New to reloading, looking at a kit

[Sharkman20]

Hi, I'm new to reloading but it's something I've been wanting to get into and I'm on a budget so I've been looking at the starter kits. I'm going to be reloading .300 wm, .223/5.56 and .45 to start out with, with the bulk being the rifle rounds so I've decided on a single stage press since they're typically cheaper and the consensus is that they are more sturdy and better for producing good quality rifle reloads. So anyway, I've pretty much narrowed the field down to between the RCBS rock chucker and Lyman crusher 2 kits on midwest.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/283295/lyman-crusher-2-single-stage-press-expert-kit

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

Both seem to get good reviews and I'm sure the presses themselves will perform equally as good but I am leaning towards the Lyman at the moment since it includes the case trimmer with the kit. I just wanted to get some outside opinions on these kits and the quality of the equipment included other than the presses. If anyone else knows of any other comparable kits in this price range please let me know.

Other equipment I'll be purchasing in addition to this is a caliper, brass tumbler, dies, loading blocks, etc.

I'm mainly just looking for an all around good starting point for equipment for a reasonable price. Dillons are nice, but I'm not looking to spend that much now while just getting into the hobby. Anyway, any info I can get would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Zack

[XDRoX]

Both kits are great. I've give the slight lead to the RCBS though. I've owned both of those presses and sold the Lyman. I still have the RCBS. It's a better press. Heavier, stronger, less slop, etc...

The RCBS scale is top quality and the hand primer is one of the best as well. Both powder measures are pretty comparable.

The Lyman manual is a little better than the Speer one IMO. I have both.

I know you were asking about the stuff other than the press but I'd get the RCBS kit because I think the press itself is better.

[Bill Steele]

Both kits are great. I've give the slight lead to the RCBS though. I've owned both of those presses and sold the Lyman. I still have the RCBS. It's a better press. Heavier, stronger, less slop, etc...

The RCBS scale is top quality and the hand primer is one of the best as well. Both powder measures are pretty comparable.

The Lyman manual is a little better than the Speer one IMO. I have both.

I know you were asking about the stuff other than the press but I'd get the RCBS kit because I think the press itself is better.

I agree, I honestly don't think you can go wrong getting anything RCBS.

[510Kal]

I am also new to thus and ended up getting an rcbs. Too bad I can't find any primers or powders locally

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

[skibuff]

I stated with the Rockchucker kit 20 years ago and it still works great. I have had a piggyback 2 progressive on it for the last 15 years. The RockChucker has never had a problem.
The old Piggyback 2 had a few issues at first but RCBS corrected them and upgraded for free. I also have a RCBS JR2 single stage next to it also.

Lyman is also quality equipment but I don't think it's worth the extra money. Also you get the hand held priming tool with the RCBS and one doesn't come with the Lyman.

[GeoffLinder]

RCBS all the way, Lyman is good stuff, but the RCBS is the best single stage kit out there IMHO. Collet type case trimmers are cheap, add one later.

The Forster collet trimmers are better than the Lyman one anyway:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/forster-classic-case-trimmer-prod37504.aspx

[Divernhunter]

RCBS is the way to go.
Also just wait until the panic stops and prices go back down. Then supplies will be cheaper and able to find.

[Sharkman20]

Well thanks for the info guys. That's pretty much changed my mind to go for the RCBS. On top of that, RCBS has a $50 mail in rebate which will bring it down to $269.99. I'm not sure what it's gone for in the past, but that seems like a good price for the equipment and quality you get and isn't a huge investment.

Another thing I want to look into are the carbide dies since you don't have to mess with lubrication. Who makes good quality carbide dies out there?

[Bill Steele]

Well thanks for the info guys. That's pretty much changed my mind to go for the RCBS. On top of that, RCBS has a $50 mail in rebate which will bring it down to $269.99. I'm not sure what it's gone for in the past, but that seems like a good price for the equipment and quality you get and isn't a huge investment.

Another thing I want to look into are the carbide dies since you don't have to mess with lubrication. Who makes good quality carbide dies out there?

You will be glad you got the RCBS kit, quality stuff.

For rifle, you will need to lube. Imperial sizing wax works great, RCBS or Dillon spray lube also work great (Lanolin based). Maybe consider RCBS for the rifle dies.

For handgun on a single stage you can get away with not lubing if you have a carbide sizing die. I use Hornaday One Shot to lube my handgun cases, just makes things easier, but not "required". Hard to beat Lee handgun dies from a value standpoint. They come with a belling die, shellholder, etc. so no extras to buy and they will work fine. If you get frisky, Dillon makes great handgun dies.

[skibuff]

You will be glad you got the RCBS kit, quality stuff.

For rifle, you will need to lube. Imperial sizing wax works great, RCBS or Dillon spray lube also work great (Lanolin based). Maybe consider RCBS for the rifle dies.

For handgun on a single stage you can get away with not lubing if you have a carbide sizing die. I use Hornaday One Shot to lube my handgun cases, just makes things easier, but not "required". Hard to beat Lee handgun dies from a value standpoint. They come with a belling die, shellholder, etc. so no extras to buy and they will work fine. If you get frisky, Dillon makes great handgun dies.

That kit even comes with RCBS lube and a lube pad. I know spray lube is easier but some calibers I like to use the lube pad because I can size and prime in one step if I keep the lube on the outside of the case. like 30-30.

[Bill Steele]

That kit even comes with RCBS lube and a lube pad. I know spray lube is easier but some calibers I like to use the lube pad because I can size and prime in one step if I keep the lube on the outside of the case. like 30-30.

Nice tip. Thanks.

[GeoffLinder]

Carbide dies for pistol, plain steel dies for rifle. If you use much cam-over (forcing the die onto shell plate a bit), carbide size dies can crack.

[atdski07]

I got the hornady LnL classic kit, comes with a lot of stuff, in my opinion it works great, the hornady kits also come with a mail in offer for 500 free projectiles

[Divernhunter]

RCBS Carbide style pistol dies are what I use and have for many years.
For Rifle I have a bunch of RCBS dies and some Hornady dies and one set each of Redding and Lyman dies. I have a couple sets of lee dies but not fond of them.
Get a hand primer as it is much better than a press mounted primer system. You get more feel and better accuracy also. I had an article form an old American Rifleman where they did a test and the way the primer was seated ment more than the accurate powder charge for accuracy.

[skibuff]

RCBS Carbide style pistol dies are what I use and have for many years.
For Rifle I have a bunch of RCBS dies and some Hornady dies and one set each of Redding and Lyman dies. I have a couple sets of lee dies but not fond of them.
Get a hand primer as it is much better than a press mounted primer system. You get more feel and better accuracy also. I had an article form an old American Rifleman where they did a test and the way the primer was seated ment more than the accurate powder charge for accuracy.

RCBS kit comes with the hand priming tool also.

+1 for Divernhunter on Die brand reviews.
Like all the guys above Don't even think of skimping on dies. Carbide Pistol dies are the only way to go.