RCBS Rockchucker ?????

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I have an RCBS Rockchucker and RCBS die's. I dont like RCBS Die's they are to hard to keep consistant.

Are there better die's out there and if so will they fit in to my press? I am looking for something that is more consistant. I am only loading for the 308 and 243 right now. But I am realy anal can anyone make some sugestions?

 

[Winchester 69]

Redding for bushing dies and their micrometer seater. Forster for full-length standard dies; their seaters, whether standard or micrometer, are the equivalent of the Redding product.

Dies are pretty much standardized (7/8" x 14 tpi) to fit universally. You will have no problem using other mfrs threaded dies in your press.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

thanks

That pretty much sums it up. Standard threads cool. So do you full length resize? I'm kind of new to this as RCBS is the only stuff I have ever used. I am loading for the 308 and was looking to get some match dies. I looked at the Redding and Foster websites but was unsure as to which would be the better choice. I have never done any neck sizeing only loads. Any suggestions

 

[Winchester 69]

We probably need more information before your needs can be determined.

1. What kind of shooting are you doing?
2. What is your rifle? Single shot or magazine fed?
3. What is the nature of the inconsistency that you are experiencing?
4. How many loadings on your brass? Brand of brass?

 

[johnnyk]

Hornady Custom-Grade New Dimension Dies is all I buy anymore. All my rifles are factory and I get sub .5" with all of them and my reloads. Their bullet seater die with the in-line seater is right on. My OAL's are usually the same and any variance will be within .005" of each other. I can afford more expensive dies but why would I? JohnnyK.

 

[boomtube]

It's curious that your dies are "inconsistant", don't know what to make of that. Actually, any die brand can have a range of fit to the internal parts, good ones are good and bad ones are not but all makers produce pretty good tools, on average.

Forster and Redding competion type dies are the best available, no question about it. Redding has a little better external finish but the Forster sizers - their expander design - are better than anyone elses.

All other die brands and designs are tied for second place. That's why Lee dies do so well in comparision tests! I would note that a single die set, however good or bad it is, is not statistically significant and does not determine the average quality of any brand.

Better tools do make it easier to do good work but I know people who have third class loads coming from first class tools. Quality reloads are much more dependant on quality loading methods than the tools used.

I believe my RockChucker is as good as any compariable press but the Lyman, Hornady, Redding, and Lee Classic Cast presses are just as good but will last no longer than mine. The Bonanza Co-Ax is perhaps at the top of the heap in easy to use presses and the Reddng Ultra-Mag is perhaps the single strongest press currently available.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

More info

Rifle is a McMillan
I Target shoot
Magizne is Box fed
Brass is Lapua/5 to 6 loadings full length resized/ trimed to length and all the prep
175g SMK

The nature of the problem is I will lodad 5 or 6 bullets and check the over OAL on everyone. Then I notice them starting to get shorter or longer so I then have to re-adjust the die to get back to the right OAL. Maybe I am just being to anal I just want them to be perfect.

 

[Winchester 69]

Brass is Lapua/5 to 6 loadings...

Is it time to anneal?

 

[Moman]

When you notice the OAL starting to get shorter or longer, have you tried to measure them with a bullet comparator? Something along the lines of the Hornady (used to be Stoney Point) bullet comparator. I have noticed on occasion that OAL can vary a little, but when measuring with a comparator, you actually measure at the ogive and they are consistent. Just a thought.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

anneal?

anneal I am aware of the words definition but how do I do it? Also what will it do to help me?

I looked at the Hornady Chamber All™ Bullet Comparator looks like a good idea and I think I will try it not to expensive and that just might be it, and its something I had never thought of.

 

[Winchester 69]

I'm unable to provide an extensive answer for you. The forum will time me out and disconnect. However, the following may benefit you.

Three reasons a cartridge won't chamber -

Brass work hardens with age and sizing. It will influence the sizing process. Annealing reverses the hardening effect, and should be performed periodically, although I don't think it is influencing what you are recognizing since the brass chambers w/o problem. Here is a link on annealing:

June, 96 Cases

You probably don't have a problem, as you will come to realize. For brevity's sake, I will let others address the issue.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

good info

Thanks for that info I read it over and think I might give it a try. I have the felling that I know what the issue is now. You guys were a big help

 

[Winchester 69]

Thanks for that info. I read it over and think I might give it a try.

Presume you're referring to annealing. You can get the crayon from a welders supply.

I have the feeling that I know what the issue is now.

I can guess that your ogive to base measurement is consistent, but would you give us a hint?

 

[boomtube]

"I notice them starting to get shorter or longer so I then have to re-adjust the die to get back to the right OAL."

Ah! I see. Think you will find that the reason for tiny variations in OAL is due to the bullets, not the dies. Variations of perhaps .005" are, in the real world, exactly the same, they will have no effect on a target. So, yes, you may be getting to anal.

I don't know why OAL has recently become such a puzzle for newer loaders. It wasn't a problem before the newer loading manuals started publishing the OAL they used to develop the loading data but it's no more written in stone than the powder charges they list.

Annealing will have absolutely no impact on OAL consistancy.