Rock Chucker Supreme vs Redding Big Boss 2

[Outlaw45]

I've moved and left the old Rock Chucker with my dad. Now I'm looking at getting a new press. I'm trying to decide between the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme or the Redding Big Boss 2. All my accessories are RCBS including shell holders. Will my RCBS shell holders work in the Redding press? Looks like most of the complaints against the Supreme are that the primer catcher is junk. I like how the Redding drops primers into a tube below. Any negatives to the Redding besides the extra cost over the RCBS Supreme?

I think as long as my shell holders fit in the Redding that might be what I want.

 

[hewlett260]

They both work. I learned on the RCBS and now have the Redding. Shell holders for the most part are universal, RCBS, Redding, Hornady and Lee shell holders all work in each others presses. Try something new or save a few bucks, either way you are going to have good ammo if you pay attention to what you are doing. As for the primer system, I like the Redding better but thats my opinion so take that with a grain of salt. Works for some but might not for others.

 

[Silverbullet2]

The Redding presses are a nice piece of kit. I had 3 big bosses set up when I had my old house, now I downsized a bit, and have a Redding T7 turret, and love it. The primer catch is nice, but I punch my primers out with the Lee kit to keep the primer residue out of my press. I clean and lube often and don't want to put any undue wear on this press. Whatever press you choose will serve you well, J

 

[milo 2.0]

Either press will suit you fine, just what color do you like best. I've had both, gave the BBII away, thought it was just a little loose, thinking back, that may have been a good thing.
If you let that primer catching tube fill up and back up into the ram, both on the BBII and T7, you better have a supply of compressed air to blow them out, which is an experience in it's own right! A bent coat hanger wont cut it.

 

[Outlaw45]

I guess it comes down to the primer catcher. I can just see on the RCBS primers not falling out of the ram and getting caught and not going in to the primer tray and falling to the ground. Or trying to get the primer tray full of primers off the press and spilling them. And after time the tray breaking. I haven't seen the Redding in person but I think that would be a cleaner system.

 

[Rattler56]

I like my Redding, there both good, just that I prefer the Redding.

 

[Outlaw45]

Anybody have the Supreme and not have issue with the primer catcher?

 

[clos9009]

I have the supreme and the catcher is junk. I just shop vac them out when full. I would buy the Redding just for the primer catcher knowing what I know now.

 

[Outlaw45]

thank clos9009.

 

[itwillis]

I have the supreme and the catcher is junk. I just shop vac them out when full. I would buy the Redding just for the primer catcher knowing what I know now.

Too funny, I also just do the shop vac thing anymore for the same reasons.

 

[918v]

I use the Redding. It is better cuz the window is at an angle and the lever is not canted away from you. Also the linkage is less sloppy. Plus the finish is matte, so it won't give you away when reloading in the bushes.

 

[lightman]

Like a few of the others, I'll say that either one will serve you well. I probably would go Redding today, as they are made in the USA and the Rockchucker is made ???. Thats just my opinion! I bought a used Redding awhile back, and later sold it. It looked like a copy of the Rockchucker, and offered no improvement over my older, American made RCBS press. It was a nice press, and worked fine. It just offered no advantage to change. The primer catcher is a non issue for me, as I have my own room to load in. If you load in the house, it would be more of an issue, I guess.

Most modern shellholders will fit either press. Years ago, there were a few odd balls. Herters and Hollywood to name a few. Today, you will be GTG. I

If I were shopping for a press today, I would check out C-H, Or I think it is now CH4D. They offer a strong looking press, with "O" frame construction and compound linkage. Lightman

 

[Outlaw45]

Thanks I think I will be going with Redding.

 

[Onewolf42]

I use the Redding. .... Plus the finish is matte, so it won't give you away when reloading in the bushes.

That's why I went with the Redding T7 as well.

 

[flashhole]

The Lee Classic Cast has a better primer catch than the Redding. The Redding has an angled insert in the bottom of the ram that can clog up and catch primers. The Lee just drops them straight out the bottom.

