Rockchucker press - ball handle vs roller handle

[Topside]

Mornin fellers. Been using my RCBS Rockchucker press for 36 years with the ball handle that came with it. Just saw a roller handle for it. Can you comment on your likes dislikes between the 2 kinds as to ease of use, leverage, feel etc.? I believe I'd like to try the roller handle, but will wait on the "sage advice" I always count on here. Thanks.
T.
ROLLER HANDLE:

[Dockem]

I don't have a Rockchucker, but I had a Lee with the wooden ball. It made my hand very sore when I was "on a roll" reloading. I changed it to a straight handle and it was more comfortable. My Dillon has a similar roller handle as the picture and it is much easier to use when doing big runs of ammo.

[Old Savage]

Ergonomics. I work with workers comp patients and what works for one in repetitive motion may be injurious to another. Given a choice people usually find out quickly what works for them and what bothers them. Trouble often comes with motions people have to do in their job repetitively. Ball handle at least for me is easier on my arm and shoulder. Considering that I broke the right elbow twice and have a pin in it and broke the right collar bone in two places and dislocated or more likely subluxated that shoulder in childhood, my case is likely a test of the issue. I tried the roller and found it tended to be less flexible for the position of the arm and shoulder through the range of the motion. But, some obviously like the roller better.

[AJMD429]

Mine must be really old. All it has is a plastic 'bicycle' type handle slipped over the metal tubing.

[J Miller]

If I remember right mine has the black plastic ball on it. The old RCBS JR press I used to have had the bicycle handle on it. I currently use a Bonanza Co-Ax with a bicycle type handle on it and about half the time I don't even use the handle I'm pulling down on the handle shaft.
The Lee I just got has the wooden ball and it feels to me like it could use a couple coats of something that would make it slip in the hand like the hard plastic ball on the Rock Chucker does. I think that's the secret.
I've never used the roller handle type but I can see OS's point.

Did any of that make sense? I hope so.

Joe

[Lefty Dude]

My Old Rockchucker has the bicycle handle, my Dillon SDB has the ball.

I guess I prefer the bicycle handle of the Rockchucker.

Never much thought about the roller handle.

[Griff]

Both my RCBS presses, (Rockchucker & Jr.II) have the ball..., but; I have two Dillon 550Bs. One has a ball handle, one has the roller. I really haven't used the roller handle one much... but what I have noticed, is that the position of the handle is very critical to "MY" smooth operation of the press. Whereas the ball on the other one is fine, just needs tightening from time-to-time; the roller handle feels like it provides a little more control. But, I haven't really used it enough to give it a big thumbs up.

[wm]

I have a two badly injured wrists from miscalculations made in my youth (several differetn episodes for each) that have left them troublesome and arthritic. I find the roller handle very helpful in keeping pain and fatigue at bay. YMMV but for the $30 cost (IIRC) I'd say it was money well spent by me.

Wm.

[damienph]

I like the ball. I have a Rockchucker and a Partner both with the ball handle, a Lyman T-Mag with the ball, and my old Texan C-press with the bicycle style handle. I don't always sit directly in front of my presses, so I think that the roller would be harder for me to use. I may use two or even three presses (sort of like my T-mag turret) except the dies are on separate presses, one press to my left and the other(s) to my right. I sit on a swivel stool, with the ball I can easily operate the handle while sitting at an angle from the press.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I don`t need one on my Rockchucker. I don`t load that many at a time.
Now my Ponsness Warren shotshell loader,that is different.
When I was doing a lot of trap shooting it (with shovel/ roller handle) got a work out. It can punch out 1200 rounds an hour.

The ball handle is better for me until it gets fast and furious.

[jnyork]

Mine must be really old. All it has is a plastic 'bicycle' type handle slipped over the metal tubing.

Mine also, has served me will for almost 40 years.

[6pt-sika]

Mornin fellers. Been using my RCBS Rockchucker press for 36 years with the ball handle that came with it. Just saw a roller handle for it. Can you comment on your likes dislikes between the 2 kinds as to ease of use, leverage, feel etc.? I believe I'd like to try the roller handle, but will wait on the "sage advice" I always count on here. Thanks.
T.
ROLLER HANDLE:

Unless I'm mistaken the handle you have was manufactured by a silhouette shooter in the Culpeper VA area named Jerry Arnold . Well he might be living in Waynesboro now . But anyway that looks like one he was manufacturing and selling for the last couple years .

I have three presses myself !

A Ponsness Warren Metallic II I've been using for about 30 years with the ball still attached , a CH4D HEAVY press I use for the 505 Gibbs which is also a ball handle and finally a used Rockchucker I bought a few months ago with the RCBS shovel handle roller that I've yet to use .

Personally I like the ball handles !

[6pt-sika]

Now my Ponsness Warren shotshell loader,that is different.
When I was doing a lot of trap shooting it (with shovel/ roller handle) got a work out. It can punch out 1200 rounds an hour.

The ball handle is better for me until it gets fast and furious.

I had four Ponsness Warren 800C's lined up on a table when I shot trap and skeet competitively !
And I would load maybe a 1,000-1,200 shells each week . And all of my 4 units had the ball handles . They worked great for me !

[Topside]

Mornin fellers. Been using my RCBS Rockchucker press for 36 years with the ball handle that came with it. Just saw a roller handle for it. Can you comment on your likes dislikes between the 2 kinds as to ease of use, leverage, feel etc.? I believe I'd like to try the roller handle, but will wait on the "sage advice" I always count on here. Thanks.
T.
ROLLER HANDLE:

Unless I'm mistaken the handle you have was manufactured by a silhouette shooter in the Culpeper VA area named Jerry Arnold . Well he might be living in Waynesboro now . But anyway that looks like one he was manufacturing and selling for the last couple years .

I have three presses myself !

A Ponsness Warren Metallic II I've been using for about 30 years with the ball still attached , a CH4D HEAVY press I use for the 505 Gibbs which is also a ball handle and finally a used Rockchucker I bought a few months ago with the RCBS shovel handle roller that I've yet to use .

Personally I like the ball handles !

Yes, it is the guy from Culpepper. He has the handles listed on Ebay.
T.

[Topside]

Many thanks for all the thoughtful responses from you all. Might just try the roller handle. If I do, I'll let you know how it goes.

T.

[El Chivo]

I like the ball handle for cachet.