Rock Chucker I used for Bullet Sizing

[Jamezius Maximus]

Hello, So I called RCBS and found out that they do not make any bullet sizing top hats/or (pic 2) parts that fit into the slot on the Ram for my RCBS Rock Chucker. There lubamatic line is the only thing they offer.

Option 1
So I'm thinking of making a sleeve that fits over the ram shaft (.998") OD.

Option 2
Or I could go and have the lee bullet pusher part machined to fit the dimension of the Rock chucker Ram Slot.

Yes I could simply by a 40$ Lee press that would accept the lee bullet sizer but I would like to use the equipment I have on hand. However I would also be open to trading someone for a single stage press that would accept lee sizer dies/pusher. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time :)

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[nseries]

I've never seen a Rockchucker that old. What kind of shellholders does it take???

[farmerjim]

You could probably grind off some of the bottom to make the pusher thin enough to fit.

"I've never seen a Rockchucker that old. What kind of shellholders does it take??? "
What nsries said.^

I have one I bought in the 70's that looks like that, but it takes regular shellholders.

[frkelly74]

Has the slot that accepts shell holders been mashed down or distorted to where normal shell holders no longer fit? I had that problem with a JR2 and was able to get the slot opened up enough for normal use again. I did not think a Rock Chucker was set up for anything other than what we think of as normal shell holders.

[OS OK]

I've got the same old RC from the 70's...as best as I can measure, the slot in the ram is .125" and the lower rim of one of my Lee sizing push post measures .120"...check the thickness of your post there where it slides into the RC.

The diameter should match one of your shell holders...sorry, I forgot to measure that.

A few of my sizing posts have to be twisted rotationally a bit to get them to slide into the slot, I guess they may be almost too wide. If that's the case you can chuck one up in a drill motor and reduce the diameter against a grinding wheel on the side or a course sharpening stone or even a fine bastard file.

[Ickisrulz]

I have a '73 Rock Chucker that accepts the Lee push through dies just fine. In fact, that is what I use it for.

My first thought was the ram had been damaged and needs to be replaced if it will not accept shell holders of the Lee bullet pusher.

[rancher1913]

you could also just find a shell holder that fits the lee "top hat" as you called it and then everything will fit together.

[Bama]

Hello, So I called RCBS and found out that they do not make any bullet sizing top hats/or (pic 2) parts that fit into the slot on the Ram for my RCBS Rock Chucker. There lubamatic line is the only thing they offer.

Option 1
So I'm thinking of making a sleeve that fits over the ram shaft (.998") OD.

Option 2
Or I could go and have the lee bullet pusher part machined to fit the dimension of the Rock chucker Ram Slot.

Yes I could simply by a 40$ Lee press that would accept the lee bullet sizer but I would like to use the equipment I have on hand. However I would also be open to trading someone for a single stage press that would accept lee sizer dies/pusher. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time :)

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It may be worth talking to service dept. at RCBS about a replacement ram. I recently broke the handle on mine (over 40 years in my posestion) and they sent a new one at no charge. If you get the right contact in service they can help.---Mine was used 40 years ago but the Lee punches fit my press.

[country gent]

Heres one thing that may have happened is over many years of camming over to full length resize cases the ram may be compressed or peened down to where the pusher is snug tight in the ram. Shell holders may be thinner on the lock in ring by just a few thousandths of an inch allowing them to enter. Measure slot in ram as best you can, Pin gages would be easiest, calipers next. Then measure rim of pushers thickness. See where your at with it. Another place to look is in the corners of the slot for a radious and square corners on the pusher may be causing the problem. Shell holders lock ring have a chamfer to break the corners and bear on the flats.

Clean the slot good with a heavy stiff nylon or brass brush. Look for dings and or rolled edges on the slots. Break any sharp edges with a stone or fine jewelers file. Do the same on the pusher. If you have access to a drill press it can be chucked and a fine stone or file used to lightly brake the corners on it.

[jem102]

Looks like that ram has served its useful life and a new one is in order. A bath in Evapo Rust may clean enough of the corrosion out of the slot to allow proper fit but it "looks" to be in pretty sad shape. You may need to start spraying some rust preventative on your reloading equipment or move it to a dryer location.
RCBS sells rams for the RC. You need to mic the diameter and when you call them they will match it as close as possible. I doubt they will replace it for free but give it a shot.

[john.k]

i would think its just a burr on the edge of the slot in the ram.A few strokes with a fine file will clean the slot and allow the pusher to enter easily.The ram has a small ammount of rust spotting,but nothing to affect operation......

[EDG]

I think your Lee pusher is bad if your ram still accepts standard shell holders.
Have a 1971 Rock Checker just like yours except mine has a lot more wear. It works fine with the Lee push rods.

