Built to Last. Why RCBS Leads the Way in Reloading Presses
This article breaks down why RCBS remains the top choice for reloading presses among serious shooters and handloaders. From our American-made craftsmanship and industry-leading innovation to our commitment to quality and customer support, we’ll highlight what sets RCBS apart from the rest.
Whether you’re just getting started and buying your first press, looking to upgrade your setup, or adding a new press for an additional handloading operation, you’ll see why generations of reloaders have trusted RCBS presses – like the Rock Chucker – to deliver precision, reliability, and lasting performance.
RCBS Press Breakdown
Before we get into which RCBS press is the best, why an RCBS press is the best over other options out there, or how RCBS makes the best reloading press, let’s cover our current press options and why you might pick one over another:
Partner Press
The Partner Press is the ultimate starter, single-stage press for someone just beginning to reload. Compact, easy to use, and budget-friendly, the Partner is a great, well, partner, for anyone beginning handloading. This press also doubles as a lightweight, yet durable, option to use for reloaders doing load development at the range, or on the go before a match. Due to size and cost, the Partner is also a popular option to add to your bench to supplement a larger, primary press. For handloaders constantly sizing larger cartridges or seeking a heavier press, we’d recommend upgrading to a Rock Chucker, Turret, or Summit Press.
Rock Chucker Supreme
The gold standard is green! The original standard for precision reloading, the Rock Chucker has remained the most popular reloading press in the world through constant innovation and improvement since the press was introduced in 1967. If you only could pick one press, you’ll never regret getting a Rock Chucker. A large loading window, ambidextrous handle, ample leverage, plethora of aftermarket parts and accessories as well as outstanding strength make this press bomb-proof and ready to reload any cartridge up to 50 BMG. The downside? The Rock Chucker is a single stage press, meaning it performs one operation at a time. For handloaders looking to reload bulk, large amounts of cartridges, look to a progressive press like the Pro Chucker 7 or Turret Press.
Turret Press
RCBS’s semi-progressive press with replaceable six-station tool head gives you some of the advantages of both progressive and single-stage presses. A rugged, cast-iron frame and on-press priming station makes it easy to crank out bulk reloaders quickly, or operate with more precision singe-stage style. Handloaders also like this press for the tool heads, meaning you can set up your dies for a given operation or cartridge, then leave them in the tool head for zero set up the next time you wish to load for that cartridge. For handloaders looking for more speed, step up to the Pro Chucker 7.
Summit Press
The Summit press is a unique, single stage press that operates on the top of your bench. Instead of the case being moved into the reloading die (common on other presses), on the Summit, the die is moved down on top of the case. This gives reloaders compound leverage, a maximal loading window for working, and out-of-the-box precision when doing operations like bullet seating. Many precision handloaders choose the summit for a dedicated bullet seating press, backing up their Rock Chucker doing the work to size their cases.
Pro Chucker 7
The first 7-station auto indexing progressive press on the market, the Pro Chucker 7 let’s you load hundreds of rounds an hour with the pull of a handle. Like the Turret press, the Pro Chuck’s replaceable tool head makes set up and cartridge swapping easy. Downside: This level of speed and precision is a greater investment than our other presses. Newer handloaders may find this style of press more difficult to learn on than a single stage.
AmmoMaster-2
While designed for handloaders wishing to reload 50 BMG, Barrett cartridges and similarly sized large calibers, the AmmoMaster-2 is a great single stage press for any bench. With the ability to use standard 7/8”-14 threaded dies, the AmmoMaster can also use larger 1-1/2” dies, commonly used for those bigger cartridges. This press might be overkill for some reloaders, and like all single-stage presses, it does not give you the speed required to reload ammo in bulk.
Older RCBS Presses
Whether you have a Rebel, Explorer, older model of Rock Chucker, or A-series press, know that RCBS’s historic presses run just as well today as the day they were sold. Unlike many household appliances or other gear being sold, RCBS presses are built to last and make ammo for a lifetime. For support, parts, or questions, contact our customer service team anytime.
What All RCBS Presses Have in Common
All RCBS presses are American-made, durable, and backed up by the industry’s best customer service team and warrantee policy – for a lifetime. Most of our presses can be bought in convenient reloading kits, making it easy for new reloaders to get everything they need to get started in one box. Many of our presses also offer on-press priming.
Why RCBS Makes The Best Reloading Press
In one word, tenure. RCBS is the longest continually running reloading press manufacturer in America, and maybe in the world. We’ve made our presses in America since day 1, and because we’ve been around, you can trust we’ll continue to be around to support your reloading and whichever press you choose. Our dedicated quality, engineering and manufacturing teams are always looking for ways to make our presses even better, which is why we introduce new models from time to time.
Which RCBS Press is the Best?
Your choice of press depends on your reloading style and needs. IDPA or USPSA shooters will have different ammo needs than a benchrest or PRS competitor, just as the deer hunter is looking to reloading different ammo – and might require a different style of press – than a varmint hunter.
High-volume shooters typically firing more than 50-100 rounds in one range session should consider a semi-progressive (Turret) or progressive-style press (Pro Chucker 7). While accuracy is always important, the accuracy and precision required to knock some steel or punch paper at 25 – 200 yards is different than accuracy expectations at 500, 800 or 1000. For shooters looking for long range accuracy, you’d stick to a single-stage proven press like the Rock Chucker or Summit, for ultimate concentricity and minimal runout.
So, while you can’t go wrong with any RCBS press, we’re proud to build different options for each reloader.
RELATED VIDEOS
Share:
