Need help deciding which kit for my bday! please help!

[JackTheRipper]

I am deciding which would be the best for me... I am wanting to reload 30-06 shells (not many, I just hunt and occasionally target practice) and I'd like to reload 9 mm for my mother who rarely target practices...

so here are the kits

Kit 1:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-RC-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/728426.uts

for $289.99
Plus this auto powder dispenser http://www.cabelas.com/product/Horn...Ntt=hornady+powder&x=0&y=0&Ntt=hornady+powder
for $239.99
plus
with this trimmer http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS...lProducts&Ntt=rcbs+trim&x=0&y=0&Ntt=rcbs+trim

for 89.99

grand total $619.97... minus $50 for the rcbs coupon they are offering = $569.97

or would I be better off getting this kit (kit 2)

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...AllProducts&Ntt=rcbs+kit&x=0&y=0&Ntt=rcbs+kit

for

$ 750? minus the 50 bucks $700

the 5$ shipping lasts until tomorrow...

Ughhhh

thanks

 

[noylj]

There is no correct answer. If it was me, I would get the top of the line kit, but it far exceeds what is needed.
First, unless you are going to be shooting groups less than 0.5" at 100 yards, you are buying cadillac equipment for a chevy use.
I assume you are working on the RCBS rebate. If so, I would really recommend the RCBS ChargeMaster over the Hornady powder dispenser. However, both are way overkill for you.
Rifle rounds, especially hunting rifles, are seldom sensitive to ±0.4gn powder charge variation and the powder measure that comes with either kit will easily meet that requirement. The only reason to justify the powder dispenser is that you simply can not abide chopping stick powders in a regular powder measure and you just want to be as accurate as possible. Just know, you won't see any difference; you will, however, be more confident in your loads.
The only "problem" with the RCBS press is that you will need to screw in each die and unscrew each die to install the next. I believe you can buy a converter bushing from Lee or Hornady to change the press to accept the Lee or Hornady bushings so you just remove the die and bushing as a unit, and the adjustment is still locked between the die and bushing.
If I was buying a press for rifle reloading (and very occasional pistol rounds), I would look at the Lee Classic turret (Cabela's has one for $90 in their bargain cave and a kit on sale for $190).
You will want to get a powder measure such as the RCBS uniflow or Hornady L-N-L, since the Lee Pro Auto-Disk is best for pistol loads and not for large rifle loading. It works great for your Mom's 9mm.
Unless this is a purchase you need to make tonight, go to Lee's site and watch their videos on the turret press.
Again, look at the cost and what exactly you need and, if you really want a powder dispenser, look seriously at the RCBS ChargeMaster.
Just know, from your description, you may be better off just to buy factory ammunition since you may take quite a while to recoup your expense.

 

[TonyAngel]

Please take what I say with a grain of salt, because I believe in buying the best that I can afford and have never regretted going that route.

If you're looking for a single stage to load rifle rounds, get the RCBS. Not looking to ruffle any feathers here, but the RCBS makes anything made by Lee look like a toy. I know, I've owned many Lee presses and still have one mounted on my bench. The Rock Chucker is one serious piece of equipment that your grandsons will still be using long after you are dead. Even the Hornady press isn't as well built. There is a conversion that you can get to covert the RCBS press to accept the Hornady bushings.

If you are dead set on getting either the first or second kit, I'd say get the second one. I have and am currently using the Hornday Auto Charge. I don't have extensive experience with the RCBS unit, but can comment on the Hornady unit. It does ok with stick powders like Reloader 15 and such. The finer the powder, the worse it gets. With Varget, which is a short stick powder, I have to have it set on slow (and it is slow to the tune of about 30 seconds per charge) and it messes up a lot. I just threw 50 charges and it over charged by at least .2 of a grain setting off the alarm at least 10 times with Varget. Maybe not a big deal, but frustrating considering what it cost. It is absolutely useless with ball powder. If you are going to be throwing any sort of ball powder, whether it be TAC for rifle or Accurate #7 for pistol, it will NOT throw a charge anywhere near the ballpark.

From what I've seen the RCBS unit isn't as easy to use, but is fully programmable and may be able to overcome the shortcomings of the Hornady unit. I really wish I had returned the Hornday when I could have.

Personally, I'm not wild about kits. I haven't seen a kit yet that contains everything that I like. If the rebate is that important to you, go for it. Actually, looking at the RCBS kit, it's pretty nice.

If you do get the Hornady dispenser, it works the best when the hopper is 1/4 to 1/3 full. Any more or less and it will screw up a lot.

The Lee turret press works ok. As with a lot of Lee's equipment, expect to have to tinker with it a bit. I've loaded handgun on a Lee, but I don't know that I'd expect great results loading rifle on it.

As far as loading for handgun goes, I'd imagine that you could just get a powder drop for that. If she rarely shoots, you may be better off just buying the ammo. 9mm is getting pretty cheap again.

 

[ArtP]

Just something to consider.... You're going to spend a fortune, eventually, buying components and other tools that are not included in any kit. Components = brass, powder, bullets, primers.

I see nothing wrong at all with starting with a Lee kit for $100 and saving the rest to spend where you choose - once you develop a sense for what you're doing.

I'll re-phrase that. Until you know what you're doing, you don't know where to skimp and were to go heavy or better or higher quality.

I started with the Lee kit and when I knew better, knew where to spend that money. Go get you feet wet.

 

[Skip_a_roo]

We don't marry our equipment!

Some folks act like they are married to their equipment and cannot ever be separated from it. Once its bought, you are stuck with it for life. Nothing could be further from the truth! Your mom may want to start target shooting tons more once you show her how well your target ammo is! Then, that single stage "ain't gonna cut it." If you find yourself in that situation, simply sell your press and buy a progressive or something that you can load faster on!

As for the powder dispenser, not me. You can buy a powder measure and scale for much less and have a system that is time tested. Usually, when a kit is assembled, it contains something that doesn't sell to well on it's own, hence the powder dispenser.

At any rate, any press you buy will perform as it is designed. All of the major player's equipment will work. It all depends on what bells and whistles you want or feel you need.

Another suggestion is to buy each part of your reloading setup singly and used. I've done that and have had good results.

Here is my bench. I have a hard time getting rid of my old press, I just slide over and put another one on it!


p.s. For the 3 Dillons I have on this bench, I have less than $500. The Lee Turret Press on the far right was a gift and the Lyman Spar T was something a friend let me borrow about 15 years ago. He later told me to just keep it!

 

[loadedround]

Hey Ripper: I have always found Cabelas prices to be on the high side. Why not look online for the same kits thru MidwayUSA and save yourself some bucks. Cabela's to me has always been a "list price" type of store with good customer service. JMHO.

 

[Skip_a_roo]

Forgot to add this:

I am not affiliated with this place but, it is within an hours drive and they have a TON of reloading equipment and components in stock.

Go to kempfgunshop.com and look at the Lee stuff they have available. They usually put together their own kits and they are much cheaper than list price.

Hope this helps.

FWIW