[Jamezius Maximus]

Hey guys sorry for the late reply. Everyone that is helping out I really appreciate it [emoji106][emoji95]


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[Jamezius Maximus]

Has the slot that accepts shell holders been mashed down or distorted to where normal shell holders no longer fit? I had that problem with a JR2 and was able to get the slot opened up enough for normal use again. I did not think a Rock Chucker was set up for anything other than what we think of as normal shell holders.

It doesn't appear to be a mashed down. Sure it's a little pitted but it doesn't seem like anything is deformed.


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[Jamezius Maximus]

I have a '73 Rock Chucker that accepts the Lee push through dies just fine. In fact, that is what I use it for.

My first thought was the ram had been damaged and needs to be replaced if it will not accept shell holders of the Lee bullet pusher.

I spoke with an RCBS person over the phone. They were pretty adamant staying that the pusher wouldn't work nor did they make parts for this rock chucker anymore. Which is conflicting on what you're saying and other what other people have stated. I thing I had a bad rep :(


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[Jamezius Maximus]

It may be worth talking to service dept. at RCBS about a replacement ram. I recently broke the handle on mine (over 40 years in my posestion) and they sent a new one at no charge. If you get the right contact in service they can help.---Mine was used 40 years ago but the Lee punches fit my press.

Must have gotten a bad rep, she insisted that they don't make parts for the rock chucker. I even asked what it would cost to replace the ram. Me thanks I got a bad rep ?


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[Jamezius Maximus]

Looks like that ram has served its useful life and a new one is in order. A bath in Evapo Rust may clean enough of the corrosion out of the slot to allow proper fit but it "looks" to be in pretty sad shape. You may need to start spraying some rust preventative on your reloading equipment or move it to a dryer location.
RCBS sells rams for the RC. You need to mic the diameter and when you call them they will match it as close as possible. I doubt they will replace it for free but give it a shot.

I'll check again but I believe it's .998. Could be off a few smooshas lol. Thanks for your help Sir [emoji106][emoji95]


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[Jamezius Maximus]

Heres one thing that may have happened is over many years of camming over to full length resize cases the ram may be compressed or peened down to where the pusher is snug tight in the ram. Shell holders may be thinner on the lock in ring by just a few thousandths of an inch allowing them to enter. Measure slot in ram as best you can, Pin gages would be easiest, calipers next. Then measure rim of pushers thickness. See where your at with it. Another place to look is in the corners of the slot for a radious and square corners on the pusher may be causing the problem. Shell holders lock ring have a chamfer to break the corners and bear on the flats.

Clean the slot good with a heavy stiff nylon or brass brush. Look for dings and or rolled edges on the slots. Break any sharp edges with a stone or fine jewelers file. Do the same on the pusher. If you have access to a drill press it can be chucked and a fine stone or file used to lightly brake the corners on it.

Thank you for your help [emoji106][emoji95] I'll try some of your tips tricks and tactics tonight.


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[Dan Cash]

If standard shell holders fit your Rock Chucker ram, the problem lays witth the Lee sizing ram/pusher/"top hat." Work on the least expensive part first, regardless what is wrong. Put the Lee part in a drill press and get after it with file and grind stone until it fits.

[Jamezius Maximus]

If standard shell holders fit your Rock Chucker ram, the problem lays witth the Lee sizing ram/pusher/"top hat." Work on the least expensive part first, regardless what is wrong. Put the Lee part in a drill press and get after it with file and grind stone until it fits.

Sizing pusher and die is brand new from titan reloading. I have another sizer kit coming in. It's possible I received a dud but not likely.


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[frkelly74]

do your shell holders snap into place?

[john.k]

I wouldnt count on Lee stuff being dead accurate.....A while back I was given a little ally bench reloading press made by Lee,soon found why its unused........no shell holder would fit the slot in the ram.......the "initial" hole was about. 020" too small,the slot was otherwise correct. Easily fixed......if you have a lathe.

[Jamezius Maximus]

I wouldnt count on Lee stuff being dead accurate.....A while back I was given a little ally bench reloading press made by Lee,soon found why its unused........no shell holder would fit the slot in the ram.......the "initial" hole was about. 020" too small,the slot was otherwise correct. Easily fixed......if you have a lathe.

Just got a .357 lee sizing kit. It's the exact same as the .356. It's not a lee issue. The RCBS just has different standards for their slot sizes at least for this model. I am considering sending it in and seeing if RCBS could rig something up. I could take the lee pushers and have them milled, however I would not like to do that, if anything I am open to having the ram killed for lee parts...or making an RCBS to Lee adapter.


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[Steelshooter]

This question was asked a couple of times and I did not see your answer, does a regular shell holder fit into the slot.

[john.k]

More to the point,does a "not Lee" shellholder fit.Lee shellholders are very sloppy in most presses.Try a new Lyman or RCBS shellholder.I would bet that its only a tiny interference,something like a fillet or bevel on a machined edge,or a burr...........Surely there is someone with a lathe you know.I d fix the problem in five minutes.