Are you looking to up your game of reloading your own ammo quickly and efficiently?
I got a chance to test out the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS and here is what it’s all about.
The RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS is shipped backed neatly in a box ready to build with the instruction manual supplied. It is best to take your time with the build and if you have any questions check out the instructional videos that RCBS has or contact them. Make sure to follow the steps to allow the building of the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS to go smoothly.
The RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS is full of great features and is built to last for many generations. Here is a little list of but a few of the great features of the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS:
- Seven-station auto indexing for maximum production, with a load rate of approximately 600 rounds per hour
- Primer pick up tubes are used with the safety-shielded priming system
- Quick-change die plate allows fast caliber change
- Quick Change powder measure
- Die cast aluminum frame with 4.625″ operating window
- Zerk fitting for lubrication
- Loaded cartridge bin
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Made in U.S.A.
Make sure to also buy your shell plate size of choice for the caliber or calibers you are loading for. I chose the #06 that will accept .38 Special and .357 Magnum shells which I plan on starting out with for reloading.
RCBS has made some great instructional videos on the set up and use of the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS. Below is one that is certainly a must watch and will address any questions you may have.
With the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS mounted to a suitable bench and the shell plate mounted the build is coming together well.
With seven stations the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS has plenty of room for all of the processes you want to complete for your loading ammo needs.
RCBS says this about the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS:
Take reloading to the elite level with new RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS. The first seven-station auto-indexing press on the market, The PRO CHUCKER 7 features automatic indexing for maximum production, with a load rate of approximately 600 rounds per hour. The quick-change die plate allows fast caliber change over for even greater efficiency. Standard primer pick up tubes are used with the safety-shielded priming system. Spent primers are efficiently dropped from the bottom of the press to be captured in a trash receptacle.
The large powder capacity Quick Change powder measure reduces the number of times you have to fill the powder hopper. Plus, the Quick Change drain tube allows you to drain the powder measure without removing it from the press. QC metering assemblies allow shortened set up times when switching powders. Seven stations allows you to progressive load any way you want: Seat bullets and crimp separately. Use a bullet feeder but also use a Lock-Out or Powder Checker die. With seven stations, you can do it all.
The reviewed RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS shares the bench next to many other great RCBS products. This is certainly a professional reloading press that is an investment for decades of reloading enjoyment. You just can’t go wrong with RCBS products!
The RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS is a very precise equipment that needs to be set up correctly. Make sure you read the instructions carefully, watch a few informative videos about it if needed, and take your time setting it up. If you run into any problems, the great customer service at RCBS are eager to help you.
Choose the correct dies for the caliber you are loading. Set them up as the instruction manual shows for correct sequencing.
Now that is a beautiful sight below in the image! There are plenty of other positions open and ready for other dies to be installed. More on that in a few paragraphs.
In this image all of the Starline Brass .38 Special cases are lined up in their reloading sequence. Note in this image that the unseated hand cast lead projectile is not swaged (sized) or lubricated yet. I snapped this picture before I ran the press right after setting it up and to remind you of an important lesson when using cast lead bullets. Always lube and properly size cast lead bullets before loading in your casings.
Properly swaged and greased (lubed) lead hand cast projectiles? Check! Now we are ready to load primers in the primer feed, choose our powder, set the correct powder weight, and rock & roll!
Before we start there are two other great products that both assure that if your set powder levels start changing, you will be alerted easily. The RCBS POWDER CHECKER and also the RCBS LOCK-OUT DIE are solid choices as insurance against any powder measuring problems before the cartridges are loaded.
The RCBS POWDER CHECKER is quite straight forward in use and the instruction pamphlet allows for easy set up.
The RCBS POWDER CHECKER is a simple, effective tool to visually check powder charges when reloaders use a progressive press.
It sits between the powder charging and bullet seating stations. In addition to spotting a “no charge” condition, the RCBS POWDER CHECKER shows low and high charges. Black oxide finish provides contrast for better visibility. For use with straight-wall or bottleneck rifle and pistol cases, 22 caliber and larger.
- Sits between the powder charging and bullet seating stations
- Probe rod lets reloader visually confirm the case is properly charged before bullet seating
- Black oxide finish provides contrast for better visibility
- For use with straight-wall or bottleneck rifle and pistol cases, 22 caliber and larger
- Made in USA
The RCBS LOCK-OUT DIE is ready to go right out of that iconic green box. If the powder amount is anything other than what the RCBS LOCK-OUT DIE is set up for, it will stop the ram alerting you of the change. Brilliant!
The RCBS LOCK-OUT DIE detects a “no powder” or “double charge” condition in the progressive reloading process. It locks up, halting the travel of the ram, and alerting the reloader to the problem so the cause can be corrected. It will not let reloaders continue without removing the improperly charged cartridge. The RCBS LOCK-OUT DIE is for use with straight-wall pistol calibers, 9mm and larger, and only on progressive reloading presses.
- For use with straight-wall pistol calibers, 9mm and larger, and only on progressive reloading presses
- Detects a “no powder” or “double charge” condition in the progressive reloading process
- Alerts reloader to the problem so the cause can be corrected
- Prevents reloaders from continuing without removing improperly charged cartridge
- Made in USA
During testing I chose to run both the RCBS LOCK-OUT DIE and the RCBS POWDER CHECKER together on the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS. This allows two sure fire ways to avoid the dreaded double charge or squib loads. Pay attention allows and have zero distractions! These two dies are incredible and are well worth it to add to your press. I run both together for “double insurance”.
Now we are ready to load after all of the dies have been set correctly.
What better powder to use than Hodgdon! For a .38 Special load I chose a hand cast lead 158 grain SWC projectile over a 5 grain load of Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder.
Loading day came again for the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS. I found it true to take things really slow in the beginning while learning all about the press and the little tricks that make loading easier on it. Start with just one casing and take it through all of the loading stations. Once you have become familiar with all of them, add an empty casing on each stroke, adding up to all stations filled and cycle through completely. As the old saying goes “now you are cooking with gas!”. With practice you get much quicker too.
Those loaded fresh Starline Brass cartridges sure look sharp! They also shoot great too!
If you are looking to up your reloading game I highly recommend the RCBS PRO CHUCKER 7 PROGRESSIVE RELOADING PRESS. It is a solid investment of quality that you will use for many years to come and one day it will become a sought after family heirloom.