Which is the best reloading kit to buy?
- Thread starter Captain Chaos
- Start date
All 4 brands you mention will do the job. Three of those brands carry a lifetime BS free warranty and the same 3 have models which can accept the Hornady L&L bushing system, "you want this". Redding offers the only kit containing no throw away value added garbage that you'll need to replace sooner than later. Bottom line IMHO is that kits per se offer little and you may as well just develop a needs list and start filling it piece by piece.
You're gonna need more stuff (ie verniers, a trimmer,, more) than comes in any kit. The kit, or a list approximating one, should be viewed as a starting point only. No way in hell you're staying under 500 bux unless its with a Lee setup.
I have both Redding (SS) and Hornady (progressive) presses and am well satisfied with both. Since you're shopping, check out the Forster Co-Ax. Its unique and very highly praised by those who own one.
I've had Lee, RCBS, CH Autochamp (you've got to be old to remember CH), but have been most happy with my Dillon products for the last 20+ years. I have a Square Deal for fast production of .38 and 9mm and my 550 for other calibers. The powder measure doesn't drift on me and if you need maintenance parts, one call to their toll free number usually gets your stuff for free. I can't say enough about Dillon products and service.
The Lee 50th Anniversary Kit $129.95
Mastercraft Metal Base Cabinet $319.99, (seems like alot but the bench is probably the most important piece to have)
Add in a manual (at least one Lee, Hornady and Nosler all have good walk throughs for beginners) and dies for each caliber around (Lee PaceSetter Rifle Die Set $33.99).
A bullet puller and calipers would be great to have too.
You can probably build a bench and save a few $$. You will probably upgrade from all of this if you keep reloading but it will get you started.
Mastercraft Metal Base Cabinet $319.99, (seems like alot but the bench is probably the most important piece to have)
Add in a manual (at least one Lee, Hornady and Nosler all have good walk throughs for beginners) and dies for each caliber around (Lee PaceSetter Rifle Die Set $33.99).
A bullet puller and calipers would be great to have too.
You can probably build a bench and save a few $$. You will probably upgrade from all of this if you keep reloading but it will get you started.
The Lee 50th Anniversary Kit $129.95
Mastercraft Metal Base Cabinet $319.99, (seems like alot but the bench is probably the most important piece to have)
Add in a manual (at least one Lee, Hornady and Nosler all have good walk throughs for beginners) and dies for each caliber around (Lee PaceSetter Rifle Die Set $33.99).
A bullet puller and calipers would be great to have too.
You can probably build a bench and save a few $$. You will probably upgrade from all of this if you keep reloading but it will get you started.
Nothing wrong with that mastercraft cabinet, but for alot less you can just build a more solid and heavy bench out of plywood and 2x4's. This simpson strong tie kit will work really well for a reloading bench: ht tp://www.homedepot.ca/product/kwb1-workbench-kit/925665
Dillion
I use both RCBS and Dillion if you are new to reloading Dillion probably arent the way to go simply because multi operation every time you pull the handle. Once you get seasoned I would consider a dillion for sure. I just picked one up for my son-inlaw and the 550 cost me 525.00 plus tax all set for 1 caliber.
I use both RCBS and Dillion if you are new to reloading Dillion probably arent the way to go simply because multi operation every time you pull the handle. Once you get seasoned I would consider a dillion for sure. I just picked one up for my son-inlaw and the 550 cost me 525.00 plus tax all set for 1 caliber.
My first time ever reloading was on our 650 XL. I would have never even got into reloading if it wasn't for getting a progressive press. To me, a single stage press is wasting so much of my energy, with with one stroke, 5 processes are being completed on my progressive.
If you take your time and do your best to pay attention to the details and you are a high volume shooter a progressive is the only way to go. We use our 650 for all the calibers we shoot except 7.62x39.
Cost,when I bought my Aniv.Kit it was 125 and the RCBS was 495.You got the same stuff. Now that that a lot of the RCBS stuff is made in China the difference isn't as great but the quality isn't either.
After I broke the pot metal toggle links(they've fixed that now in the new Challenger presses,as have most of us who had them) I asked about the other presses, see priceing above,and got this repley:
" I was looking for accurately made press,and I ended up buying three. Since they all are made to the same +- .005",it was more the luck of the draw than the paint colour."
If you are mechanically minded,very few are, you will love the engineering elagance of Lee equipment,if you go by looks alone,Redding is prettier.
After I broke the pot metal toggle links(they've fixed that now in the new Challenger presses,as have most of us who had them) I asked about the other presses, see priceing above,and got this repley:
" I was looking for accurately made press,and I ended up buying three. Since they all are made to the same +- .005",it was more the luck of the draw than the paint colour."
If you are mechanically minded,very few are, you will love the engineering elagance of Lee equipment,if you go by looks alone,Redding is prettier.
Just finnished loading my first 40 rounds on my dillon 550b 20 7mm-08
20 7mm rem mag love it easy to change calibers after first time.
can hardly wait to start loading pistol calibers.
Thanks for the feedback! I think I will order one from the US.
no problem just pay attention and you'll be fine
I have lots of different colors on my loading bench. I buy what works best for me, i don`t really care for the packages companys sell. Start out slow and get what you have to have press,shellholder,dies,scale, funnel, trimmer and chamfer tool. Absolute minimum for reloading, a lot of things can be improvised, my lube pad consists of a tin box with paper towels folded up, that has worked for 40 years just change the towel every 10 years. You don`t have to buy new either, lots of good buys on used presses and equipment. For me a good scale is mandatory, mine is an Ohaus same as RCBS 5-0-5. I feel real good when i look at mine and see the price was 29.99. Oh ya wages went up since then to.
It really helps if you can look some of the stuff over first, maybe a friend or coworker loads. I got my start with my wifes uncle, he started loading in the 30 or 40`s.
It really helps if you can look some of the stuff over first, maybe a friend or coworker loads. I got my start with my wifes uncle, he started loading in the 30 or 40`s.
