Press upgrade. Rebel, rock chucker, or coax

[Gabe22BR]

Hi, I need to replace my Lee hand press with a big boy press. I've been using it for about 5 years now as my only press and I'd like more consistent shoulder bump.

I'm looking at the rcbs rebel, rock chucker, and Forster coax.

I'm on a budget. I have a Scheels gift card that would get me to $150 on a rebel. Or, I could find a used rock chucker in classifieds or ebay. Or, wait until a coax comes up in the classifieds that I can afford. $150 for the rebel seems like a good deal.

I don't mind screwing/unscrewing dies, so the "easy" part of die install for the coax is a bit moot.

This press will likely live in one spot, so I'm not concerned with weight.

I don't want to have to buy a bunch of brand specific bits and pieces to use the press.

Thoughts?

Yeah-….
My thoughts =

Hood Press, Wilson seater, .308, Red or Blue

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You want consistent shoulder bumps, get a press that will do it- don’t skimp on it, you get your $$ back when time to sell it if need be..
Use your $150 card for components , or good dies to match.

 

[Dos XX]

Big Boss II is a heck of a press. T7 is also great.

I don't like to deprime on my primary press. The Big Boss II sends the primer down through the ram and out through a piece of tubing, but it still is not perfectly clean. You might consider using your current press to to deprime after you get a new one.

 

[HighlandLofts]

A Rockchucker Press is a solid Press that will last uou your lifetime with a solid lifetime warranty.
You can take the die bushing out and install the bushing to accommodate the Hornady Lock n Load system.

It's a no brainer.

 

[TrapperBR549]

What all do you load? I have a junior, rock chucker, and an old Bonanza coax. I load some odd and varied stuff so the "universal shell holder" aren't near the advantage for me as they are for others. Changing them back and forth isn't as simple as popping a shell holder in or so I bought the quick change jaws. They still aren't as fast as a shell holder but at least I don't lose springs. I still have to use the slow change jaws for 22 hornet.
Also, a lot of the seating dies won't clear the "stirrup" on the press handle. I know they have changed this over time but I am not sure if the new ones clear the longer casing micrometer seating dies. If you buy used make sure the model will fit your needs.
I still use the coax most but if I only had one press it would be the rockchucker.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

What all do you load? I have a junior, rock chucker, and an old Bonanza coax. I load some odd and varied stuff so the "universal shell holder" aren't near the advantage for me as they are for others. Changing them back and forth isn't as simple as popping a shell holder in or so I bought the quick change jaws. They still aren't as fast as a shell holder but at least I don't lose springs. I still have to use the slow change jaws for 22 hornet.
Also, a lot of the seating dies won't clear the "stirrup" on the press handle. I know they have changed this over time but I am not sure if the new ones clear the longer casing micrometer seating dies. If you buy used make sure the model will fit your needs.
I still use the coax most but if I only had one press it would be the rockchucker.

My coax purchased in 2021 clears my Forester and hornady micrometers up to 6 creedmoor. I dont own anything longer. I have no complaints with my coax. I like the easy die change and the short aftermarket handle is really nice for everything except FL sizing. With that said, I commonly read it is not good for forming brass that requires serious changes for producing wildcats. Necking a case down 1 size is about as wild as I will ever get, so I am not worried about that.

 

[Phys86]

Thanks for all the input! For some reason, the site hasn't notified me of all the other replies in the last couple weeks.

I ended up with the rebel due to out the door price of $150 which seems pretty good to me in comparison to what I was able to find used in that range.

My loading needs are very simple. Just a 7mm-08, a 30-06, and a 30-284ai. I don't compete (yet) or get really into ringing every last bit of accuracy I can out of my gun and loads, but try to close the gap in things that make a bigger difference, shoulder bump being one of my them.

I went from +/- 0.0015 with my Lee hand press to +/-0.0005 with the rebel on my shoulder bump, so that's awesome! I think it should tighten up even more after I start shooting a single load instead of the fireforming with old assorted components and pressure testing ladders I've done recently.

This press seems pretty awesome to me and I'm loving it.

 

[bks22345]

I went from a progressive to a Co-Ax. It’s great and I love being able to set the dies and just slid them in and out. They are always ready or pretty close without having to already them every time. And with using separate decap, shoulder bump, neck size and seater, that’s important for me. You can get one direct from Forster under the cosmetic seconds for 289.

 

[Rsadams]

Rock chucker works good I've had mine since the beginning.... Keeping them greased and oiled helps them stay nice for decades.... Dillon makes a basic loader the BL400 I think , that works like a 550c minus the powder dispenser and I think priming system.... What's nice is you can add either and upgrade it to a 550c over time... Although it's not cheap buying anything blue.... Rcbs is a quality press and a lot cheaper...

