Post by: Thenewguy on April 17, 2010, 09:18:47 AM
so far I like the Hornady and RCBS stuff but as I have never done this before and am on a little bit of a budget I am looking for help. thank guys!
Post by: Bofire on April 17, 2010, 09:24:34 AM
Post by: fishseeker on April 17, 2010, 10:07:05 AM
Post by: AWS on April 17, 2010, 10:36:08 AM
Of the three reloading kits Cabelas sells.
I like the RCBS for the beam scale/hand primer and the Lyman for the powder measure.
As far as presses I rate them as being equal and I've loaded with all three (the Hornady that I used was a pre lock n load).
Priming I like a hand primer. Powder measures I like the Lyman 55, I won't have a measure on my bench that isn't micro -adjustable. Scales I just trust a beam scale, I'm kind of an Old F--t my wife made me get rid of my manual typewriter, to quote her "Damit electricity is here to stay". As for case trimmers my two favorites are the Wilson and Lee(if your not a high volume loader the Lee is foolproof) but I do use a Forester and Redding also.
The RCBS at $299 looks like the best deal, you can always up grade the measure with a micro adjustable head.
If your just going to dabble in reloading and never go beyond loading for a couple of hunting rounds the Lee kit will work fine.
AWS
Post by: Thenewguy on April 17, 2010, 11:05:23 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 17, 2010, 11:37:10 AM
Post by: fremont on April 18, 2010, 08:25:50 AM
Send the other $175 on an electronic scale, dies, etc.
Post by: Wacenturion on April 18, 2010, 06:58:20 PM
Post by: Caretaker on April 18, 2010, 07:58:52 PM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on April 18, 2010, 10:33:08 PM
i'm kind of interested in the lee hand press, mainly because my space is limited and i don't think i'd consider myself to be a high volume reloader. i can't imagine it being too big of a chore, especially since i'd more than likely just neck size my brass. am i on the right track, or should i just buck up and buy a single stage kit?
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 19, 2010, 07:56:54 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on April 19, 2010, 09:04:49 AM
There's another case trimmer thread..
Can't knock an RCBS RC, but is the new RC Supreme aluminum? (just sayin.. I don't know how long an aluminum one would last) I prefer weight of cast iron in a single stage press.
I'll whole heartedly agree with AWS on hand priming. You get so much better feel with hand priming than you do with the priming attachments on presses. I have a Dillon with a pretty good primer feature, but I still inspect my cases and hand prime pistol and rifle cartridges.
I suggest that you get with three friends that reload, and ask them to show you some of their different equipment. Even use it if possible. There's not one 'kit' out there that I would buy. Your gift card will go better to buy individual tools from different manufactures.
I've got Craftsman tools, Stanley, even some Snap-On in my garage. My reloading room has much the same diversity with RCBS, Dillon, Lee, Lyman...
-Steve
Post by: shaneman153D on April 19, 2010, 06:43:47 PM
Can't knock an RCBS RC, but is the new RC Supreme aluminum? (just sayin.. I don't know how long an aluminum one would last) I prefer weight of cast iron in a single stage press.
I bought mine back in Nov from Cabelas and it's cast iron. Not sure if they've changed since then.....
I'll whole heartedly agree with AWS on hand priming. You get so much better feel with hand priming than you do with the priming attachments on presses. I have a Dillon with a pretty good primer feature, but I still inspect my cases and hand prime pistol and rifle cartridges.
+1. I started priming on the press because it was a little faster. But to be honest it would only seat them flush, and I was having hangfires.
:bdid:
So I went back to the hand primer that came with it.
Post by: AWS on April 19, 2010, 07:10:02 PM
I use NOW dies from 8 different manufactures, four different brands of case trimmers,seven different brands of powder measures and I'm down to 2 different brands of presses, 3 Lymans, 2 Lees and 4 scales from 3 manufactures. Over the years I had alot of different presses, 1 Herters, 1 Pacific, 1 Hornady, 2 C&H, 2 RCBS, 3 Lees and 5 Lymans.
I don't see too many changes in the future I think I've found the ones that suit me.
AWS
Post by: fremont on April 19, 2010, 09:05:54 PM
Lee Loaders supposedly work just fine, but.....why?
Post by: BigGoonTuna on April 19, 2010, 09:58:12 PM
Post by: AWS on April 20, 2010, 08:55:34 AM
AWS