I've never reloaded before and want to get into it. Ive been looking at several different presses and have narrowed it down to the RCBS and Hornady lock and load kit. There about the same price range. My question is, is the stuff in the kits worth it or should I buy things separately? I know it would be more expensive to buy everything separate but if I get these kits would I immediately need to upgrade some of the items or would I be able to reload for a while before needing to upgrade? Right now cabelas has the RCBS rock chucker kit on sale for $296 plus RCBS has a $50 rebate. I'm looking at only reloading rifle cartridges at this time so that why i'm looking at the single stage presses.

Can't go wrong with RCBS Rock Chucked. Not sure what all is in the kit, but will need caliber specific dies, case trimmers, and shell holders.

Honestly, I would get a lee turret press as it gives you the ability of a single or turret. Rcbs is a great brand, but if you end up doing this for a long time you will end up upgrading anyways.

The RCBS kit would be a great way to start out. As you gain experience and learn things you'll want to add stuff to your setup and replace some of the original stuff. That's pretty much inevitable. The good news is you can sell off RCBS tools easily and get a good part of your investment back. For customer service, RCBS cannot be beat. They'll bend over backwards to keep you as a customer.

I bought the same kit years ago. I am currently only using three pieces from the kit. The press,hand primer seater, and digital micrometer. Waist of money, and only a matter of time before I replace the last remaining pieces from the kit.

I recommend buying each piece separately.


What I'm currently using.

Rcbs rockchucker. Should have bought a Lee classic single stage. The rcbs has a horrible system for dumping primers. Matter of fact, I use a Lee hand press and decapping die for removing primers now.

Gempro 250 scale until my Scott Parker balance shows up.
Omega powder trickler
Lee PPM
Satern funnels

Giruad trimmer. I use a Lee case trimmer for the lower volume stuff.
Lyman vld chamfer tools, but any chamfer tools will do.

RCBS hand primer tool and digital micrometer.

imperial sizing wax.

Modified cases for the hornady coal tool.

Berger manual

I'm sure I'm forgetting some things.

X2

The Lee Classic Turret Kit is an excellent setup. I have a Rockchucker press that I use for primer pocket swaging and nothing else. The Lee Classic turret will load 200 rounds an hour when you get used to it. Take the indexing unit off of it and you have an outstanding single stage press that switches calibers in seconds.
I love mine.
You will be hard pressed to find bad reviews on the Lee classic turret.

This is where I got mine .

http://www.titanreloading.com/lee-classic-cast-turret-press-kit

Get the Rockchucker kit. It will do all a beginner needs for a long time and you won't start loading then realize you need a xxx Also you MAY get to the point that you appreciate fancier or higher quality specific pieces but they really aren't NEEDED. If so get em.

I'm still using my 'Chucker, RCBS powder measure and 50 yr old balance beam scale for most rifle loads. The Dillon does higher volume .45 ACP and .223 prarie dog poppers.

Kinda like the pro fisherman who showed up at a local bass club. He had a Jon boat, 20 hp motor, hand operated trolling motor and one rod and reel. The locals in their $40,000 rigs laughed at him till he won. Just saying.
TC

I bought the hornady kit with the digital scale a few years ago and haven't replaced a single item yet. It has worked fantastic so far, I don't plan on replacing anything on it in the future besides going to a progressive press one day. I might plan on buying a charge master one day just to make things faster. I'm pleased with the Hornady kit and would buy it again.

Same here. I am happy with the Hornady kit. Have not had it a year, but happy so far

Well I ordered the rcbs kit today. Got it for $300 no tax, free shipping and I get to use the $50 rebate, so basically got it for $250. It already shipped so I need to get some dies.

Another question what's the big differences between dies. Most of what I found was in the $45-$60 range, but then I saw some redding dies for $100. Is there something I need to be aware of?

Yes and no...I started on a Lee turret then moved to singles and I wish I had done it the other way around. I would have learned better about the mechanics starting with a single instead of messing with 356 different things going on at once with the turret. Sure, you can remove the index collar and use it as a single but most people wanna use all the toys right away. The Classic kit has too much stuff in it that's unneeded and the Lee scale is garbage. I do like the press though. My Classic kit was $230 or so and I sold off the scale and a few misc items to get it to $200 at my door. I bought my singles second hand and have less than $50 TOTAL in the pair.

Y'all do the math.

Obviously the OP will be more than fine with the RCBS kit but might be surprised how many parts he doesn't use or doesn't like. This is common with kits no matter the brand and I have all colors on my bench.

Manufacturers will offer various sets of dies at different prices. Usually you can get a plain FL set for a common rifle caliber for around $45. Sets having special seater dies and neck dies cost more. Starting out, I'd suggest a plain FL die set. Also, I would recommend Redding. You might pay five bucks more for them, but I think they're worth it.

Dies from any manufacturer will work well if you set them up correctly, but there are still differences in quality.

And if you are loading for pistol or straight wall cartridge buy the carbide sizing dies so you don't have to lube the cases.




Is this the regular RC or RC Supreme? Good prices

RC supreme. yeah pretty good deal.

For those interested, I bought it from sportsmans supply out of butler PA