Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RCBS Rockchucker vs JR3

There is a rcbs jr3 for sale in the classifieds right now. Any experience with these? Would a rockchucker be better. I have been reloading with a buddy but want to start on my own. Thanks guys!

Here is the differance.


JR3



Rock Chucker



Note the bottom of the Rock Chucker. Compound leverage. More leverage helps a lot on those bigger cases and on forming.

I have both the Jr I use for all my straight wall pistol stuff. I use the Rock Chucker on my forming and all my bigger magnums.

Yep, the Rock Chucker is a stronger press than the JR3. I've had a JR3 for 36 years and have loaded everything from .38 Specials to 460 Weatherby's and a lot of stuff in between. I haven't wore it out yet and it's the only press I own. If I ever do, I'll get a CoAx.

JR3 MIGHT have clearance issues with the linkage against the bench that the RC may not... IME.

Don't overlook the Lee Classic Cast press. It is one of the very best, and is quite affordable. It is made in the USA and I would suggest is more heavy duty and durable than the Rockchucker.



Lee Classic Cast

Also seeing these photos, I would recommend that you hand seat primers rather than use the press. The difference in feel is unbelievable. Lee also makes an excellent hand seater.

I have both the JR and the RC. I use the JR for seating bullets because it gives the user and more connected feel, albeit less leverage, while the RC gives more power but less sensitive feel, due to the compound leverage mechanism, so I use it for resizing duties. One could easily get by with either press, and I used the JR for years before receiving the RC as a gift.

Rockchucker all the way, it's more versatile.

"Don't overlook the Lee Classic Cast press. It is one of the very best, and is quite affordable. It is made in the USA and I would suggest is more heavy duty and durable than the Rockchucker."

(Sorry but I'm gonna have to disagree on that one, I've used Lee, Hornady, Redding, and RCBS products all my reloading days, while Lee makes great stuff for the money, I can honestly say with 100% confidence, beyond a doubt, that RCBS makes a tougher, better quality press than Lee does, and I'm from Wisconsin, where Lee products are made, but any of the presses mentioned should work fine for standard reloading.)

"Sorry but I'm gonna have to disagree on that one, I've used Lee, Hornady, Redding, and RCBS products all my reloading days,"

Ah yes. But, have you used the Lee Classic Cast press?

I have an RC. A young friend has the C.C. and it's very much the better press. If I had to replace my green RC tomorrow it would be with a red C.C.

Seems most of those who question the C.C. assume it's alum alloy; it's actually all steel and cast iron. And has a bigger and more durable ram, MUCH better primer handling, lever is fully adjustable for length, angle and side. Better tool and costs a LOT less!

I have both the JR3 and a RC. Both are good presses and will give you a lifetime of service. The RC is the more robust of the two, but if you find a good deal on a JR3, don't hesitate to get it.

I've replaced my Lyman with a Lee Classic Cast, and I couldn't be more happy with it - Quality and strength. It makes the RCBS stuff look very overpriced.

I used a jr3 for several years before graduating to a reloader special which is a jr3 with the compound arm. For general reloading the jr3 should be fine unless your trying to size 375 H&H down to 22 hornet etc. If it's cheap enough it should work for you.

The Junior is o.k. but it aint no Rockchucker. I started out with a Junior and as soon as I could upgrade, I did. I paid $32 for the Junior and $85 for the Rockchucker.

No I haven't, but I'm familiar with Lee's usual level of quality, maybe they've taken things up a notch now, if so, sorry I blew up. I guess my advice is based on experience with older Lee products.

I bought a Jr used around 50 years ago. I finally gave it to a young man a few years ago that was getting into reloading. For a lot of years it was my only press and I did everything with it. Including resizing 30-06 cases down to 22-250s.
If you can find a good buy on a Jr, I'd grab it. It'll take your where you want to go.

I think mine was $15.00. Got out of the shop with everything to load 38/357 for about $25.00.

Crikey, I paid more than that for may last set of rifles dies!