 

[Shooter13]

I use the Rebel and use the Hornady Lock n load quick change for dies, my bump is consistent and easy to set up. I have calipers that measure to .0001 and am always within .0005 on consistency. Spend more if you want but I'm good and I do win every now and then IF I read the wind! ;-)

 

[wildcatter]

Just my opinion, but after owning Dillons, Forsters, Hornady, Lee, and other various presses, Turret, Single Stage, progressive, Arbor, etc.

If I only owned one press, it would be a Rockchucker, I don't care how many presses I Have, I will always own a Rockchucker!

If you don't own a Rockchuker, you might have to ask the OP's question. But most everyone that has ever owned a Rockchuker, would agree, it is the one press most often used to rate all others!

Your choice, but I would buy a Rockchucker if I didn't own one!

 

[danny]

The Lee Classic Cast is a good one.

Regards
Rick

I like the Classic Cast and think it is great. I have one and it was my main press. I now have the Co-Ax as my main press, and I like it a bit better. You can't go wrong with either. They are different presses and the Co-Ax does not work for everyone.

Danny

 

[danny]

After wanting a Co-Ax for 30yrs +, couldn't afford it when I bought the Rockchucker, at that time the RC kit was cheaper than a Bonanza Co-Ax, somewhat glad I waited, as the Co-Ax has had upgrades since then, picked it up about 12yrs ago. I do like the jaws and die swapping features, universal is exactly that, but it has limits like anything universal, doesn't like the thick rims on my 218Bee, or the large dia rim on the 450-400NE I had. Also bought a new MEC since then, like it better than the old RC. I don't see any real advantage to the Rebel over the RC, RC is more versatile, and comes in a better kit, kinda baffles me why RCBS doesn't sell a Rebel kit with a beam scale.

There is a special set of jaws for those thick rims.

Danny

 

[danny]

I would in no way buy the coax unless for decapping only. It’s fantastic for popping primers but that’s it. I would say yes on the rebel but I would push you towards the Redding Big Boss II.

You can do great decapping with any cheap press.

Danny

 

[muleystalker]

The Lee Classic Cast is a good one.

Regards
Rick

I was just going to suggest this! A great press, especially for the money, built like a tank. Can't go wrong with a Rockchucker either. I like my T-7 though.

 

[danny]

I was just going to suggest this! A great press, especially for the money, built like a tank. Can't go wrong with a Rockchucker either. I like my T-7 though.

I would buy the Classic Cast over the Rock Chucker, though.

Danny

 

[HighlandLofts]

You should get a lifetime use out of your new press. RCBS has one of the best lifetime warranties out there.
If it has the plug where the die screws in you can Unscrew it and screw in the adapter to switch it over to the Hornady Lock n Load bushing system.

 

[209jones]

There is a special set of jaws for those thick rims.

Danny

Last time I inquired, with the rim thicknesses I had on the Bee brass I have, all WW brass, they didn't really allow quite enough clearance for them, it was on the order of about 5-6 thou according to their drawing, they sent me the clearance specs. They may have changed since, that was about 7-8 yrs ago now. The brass would stick under one side on them, not real hard, but, had to push it out from under the jaw on the thicker stuff, demanded a bit of effort to pull out, which was pesky. Tried them on old style and new jaws, meh, I can do them on the RC or MEC instead. WW brass rim thicknesses varied around 8 thou on that brass. Bit of a first world issue, it'll work OK, just sticky in that instance. I didn't much like the RCBS universal hand primer as the brass would tilt under intial contact, it worked, but, that bugged me.

 

[danny]

Last time I inquired, with the rim thicknesses I had on the Bee brass I have, all WW brass, they didn't really allow quite enough clearance for them, it was on the order of about 5-6 thou according to their drawing, they sent me the clearance specs. They may have changed since, that was about 7-8 yrs ago now. The brass would stick under one side on them, not real hard, but, had to push it out from under the jaw on the thicker stuff, demanded a bit of effort to pull out, which was pesky. Tried them on old style and new jaws, meh, I can do them on the RC or MEC instead. WW brass rim thicknesses varied around 8 thou on that brass. Bit of a first world issue, it'll work OK, just sticky in that instance. I didn't much like the RCBS universal hand primer as the brass would tilt under intial contact, it worked, but, that bugged me.

The Forster published jaws for .218 Bee are "S, Small End", but in your case, you might need the other jaws, "LS, Small End". The LS Jaws are sometimes needed for the older, rimmed "vintage cases".

Danny

 

[wildcatter]

The Lee will not take the heavy swedging and heavy use the Rockchuker will. Least wise not for life. I'd spend the money for the stronger press myself.

Lee is a great starter, but the Rockchuker is the upgrade of the two.

 

[Mike TackleBerry]

The only thing the co-ax had over the other presses was the ability to change out the dies quickly, That's been eliminated after the Hornady LNL kits came out, you can buy and install on any press out there! I'd buy the RC and spend the leftover money on primers and powder!