Rock Chucker....

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

So everone knows the RCBS Rock Chucker.  Most of us prob'ly own at least one (I do NOT), and even if we don't, we've likely used one at some time.  Neat li'l machines.

 

I have multiple single-stage presses around the scatter, but no Rock Chucker.  Never needed one.  Never even thought about buying one - but if some decrepit ol' unit should follow me home some day I'd happily re-hab it and maybe even use it.

 

That said, during a discussion about 'em this afternoon a question arose:  will they reload the .50 BMG?  I have no experience with that round, and no idea if they will or not.  But when I asked the question of the Googlefier, a number of conflicting opinions pop up.

 

Well?  Anyone here have the definitive answer?  And otherwise, general opinions of the 'Chucker~?  

 

 

                 

[Alpo]

Yes it will. If you look at the top, you see what appears to be a boss with a hole in it. And the hole is tapped the normal 7/8 x 14. 

 

But the boss is not just a enlarged flattened area with a hole in it. It is a bushing. If you unscrew it, the resulting threaded hole in the top of the press is big enough to take the dies necessary to load 50 BMG - 1½ x 12.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Bought my RC in 1967.

It's all cast iron.

Still have and use it.

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

My first press.  Thirty+ years old.  Still use it.  It will load 50s.

[Blackwater 53393]

Mine is the same as the one pictured in the OP.

I’ve only ever used mine to reload 10 and 12ga brass shotgun shells, but I’m told that it will load the 50BMG as well.

[Blackwater 53393]

Here’s an explanation of the differences in the original Rock Chucker and the RC Ii and RC Supreme.

 

Rock Chucker
The original Rock Chucker was a heavy-duty reloading press that replaced the earlier RCBS A-2 press. The primary change was the use of cast iron in the Rock Chucker frame, compared to cast steel in the A-2. The Rock Chucker, like the A-2, had a 7/8-inch, 14 threads per inch (TPI) threaded hole in the top of the frame casting to accept reloading dies. The Rock Chucker had its operating handle on the right side so the user could manipulate cartridges with the left hand while raising and lowering the press ram with the right.

Rock Chucker 2
The Rock Chucker 2 substituted replaceable threaded bushings for the 7/8-inch by 14 TPI threaded hole. It was furnished with a 7/8-inch by 14 TPI bushing to accept standard reloading dies, but could also accept larger bushings for reloading shotgun shells, .50 caliber cartridges, and other large cartridges. The Rock Chucker 2 also replaced the original light green crinkle paint with a dark green epoxy finish to facilitate cleaning, and replaced the bicycle grip-style handle of the original with a more ergonomically correct round knob.

Rock Chucker Supreme
The Rock Chucker Supreme has the same features as the Rock Chucker 2, and adds ambidextrous handle attachment points so the user may place the operating handle on the left or right. The Supreme also has a larger frame opening than previous Rock Chuckers, to better accommodate long rifle cartridges, such as the .50 caliber military cartridges. This Rock Chucker replaces all previous versions of the press.

[Happy Jack, SASS #20451]

I can tell you FROM EXPERIENCE it will hold some 50BMG dies BUT it lacks the brute strength to really load 50BMG.  You need a press designed for the big cartridge. Many years ago RCBS made a press that would load 50BMG BUT it only used 1 1/4" dies. Most are 1 1/2". I sold my big press when I sold my 50BMG guns after the stroke a few years back. 

[Three Foot Johnson]

If the press held up to the pressure... maybe, but it would be a bit of a pain in the arse. Here is a loaded .50 BMG sitting on the ram of my Rockchucker with no shell holder - the Ammomaster shell holder isn't compatible with the Rock Chucker. Even with no shell holder, the mouth of the case is well into the press frame at the top. The tip of the loaded bullet is visible sticking out of the hole. If the press held up, and you figured out a way to prime the cases (the Ammomaster priming ram isn't compatible with the Rock Chucker), I suppose the case could be angled up through the hole, the shell holder simultaneously slid onto the rim and into the ram, the bullet placed in the shell from the top, then the die screwed in - after removing the bushing, of course. It might take repeated steps of screwing the die and/or seating stem down to get the shell fully sized or the bullet fully seated, then the process would have to be reversed - unscrew the die, slide the shell holder out of the ram/off the case rim, then remove the finished round from the press.

