JackO
Instructor
Fellow reloaders, I have an almost impossible problem to solve, I need to choose between two excellent single stage presses: RCBS Rock Chacker and Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic.
I currently have a couple of Dillon 550B, one setup for large primers, one for small ones. I also have a half dozen of tool heads for them with different caliber dies installed. I mostly do pistol calibers: 32S&Wlong, 9mm, 38SPL, 357mag, 44mag, 50AE. Recently I dove in 223 rifle caliber, processed about 6K of MFL brass on one of my Dillons, no problem. The next journey in rifle calibers will be 308, for hunting and long range shooting (600+). I have also recently added 500S&Wmag to my pistol calibers.
So why do I “need” a single stage press, if for many years Dillons seem to do all the work I needed? I don’t know, I just feel that I would benefit from a single stage to do precision reloading of rifle calibers, and come-on, I just WANT one.
Now, when I gave you the full background, let’s get back to the question – RCBS vs Hornady.
RCBS Rock Chacker – very solid, classic single stage press, considered by many THE PRESS. Has 4” ram stroke, can be used with the bushing with standard 7/8-14 dies, or without the bushing with large 1-1/4-12 dies. Has a simple priming arm, and an optional automatic priming system. Price - $136.99 from Midway.
Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic – practically the same tech specs as RCBS RC, ram stroke a little smaller, 3-3/4”. Can not take 1-1/4-12 dies (do I need this, is this for 50BMG only?), but has a DEFINITE plus in my book – Lock-N-Load Bushings for quick die changing. I think it might be a big deal, as I’m the type of person, who prefers adjusting a die once, and keeping it this way. I would probably buy a dozen or more bushing, put all large caliber dies in the bushings, and then just switch them in press as needed. On the negative side – some reviews say LNL automatic priming arm is so-so, requires continuous tinkering to keep it running. Not that it’s a big deal, but just another small thing to take into consideration. Hornady LNL single stage is $131.99 from Midway.
Another thing to consider – powder measure. I even don’t know yet if I need one, as I can pre-process all the brass on a single stage press, and then charge, sit bullet, and crimp it on 550B. So far my Dillon powder measures were very consistent, I modified them with Uniquetek micrometric powder bar kits, and they are very repeatable within +/- 0.1gr, although I used them with ball powders only. But I feel I would benefit from a powder measure for precision rifle reloading for long range. Both, RCBS and Hornady have relatively similar powder measures, although Hornady seems a little better according to several reviews I read here on NES and on the net in general.
And one more small question. Are the shell holders from RCBS and Hornady interchangable, i.e. can RCBS holders be put in Hornady press and vice versa?
So, in your opinion, RCBS or Hornady, Rock Chacker or LNL?
ETA. It seems, with this adapter Rock Chacker can have LNL bushing system:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=858110
I currently have a couple of Dillon 550B, one setup for large primers, one for small ones. I also have a half dozen of tool heads for them with different caliber dies installed. I mostly do pistol calibers: 32S&Wlong, 9mm, 38SPL, 357mag, 44mag, 50AE. Recently I dove in 223 rifle caliber, processed about 6K of MFL brass on one of my Dillons, no problem. The next journey in rifle calibers will be 308, for hunting and long range shooting (600+). I have also recently added 500S&Wmag to my pistol calibers.
So why do I “need” a single stage press, if for many years Dillons seem to do all the work I needed? I don’t know, I just feel that I would benefit from a single stage to do precision reloading of rifle calibers, and come-on, I just WANT one.
Now, when I gave you the full background, let’s get back to the question – RCBS vs Hornady.
RCBS Rock Chacker – very solid, classic single stage press, considered by many THE PRESS. Has 4” ram stroke, can be used with the bushing with standard 7/8-14 dies, or without the bushing with large 1-1/4-12 dies. Has a simple priming arm, and an optional automatic priming system. Price - $136.99 from Midway.
Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic – practically the same tech specs as RCBS RC, ram stroke a little smaller, 3-3/4”. Can not take 1-1/4-12 dies (do I need this, is this for 50BMG only?), but has a DEFINITE plus in my book – Lock-N-Load Bushings for quick die changing. I think it might be a big deal, as I’m the type of person, who prefers adjusting a die once, and keeping it this way. I would probably buy a dozen or more bushing, put all large caliber dies in the bushings, and then just switch them in press as needed. On the negative side – some reviews say LNL automatic priming arm is so-so, requires continuous tinkering to keep it running. Not that it’s a big deal, but just another small thing to take into consideration. Hornady LNL single stage is $131.99 from Midway.
Another thing to consider – powder measure. I even don’t know yet if I need one, as I can pre-process all the brass on a single stage press, and then charge, sit bullet, and crimp it on 550B. So far my Dillon powder measures were very consistent, I modified them with Uniquetek micrometric powder bar kits, and they are very repeatable within +/- 0.1gr, although I used them with ball powders only. But I feel I would benefit from a powder measure for precision rifle reloading for long range. Both, RCBS and Hornady have relatively similar powder measures, although Hornady seems a little better according to several reviews I read here on NES and on the net in general.
And one more small question. Are the shell holders from RCBS and Hornady interchangable, i.e. can RCBS holders be put in Hornady press and vice versa?
So, in your opinion, RCBS or Hornady, Rock Chacker or LNL?
ETA. It seems, with this adapter Rock Chacker can have LNL bushing system:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=858110
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