Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles First Reloading Kit

Getting ready to get into reloading and have been told that the best way to get started is with a single stage press kit. I am looking at either the Hornaday Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press Kit or the RCBS Reloading Starter Kit. While the Hornaday is about $40 higher, it does come with a Powder Measure where the RCBS does not (looks like this would be about a $60 purchase).

Any opinions on these two kits?

Thanks

Greg

I think both would serve you well.

Have you looked at the powder measure that comes with it? What is it like who makes it....I'd find out some details about it and compare it to the others that you may buy that are not with the kit.

I have a RCBS 505 scale and it serves me very well. Don't know the going rate for them but you can look them up, plus check out some gun shows you can ask and see the products before you buy.

What caliber you plan on loading for first?

Greg, Both Cabela's & Midway have the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master kits for $259.98. This includes a powder measure & the new Rock Chucker press with the lengthened opening for the longer cases. I have had a Rock Chucker for 10 years or so & never a problem with it. From what I hear they have a great customer service & warranty also..(never needed it myself). Have fun with your new hobby!, Bruce

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Try this link for a better deal on the kit. The post is under Reloading: Big Game rifles

Greg,

Enter this number in Cabelas search box. 1AD-214924

It is the master reloading kit from RCBS, and really is about one of the best deals out there. Its a special offer for a short time ... normal price is $259. Except for dies and shell holders this kit has just about everything you will need.

I just ordered the Rock Chucker Supreme kit for $239. For the price I dont' think you could go wrong. The kit includes a powder measure. I don't think that price is good for very much longer though so I wouldn't mess around.

My 2� advice is that you look first -- for comparison and maybe for purchase -- at the best minimum outfit (listed below), not at any kit unless you can get a good minimum for less or not too much more by buying the kit.

� the best single-stage press you can manage (I'd go for the Rock Chucker)
� a good set of dies, with the appropriate shell-holder (everybody makes good dies -- even Lee. I prefer Redding or RCBS to Hornady)
� a good scale (Redding, RCBS, or Hornady)
� case lube (Imperial sizing-die wax is the best there is)
� burring-and-chamfering tool (any good brand)
� powder funnel (Sinclair International's aluminum funnel is vastly superior to the plastic junkers out there)
� a good loading manual from each maker of the powders and bullets that you load. The best data for each component come from the company that makes that component.

You do not need a powder measure and may be better off without one until you have become very familiar, proficient, and unfailingly safe with the basic rig. A powder measure (a) is a luxury tool, not a necessity, and (b) can be an unnecessary source of dangerous confusion and problems. The unfamiliar use of powder measures by beginners has led to many burst guns and personal injuries. Learn handloading first without the powder measure. Or be even more careful with it if you ignore this advice and splurge on the luxury of using a measure. (The measure demands more caution, not less.)

Everything else is a convenience or luxury tool, not a basic necessity. Focus first on the basics that I've listed, then decide on the other items separately. Spend your money on the gear that'll do you the most good over the longest span of years, and you won't have to replace anything soon after you buy it.

... and forget the 2� <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I will primarily be reloading for .243 and .308 calibers.

Greg,

Natchez has the RCBS Master kit on sale and in stock right now for $234.95. Here is the link:
Natchez RCBS Rock Chucker Sale Link

Good Hunting,

Bob

Ok color me stupid!

I assumed too much...

A powder measure, I assumed you meant powder scale.

As for a powder measure, you don't need it, as Ken so well put it.

Get a good scale and be careful.

... to clarify one point --

When I said I'd go for the Rock Chucker, I was referring to the presses in the two kits that you'd mentioned.

Apart from the two presses in the kits that you mentioned, I'd look harder at two Reddings -- the Ultramag and the new turret model. I have an Ultramag and two older six-station turret models and recommend them most enthusiastically as two of the best presses that you can get. If I sell one of my Redding turret presses, you can be sure that I'll ask almost full price for it. It's that good.

Start with the best press that appeals to you, whatever it costs, even if you have to wait a few paydays to add the other basic necessities. Over the long run, you'll find that such an early expense and delay will have eliminated a lot of of later, greater expense and delay. Whatever you do, don't start cheap. (This is the voice of bitter experience -- and if they'll chime-in here, other old-timers will confirm it.)

The RockChucker kit is a great way to start out.

In case you're wondering what inspires the advice that I've posted above, consider --

� My recommendations don't come from having used only one press, kit, or outfit for only a short time. I've used lots of every kind of major tool out there.

� I've been loading ammo for myself and others (and studying all aspects of the craft, including tool design) since 1952.

� I've made a lot of purchase and choice mistakes that I'd rather that you not make.

� A number of the tools and accessories on the market include my designs. (None of those that I've recommended above, however.)

� For the planned Powley Center interactive museum of modern handloading, I've increased the number of my presses (classic and modern) to more than thirty. Ditto powder scales and powder measures, though not as many.

� For my magazine articles and book chapters on handloading equipment, I've borrowed several presses (in addition to the above) to study, photograph, and write about. Ditto powder scales and powder measures.

So as they say on Fox News, I report -- you decide!

I'll probably get some harsh remarks for this one but I'd recommend the LEE Anniversary kit if you want a kit. I've used the LEE products for close to 20 years with no problem, even forming brass for diffrent calibers isn't a problem. One thing I think most here will agree on is set up your equipment in a quiet place were you don't have distractions to do your work, get more than 1 manual & above all be safe.

i would go with the lee kit ,i recommend it to beginners ,
you dont have much in it and can make accurate ammo
you can learn the basics and if you like reloading can up grade to the pricey stuff later

Right on! The Lee kit is great for the fellow who anticipates getting disenchanted with (and abandoning) handloading after a short trial with a minimum of expense.

If I were to do it all over again, it would be a Rock Chucker kit, or if I was doing alot of pistol ammo the Lyman T-Mag kit. I have a shelf cramed with cruddy reloading equiptment I wasted money on. If your not sure wheather or not you like it, get with a buddy and use his bench for a couple of batches. I've let others use my bench with a little supervision. I wish I would have had more experience before I wasted allot of money money.

Aw, Ken, the Lee Loader C-Press package is perfectly fine for dipping your toes in the water. I understand what you mean by "quality" and all that, but for 70 bucks or whatever it was when I BOUGHT MINE it was a great deal. I still routinely use the powder measure and the press is just fine for dinking around load development and depriming a few cases here and there.
I'm debating real hard about buying another Kit and rigging it for taking to the range for load workups, at least for charging and seating empty cases and playing with OAL.
That said, about going cheap versus spendy, I must admit that at the same time I bought the Lee Kit I also bought a Dillon 650 with five tool heads before I'd ever loaded a case. It helps to have avid shooter buddies, to be jealous of them AND attentive of their advice -- and of the advice of the sages of the sage featured in Varmint Hunters and other rags.

Just to followup. I brought the Rock Chucker Kit that most recommended and Bobcat was kind enough to post a web link too. Hopefully it will serve me well as I get started in reloading.

Of course, being a beginner, I am sure that I will have plenty of questions in the future. I am just glad that I have all of you to obtain the information I need.

You're all great! Thanks for your assistance. It is very much appreciated.

Greg