Reloading kit help

[Whitefang]

So I want to start to get into reloading. I currently just plan to reload 223/556 and 9mm. I also wanted to start on a single stage press.

I've seen quite a few kits out there and thought I would settle on one by RCBS.
Only thing is there are like 3 different kits at different price points.

I was leaning towards one of the rockchucker kits.
I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right way

[Divernhunter]

Excellent choice.
You can also get a lesser cost RCBS kit and it will just have less leverage in the press.
This can be good especially when seating bullets. I have a RC and a RCBS Jr(an old press). I resize pistol brass and seat bullets on the Jr and resize rifle brass on the RC. I also have a Hornady press just for my 50BMG which is also a good one for reloading other cartridges.
You can resize and seat bullets on the RC and I did for quite a few years. To me reloading is another hobby and getting more equipment is just part of the hobby. I also have multiple scales(beam and electronic) as well as the dispenser and scale as one unit......which I like best.
I do not know where you are located but if you are near me I would be glad to help you learn about reloading and answer any questions.

I would recommend a single stage and if you later get a progressive you will still use the single stage press. Batch process and remember it take 30 seconds to change dies. If you get dies with good lock rings(NOT lee) you will have no need to readjust them when changing dies.

If you have not please get a manual or two, I suggest the Lyman #49 or 50 and read it. That will answer 90% of your questions and it has good data also.

Reloading is a good hobby so enjoy it and do not place too much value on the time spent with it. You will be much more happy.

[Whitefang]

Is there a big difference between both versions of those books?
You're about 230 miles away from me lol I'm in Los angeles

[Bastard]

the RCBS rockchucker is basically the standard, I am sure that I will get crap for that, but it will do everything you could ever want it to do & if I were to be buying another single stage press it would be either the rockchucker or the redding bigboss II... but only because the redding press has the empty primer tube, though I have seen that people are making a 3d printed primer collection thingie for the rcbs press now as well.

[Divernhunter]

The only real difference, I am told, is that #50 has a few new cartridges in it the #49 did not. I would get whatever one you can for the best price. But that is just me.
Well if you get up my way stop by. If you would like to talk PM me and I will give you my phone number.

Some may give Bastard crap about the RCBS RC being the standard but he is correct. When I started I do believe they had not even started making it. Lee did not even have a press/dies and most of what they sell as reloading equipment today. They did have a kit you used a hammer with and a powder scoop kit. Not sure Hornady even had a press/dies etc,,,,just bullets and they competed with MEC for the shotgun reloading market. They lost. Lyman had stuff and I believe Redding. Herters(before Cabelas bought the name) had stuff and I even still have one of their 1st manuals. Reading it is almost as funny as reading the lee one Herters went away just like Alcan powders/primers which I still have some of and a few other companies for equipment and supplies.. Not sure if Dillon was selling reloader but think they had the 450 which has been upgraded to the 550 now.
I started in the early 1960's for reference. Most stores only carried RCBS stuff. There was no internet but catalog sales would have some other brands as I remember.

Yes RCBS is the standard just as Nosler Partition is the standard other bullets are judged by. For the lee people who think lee is top shelf ....even lee compared his stuff to RCBS. Also RCBS was the one who had the very best, no BS, war that others have copied in part or whole. Dillon was the same except I do not remember when they started selling products. I have a set of Lyman dies I got in 1972 and still work fine so I do remember them. Lee has never evn come close in honoring the war they talk about from my experiences.

[highpower790]

Cant go wrong with RCBS!

[popeye4]

I bought a Rockchucker kit to start off in 1977, most of the kit is still in use on my bench (I don't use the lube pad). I've since added a Dillon XL650, but the Rockchucker is still my go-to press for loading rifle rounds. Redding also makes a good press.

[Paseclipse]

The only kit I’ve seen lately that has everything you really need is the RCBS Rock Chucker Select kit Natchesz carries-

https://www.natchezss.com/rc-supreme-select-kit.html

I know it’s pricey (there is a $75 rebate to help) but everything in that kit is good quality and is something you’ll actually use for years.

[Whitefang]

DH thanks I'll more than likely take you up on that.
What sets that kit apart from he others?

['ol shooter]

Still loading with my 1978 Rock Chucker. The newer ones don't throw the primers everyplace like the old ones.

[Divernhunter]

^^ Yes but mine has been paid for since forever it seems and I have a vacuum cleaner to get the ones on the floor I will not get the newer one.

[boomer135]

Although the RCBS will got the job done, Redding makes a more quality product. They will both last a lifetime.

[Whitefang]

So would you guys advise a kit
Or piece it together

[ExtremeX]

I always liked the "RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Press Kit" as a good first time buyers press kit.

All the included tools, scales, thrower, is all good quality stuff, and IMO worth the added expense over something like a Lee kit. Note that the metering drum in that kit is large, good for rifle, but too large for pistol.

If you easily piece it out yourself, but half the problem is you really don't know what you do and don't need yet for your own reloading workflow. I didn't really know what I wanted or needed until after I jumped in and got going.

The only thing I continue to use from that kit today is the hand priming tool which I think is awesome, and the reloading manual.

Scales have been replaced with GemPro 250, and id like to replace that again with something even nicer if I ever get around to it. The powder thrower is replaced with an electronic dispenser...

On top of that, I refuse to reload pistol ammo on a single stage, so I have another complete press setup based on their Pro 2000 Auto Index...

Point being, just start with something in your price range, and adjust accordingly. Its rare you will get it right out of the gate, plus you have plenty of other things to worry about like calipers, case trimmers, dies, and other tooling which is generally NOT included in most kits.

[JMP]

The kit is just a starting point. You will likely replace or add on to most of the equipment once you get going. I'd go with the RCBS kits first, the Hornady sets second, and the Lee sets third if you are getting a starter set. This is based on my perceived utility and quality of what comes in each set.