 

When I bought my AR50 22+ years ago, it came with an RCBS Ammomaster press, dies, trim die, priming arm, shell holder, etc. I also use it to load .45-120.

Edited August 9 by Three Foot Johnson

[bgavin]

The only RCBS I own are two of their beam balance (Omhaus?) scales, and some 44 Russian carbide dies.
Everything else is Redding.
 

[Rip Snorter]

Here is what RCBS Recommends for 50 https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/new-electric-bandage-accelerates-healing-of-chronic-wounds-animal-study-5701525?ea_src=frontpage&&ea_med=top-news-top-stories-0-title-6

 

I have done large big game 416 Rigby and 45-70 on the standard Rockchucker with no problems.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

4 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Here’s an explanation of the differences in the original Rock Chucker and the RC Ii and RC Supreme.

 

Rock Chucker
The original Rock Chucker was a heavy-duty reloading press that replaced the earlier RCBS A-2 press. The primary change was the use of cast iron in the Rock Chucker frame, compared to cast steel in the A-2. The Rock Chucker, like the A-2, had a 7/8-inch, 14 threads per inch (TPI) threaded hole in the top of the frame casting to accept reloading dies. The Rock Chucker had its operating handle on the right side so the user could manipulate cartridges with the left hand while raising and lowering the press ram with the right.

Rock Chucker 2
The Rock Chucker 2 substituted replaceable threaded bushings for the 7/8-inch by 14 TPI threaded hole. It was furnished with a 7/8-inch by 14 TPI bushing to accept standard reloading dies, but could also accept larger bushings for reloading shotgun shells, .50 caliber cartridges, and other large cartridges. The Rock Chucker 2 also replaced the original light green crinkle paint with a dark green epoxy finish to facilitate cleaning, and replaced the bicycle grip-style handle of the original with a more ergonomically correct round knob.

Rock Chucker Supreme
The Rock Chucker Supreme has the same features as the Rock Chucker 2, and adds ambidextrous handle attachment points so the user may place the operating handle on the left or right. The Supreme also has a larger frame opening than previous Rock Chuckers, to better accommodate long rifle cartridges, such as the .50 caliber military cartridges. This Rock Chucker replaces all previous versions of the press.

First press I started reloading with for highpower rifle shilouette (.308, 6.5-08 and 6.5x55) was a Rock Chucker II and I still have it set up and use it on occasion.  Most everything has been loaded on a Dillion 550 for years.  Had no idea I could load brass shotshells with it. 

Edited August 8 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Three Foot Johnson]

1 minute ago, Rip Snorter said:

Here is what RCBS Recommends for 50 https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/new-electric-bandage-accelerates-healing-of-chronic-wounds-animal-study-5701525?ea_src=frontpage&&ea_med=top-news-top-stories-0-title-6

 

I have done large big game 416 Rigby and 45-70 on the standard Rockchucker with no problems.

They recommend a space-age "electric bandage"...?

[Blackwater 53393]

15 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

First press I started reloading with for highpower rifle shilouette (.308, 6.5-08 and 6.5x55) was a Rock Chucker II and I still have it set up and use it on occasion.  Had no idea I could load brass shotshells with it. 

RCBS and CH4D make dies for loading the brass shotgun shells.  The CH4D are far superior!

 

 CH4D roll crimp dies have been fantastic for loading brass shells.

 

You’ll need the “Big Dawg” lever and handle for using the sizing die and you will need to make sure your loading table is anchored down!

 

I’m in the process of having my sizing die honed slightly as it’s a bit tight, (read that REALLY tight) and polished to make the process a little less strenuous.

 

10ga brass shell after roll crimping 

 

Same shell after firing. 

 

I see no problem reloading these after roll crimping.

 

I will anneal them to extend brass life.

