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...