New to reloading, help advise

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So, is RCBS like the Cadillac and Lexus of reloading kits? So far in my research i've seen RCBS more expensive and comparable Hornady and Dillion kits less expensive.

Can you give me a best 4 reloading kits manufacturer from generally most expensive to least expensive??
 
Ughh, I think this might be one of those questions where you are going to hear a lot about what other people like to use, I had said that I liked RCBS powder trickler, another gentleman commented that he got rid of his and got a Redding powder trickler. I would say from here what you would need to do is take a look at all the kits, and see what that kit comes with and see if it works for you.

You got the Redding Big Boss Kit which seems to be the highest right now, I have heard great things about Redding, but their stuff is a little to rich for my blood.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=897117

Next up would be Hornady Lock-N-Load Kit. Haven't heard to much about this kit, never really talked with anyone that has used this kit. It looks solid and well built, the only two things that I would disagree with is the electronic scale and the hand priming tool. I have talked with some guys and they say that the electronic scale is awesome, till the batteries start getting weak, then some of their charges were off, and some presses out have a priming device built in, if you want to do it by hand that is fine, a lot of guys like to do it, me, I like to prime then "bell" the mouth of the case one right after the other, but this is your choice.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=749997

Next up, RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. Comes with everything that you need, still got the hand priming tool, but like I said before, that may be something that you would prefer to do, maybe you want the machine to do it, again, that part is up to you. Also comes with a powder measure, and if you decide that you wanna upgrade, you can get their piggey-back 4 system and turn it into a progressive press.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=646599

Now on to the RCBS Partner Press (the one that I currently own). Its a nice press, very well built, my only "gripe" is that it did not come with a powder measure, turned to Lee and got their perfect powder measure, but I am thinking of getting a new one. You will see that it does not come with a hand priming tool, but, the priming tool is attached to the press, like I said, I think this makes it easier, some guys like to do it with a separate tool, this, again, is up to you.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=140616

The Lee Challenger Anniversary Kit comes with a lot of items including a lock stud and cutter for rifle rounds, and also has the hand priming tool. The only thing that I would see wrong with this setup is that it is missing the most important piece IMHO!!!! THE RELOADING MANUAL!!!!!! This looks like it is a pretty good kit, but it is missing the manual. I like the reloading dies, but like the Hornady, I haven't met to many people that reload with this press.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=423081

Everyone out there is going to have their opinions about this press and that press, basically they are being loyal to their brand, I can tell you day in and day out all the advantages of RCBS, but that is what I use and that is what I like. But your situation or what you would like to do with it is all up to you. This is why I am saying to sit down and do the research, see what you like.

Also, try checking out other websites. I get a lot of the quotes from midwayusa, I like their site, but there are other sites ( Cabelas comes off the top of my head), so also do some shopping around, you may find what you are looking for at a better price then what I am showing you here.
 
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Ughh -
We'll arrange the top 10 presses if you'll arrange the list of the top 10 automobiles !!!

It almost can't be done, because what I look for in a "high-end " car (mileage) might make you gag. You might be looking for speed, handling, styling, etc. And let's not forget, that to some people "low cost" is the biggest and best feature.

So what I just simply love about my press and find to be its best feature, might make you puke. Follow?
 
If you were to load strictly for the savings and got no enjoyment from it at all, then it probably wouldn't be worth doing. It's a good hobby and it can definitely improve your accuracy, but unless you're interested in doing it for that reason, I wouldn't bother at all. A hobby you do just for money is called work.
 
i mean in terms of price. Not value or how well it performs, just strictly price.

If you are looking for the lowest price you will want to look at Lee. If you want to shop the highest price, that will be Dillon. Nothing wrong with either, or those in the middle for that matter. Just depends on your budget and how many rounds you need to produce and how much time you have to dedicate to it.

If you have a limited budget and want to make less than 500 rds/month, a Lee single stage will do fine. If money is no option and you compete and need 2500+ rounds/month, you should look at a Dillon 1050. Your needs will determine your hardware. Your budget plays a big part in this too. I have extremey limited funds and everything on my bench is Lee. I have a Loadmaster 5 station press and 2 Reloader single stage presses. I can load any amount from 1 round up to 5000/month if I have the time to do it. I do not feel hampered in any way by having Lee tools and personally see no need to upgrade. If I had RCBS, Lyman, Hornady or Dillon hardware I would be loading the same ammo in the same quantity with the same amount of problems(almost none) but have less money for components.

Granted if you buy Lee you may have to tweak some of their presses and you probably would not with other brands. I had to work my Loadmaster a while to get all the quirks out, but it runs like a top now and has for the last 45,000 rounds. Most folks get other brands and just bolt them down and get to work. You do get a little more when you pay more, no doubt. I don't mind tinkering with mine and it helps me to understand the press and how it functions better by having to figure it out. That may not be for everyone, I don't mind.

As for hand priming, you will have to figure that one for yourself. Lots of us here do it and maybe the other half or so do it on the press. It's kinda like the crimp thing. Half do and half don't. Personal preference and all that. There is no wrong answer. If you could find a mentor you will be so much better off, being able to see it done and see how the adjustments are made, getting any ? answered right then and any followup discussed on the spot. It is a tremendous help for most folks getting started.

Some of the points made earlier:
Keep a log. Definitely do this. You won't be able to remember all the numbersdown the road of what worked and what didn't. Do you want to re-do the failures again wasting components because you didn't write it down?
Read some books. You can get the basics & fundamentals by just reading some of the books available. The ABC's is a great place to start. Most loading manuals cover the basics at the beginning of the book.
Get carbide dies. If you are loading pistol calibers carbide is the way to go. You can use steel but will have to lube cases. With carbide you don't have to, but lubing one in every 10-15 or so will make it much smoother.
Buy in quantity. Always buy the largest quantity you can afford. Stored properly the components will last a lifetime.
You can save money. You probably won't, but it is possible to do. If you are just in it to save money then it can be done. Once you load enough to realise the savings have "paid" for your investment you start saving money. If you decide to branch out into other calibers you will have to "save" enough to offset the cost of the new hardware. Most likely you will just load more for the same money spent and thus shoot a lot more for the same out of pocket costs.
 
Those "ABCs" are all the same...just different editions by date, with the editors (who sometimes change) introducing a new essay or two, or rewriting a previous one. There is not a single suthor, BeerSleeper.

Personally, I would recommend buying the latest, or one of the latest volumes--say, for example, 2005 or newer, if you want an overview of the current status of the "issues" in various topics of reloading.

Having said that, it is important to note that reloading topics really haven't changed significantly for some time, and gear (other than peripheral tweaks) really isn't dramatically changing. IMO, that last two big topics in presses have been the introduction of the Lee Classic Cast (both single stage and turret) presses and the Hornady LnL--but others might argue that take--and that really covers the last 10 years. So, you might be comfortable with buying a (used) older one.

Jim H.
 
If you were to load strictly for the savings and got no enjoyment from it at all...

Again, back to the comparison with automobiles... that means you'd like to drive a 20 yo Yugo with 200,000 miles on it, even though you have to get out at every traffic light and do something under the hood, just because the the insurance is cheap??

Some of the very lowest cost presses are almost in that league.
 
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