Faster accessories

[nstuyt]

I got my RCBS rock chucker kit set up and made 100rnds of different varieties in the first week. I really enjoy it and do mind spending the time every evening. Is their any other accessories that you would recommend to speed up the process? Thanks.

[PingPongBob]

A progressive press would really speed things up.

[joelogic]

speeding up a single stage, thats funny. People buy single stages to take their time.

[Bug Splat]

I think the best thing to do is have all your supplies laid out in a way that is easier for you. Smaller and less movements/reaching can help you make things faster. A brass prep center made by RCBS or Hornday will speed thing up in brass prep.

I like to reload in stages doing one job over the period of a couple days then moving to the next. I'll polish 500+ pieces of brass over a couple days. Then over another few days I will resize them. Then trim them all. Next I will seat a primer. After that I will charge and seat the bullet. After that I'll crimp. The down side to a single stage press is that you are limited to one die so I use that die as much as I can before switching.

[huckberry668]

Batch processing your brass will save time in the long run if you have a lot of brass. I find lubing rifle cases time consuming. I disolve 1 part RCBS case lube in 9 parts alcohol in a small spray bottle. Line a couple of hundred brass up on a flat tray and spray at an angle 4 to 5 times from all 4 directions. roll them around on the tray then use a blow dryer to dry up the alcohol. Fast and even distribution of lube on the cases including inside the neck. takes 1/20 the time than lubing them on a pad. The solution lasts forever.

Tool wise, these will save you time: power case prep center, power case trimmer, hand priming tool, automatic powder measure are in my opinion the accessories to get for faster reloading on single stage. Since you're new to this, here are some links for your reference. I use RCBS products as examples not necessarily the ones to get. They are good and great custome service and warranty.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=565099

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=481398

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=772151

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=329291

I have the last 3 and love them.

[XDRoX]

I think the best thing to do is have all your supplies laid out in a way that is easier for you. Smaller and less movements/reaching can help you make things faster. A brass prep center made by RCBS or Hornday will speed thing up in brass prep.

I like to reload in stages doing one job over the period of a couple days then moving to the next. I'll polish 500+ pieces of brass over a couple days. Then over another few days I will resize them. Then trim them all. Next I will seat a primer. After that I will charge and seat the bullet. After that I'll crimp. The down side to a single stage press is that you are limited to one die so I use that die as much as I can before switching.

Really good advice. That's what I was going to suggest as well. Try doing batches of 500 at a time. Just do each stage one night at a time. Switching dies really adds to the time so if you can load 500 at a time, that'll really help.

Also if you are not already, you can charge each case in the shell plate. Just be careful not to miss/double any. If you're picking up each piece of brass and throwing the charge individually, that can be very time consuming.

And if you really get tired of slow loading, you can pick up a Lee Classic Turret press for around $85.
Since you already have everything else all you'll need is the press. You can load 250 an hour on it.

[nstuyt]

Thanks for the advice. I know I should have went progressive but really like accurate ammunition and don't fire my AR enough to justify the extra cost. Im sure i will start doing larger groups once I get the comfortable and find the right loads for my guns.

[J-cat]

Seating and crimping at the same time speeds things up. Better still, seating bullets in sized-only cases without crimp is even faster. But your bullets need a boat-tail.

[nstuyt]

After looking at all the advice im starting to think maybe i should have bought all the items in pieces instead of buying a kit

[J-cat]

Exactly.

[Fjold]

You can buy the RCBS PIGGYBACK which turns the Rock Chucker into a progressive press but buying a new progressive press would be cheaper.


RCBS Piggyback 3
395.00

87811
RCBS Piggyback 4
395.00

RCBS PIGGYBACK 3 & 4
If you own a RCBS Rock Chucker, Reloader Special-3, or Reloader Special-5, (each sold separately), you know they’re some of the finest single-stage presses ever built. The Piggyback 3 moves you from single-stage reloading to 5 station manual indexing, progressive reloading in one step, and moves your output from 50 rounds an hour to well over 400. If you own the new Rock Chucker Supreme, the Piggyback 4 will convert the press to progressive. Optional extra Star Wheel can remain permanently attached to the shell plate for quicker caliber changes.

Features of the Piggyback 3/4
- Easy installation
- Fastest and simplest caliber conversion of any progressive Press on the market
- Best powder dispensing method available
- Utilizes APS Priming System, the most reliable, convenient and safest available
- Handles all 7/8"-14 dies
- Piggyback 3 Reloads all pistol (except 25 auto) and rifle calibers up to 223 Rem.
(2.260" OAL)
- Piggyback 4 Reloads all pistol (except 25 auto) and rifle calibers up to 30-06 Sprg.
(3.340" OAL)
- Five stations allow use of lube die, lock out die, separate crimp die
- Simple Universal Case Retention System allow easy removal and insertion of cases at each station
- Self-cleaning Shellplate Holder
- Includes bullet tray, loaded cartridge box and empty case box




RCBS ACCESSORIES for the PIGGYBACK CONVERSION
Order Form


Part #
Description
Retail

88799
Piggyback/Ammo Master Die Plate
42.98

86767
Piggyback Dust Cover
18.98

RCBS ACCESSORIES FOR THE PIGGYBACK CONVERSION
There are several accessories for the Piggyback conversions that we feel are worth listing. You can purchase separate top plate assemblies to shorten the time required to change calibers by leaving the dies set up in the top plate. The same is true of the Primer Transfer Roller Assembly. When you're changing primer size, it's nice to have the unit already set up. The Piggyback Powder Measure Adapter Assembly is another unit that is handy to have on the bench. The Piggyback Stand is nice to have to store your Piggyback unit on, when it is not on the press. The Piggyback Dust Cover is a welcome addition to any unit to keep it clean and dust free.

[ar15barrels]

You can buy the RCBS PIGGYBACK

Don't buy a piggyback.
It ties up a perfectly useful single stage press.

Buy a separate progressive press and use it for handgun ammo from start to finish.
Use the single stage press for sizing rifle cases and then use the progressive press to prime, charge and seat rifle ammo.