Just be aware Hornady shell holders do not fit all presses. The bottom flange is thicker than most other shell holders and prevents it from being used on many presses.

 

[gimpy]

I know thesis outside the scope somewhat, but the Co-Ax doesn't need shell holders, and the primer catch is flawless.

 

[Outlaw45]

I know thesis outside the scope somewhat, but the Co-Ax doesn't need shell holders, and the primer catch is flawless.

A little more than I want to spend.

 

[jlficken]

I had a Co-Ax on backorder and in the mean time bought a Lee Classic Cast after having a Hornady 00-7 for years. I used the Lee for a bit and cancelled the Co-Ax as it just didn't seem to be worth spending the $$ over the Lee for me right now.

There is a lot to like about the Lee and I was skeptical about buying it but after finding basically nothing negative about it online I gave it a shot. For $97 delivered free via Amazon Prime it is a hell of a press.

After seeing the spent primer catcher in action I will not own another press (except my 550B) that doesn't have a thru the ram primer catch either.

Of your choices I'd go Big Boss II but don't overlook the Classic Cast. The adjustable handle is also awesome!

 

[aspen69]

I was debating between the same two presses for a sizing station for a 1 1/4" die . Was pretty well set on the Big Boss II until I found this thread . Did some searching and read the reviews on the Lee Classic Cast . With shipping , less than $100 from Amazon . Cant wait to try it out , thanks for the tip !

 

[gstaylorg]

The Rockchucker Supreme spent primer tray setup is pretty much worthless because the little channel in the back of the ram is the wrong height to reliably drop spent primers into it. Having said that, I love my Rockchucker. So far, it's been throwing good loads with very little (.001"-.0005") runout.

If depriming rounds is your biggest concern about the press, get yourself one of these and use the press for reloading rather than decapping:

Home Page

Biggest advantage...you can watch football while using the Harvey depriming tool, regardless of which room your reloading press is located .

 

[Strykervet]

In case you haven't gotten it yet...

I have to upgrade to load .50BMG and have it settled to two different presses. The RCBS single stage press and the Dillon turret press. The Dillon is a more costly super magnum dedicated press (.50BMG and calibers of the like) but the RCBS will handle regular size dies, it comes with an adapter, and that thing looks like it would be MORE than rock solid for regular calibers and easy to work. It looks like a tank. If you want a single stage that's well built and you already have all the other stuff, I'd look at the press only setup. I forget what they call it, RCBS Ammo Master or Ammo Master 2? And if you ever decide to load .50BMG, .416B, .408CT, etc., well, you'll have the press.

For loading 5.56, 9mm and the like, I'm seriously considering switching to a good, simple and solid turret press. I like the total control of the single stage, but I think I can get that and load like I do now only faster, especially when crimping is involved. I haven't shopped those though, but I'm tired of doing 2000 5.56 or others and having to set up the press for each operation turning 2000 strokes into 4000-6000. If I go this route, I'll keep the single stage on hand for other operations and likely use 'em in tandem.

I have the nicer Rock Chucker press and I've had it for years. I like it and when I upgrade I'll still use it, it'll still be on the bench. The primer catch I have is different than the ones I see in the pictures and I can't complain, it works pretty well. The priming feature works nicely too. If you need the whole kit, the one that has everything isn't a bad one to start with. If you just need the press, I'd seriously look at that Ammo Master. Maybe you can find one used?

The Forster Co-ax press is nice looking indeed, but for the price and flexibility, I'd rather have the RCBS Ammo Master instead.

Good luck, this is all just my opinion.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

Get the big boss 2. Better primer system, better spent primer system, the angled opening is great, and it has plenty of leverage and there isn't anything I can think of that you'd be loading for that it will not accommodate (It'll do 50 BMG if that's your thing.)

And yes, your current shell holders will work, though it sounds like you've figured that out already.

 

[zac_c]

I love the rock chuckers they are built heavy and last the only thing I hate is the primer catcher.