 

 

Edited August 8 by Blackwater 53393

[Rip Snorter]

19 minutes ago, Three Foot Johnson said:

They recommend a space-age "electric bandage"...?

That dam' buffer and multitasking got me again.  Sorry!  https://www.rcbs.com/presses/single-stage/ammomaster-.50-bmg-pack/16-88700.html

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

12 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

RCBS and CH4D make dies for loading the brass shotgun shells.  The CH4D are far superior!

 

 CH4D roll crimp dies have been fantastic for loading brass shells.

 

You’ll need the “Big Dawg” lever and handle for using the sizing die and you will need to make sure your loading table is anchored down!

 

I’m in the process of having my sizing die honed slightly as it’s a bit tight, (read that REALLY tight) and polished to make the process a little less strenuous.

 

10ga brass shell after roll crimping 

 

Same shell after firing. 

 

I see no problem reloading these after roll crimping.

 

I will anneal them to extend brass life.

 

 

Can you post some photos of the Rock Chucker set up to load the brass shells?  Do you also load 12 ga or just 10 ga?

[Blackwater 53393]

I’ll take some pics when I get back to the house later today.

[Blackwater 53393]

OKAY!!

 

Bear with me for a little bit. This will require some editing to make it happen and have it make some sense.

 

I do load both 10 and 12ga brass shotgun shells. I have somewhere around 300 of the 12ga shells. Some I bought new when I got the urge to try them, some that were given to me in trades or because a shooter lost interest, a significant number acquired when I bought all the components and the CH4D 12ga dies from the estate of a cowboy friend who passed, and I suspect that the dern things breed and multiply when left unattended.

 

Some of these are the usual Magtech shells that take large pistol primers, others are made to take standard 209 primers including a few of those super RMC shells, and I recently found and bought fifty Alcan/Fiocchi shells that take the old 57/157 (Remington/CCI) shotgun primers that are no longer produced.  Fortunately, I have a good supply of these primers, having traded an equal number of 209s for several packs and another cowboy gave me a sizable quantity with the proviso that I use them myself, give some to someone who desperately needs them, or kept them as a collector’s item.  I had to promise NOT to sell ‘em for any ridiculous profit, (thanks, Long Gulch!).

 

I also received a gift of 101 Alcan zinc metallic 12ga shells!!  Brand new, never primed, still in the original Alcan corrugated cardboard box!  They’re waaaay cool and take 209s as well!

 

Then there’s the 10ga brass shells.  I got the first few from a cowboy on the SASS Clasdifieds. He’d found them in a hardware store in Alaska and bought all they had. I bought a partial box from him and made up the rest of a box of 25 with some I bought from Track Of The Wolf.  They all take large pistol primers.  I ran them in my big Remington ‘93 a couple of times and in a Winchester 1901 that I recently sold.

 

In a conversation with a couple of cowboys in the classifieds, I found a gentleman who had those Alcan/Fiocchi 12ga brass shells and he also had a bunch of those same shells in 10ga!!  I BOUGHT ‘EM!

 

SO!!  I had the Rock Chucker II that I picked up on Craigslist and I started with the RCBS Cowboy Die set, but I found it unsatisfactory and, for a while, I loaded everything I had by hand.  It was mildly enjoyable and I could pay close attention to every shell.

 

When I picked up the 12ga CH4D dies, that all changed.  No more gluing over shot cards in only to have the glue dry out or lose adhesion, causing shot to pour down the barrel when the card slipped out. No more waiting for the glue to dry before boxing up my newly reloaded shells! Now I can resize a shell that was bent when stepped on and it’s good to go again!

 

These first photos are of the RCBS with a 12ga shell in the press. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the 12ga shell holder.  It fits without any problem.

 

The 10ga shells present their own set of minor issues.  The shell holder must be modified in order to fit it into the press. 

 

The first picture is of the shell holder by itself. Notice that I have ground off some material on the left side of the shell holder. This allows it to clear the frame of the press when it is being installed.

 

 

This pic shows the 10ga shell holder installed.

