RCBS RC Supreme Master vs Hornady Lock n Load Classic Reloading Kits

[WonkyWapiti]

Ok these are two kits I think I have narrowed down my choice for getting into reloading.  The first is the RCBS rock chucker supreme Master kit which Cabelas has on sale for $300.  The other is the Hornady Lock N Load Classic Reloading Kit which is on sale for $320.  I am a total newbie getting into reloading.  Between these two kits, which one would you guys get if you were starting out all over again and why?  I have been searching the threads and found alot of info on the RCBS kit but not much on the Hornady kit.  Thanks in advance guys.  I've linked the two kits below.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20847_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat20847&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=19&parentType=index&parentId=cat20847&id=0018937

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20847&rid=&indexId=cat20847&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=21&parentType=index&parentId=cat20847&id=0044088

After I finished this post I realized there was one more that I had looked at and that was the Redding T7, so I guess I have kinda narrowed this down, lol.

[carpsniperg2]

i have had nothing but good luck with rcbs and am a huge fan. that would be my vote

[Jamieb]

Buy RCBS. Great equipment and great customer service.

[shaneman153D]

I have the RC supreme combo.  I'm not super impressed, the powder thrower absolutely sucks.

I would vote for the Hornady.  Better scale, thrower, plus you get a coupon for 500 free bullets.

http://www.hornady.com/promotions/get-loaded

Also, I would suggest Hornady dies.  They have a little sleeve in the seater die that helps line up the bullet.  Really helps with flat-based bullets.  You also get 100 free bullets with the dies.

If you're stuck on RCBS, PM me and I'll sell you my kit.  I'd love to have a Hornady instead!

Shane

[Wacenturion]

   Hornady also..........as he said above free bullets.  When you figure that into the equation for both the Classic Kit (500 bullets) and the dies (each die set 100 bullets), the Hornady hands down is cheaper out of pocket.  Just the 500 bullets....lets say they were $22 a hundred...pistol, that's $110, with tax about $119.  If it's free rifle bullets which can be as much as $30 per hundred plus or minus you're looking at somewhere around $150 before tax to $163 with tax, which is about half the retail price of the Classic kit.

Again as said above......better scale, thrower, and the lock and load bushings are great....makes changing out die sets quick and easy. 

[280ackley]

You will be fine with either one.  I have a RCBS RC and it works great.

[WonkyWapiti]

Thanks for the info so far guys.  I just picked up The ABC's of Reloading.  I also signed up for a class at Three Forks Ammo & Reloading in Cle Elum.  I'll wait to make my decision after finishing the book and taking the class.  Also does anyone know if both the Hornady and the RCBS are made in the USA?

[Huntbear]

Wonky,

Either kit will work great for you for years.  I have RCBS and love it.  Their customer service is second to none.  If you have any questions, send me a PM, and I will help all I can.

[high country]

my rcbs kit will turn 20 next year. the only problem I have come up with is the plastic on the powder throw shows a couple cracks that do nothing. aside from that it has been flawless. I load about 7-10k rounds a year

[JackOfAllTrades]

My advice.. After I've been reloading for more than 25 years, Don't buy a kit.  My reloading room has several different brands of component tools in it. Some red, some blue, some green, some orange.  Looking at the list of what's in the kit, you know what you need.  ShaneMan complanes about the RCBS powder measure.. Well, I don't know what powder you're using or how long you've been reloading. There isn't a measure that throws tubular powder as well as any flake or ball powder. That said, I've used my RCBS measure for 25 years. It works well. My Dillon measure is better though, and I'll admit that the Hornady measure is pretty sweet. But, the RCBS RC press is a classic work horse built to last. Nothing against the Hornady press. For balance beam scales, you'll find nothing better, (for the money), than the RCBS 10-10. Don't waste your time with those puny scales that take twice as long to stop moving.  Dies are personal preference. I use several brands for specific purposes. Kinetic bullet puller.. Get one with the metal handle. The RCBS collet puller is better but I don't use it every time. And, there's no comparison between the Lee Auto Prime (yes, priming by hand) and using the grand leverage of a press to prime cases. (you'll get much better feel by using a small hand primer) The rest of the crap like load blocks, lube pads, debur tools, primer pocket cleaners/reamers/brushes, and powder tricklers are nothing to talk about. There's no advantage for any one of them. 

my rcbs kit will turn 20 next year. the only problem I have come up with is the plastic on the powder throw shows a couple cracks

  Powder eats plastic.  Duh. (sarcasm) All of my powder measure plastic tubes are discolored. One cracked years ago. They are replaceable. 

