Step-by-Step Reloading

ROCK CHUCKER SUPREME MASTER RELOADING KIT

This kit contains everything you need to get started reloading like a pro. A simple, complete solution for beginners and experts alike. All you need to provide are the dies, bullets, primers, cases, powder, and shell holder.

M500 MECHANICAL SCALE

Provides right- or left-handed operation and a wealth of big-time features at an affordable price. It’s accurate, fast and rugged — everything you need in a scale to make loading easier.

NOSLER RELOADING MANUAL

This is the complete, step-by-step, top-rated reference for everything you want to know about handloading. It contains more than 600 pages of information, data and illustrations.

ACCESSORY HANDLE-2

Ergonomic handle for use with many RCBS accessories.

HEX KEY WRENCH

This features eight heat-treated hex keys in one compact unit. It fits most hextype setscrews on RCBS equipment.

DEBURRING TOOL .17-.60

The large Deburring Tool allows the inside and outside chamfering and deburring of cases from 17-caliber up to 60-caliber. This is the one deburring tool that will do it all!

POWDER FUNNEL

A funnel is handy for pouring the correct powder charge into the case. It is specially designed to avoid powder spills around the case mouth.

CASE LUBE KIT

One of the first steps in handloading is to carefully clean and lubricate the fired cases. This kit contains a bottle of our Case Lube—2, a case lube pad and two case neck brushes.

HAND PRIMING TOOL

Prime cases separate from the reloading bench. The tray can hold up to 100 primers. It uses the same RCBS shell holders as RCBS presses. Includes large and small primer plugs.

UNIVERSAL CASE LOADING BLOCK

A convenient holding platform with a two-sided design offers three different case fits per side. It’s perfect for holding up to 50 cases during the powder charging process.

ROCK CHUCKER SUPREME RELOADING PRESS

This is by far the single biggest piece of equipment involved. As you’ll see on the following pages, the press is used to resize the brass cases, replace the fired primers and seat the bullet.

UNIFLOW POWDER MEASURE

The Uniflow can greatly speed up the powder charging step. A predetermined charge of powder can be dispensed quickly and easily with each crank of the handle. This eliminates the need to weigh every single load.

1. CLEAN AND CHECK

Using a soft cloth, wipe each case clean to prevent dirt from scratching the case and the sizing die. Inspect the case for anything that would keep it from being safely reloaded, such as split case mouths, case head separations, excessive bulges and other case defects. Any case found to be defective should be thrown away.

2. LUBRICATE THE CASES (PART 1)

Because of the force involved, you’ll need to lubricate the cases before they go into a sizer die. Spread some lube on the pad and lubricate the body of the case. Make sure not to lube the shoulder of your cases as this can cause dents. If you’re using a carbide sizer die for reloading straight-wall pistol cases, you can eliminate this step. The carbide ring in the sizer die is so smooth that cases simply can’t get stuck in the die.

3. LUBRICATE THE CASES (PART 2)

Clean dirt and powder residue from inside case necks and simultaneously add a light coating of case lube with a case neck brush. This will reduce the sizing effort and prevent excess working of the brass. Roll the brush across the lube pad after every three or four cases for just the right amount.

4. INSTALL THE SHELL HOLDER

Snap a shell holder into the press ram with a slight twisting motion. The shell holder will securely grip the head of the cartridge case. Check out our latest catalog or see your local dealer for help in selecting the correct shell holder, or reference the chart on pages 12–13.

5. INSTALL THE SIZER DIE

Thread the sizer die into the press until the die touches the shell holder when the ram is at the top of the press stroke. Raise the press handle and turn the die down another one-eighth to one-quarter of a turn and set the large lock ring. If you’re using a carbide sizer die, leave a 1/16” gap between the bottom of the die and the shell holder.

6. INSERT THE CASE

With the press handle in the up position, slide a case into the shell holder.

7. SIZE THE CASE

Gently but firmly lower the press handle all the way to the bottom and run the case all the way into the sizer die. This will size the case to the proper dimension and push the fired primer out of the case. Next, raise the press handle. This will lower the case and expand the case mouth (on bottle-neck cartridges), correctly setting the case neck diameter to hold the bullet tightly.

8. CHECK THE LENGTH AND TRIM IF NECESSARY

After several firings, cases sometimes stretch and become longer than the specified maximum length. These cases must be trimmed to allow for proper chambering and for safety reasons. The trimmer works like a small lathe and can be used to trim most cases up through 45-caliber. Check the reloading manual for maximum case length and trim length. Use a dial or digital caliper to check the exact case length. Check the reloading manual for maximum case length and trim length.