In order to get the shell holder into the press, it has to be put in with the narrowed side facing the frame and then turned to accept the shell.

 

You COULD just grind the right side of the shell holder, but I use that same one to prime the shells that take large pistol primers on an RCBS primer station, (shown below). By narrowing the left side, it allows me to use the primer station with the primer feed tool and it seats the primers correctly.

 

This shot shows the 10ga shell holder installed on the RCBS primer station with the primer drop in position to set a primer.

 

I’ve included a couple of photos of the CH4D die.  This is the 12ga roll crimp die.  From the outside, the 10 and 12ga dies are identical. I didn’t show the sizing and depriming die.

 

This is a top view with the die installed in the press.  The top knob adjusts the depth of the over shot card and seats it on the shot evenly.

The whole assembly! Set up with the 10ga shell holder.

The dies come with a lock ring,(set screw not shown) to set the amount of roll crimp.  I have two different length shells in both 10 and 12ga, so this allows me to adjust depth for each length.

Here’s a sample of the finished product in both 10ga and 12ga along with a shot of the Alcan zinc shell.

 

 

I hope this answers your questions and that it isn’t too long winded.

 

These dies are pretty expensive, but I find them well worth the investment. 
 

I plan to add a “Big Dawg” ergonomic lever from Inline Fabrication when I get paid in a couple of weeks.

 

 

 

Edited August 9 by Blackwater 53393

[Alpo]

I have made one attempt at crimping a brass shell. I loaded three mag tech 410s, and put a slight roll crimp on the mouth with a 44/40 seater die.

 

The result was that I now had three 410 shells that were approximately an eighth of an inch shorter than the other 22 in the box.

 

When I fired them, it did not expand the crimp. It shot it off the end of the case.

[Blackwater 53393]

5 minutes ago, Alpo said:

I have made one attempt at crimping a brass shell. I loaded three mag tech 410s, and put a slight roll crimp on the mouth with a 44/40 seater die.

 

The result was that I now had three 410 shells that were approximately an eighth of an inch shorter than the other 22 in the box.

 

When I fired them, it did not expand the crimp. It shot it off the end of the case.

 

There’s a lot to be said for using the right tool for the job!!  
 

I don’t do 410, but here’s a before and after of my 10ga shell that was loaded with 140gr of FFFg and an ounce and three quarters of #7 shot.

 

before 

after

Edited August 9 by Blackwater 53393

[Alpo]

The 410 was developed from the 44/40. Saying that that's the wrong piece of equipment would be like saying that 38 Long Colt dies would be the wrong thing to crimp a 357 with.

[Blackwater 53393]

9 hours ago, Alpo said:

The 410 was developed from the 44/40. Saying that that's the wrong piece of equipment would be like saying that 38 Long Colt dies would be the wrong thing to crimp a 357 with.

The 410 may have been developed from the .44 WCF, but it more closely matches the profile of the .45 Colt or the .454 Casull.  Perhaps if you’d used the die for that caliber, your crimping effort would have been more successful.

The “ROLL CRIMP” for a brass shotgun shell is different from the roll crimp used on pistol/rifle cartridges.

 

It isn’t intended to hold the projectile in place while pressure builds post ignition. It is only there to keep the over shot card from falling out and letting the shot roll out of the end of the shell.

 

In the case of the roll crimp on a plastic or paper hull, used to retain a slug, it is only there to keep the slug from changing position in the shell, NOT to build pressure!!

 

If you shortened the 410 shell an eighth of an inch, your crimp was probably way too much!!  My big 10ga shells only lose a very few thousandths when crimped!!

 

 

Edited August 9 by Blackwater 53393

[Blackwater 53393]

I too have some questions!!

 

I’m not familiar with previous iterations of the Rock Chucker.  I have the RCII. 
 

1: I’ve heard and read that the original Rock Chucker was smaller than the II , having a smaller opening between the top of the ram and the boss for the dies.  I know that the original was not equipped with the larger threading and the bushing that allows the use of both 7/8” AND 1 1/4” dies.

