Single stage press recommendations: Hornady Iron Press or RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme

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pacobillie

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I am thinking of getting a new single stage press. My Lee Challenger press has developped a bit of slop in the breech lock mount, and something a bit more rigid is likely in order. Between the RCBS and Hornady presses mentioned above, which one would be your first choice and why? Other suggestions in the same price range are also welcome.

Here is list of desired features:

Durability and ruggedness
Rigidity
Ability to handle magnum length cartridges (300 H&H Magnum)
Ease of changing dies (the RCBS can accept the Hornady Lock-N-Load adapter)
Collection of spent primers for disposal. (The Lee presses do that, but I hate having to use the primer arm to prevent spent primers from falling on the floor)
 
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Rock chucker is great. Look at the Redding big boss or ultra mag. But as always, look into the Forester coax. I wish I was aware of those when I bought my press.
 
LEE Classic Cast. It'll catch all the spent primer's, and they go straight down the ram.
Myself? I went with the LEE Classic Turret. Set the dies once and just switch turret's to change caliber. I removed the auto index rod years ago and run it as a single stage
 
I don't really trust lock n load bushings, they all get sloppy over time.
How much time do you save over a lock ring? 7 seconds?
 
Hitzy said:
I don't really trust lock n load bushings, they all get sloppy over time.
How much time do you save over a lock ring? 7 seconds?
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That is one of my concerns, and the exact issue that I have run into with my Lee Challenger press, but in the latter case, the press is made of aluminum, which is alot softer. Is the Hornady LNL Iron Press plagued with the same issue?
 
The Rockchucker is a great press, but a few of the newer ones, [outsourced by RCBS], have had alignment issues.
I still have one Rockchucker on my bench at home, but by far my favorite is the Co-Ax. Dave.
 
RCBS Rockchucker! I've been using the Rockchucker since 1982. I reloaded thousands of rounds and it's still like new.
 
zuke said:
LEE Classic Cast. It'll catch all the spent primer's, and they go straight down the ram.
Myself? I went with the LEE Classic Turret. Set the dies once and just switch turret's to change caliber. I removed the auto index rod years ago and run it as a single stage
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I love my Lee Classic Turret! I did the same thing with the auto indexing as well. I only use 3 dies in it when loading 9mm and 45 ACP so would be a pain in the ass to use the auto indexing anyways.
 
pacobillie said:
I am thinking of getting a new single stage press. My Lee Challenger press has developped a bit of slop in the breech lock mount, and something a bit more rigid is likely in order. Between the RCBS and Hornady presses mentioned above, which one would be your first choice and why? Other suggestions in the same price range are also welcome.

Here is list of desired features:

Durability and ruggedness pretty much a dead heat, RCBS has been around forever.
Rigidity pretty much a dead heat.
Ability to handle magnum length cartridges (300 H&H Magnum) both will do this.
Ease of changing dies (the RCBS can accept the Hornady Lock-N-Load adapter) the LNL bushings are overrated and add an expense not required. Personally I prefer the pinching style lock rings like Forster; they stay locked and don’t have a set screw driving into the die body (like RCBS). If you want this as a priority the Co-ax wins hands down...
Collection of spent primers for disposal. (The Lee presses do that, but I hate having to use the primer arm to prevent spent primers from falling on the floor) I find my Rock Chucker somewhat messy with primers, the Hornady press I used was about the same, the Co-ax is slick, clean and easy.
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Of the two you mentioned price would be my driving factor and I think the Rock Chucker would offer the most long term value if you load for multiple calibers.
 
Glowworm said:
I love my Lee Classic Turret! I did the same thing with the auto indexing as well. I only use 3 dies in it when loading 9mm and 45 ACP so would be a pain in the ass to use the auto indexing anyways.
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It's the only press I use for rifle caliber's. Except 577 and 577-450
 
Ive used both the RCBS Rock Chucker and the Forster Co-ax press extensively. Both are great presses. I have done up to 300 RUM in both, and I wouldn't be disappointed with either one if I had to choose just one for the rest of my life. Forster feels a bit smoother and works well with either hand, which is good for longer sessions. Also a bit easier to change dies and feels more precise. RCBS is way more solid, robust, with a better mechanical advantage and seems less prone to alignment issues.

Never had any issues collecting spent primers with the plastic tray included with the RCBS. The little jar that catches primers on the forster is brilliant.

Not familiar with the Iron Press.
 
Some 40 years ago a very competent German trained Gunsmith (Sigi of Northland Sports) recommended and sold me a RCBS Junior. Absolutely a very solid Press which a couple years later I traded in for my first Rockchucker which has since produced countless Shells in about 20 different calibers. One of my Rockchuckers operates under a Piggyback 2 for Handgun shells, another one is dedicated for Rifle Shells. Always pure Joy to operate this quality Reloading equipment.

Cheers
 
My used Rock Chucker is 7 yrs old new to me, and the guy I bought it off of had it for 30 yrs. No other option for me..dead solid and dependable (5000 -7000 rds per year)
 
track said:
RCBS Rockchucker! I've been using the Rockchucker since 1982. I reloaded thousands of rounds and it's still like new.
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Haha, that's funny, I was going to say, Rockchucker, have had mine since 1984! No issues, robust and simple single stage press. I have no experience of the Lee, so, take my comments from that perspective. I have a Dillon for pistol.
 
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