Author Topic: Older RCBS "JR" Press ??? (Read 919 times)

LouD · « **on:** October 19, 2004, 09:39:45 AM »

I recently picked up a box of used reloading equipment from a gentlman at our local range. Included was an RCBS "JR" press that is well used, but in good shape to my eyes. I mentioned my coup to a friend who is an experienced reloader, and he expressed his feelings that the press is really too small for my needs. I will be reloading .204, .243, 6.5 Swedes, 7x57, and 300 WSM's & 44 Mags. He says the JR will work for "Belling" handgun brass, but it won't have sufficient leverage for the rifle cartridges and I should add a Rock Chucker to my bench. Yet another acquaintance says the "JR" will be more than adequate. Anyone here had experience with the old "JR" press ?

Thanks !!!

Dand · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2004, 09:56:31 AM »

I had a Jr press for years. Loaded hundreds of rounds of .223, 30-30, 30-06, 300 win mag, 38/357, 41 mag on mine just fine. Only reason I went to a different press was to speed up the pistol loading. The Jr doesn't have the leverage of a Rock Chucker or the other compound leverage presses but as long as you aren't doing major case reforming it should be fine. I found the opening a little short for the 300 win and big bullets but it wasn't a real problem. I do a lot of small lot loading - 20 of this 30 of that. It was when I decided to load 200-400 rounds of pistol ammo at a time that I went to my Lyman turret press.

If you load a lot of ammo a more powerful press might be nice but not necessary. There are times I wish I hadn't sold my old Jr.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2004, 10:08:30 AM »

I used one for over 30 years. Used it to form cases from larger and smaller both. Yeah you have to get on it a bit but it will do it. For normal reloading and case sizing it is fine.

I now use a Hornady Lock and Load Single stage press with compound leverage.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2004, 10:11:22 AM »

Everyone needs a Rockchucker, but you don't need one quite yet. You ain't loading no real long cartridges. You ain't doing no swaging. You ain't doing no major case reforming,

Your Jr. is an absolute Cadillac compared to some of the POS I started with. Enjoy it.

Flash · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2004, 10:49:33 AM »

Get yourself a tin of Imperial Sizing Die Wax and watch how little force is needed for sizing. Your press will work fine and don't let anyone tell you different. The Rock Chucker is overkill for common calibers. It accomodates the 50 caliber Browning so it has to be strong and that's mainly the reason why.

KYODE · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2004, 11:47:39 AM »

the rcbs jr press is what i have and use. it's just fine for all standard calibers so far. i'll soon be loading 300 win mag, and i would think it'll be fine for sizing that also.
would i like to have a rockchucker, or similar?.......sure, but i don't have to rush out and buy one. the old rcbs jr does fine, imo.

Hellrazor · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2004, 01:47:07 PM »

I know people who keep the JR presses as a dedicated depriming, priming or bullet seating station.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2004, 08:31:21 PM »

You should have no problems using the JR press with the calibers you mentioned.

The Shrink · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2004, 01:46:52 AM »

The Jr3 is the only press I've ever had, and I used it this weekend. I have loaded .405 Win., 45-70, 40-70, 30-06, 25-06, 7x57, 30-30, and scads of pistol rounds on it, including .44Mag. I have formed 30-06 brass to 8mmx06 on it and load the 8mm-06. I do this with the RCBS liquid water based lube and their lube pad.

You will have no problem using it with any of the rounds you posted and many more. The only problems I have had with it are that the design for catching spent primers is awful, and with wear the arm tends to sink to the ram up position. I asked RCBS about this and they said that all their JR3's do the same thing and they haven't found a fix. I live with it.

I found it interesting that RCBS is still using their JR3's as well.

skb2706 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2004, 04:02:47 AM »

The JR press I originally bought back in the 70's was just retired this year as a fellow forum member wanted to take up reloading and I was helping him get started. Your friend who suggested this was not enough press to load your choice of calibers had obviously either not used one, had no clue or was very limited in his loading background. I have used a JR for 30 years and never felt limited in its capabilities. Thousands of .300WMs, reformed wildcats stuff, .308 Wins and dozens of calibers and lengths. I would not recommend making it a regular if you were loading .375 h&h, some Weatherby stuff, or anything with a moniker of 'ultra'. If you choose to abandon it....write me a pm. I got a place it will bolt right up.