Suggestions for a beginner kit

[BigMak911]

Hey guys,

I have some gift certificates to Cabela's and was thinking about trying my hand at reloading. What do you all think of these two kits? Which is better and WHY? If not these kits, are there any AIO kits that are recommendable? Thanks!

Kit 1

Kit 2

[NapaCountyShooter]

I have the same RCBS kit. Tough to go wrong with the RCBS. It's a quality kit.

[toyotaguy]

I got this kit http://www.cabelas.com/product/50th-...h-All+Products

When i started reloading a little over a year ago, I have been very happy with it for the price, and have loaded over 3000 rounds on it. Does it have its quirks, absolutely, but for the price and for a beginner who isn't necessarily sure if reloading is for them, i think it is a great deal. Really my only qualm with it is the powder measure leaks with very fine powders, but other than that I love it.

[ireload]

Both are good quality but boils down to a matter of preference. I have the Rock Chucker. I've had mine since 97'. It's the only press I own and have loaded thousands of rounds with it.

[Bill Steele]

I think the RCBS kit is a better quality option. I have an RCBS Rock Chucker that is over 40 years old and it works like new. The Rock Chucker is more solidly built press and the components that come in its supreme kit will last a lifetime as well.

The Lee kit is a great option for someone who wants to try their hand and don't want to invest a great deal to find out if reloading is for them, but the press is not quite as solidly built and the other components like the scale etc. are really in the throw away category compared to their RCBS cousin.

The Breech Lock bushing setup on the Lee kit (like the Hornaday LnL) seems like a cool innovation until you realize that a simple lock ring that comes on dies from companies like Redding and RCBS and are available to buy cheaply from them as well as Hornaday (the best kind, split ring) kind of obviates the need for the whole quick insert bushing idea. If you are using simple lock nuts like come with Lee dies, then the bushing idea makes a lot of sense.

Like anything else, you largely get what you pay for.

[BigMak911]

How about this... let's say I get the RCBS kit and I find out reloading just isn't for me... since it's the "better" kit, would I be able to sell it for near what I paid for it?

[XDRoX]

How about this... let's say I get the RCBS kit and I find out reloading just isn't for me... since it's the "better" kit, would I be able to sell it for near what I paid for it?

The press itself will hold value. Maybe $100 you could get for it. But most of the kit will not. At least the little odds ans ends won't. The powder measure and scale will sell easy also, everything else, not so much.

If you aren't sure reloading is for you then I'd suggest the Lee anniversary kit.

[BigMak911]

Actually, another question, I notice that it says in the description that I need dies and shellholders. Could someone recommend dies and shellholders for the RCBS kit if what I'm looking to reload (at least to kick things off, and please suggest if I should NOT be reloading any of these calibers) are:

1. 40 S&W
2. 9 mm (9 x 19)
3. 380 ACP
4. 38 sp (+P?)
5. 357 Mag

EDIT: Thanks XDRoX -- question though, if it ends up that reloading IS for me, will I have invested poorly if I buy the Lee kit?

[jimster716]

With your initial reluctance and all those different pistol calibers, you're not going to like reloading with a single stage press regardless after the novelty has worn off imo. Maybe you should look into a progressive/turret press?

[BigMak911]

What's the difference between a single stage and a progressive/turret? (I'm obviously totally noob-y with this).

[postal]

Since you're reloading for pistol, I would strongly suggest the Lee Pro 1000. I ordered one last week and should be at my door soon.

Go to the Lee Precision website, scroll down and look at the left side for the "clearance" section. They have the reconditioned pro 1000 in 45 ACP for $126.

The Rockchucker and similar presses are more for rifle reloading. They're very slow but give you the control to produce very consistent and accurate ammo.

I ordered the clearance pro 1000 for 45 ACP, and all the extra parts to convert it to .40sw for $206 with shipping. I only ordered the .40sw flare / powder charging die since I have the rest already. If I ordered the Lee carbide 3 die set, it would probably put my total at $245 ish.

The extra parts for conversion was another 3 hole turrett, shell plate for .40sw, small primer feeder, small case feeder slide. . On the Lee, .40 is feed in large case tubes, but small case slide.

You would still need a scale, a powder funnel, case cleaning tumbler.

Plenty of people say go dillon, but at $200... you're not even half way to a dillon.

[Bill Steele]

With your initial reluctance and all those different pistol calibers, you're not going to like reloading with a single stage press regardless after the novelty has worn off imo. Maybe you should look into a progressive/turret press?

I would agree with this observation, although if you get a single stage press first, you will likley have a use for it down the road.

I think the ideal press for the moderate volume loader who mainly loads handgun is the Lee Classic Turret. You can produce 150-250 rounds an hour, the caliber changes take seconds (with multiple turret plates and dies mounted up).

On the RCBS versus Lee single stage decision, I agree with XDroX's observation.

If you want to learn the differences between a single stage, turret and progressive reloaders, youtube is your friend. A video is worth tens of thousands words....

[BigMak911]

Ok, so I get the Lee classic (turret) press. What all do I need to go with it to get started? (other than primers, cases, bullets and powder)

[Divernhunter]

You are starting out completely wrong! Before you do anything buy a Lyman #49 Reloading manual and READ it. That will answer about 99% of your questions , educate you on presses etc. After reading it you will be able to decide if you even want to reload and if you do it will give you good reloading data as well as help you decide what type of equipment you want.

I load for over 35 different cartridges and have been reloading since the 1960's. I can tell you honestly at the end of each year you load you will not save any money and will probably spend more that if you bought your ammo. However you will shoot more and often better made ammo.

Before someone says they load for a hard to find and high dollar cartridge so the do save I will disagree. If you did not load you would buy ammo but not shoot it as often or much is all. I know as I load for some pricey rounds such as 500S&W/454Casull/6.5 and 7.7Jap/30-40 and 50bmg for a few. If I did not load I would shoot them less or not even own the rifles/pistols. So if you are trying to save money as the bottom line then just buy ammo and shoot less.

With wall-mart prices some of the common pistol ammo(9mmLuger/40S&W/45acp) can be purchases for less than most people can reload them for. This is also very true for mil surplus ammo also

[toyotaguy]

I suggest you watch a few videos on Youtube about the different presses you are considering to get a better idea of the differences between single stage and progressive presses etc.