 

Does this make a difference in the ability of the RCII to size and load the 50BMG?? I’m not at all interested in reloading 50BMG, but I would like to know if anyone can offer actual experience.

 

2: Has anyone here tried both the RCII and the RC Supreme and, besides the ambidextrous lever and the improved primer capture, are there any significant differences in the two?

 

3: Has anyone tried the “Big Dawg” lever with the roller handle or the strong mount offered by Inline Fabrication?  If so, what are your thoughts??

 

 

Edited August 9 by Blackwater 53393

[Alpo]

I heard that originally it was built to swage bullets.

 

Rock Chucker Bullet Swager - RCBS

[Blackwater 53393]

1 hour ago, Alpo said:

I heard that originally it was built to swage bullets.

 

Rock Chucker Bullet Swager - RCBS

 

I believe that the first product WAS a bullet swager.  Actually, it was bullet swage dies!
 

RCBS was founded in 1943 by Fred T. Huntington in Oroville, California. Huntington was a dedicated shooter, but found it difficult to obtain quality varmint bullets. However, after reading about making a die to swage .22 rimfire cartridge cases to form jackets for bullets, he began to craft his own dies in the back room of his father’s Oroville laundry and dry-cleaning business. Because the resulting bullets were used to shoot rock chucks – a varmint of Western North America – he named them Rock Chuck Bullet Swage dies, later shortened to RCB

 

 

Edited August 9 by Blackwater 53393

[Wallaby Damned]

You can reload 50bmg on the RC and it’s variants but for big rounds like that the RCBS ammo master is the way to go. Bigger working area, more mechanical advantage. I bought an AMII to reload 375 Cheytac and now have a 50 in the mix too. I use a Dillon 550 for most pistol/rifle bulk batches but I still use the RCII for precision loads and all of my BPCR cartridges. 

[Blackwater 53393]

I’m planning to add the “Big Dawg” ergonomic lever and the Inline Fabrication strong mount to my setup.

 

 

The lever is six inches longer and includes a roller handle!  Just shy of 1/3 longer, so it should make the process much easier.

 

The strong mount raises the press 9 3/4” which will allow me to move the entire press in over the table, making spent primer collection much more convenient and it has a shelf that will hold a fifty round shell tray under the press.

 

 

The roll crimp process isn’t strenuous at all, but the depriming and sizing die takes two men and a strong boy to run with the standard handle.  I know that it’ll require anchoring the table to the floor because I did a couple of bent 12ga shells when I first started using it.  I had to have Schoolmarm sit on the table to hold it down and grab the back of the press and pull when I pulled the handle up to release the shell from the die.

 

I don’t normally resize these shells, but I don’t junk the bent shells unless the base is badly damaged.

 

I’ll post pics here when I get it all set up.

 

 

Edited August 10 by Blackwater 53393

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

I’m planning to add the “Big Dawg” ergonomic lever and the Inline Fabrication strong mount to my setup.

 

 

The lever is six inches longer and includes a roller handle!  Just shy of 1/3 longer, so it should make the process much easier.

 

The strong mount raises the press 9 3/4” which will allow me to move the entire press in over the table, making spent primer collection much more convenient and it has a shelf that will hold a fifty round shell tray under the press.

 

 

The roll crimp process isn’t strenuous at all, but the depriming and sizing die takes two men and a strong boy to run with the standard handle.  I know that it’ll require anchoring the table to the floor because I did a couple of bent 12ga shells when I first started using it.  I had to have Schoolmarm sit on the table to hold it down and grab the back of the press and pull when I pulled the handle up to release the shell from the die.

 

I don’t normally resize these shells, but I don’t junk the bent shells unless the base is badly damaged.

 

I’ll post pics here when I get it all set up.

 

 

 

Buy their quick change mount. I have one and love it. It is plenty strong enough for any press you will mount to it.

 

As for anchoring the bench attach it to the wall using a couple of L brackets. 

Edited August 10 by Sedalia Dave

[Blackwater 53393]

15 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Buy their quick change mount. I have one and love it. It is plenty strong enough for any press you will mount to it.

