pressure increases when you start getting on the lands so reduce load accordingly.

[BigGoonTuna]

I like to start around .010 off the lands, then seat deeper to tune after finding the best charge.  Makes it really easy to do a range, seat all the bullets out and bring a hand press with a seater die installed.

[hogslayer]

I've been reloading 7mm rem mag for a few decades now, and  I have pretty much  all the different tools and gauges and probably a few I don't need.  If you ever get in the Maple Valley area, you can bring some basic components and we can do some reloading.

I have lots of brass you can have, along with a set of dies I don't use anymore.

Man that’s generous I appreciate it! Hogslayer offered to show me the ropes too. Part of me wants to dive head first into it all but the other part of me wants to just find a good load for the gun make up a few hundred rounds and call it good.

Do you guys always load off the lands or sometimes is the bullet actually in the lands? Does factory ammo always touch the lands?

Roscoe offered to help me a few years ago.  Now we are still friends and have hunted together numerous times.  He has my old 7mag dies.  We live pretty close and shoot together. 

[jasnt]

I stay away from anything that needs a battery. 

[Skyvalhunter]