I've got an old RCBS rockchucker press, and I just checked a 450/400 3" casing on it[I'm still waiting on dies, but that is another story]. It's gonna be a really tight fit, especially seating the bullet!

What do you guys recommend for an economical press that has more room than the rockchucker?

Mad Dog

MD,

Your Rockchucker will work fine. Put the bullet up in the die before securing the the case in the shell holder. With a little practice you'll be doing it all in one motion.

Mark

Mark,

What about a Rockchucker and a .500/.416? I believe that case is 1/4" longer. Also, isn't a .470NE 3-1/4 inches long?

If I'd have to geet a wqhole new press if I buy a double, I'd like to know that.

I like the Redding T7 turret press for loading my 450/400 3", but it can be done on a Rockchucker as described above.

Here the press I've been loading 450/400 3 inch, 500 Nitro Express and 475#2 Jeffery on-
Lee Classic Press

Add the neat priming set up they have
Lee Safety Primmer kit

I used a Rockchuker for my 450/400 3.25 and it isn't a matter of getting them in as getting them out. Very often I would have to back off the die to get the loaded ammo out without nicking it or scraping the nose lead.
To eliminate the problem I went up to a RC IV. I ended up with two while looking for the 1.

Currently also loading for a 500bpe, 450 ne and the 450/400 3.25.
Frank

For ease of priming the longer cases I went with the RCBS hand prime which uses the same shell holder. I had previously used a Lee Auto prime but had to modify a shell holder with a grinding bit on a dremel. The Lee is much easier to use for multiple cartridges but the RCBS works fine.
Frank

The Rockchucker Supreme and Ammomaster II have enough height for almost anything. If the AmmoMaster is set up for 50BMG then it can do anything. I use it for my 45-120 Sharps with room to spare and also my 50 BMG.

I load .470NE on a rock chucker. To make it easier I milled a notch in the side of the top and put a spacer under the bushing to give me an extra 3/8 of an inch. Works great for the .470NE and everything else.....Tom

The Rockchucker IV will do it all, it has a longer stoke than the regular Rockchucker.

Rockchucker worked fine for 470 NE for me. I ground away the lip on the shell holder till I had a perfect half circle holding the case rim. Since any more lip holds nothing this gave me plenty of room to load the 470 case.

Rockchucker works fine for any 3" case. I've loaded Wby base cases in mine for years. Correct in that you'll need to hold the bullet into the die before engaging the ram. If you wanna step up to something a little more flexible you can try this.

The very BEST and much more expensive is the Corbin presses by Dave, corbins.com, and Richard, rceco.com. They are larger and have the leverage to swage bullets. Reloading is "pud" to them. You can add hydraulics if you like.

From there it is the oversized presses that the reloading companys have developed in precise response to your problem. Or, as stated, you can squeak by with a Rockchucker... Beware pinched fingers. But with those blasters how many are you going to load/shoot anyway? Not like a p'dog gun and M's... Luck.

You all are making things much more difficult then necessary when loading long Nitro cases in the Rockchucker. You only problem is in seating bullets. The simple solution is to place the case on top of the shell holder rather than in it. Place the bullet on the case then guide it into the die. The die will align the case correctly and will seat the bullet. Lower the die and the loaded round will drop out of the die into your hand.

465H&H

As was stated before, the new RockChucker (Supreme) will load all of the above calibers with no problems. 4 3/8" from top of the shell holder to top of the "O". I load both .470 NE and .500 NE with mine

Geronimo

I also use the Lee Classic cast iron press.
It's super rigid, very well built, tough and durable.
The feel is very nice, it's so sensitive that I've gone to using it for most of my priming operations too.

I load everything from 25acp to 450#2NE 3-1/2" and I've done quite a bit of heavy swaging of BMG brass in custom-built dies for making bore-rifle cartridge cases. I also reload bore rifle cartridges (20 and 16 bore) up to 3" long with no troubles at all.

I have four or five RCBS and Pacific presses that for the most part have done little but gather dust since I got the big Lee press.



Cheers
Tinker

I took the bushings out and stuck a ruler through the holes:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme:
Just a hair under 4-1/8" opening when shellholder is installed on the ram.