-Steve

[cwuwildcat]

RCBS is made in California.

[AWS]

"Made in California"  I knew ther was some reason I don' t have any green on my bench.  OOps I forgot one of the scales is green but it was made by OHAUS so it's OK.

Seriously any of the top of the line presses will still be going strong for your grand kids.  I'm still loading some of my stuff on a Lyman turret from the 50's I call it the "Bug Press", load just the 22 Hornets and 218 Bees on it.


AWS

[JackOfAllTrades]

Seriously any of the top of the line presses will still be going strong for your grand kids.

-Steve

[shaneman153D]

My advice.. After I've been reloading for more than 25 years, Don't buy a kit.  My reloading room has several different brands of component tools in it. Some red, some blue, some green, some orange.  Looking at the list of what's in the kit, you know what you need.  ShaneMan complanes about the RCBS powder measure.. Well, I don't know what powder you're using or how long you've been reloading. There isn't a measure that throws tubular powder as well as any flake or ball powder. That said, I've used my RCBS measure for 25 years. It works well. My Dillon measure is better though, and I'll admit that the Hornady measure is pretty sweet. But, the RCBS RC press is a classic work horse built to last. Nothing against the Hornady press. For balance beam scales, you'll find nothing better, (for the money), than the RCBS 10-10. Don't waste your time with those puny scales that take twice as long to stop moving.  Dies are personal preference. I use several brands for specific purposes. Kinetic bullet puller.. Get one with the metal handle. The RCBS collet puller is better but I don't use it every time. And, there's no comparison between the Lee Auto Prime (yes, priming by hand) and using the grand leverage of a press to prime cases. (you'll get much better feel by using a small hand primer) The rest of the crap like load blocks, lube pads, debur tools, primer pocket cleaners/reamers/brushes, and powder tricklers are nothing to talk about. There's no advantage for any one of them. 

my rcbs kit will turn 20 next year. the only problem I have come up with is the plastic on the powder throw shows a couple cracks

  Powder eats plastic.  Duh. (sarcasm) All of my powder measure plastic tubes are discolored. One cracked years ago. They are replaceable. 

-Steve

Pretty much used them all.  The handle hangs up halfway through the stroke.  It shouldn't do this.  I don't really mind because I weigh all my charges and trickle the rest.

Shane

[cwuwildcat]

I have the same problem as shaneman with my uniflow.  It catches part way on the upstroke.  I assume it's because of the powder type, (IMR 4064), being stick, and bits are keeping the measuring cylinder from closing all the way.  (kind of like sticking your foot in the door to keep it from completely closing.) I have to do a partial back stroke and then continue on.  Annoying, but workable.

[SeaRun1]

Well I am not super qualified to respond as I have been reloading for about a year now.  I figured I would pass along some thoughts from a newbies point of view.

I got a RCBS master kit used for a screaming deal.  A year later I don't use all of the components in the kit.  I upgraded to a RCBS 750 digital scale.  The 505 scale works great but is time consuming.  I mostly load for rifle and find Lee Powder Dippers to work pretty well along with the electronic scale and a powder trickler.  I use the powder measure for pistol and it works great.  It stays pretty accurate.

In regards to dies I have to agree with the above posters regarding Hornady dies.  I like them and find them easy to use.  I use them for pistol rounds as I got RCBS for rifle.  To me they work better.  The only other die set I have is Redding and I can definitely say there seating dies are very accurate. 

Hope some of this helps.

SeaRun1

[JackOfAllTrades]

I have to do a partial back stroke and then continue on.

Don't back stroke. Just force and cut that 4064.  Powder will also build up and cake eventually. Take it apart and clean it once in a while.

I won't say that the Uniflo is the best measure out there. It's not. But for the price, it is acceptable. I like the Hornady for how it can quick change to empty it out or put another in place. The Dillon changes out better than the Uniflo, but it's not perfect as a measure for Spherical/tubular powder either.

I'll stand by my recommendation to buy components piece-meal though.

-Steve

[sisu]

If you live close to CDA, Idaho go to Blacksheep or White Elephant in Spokane to buy the reloader much cheaper than Cabelas

[WonkyWapiti]

I live on the west side but will probably be making a roadtrip to see the inlaws in Idaho so will have to stop by those places Sisu.

[Bigshooter]

RCBS

[shaneman153D]

If you live close to CDA, Idaho go to Blacksheep or White Elephant in Spokane to buy the reloader much cheaper than Cabelas

When I bought my RC Cabela's had them on sale for $279