RCBS Pro Chucker 5: Loading 45 ACP

One of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world is 45 ACP. It has a controversial place in the concealed carry debate, and is a lot of fun to shoot at targets as well. In this post I’ll cover setting the RCBS Pro Chucker 5 up to load 45 ACP as well as full-progressive reloading of 45 ACP using this press. If you haven’t already done so, you may want to check out the posts leading up to this article:

With five stations at your disposal, the RCBS Pro Chucker 5 is a great option to load pistol cartridges with. Below you can see the setup that I show in this article (be sure to check out the video below) while in full-progressive operation.

Pro-Chucker-5-Loading-45-ACP-600

And here you can see the “heart” of the reloading operation here, the dies, the press frame, the shellplate, and the cartridges in the 5-step process of progressive reloading.

Pro-Chucker-5-Loading-45-ACP-Close-1200

The RCBS Pro Chucker 5 utilizes a “standard” clockwise rotation of the shellplate. This is opposite the counterclockwise shellplate rotation that is utilized by the RCBS Pro 2000: the press that has been essentially “replaced” by the RCBS Pro Chucker 5. Here is a diagram showing the die stations that are used by the RCBS Pro Chucker 5:

Pro-Chucker-5-Loading-45-ACP-Die-Stations-Diagram-1200

There are many ways to use these stations, but here I’m showing the classic “everything separate, separate seat and crimp” setup. In this case, I’m using the following die station layout:

  1. Size/De-Prime (RCBS carbide sizer die)
  2. Prime (bottom of stroke), Case mouth expansion (top of stroke, RCBS expander die)
  3. Powder Charge (new RCBS Uniflow powder measure improved for the Pro Chucker 5)
  4. Bullet seating (RCBS seater die, backed off to seat only, no crimp)
  5. Lee Factory Crimp Die

In the following video I show the entire process of assembling the dies (following the cleaning I did in this post), installing and adjusting the dies, running up to progressive reloading, full-progressive reloading, and rundown (emptying the press).

As outlined in the video, I used the following components and load recipe for this loading session:

  • Previously fired and cleaned 45 ACP brass (no lube)
  • 45 caliber 230 grain round nose Speer TMJ bullets
  • 6.0 grains Hodgdon CFE Pistol
  • Winchester Large Pistol primers
  • COL: 1.200″

Note: This load data is for reference only. Always cross-reference with manufacturer’s load data. Ultimate Reloader is not responsible for errors or possible issues you may have when using this load data. Use at your own risk.

Pro-Chucker-5-Loading-45-ACP-Components

I think it’s time to take the 1911 out for a shoot. The only question is: paper targets or water-filled cans?

Plenty more RCBS Pro Chucker posts and videos coming, so please subscribe (see left bar) to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action!

Thanks,
Gavin

6 thoughts on “RCBS Pro Chucker 5: Loading 45 ACP”

  1. One thing I notice is that the RCBS press has a nicer workflow than my Lee Loadmaster. The right hand never has to leave the handle. Everything is added from the left. Unlike the Lee, where the cases go in with the right and bullets with the left.

    How smooth/reliable is the priming system on the new RCBS? I gave up on the Lee Loadmaster priming system after too many crushed or flipped primers and just do that step by hand.

    Thanks for all your work on these videos.

    1. I have the loadmaster with the case feeder and bullet feeder and can load at a rate of one every two seconds.No one can beat the price of that combo set up.The Loadmaster is not perfect but for the price of the set up for five calibers I can live with one out of 100 primers not going in correctly.My biggest problem so far has been keeping up with the powder and primer hoppers, they empty out so fast now!

  2. I love your videos. In my opinion they are the most professional of any reloading videos I have come across on the net. I especially enjoy your latest series on the RCBS Pro Chucker 5.

    I do have one question however. I notice your reloading table has dovetails in it, which you use to great advantage in mounting your press to the table. Did you make the table yourself? Is there more information on the dovetail build in another of your videos? I would sure like to add something similar to my setup.

    Thanks for all your work in putting together and publishing these videos.

  3. I like the looks of the RCBS Prochucker 5, but like the Dillon, it requires extra parts for each caliber and extra dies in order to do work ups or precision loads on a single stage press. If I was going to have only one press and it was a progressive one, this would be an option.
    I prefer a system like the Hornady progressive so that preset dies can be used on both single stage and progressive presses. I like the RCBS Rockchucker because of its ability to mount a handle on one side and a quick release torque wrench on the other side without any changes.
    Using the Rockchucker and the Hornady progressive, I can do work ups or precision loads on the Rockchucker and progressive loads on the Hornady using one set of dies and not requirement to readjust them. In one minute I can swap between presses. I can even use the same powder measure if I want to.

  4. I also like the looks of RCBS Prochucker 5. The only thing that I have a question about is the flexing of the press on the down stroke. Is this due to the plywood you have it mounted to or is it actually the press frame flexing? If it is the press frame, this could be a potential failure point as the frame fatigues with use. I would not want any flexing as this could also cause any OAL height adjustments to vary.

  5. I purchased a Pro Chucker 7 & during set-up found that @ the depriming stage, the spent primer travels down the spent primer tube & after exiting, ricochets off of the toggle block, ending up somewhere on the floor.
    Anybody else experience this problem, or know of a resolution?

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