RCBS AmmoMaster2:
Just a hair over 6-1/8" opening when shellholder is installed on the ram.

Maybe the old Rock Chucker was smaller?
I never had one.
Sounds like you can still make do with it by sliding the bullet up inside the die with fingers of one hand,
while other hand holds the brass case in place, or slides it into the shellholder after the bullet is held in place, in the die mouth, above the brass case mouth.
I used to use a Hornady 007 press like that before I got the AmmoMaster2.
Yes a big enough press makes it more fun.

I had to get the Rockchucker Supreme, to use 1.25"x12tpi dies, with the 7/8"x14tpi bushing removed ...

... after busting the cheap brass linkage on the Lee Classic Cast, sizing shotgun slugs.
I love Lee, but hate that Classic Cast Press brass linkage.
The brass bolt that stripped holds a ratchet linkage of brass together, at the handle/lever fulcrum!!!
I had to use a brass bolt for commode/toilet fixture, to attempt repair.
Same bolt! Identical!
Lee Classic Cast Press is crap, IMHO,
one of my crapper parts is actually installed in it now,
and it is figuratively in my crapper now!!!
O.K. for light duty only.

AmmoMaster2 will handle 7/8", 1", and 1.5" die threads, with common bushings.
Corbin makes a busing to fit 1.25"x12tpi in 1.5"x12tpi hole.
Threads internal and external are precision timed in hardened steel to allow the thin wall of that bushing.

The Hornady 50BMG press that Macifej is showing is a very close copy of the AmmoMaster2 from RCBS,
though he has modified it to fit even bigger die threads than 1.5".

Macifej,
Hurry up and paint that steel before it rusts!
And why to you have your 2.5" bushing upside down?
Prettier that way?

Undoubtedly the most cost effective way to go for versatility and best results would be to get the AmmoMaster2, or the near identical Hornady 50BMG press
(choice dictated by whether you like green or red better)
and all the bushings, including a Corbin bushing for 1.25"x12tpi.
One press.

quote:

Macifej,
Hurry up and paint that steel before it rusts!
And why to you have your 2.5" bushing upside down?
Prettier that way?

That's a 2"-12 bushing Doc.

It's smooth on the inside and contoured to the shape of the 2-Bore cartridge case. The rim is recessed into the bushing. Shove a 2-Bore case in from the bottom and drop a CCI #35 primer in the top of the ram ... quick and clean priming for phat stuff.

I use my old Rockchucker for .45-120 3.25. A little awkward, but no biggie. That said, Redding's Big Boss (4.5-inch frame opening) or Ultramag (4.75) would be the nuts for loading nitro epxresses.

Another vote for the Ammomaster II!

As has been stated, the ability to use dies up to 1.5" is a great feature. You'll thank yourself later when you don't pass up that 577, 577/500, etc that is too fat for 7/8" dies, or decide you really can't live without a 475#2 or 50BMG. I've accumulated 7/8, 1", 1.25", and 1.5" dies over the years and it handles them all with ease.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Here the press I've been loading 450/400 3 inch, 500 Nitro Express and 475#2 Jeffery on-
Lee Classic Press

Add the neat priming set up they have
Lee Safety Primmer kit

+1

My very good friend just gave me an old Hollywood press.....now that sucker has long stroke. Over 5" I believe and built to last.

RCBS AmmoMaster 2. The best of the best. You will never need another for any long case or 1.5" die threads.

As stated, the newer RCII will work fine, but I went Ammomaster as well. If it's made to load 50BMG, it will load anything. My 338x74K has an OAL of 4" plus!

RIP-

Are we talking about the same press here?

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
... after busting the cheap brass linkage on the Lee Classic Cast, sizing shotgun slugs.
I love Lee, but hate that Classic Cast Press brass linkage.
The brass bolt that stripped holds a ratchet linkage of brass together, at the handle/lever fulcrum!!!
I had to use a brass bolt for commode/toilet fixture, to attempt repair.
Same bolt! Identical!
Lee Classic Cast Press is crap, IMHO,
one of my crapper parts is actually installed in it now,
and it is figuratively in my crapper now!!!
O.K. for light duty only.

