I'm about to start reloading again after a 25 year hiatus. I have not purchased any new equipment yet because I think the big box of stuff my grandfather bought out before he passed away has pretty much everything I'll need except a few dies.

I have a Lachmiller press, and it is too small to accommodate .458 Lott. About the only way I could use the old Lachmiller, would be to actually take the die off each time I seated a bullet, and hope it stays in adjustment. I don't really want to try doing that.

A friend in Missouri has a Rock-Chucker II that he said he'd send to me for the cost of shipping but, I'm having trouble finding detailed info online to see if the RCII is big enough. He's got the press packed away in storage and, since he's basically giving it to me I don't want to ask him to dig it out and start taking measurements.

My question is, has anyone used a RCII with some of the bigger rifle cartridges? I'm not ready to buy an expensive progressive press yet but, if anyone has suggestions for a single stage that works well for big cases, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

According to dimensions I've found, the 458 Lott case is 2.8" and the OAL is 3.6". That's only 1/4" longer than the 30-06, which loads fine, and with plenty of room to spare, on my Lee Classic Cast. I would think the RCBS might be able to handle that, but you could check the dimensions on the RCBS web site. Have your buddy measure from shellholder bottom to the top inside of the press to see if you've got 3.6" plus (room for bullet prior to seating, and then some). The question then would be, I think, whether or not there's enough room left over for correct adjustment of the seating die.

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Stretch ®

"If you are a reloader and you don't know Lee, you don't know Jack" - Floydster

DON'T BE SCARED©

It will do 375 rum and the Lott is the exact overall length so ill bet it will work

I've got an older RockChucker press. From the shell holder to the top of the frame opening it's about 3 3/4". I'm not sure if the RCII would be different.

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Still Learnin' as I go!

NRA Life Member

Thanks guys!

I actually didn't realize the .375 was the same length... It sounds like it will work. I'll ask my buddy to send the RCBS out.

It's a relief to know that I'll be able to reload for my "Recoil Therapy" gun without buying another press!

most modern presses are made to handle standard 7/8x14 dies.
so long as the dies for your lott are of that dimension you will have no problem.
some presses also have a removable insert in top which when removed allow for even larger
diameter dies. i dont believe the rock chucker has that feature.
you might consider using your old press as a dedicated decapping press.
a standard decapping die will accomidate all but the largest of large cases.
that way the pins can be removed from your other dies and much of the dirt remain in one area.

I have an old Pacific (now Hornaday) 007 press. It is just about the same exact size as the RCII. I load for my 458 Lott on mine just fine, and I know that I could do anything on my old neighbors RCII that I could do on my 007. It'll work with no problems. I also load many other cartidges that are as long or slightly longer too, depending on what rifle they will be fired in and the seating depth used for the bullet.

Little trick that will give you a little extra room.


Tilt the case with bullet up into the seater die at an angle and then slide the case into the shell holder.
it worked with my .375 H&H and .416 Rigby in the Lee Reloader "C" frame press and those are 3.600" max OAL and I load the Sierra 300 grain Game King in the .375. It's a long bullet.

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Be popular? Heck, I have enough friends.
and...
"That way lies madness".

Don't discount the Lee Classic Cast.

I find it a great press to use on all the large calibresthat I shoot as well as the little ones

404 Jefferys
470 nitro
500 x 3 1/4"
500 Jefferys

good shooting

aussie86

I reload my 416 rem mag with my RCII, I don't think the lott is longer then that.
Terry

It's not. I own the Lott, and have owned 2 416 rems.