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New Setup for reloading? #6956320 11/12/17 01:35 AM
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MathMan Offline OP
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I’ve been reloading with the lee classic loader. Now I’m wanting to upgrade to a single stage press.

My FIL is giving me his RCBS rock chucker that he doesn’t use. I have a digital scale, micrometer, powder, primers, bullets, one shot case lube, and shells.

I’m wanting to get this:

Rcbs 2 die set 243 and 7mm
Rcbs shell holder 243 and 7mm
Rcbs ram priming unit
Lee primer pocket cleaner
Lee chamfer and deburring tool
Lee case trimmer cutter and lock stud
Lee case length gauge 243 and 7mm

My FIL hasn’t reloaded in 20 years. He doesn’t remember how he primed his ammo. Will I be needing the Rcbs ram priming unit? Is it good?

How does the case trimmer and lock stud work?

His rock chucker is old, could it have different threads for the dies?

Anything else that I will need?

My shells have been neck sized 3 times already. Will they be able to be full length sized?

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6956336 11/12/17 01:51 AM
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I'd consider another way to prime. The RCBS Universal Hand Priming tool is decent. There are many other ways to go, though. Shop around some. In the meantime:

hand priming tool

Your Rock Chucker has the same threads as they've had for many years. Don't sweat the dies fitting, they will.

You will be able to FL size those cases, not a problem.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: RiverRider] #6956348 11/12/17 01:58 AM
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MathMan Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: RiverRider
I'd consider another way to prime. The RCBS Universal Hand Priming tool is decent. There are many other ways to go, though. Shop around some. In the meantime:

hand priming tool

Your Rock Chucker has the same threads as they've had for many years. Don't sweat the dies fitting, they will.

You will be able to FL size those cases, not a problem.


Thanks for the input. I’ll be checking into hand priming.

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6956383 11/12/17 02:30 AM
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I much prefer the elder generation,from RCBS. There's more feel and far better alignment with a shellholder,over the "Universal". Actually gave the Universal away yesterday,or I'd of grabbed a pic.



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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6956413 11/12/17 02:52 AM
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Do those have a primer feed tray, or do you feed primers to it one at a time?


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6956436 11/12/17 03:13 AM
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They have trays...that will hold a hundo.............

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6958756 11/13/17 10:00 PM
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Those are fine if you are only loading 4-5 calibers. Get a little $$$ for those who load multi.

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6958787 11/13/17 10:23 PM
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I have been using the press primer arm for 40+ years and it works fine for me. I have considered going to a benchtop priming tool setup but I've used this for so long, I don't see me ever changing. Only have to change out the ram and cup between small and large primers. It's what I learned with so I guess I will stick with it.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6958958 11/14/17 12:10 AM
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don't forget a good case lube, use it

sparingly but you MUST use it


SPACE FOR RENT


Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: Bar-D] #6959038 11/14/17 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted By: bar-d
I have been using the press primer arm for 40+ years and it works fine for me. I have considered going to a benchtop priming tool setup but I've used this for so long, I don't see me ever changing. Only have to change out the ram and cup between small and large primers. It's what I learned with so I guess I will stick with it.



If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I've done it that way myself, that was all I had available to me and had never seen anything better...but once I used a Lee Autoprime, I could never go back to the old way. It's just one of those things you'll never miss if you never try one. But if you DO try one, you'll want it!


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6964281 11/18/17 01:08 AM
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I second the hand primer. If you are loading center rifle cartridges I think a decent beam scale and powder trickler would be useful to you. It is something you will see tangible improvements with. I would not have any worries about the RCBS press. It will most likely out last you and your kids.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6964410 11/18/17 02:51 AM
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What’s wrong with the primer system that’s on it now?

Turns out it’s not a rock chucker. It’s a RCBS Jr2 or Jr3. Is it still a good press?

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6964516 11/18/17 05:11 AM
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It will work fine. A hand primer is preferred by many loaders(including me) for the increased sense of feel that is gained by seating with grip pressure as opposed to arm pressure on a long lever. Either will reprime a case.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: Smokey Bear] #6964697 11/18/17 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
It will work fine. A hand primer is preferred by many loaders(including me) for the increased sense of feel that is gained by seating with grip pressure as opposed to arm pressure on a long lever. Either will reprime a case.


Agreed.

Squeezing the RCBS Universal lets me feel the force needed to seat a primer. And when not much force is needed, I'll tilt the brass, and tap the case head on the bench. I've had primers fall out doing this. Then I know that lot of brass is done.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6965402 11/19/17 04:10 AM
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Started reloading shotshells in 1974, never used a hand primer. I have done "shotshell stamping" => stand the primers upright on a table, hold a de-primed shotshell, and stamp (insert) the primer.

Started reloading handgun / rifle ammo in 1980, never used a hand primer. I have smashed a few primers and had some inserted upside down.

I can say that I have loaded more than 1 million rounds. The downside is I got me a bad right shoulder now from pulling the handle too many times. So got me a Mark VII.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: Wildphilhickup] #6966481 11/20/17 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: Wildphilhickup
Started reloading shotshells in 1974, I can say that I have loaded more than 1 million rounds.

Unless my public education has failed the taxpayer, that's about 62 rounds a day, every day for 44 years. I doubt it's the stroke of that press that killed the shoulder. How many presses have you worn out?

Last edited by garyrapp55; 11/20/17 02:33 PM.
Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6966683 11/20/17 05:11 PM
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I agree with Smokey above, get the best beam scale you can afford. The hand primer is worth its weight in gold. I use the hornady one which was fairly cheap but works well. My bench is set up in a closet so space is tight, its nice to be able to move priming to the kitchen table or somewhere to get a little more room.

I started off the with hornady lock and load kit, the press works well but power measure and scale were more of a pain than they were worth. Can usually find used stuff in good shape off Ebay so I've slowly been upgrading with stuff off there.

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6966725 11/20/17 05:32 PM
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Thanks. I already have a digital scale that I use. I’ll get the hand primer later. Spending a lot already.

Do I need the case trimmer already? How often will I need to trim the cases? I could get the hand primer instead of the case trimmer setup.

Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6966846 11/20/17 06:49 PM
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If you are going to full length size your brass you should get the case trimmer. You will be able to prime with your press. With full length sizing your cases will likely lengthen. If they grow beyond your chamber length they can't adequately expand to release the bullet, resulting in a high pressure situation you want to avoid.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6967093 11/20/17 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted By: MathMan
Thanks. I already have a digital scale that I use. I’ll get the hand primer later. Spending a lot already.

Do I need the case trimmer already? How often will I need to trim the cases? I could get the hand primer instead of the case trimmer setup.


Yes you need a trimmer.

I trim every other firing.


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Re: New Setup for reloading? [Re: MathMan] #6967413 11/21/17 01:25 AM
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I'd get the big wooden ball case trimmer handle.


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