I own and use one of these, and my press has no brass bolts, no brass linkage parts.
Mine is a very tough and heavily built press, big steel bolts and all!
The bolts, linkage parts, and spacer bushings on my press are all cadmium plated - they might look like brass - but they're not any sort of cupric metal at all.


I understand brand loyalty and all, and this is the first Lee press that I've ever warmed up to - but I wonder if you somehow are speaking of a different model...



Cheers
Tinker

I own the same press as pictured above. It works great and I would hardly characterize it as being for light duty only. I have reloaded countless big bore cartridges on mine. Very pleased.

They have updated the linkage on the Lee Classic Press.

I resize bullets for my 450/400 .408 caliber with a Corbin die on my Lee Classic.

My vote is for the AmmoMaster II. If you can't load something with that sucker it's probably not legal to have or shoot in the US.

I've used a Rockchucker for .470 NE for a long time. If you've got one already it is simple to use for most things. Just a little awkward, but you get used to it.

Happened into a Corbin and use it now ... primarily because it produces extremely concentric ammunition and has plenty of space and leverage

rcbsd supreme .. an excellent press for long rounds ..

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
They have updated the linkage on the Lee Classic Press.

I resize bullets for my 450/400 .408 caliber with a Corbin die on my Lee Classic.

I guess enough of the old brass linkage busted,
that they had to replace the toilet parts.
I will not be needing the new one.
Good for y'all if the new one is sufficient for your needs.
The RCBS presses are better.
I'll vouch for the Rock Chucker Supreme and the AmmoMaster2.

no question. Hollywood Senior turret press or a Hollywood Super turret

quote:

no question. Hollywood Senior turret press or a Hollywood Super turret

Got the Hollywood Super D and it works fine but my old RCBS AII will handle any of the above.

quote:

Originally posted by Mad Dog:
I've got an old RCBS rockchucker press, and I just checked a 450/400 3" casing on it[I'm still waiting on dies, but that is another story]. It's gonna be a really tight fit, especially seating the bullet!

What do you guys recommend for an economical press that has more room than the rockchucker? Mad Dog

There are two answers to your query.

The best value single-stage press for long cartridges is Lee's Classic Cast [iron] "O" frame. It is significantly better designed and manufactured than its price suggests. I own one and will be acquiring a second this calendar year.

The best single-space presses for long cartridges are Forster's Co-Ax. The only unfortunate aspect of the press is that its operation requires a VERY long handle stroke. Not everyone has the space for it, or the patience to load large quantities of ammunition.

The other best single-space press for long cartridges is Redding's Ultra Mag.

Both "best" presses feature open, frontal ram access. And both are expensive.

As a reality check, quality differences among these three presses approaches zero. Reality defaults to the Lee. You will not be disappointed choosing any of these.

Heavier and bigger than necessary for most Nitro calibers, the old Hollywood press can do it all. Shotgun, from 2" to ? big, swagging, bore rifle loads, bullet sizing (up past 1"), paradoxes, taking the belt off 8 bore industrial cases, wildcatting. This old press makes it all easy.

I have an ammomaster II for my 50BMG. I used it on my NE cartridges and it was fine but it is in my opinion to big with too much stroke for the NE cartridges. I now use the Redding Ultramag press and I like it alot.....

Forster co ax and Redding ultra mag for me.

I use the Redding Ultra Mag, and I really like it. Plenty of room for the 470NE and 416 Rigby (that sucker is LONG.)
It's quite strong, and the primer catcher gizzy is handy. Primer feed, is, however, manual.

look at Gatsby's picture, case closed.

I use a RCBS Ammo Master and an old A2. Both work fine but the Ammo Master get the nod for really long cartridges.

quote:

Originally posted by gatsby:
Heavier and bigger than necessary for most Nitro calibers, the old Hollywood press can do it all. Shotgun, from 2" to ? big, swagging, bore rifle loads, bullet sizing (up past 1"), paradoxes, taking the belt off 8 bore industrial cases, wildcatting. This old press makes it all easy.

I have not seen one of the old Hollywood turrets for years! They are great!