9. CHAMFER AND DEBURR

Cases that have been trimmed need to also be chamfered and deburred. This will remove any burrs left on the case mouth after trimming and will allow a new bullet to be easily seated into the case. Insert the pointed end of the Deburring Tool into the case to remove burrs and chamfer the case mouth interior. Fit the other end over the case mouth to remove exterior burrs.

9. CHAMFER AND DEBURR

Cases that have been trimmed need to also be chamfered and deburred. This will remove any burrs left on the case mouth after trimming and will allow a new bullet to be easily seated into the case. Insert the pointed end of the Deburring Tool into the case to remove burrs and chamfer the case mouth interior. Fit the other end over the case mouth to remove exterior burrs.

10. EXPAND THE CASE MOUTH (APPLIES ONLY TO STRAIGHT WALL CASES)

Because of their design, straight-wall cases need to be expanded in a separate expander die. Install the expander die in the press, place a sized case in the shell holder and run it into the die. The expander should be adjusted so the case mouth is belled outward just enough to accept the new bullet.

11. PRIMING TRAY

To use, first scatter primers onto the grooved surface of the tray. Then, shake the tray horizontally until all of the primers are positioned anvil side up.

12. PRIME THE CASE (OPTION1)

The Hand Priming Tool seats primers quickly. Insert primer tray into Hand Priming Tool. Use the cartridge-specific RCBS shell holder (the Hand Priming Tool is ONLY compatible with RCBS shell holders.) The proper primer plug adapter size (large or small) must also be installed. Insert the case and squeeze the handle, which inserts the primer. Check to ensure the primer is seated. The advantage of the Hand Priming Tool is that it can be used separate from the reloading bench.

13. PRIME THE CASE - WITH THE PRESS (OPTION 2, PART 1)

Place a fresh primer, anvil side up, into the cup of the primer arm.

14. PRIME THE CASE - WITH THE PRESS (OPTION 2, PART 2)

Slightly raise ram and insert the case into the shell holder. Run the case up into the sizing die.

Tip For Priming the Case
For a faster way to prime cases, use the hand Priming Tool that is included with your Rock Chucker Supreme Reloading Kit or purchase separately the Rock Chucker Supreme Auto Prime. Primers drop one at a time into the primer arm on the press. Hand priming can be done away from the bench.

15. PRIME THE CASE - WITH THE PRESS (OPTION 2, PART 3)

Now, gently and slowly raise the press handle. As the case is drawn out of the sizing die it will be lowered onto the fresh primer which will be seated into the primer pocket. Push the handle all the way up. Inspect the primer to make sure it is properly seated. In order to gain optimum primer sensitivity, the primer must be seated firmly to the bottom of the primer pocket.

16. SETTING THE POWDER MEASURE (PART 1)

You can dispense a precise charge, without weighing every charge on a scale. Fill the measure with powder and dispense several charges to establish flow and settle the powder in the hopper. Return the dispensed powder to the hopper. Use your reloading scale to adjust the powder measure. Weigh every charge until several consecutive charges show the desired weight. Re-check the weight about every 10 cases.

17. SETTING THE POWDER MEASURE (PART 2)

Consult the reloading manual to learn what kind of powder, and exactly how much is recommended to reload your cartridge. Then weigh the recommended charge on your scale.

18. SETTING THE POWDER MEASURE (PART 3)

After accurately weighing the powder charge, pour it into the case using a powder funnel.

19. BULLET SEATING (PART 1)

Thread the seater die a few turns into the press. Put a case in the shell holder and lower the press handle, running the ram with the case to the top of the press stroke. Turn the die body down until it stops. The crimp shoulder in the die is now pressing against the top of the case mouth. Back the die out one turn, raising the crimp shoulder above the case mouth. Secure the die in position with the die lock ring.

20. BULLET SEATING (PART 2)

Loosen the locknut, used to secure the seat plug, unscrew the bullet seater plug enough to keep the bullet from being seated too deeply.

21. BULLET SEATING (PART 3)

With the handle in the up position, insert a properly primed and charged case into the shell holder.

22. BULLET SEATING (PART 4)

Take a bullet and hold it over the case mouth with one hand while you lower the press handle with the other, easing the case and bullet up into the die. After raising the handle, note the seating depth of the loaded round. If the bullet needs to be seated deeper into the case, turn the seater plug down.

23. BULLET SEATING (PART 5)

Run the loaded round back up into the die, raise the press handle and check the seating depth again. A few more adjustments may be needed for the proper bullet seating depth; then, you simply tighten the locknut to secure the bullet seater plug.

See our reloading die instructions for more detailed information about bullet seating and crimping.

24. THAT'S IT!

Your first reloaded cartridge is ready to be fired. Of course, we’ve described only one case going through all the reloading steps. When actually reloading, you’d take a batch of cases through each operation before moving on to the next step.