TexasCHLforum.com

v-rog wrote:I'm also thinking about getting into reloading. I have two books that should arrive in the next couple of days- ABCs of reloading, 9th ed. and Lyman, 49th ed.

I'm thinking about eventually getting this starter kit from Midway USA:

Sale Rebate RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press Master Kit Product #: 646599, Status: Available,
4.6 stars (36) Reviews $319.99 $287.99 You save $32.00

There is nothing wrong with that kit, but I'd suggest this instead...

Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock Press $99.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=824144" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MTM Mini Digital Reloading Scale $39.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=713049" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure $69.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=290524" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lee Auto Prime XR Hand Priming Tool $18.49
Lee Auto Prime Hand Priming Tool Shellholder Package of 11 $14.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=413473" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=566058" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lyman Case Preparation Kit $30.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=299864" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lee Powder Funnel 22 to 45 Caliber $3.29
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=974498" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lyman Universal Reloading Tray 50-Round Plastic Clear-Smoke $6.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=576361" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That comes out to $284.72 (not counting that a couple of the items are on sale and I put the regular price above in case the sale runs out) and about the only thing in the RCBS kit it doesn't include is the reloading manual, but you've already got two. Oh, and the case lube kit, but I personally don't like RCBS's lube (too greasy and messy). As I've said previously, in my opinion the Lee Classic Cast press is far superior to the Rock Chucker, I prefer a digital scale over the old fashioned 505 balance in the RCBS kit (and I have a 505 so I can say from experience). I also like the Lee priming tool better than the RCBS one mainly due to the 'feel'. I also prefer the Lyman case prep tools and loading tray over the ones in the RCBS kit. I've heard much better things about the Hornady powder measure than the Uniflow from people I trust.

rm9792 wrote:I got mine strictly for .45acp. Then friends wanted reloading done and i agreed but they had to buy the dies. Now i got 40,.38,9mm and .50ae dies but not a single person has asked for me to load anything. I offer but they always say maybe later. I have never done rifle calibers. Looks a lot harder.

Reloading for bottleneck rifle cartridges is indeed a bit harder, but far more rewarding. And by rewarding I don't mean just in $ savings, although that is usually much more with rifles than most handgun cartridges (with the possible exception of something super expensive off the shelf like .500 S&W). There is also more variety in powder and bullet choices for rifles which means you can do a lot more experimentation and tuning of loads.

rm9792 wrote:I started with a progressive and it was not too bad a learning experience. If you are mechanically inclined then just buy a progressive and you are futureproof. If not then start simpler with a singlestage. I hate buying twice so I just jumped in with both feet.

Progressives are great if you reload mostly for handguns or small rifle cartridges like .223 Rem, especially if you need large volumes and consistency and accuracy around the level of commercial ammo is sufficient. They aren't so great if you are loading many bigger bore bottleneck rifle cartridges, especially .30-06 Spr and larger. And if you really want supreme consistency and accuracy you a single stage press has advantages in ability to individually weigh and measure individual powder loads, etc.

And a one big disadvantage of a progressive if you reload a couple dozen different cartridges like I do... the extreme expense of all the shell plates, etc. needed with most progressive presses to set up for them, and the huge time consumption and pain in the butt of changing the press over for a different cartridge and adjusting everything to run smoothly.

I do have a couple of progressives... inexpensive Lee Pro 1000's. I leave one set up for 9x19mm Parabellum and another for .45 ACP. I shoot both of those in volume. I reload my other ammo on other presses, a Lee Turret (old 3-hole version) for most of my handgun ammo and .223 Rem and a Lee Classic Cast for most of my rifle ammo. Set up time for a turret press or single stage is next to nill compared to any progressive I've seen.

Anyway, I don't see it as buying twice... even if you have a progressive chances are a single stage press on your bench will get used, even if it is just for the occasional use of depriming a case or something.

boomstick wrote:You can never go wrong buying RCBS for a single stage press starting out. Their Customer Service is second to none and the equipment will last a lifetime.

Actually, I personally consider that advice outdated. While there is really nothing wrong with the RCBS Rock Chucker, the Lee Classic Cast beats it in virtually every way that matters (better spent primer catch system, better priming arm system, etc), and costs about 2/3 as much. If you are looking at the lower end alloy presses, I also consider the Lee Challenger Breech Lock press to be superior to the RCBS Partner Press, again, about 2/3 the price. If you read a lot of forums you will hear people raving about RCBS's customer service replacing parts that the customer broke for free... it is true... but what it amounts to is they build the price of the replacement parts into the original price so you really aren't getting something for nothing. If you break something on a Lee press outside the warranty you may have to pay for it, but their replacement parts are fairly priced and if you aren't a goober who doesn't know their own strength, you are money ahead in the long run.