 

As for anchoring the bench attach it to the wall using a couple of L brackets. 

My bench is in the middle of the room. I have it set up so that I can work all the way around it.

 

 

I’ve turned the whole thing clockwise 90 degrees since these pictures were taken.  With all the shelves and the safe, there’s not much wall space.
 

 

The bench is actually an old heavy desk that I bought cheap and added a double layers of 3/4” plywood to the top of.  

 

I’m still working through some clutter, There’s still some stuff that I need to put elsewhere and a couple of things that will be discarded entirely.
 

 

 

Once I get the rest of my stuff organized and finish updating a couple of things like the planned mods to the Rock Chucker, I’ll set the bench where I want it and anchor it to the floor.

 

Edited August 11 by Blackwater 53393

[watab kid]

i think mine will , 

 

im looking for a second fir some of my obscure items these days , 

[bgavin]

I like that idea of an island work bench, accessible from all four sides.
I don't have the room for this, but it is still a grand idea.

[Blackwater 53393]

2 hours ago, bgavin said:

I like that idea of an island work bench, accessible from all four sides.
I don't have the room for this, but it is still a grand idea.

I hadn’t planned to reload when I built the shelves that line two of the walls in that room. It was just storage after my son moved out and got married. As I got deeper into CAS and my guns started multiplying, I bought the safe and dedicated the closet to my cowboy clothes. 
 

Ammo and components began to take over the shelves and the books and nic-nacs got crowded out.

 

The less durable stuff stayed in the “gun room”, but the Rock Chucker and the hardware were kept in the shed and later the garage when I got it built.

 

I won the xl750 at Black Gold a few years ago, but it stayed in the box in the gun room until last fall.  
 

The garage was getting cluttered with projects and Hatfield had started taking in repair work. I was laid up with the foot problem and couldn’t get out in the shop.

 

I got bored. I’d read all of my western books. The band is on hiatus. I’m not supposed to be on my feet. So I decided that it was time to get the reloading stuff set up where I could use it without going to the shop and be in the air conditioning when it’s hot.

 

I’m still working out the details and it’s growing as I learn more.

 

Eight decades and I’m still learning basic stuff!!  

 

 

[Blackwater 53393]

The mount and new handle for the Rock Chucker are in town this afternoon and should be delivered sometime tomorrow.

 

I have miles of errands to run tomorrow, so it’ll probably be Friday afternoon before I can set it all up and get pictures.

[bgavin]

On 8/11/2024 at 10:46 AM, Blackwater 53393 said:

Eight decades and I’m still learning basic stuff!!

[Blackwater 53393]

The new pieces for the Rock Chucker showed up this morning while I was running the first errand of the day.

 

I had several more errands to run, so I figured I’d put it together on Friday when I got home from the doctor.

 

We got done much earlier than I expected, so I went ahead and assembled it this evening.

 

The mount is heavier than the one I have for the xl750!  Thicker metal, but they cut away large pieces from the down legs.  Everything is assembled with allen screws and locking nuts except for the hardware that actually holds the press.  The studs for mounting the press ARE allen, but they use regular nuts with flat and lock washers.  It has a good sized shelf under the press and there’s enough room beneath the shelf for a shallow tray to catch primers.  It gets the press up and back from the edge of the table top, making it a little easier to get around.  First impression is….  I like it!!

 

The “Big Dawg” handle/lever is 6” longer than the standard one. It’s bent to keep it close to the press and the handle is well placed. I’m not as impressed with the roller handle. It works well and is smooth, but it mounts to the lever with a stud that’s only 5/16” and it doesn’t go all the way through the lever! The stud is hollow on the end that threads into the lever, broached for an allen wrench and it doesn’t have a backup nut to lock it in place.  I’m not really sure if that stud would hold up to the pressure needed to run the big sizing dies like the brass 12ga.

 

We’ll see!  I can always make a better handle if I need to.

 

ANYWAY!! Pics…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 30 by Blackwater 53393

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

Kewlest~!!   

 

I just might have to get myself one.