Looking to buy reloading equipment
- Thread starter seannpoli
- Start date
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
Wrong section you need to apply for the EE
Unless you're asking for advice .. Rcbs is sort of middle of the road , there is more specialized equipment and there is worse .. But their customer service is some of the best you will ever encounter
Unless you're asking for advice .. Rcbs is sort of middle of the road , there is more specialized equipment and there is worse .. But their customer service is some of the best you will ever encounter
Last edited:
- Location
- Over the rainbow
I started with a Lee anniversary kit which I purchased in the US for $89.00.
I then bought a Hornady LnL AP Progressive then I purchased a Hornady single stage press to compliment the progressive since the dies can go from one press to the other with no adjustment when using Hornady shell holders.
The problem with the Hornady single stage is that I need to operate the press with my right hand and perform the fine motor skill functions with my left hand.
The Lee press has you working the ram with the left hand allowing you to perform most tasks such as inserting the brass or bullet with your right hand.
I am using my Lee much more than the Hornady for the above stated reason.
I've never used an RCBS rockchucker to tell you which hand does what.
I then bought a Hornady LnL AP Progressive then I purchased a Hornady single stage press to compliment the progressive since the dies can go from one press to the other with no adjustment when using Hornady shell holders.
The problem with the Hornady single stage is that I need to operate the press with my right hand and perform the fine motor skill functions with my left hand.
The Lee press has you working the ram with the left hand allowing you to perform most tasks such as inserting the brass or bullet with your right hand.
I am using my Lee much more than the Hornady for the above stated reason.
I've never used an RCBS rockchucker to tell you which hand does what.
If your not in a hurry to get at it i'd be watching the EE and gun shows. I see good used stuff at the shows i go to, some guys get deals at yard sales if your into that and i have seen a few items on Kijiji. Other than that look at the kits, i use a mix of equipment all purchased singlely some items many years ago. My Ohaus scale was $29.95 new.
LEE LoadMaster Progressive in 270 is only $389 at Wholesale Sports full KIT!!! Or order from Budget Ammo , he has them for Alot less! You get EVERYTHING you will need on a 5 die set! If you on a budget, them a Lee Loader in 270 will set you back like $50 and your good to go one round at a time. Get a Anniversary Kit to learn on !
$50 lee Loader in 270
Or
Breech lock challeger Kit $189
OR BEST:
$380
$50 lee Loader in 270
Or
Breech lock challeger Kit $189
OR BEST:
$380
I find some of the stuff in the "kits" to be pretty cheap.
It's not hard to buy individual quality pieces to get you started, and then add some additional "nice to haves" later as time and budget allow.
I'm a big fan of the Forster Co-Ax press. Second would be the tried and true RCBS rock chucker.
I like Redding deluxe die sets, but RCBS sets are great as well and less than half the price. You'll need shell holders unless you have the Co-Ax.
I greatly prefer hand-primers as opposed to the finicky ones that are on the machines. I have an older RCBS one that has worked great.
A good quality beam scale (higher end than what's in the kits) should be in everyone's reloading kit, with an electronic one as a nice upgrade somewhere down the road.
I like spray lube for resizing, otherwise you'll need a lube pad and some lube.
I don't use powder feeds for rifle cases, i prefer to weigh the charges individually. You'll need a powder trickler and a powder funnel for this.
A tumbler and media is another nice to have, really sucks running dirty gritty brass through sizing dies.
It's not hard to buy individual quality pieces to get you started, and then add some additional "nice to haves" later as time and budget allow.
I'm a big fan of the Forster Co-Ax press. Second would be the tried and true RCBS rock chucker.
I like Redding deluxe die sets, but RCBS sets are great as well and less than half the price. You'll need shell holders unless you have the Co-Ax.
I greatly prefer hand-primers as opposed to the finicky ones that are on the machines. I have an older RCBS one that has worked great.
A good quality beam scale (higher end than what's in the kits) should be in everyone's reloading kit, with an electronic one as a nice upgrade somewhere down the road.
I like spray lube for resizing, otherwise you'll need a lube pad and some lube.
I don't use powder feeds for rifle cases, i prefer to weigh the charges individually. You'll need a powder trickler and a powder funnel for this.
A tumbler and media is another nice to have, really sucks running dirty gritty brass through sizing dies.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
I agree with that 100%.
I have replaced "almost" everything from my anniversary kit.
Nothing wrong with Lee equipment if you pick and choose. They do have some good gear.
I like the safety prime and use their caliber specific case length gauges and still have a couple of their die sets.
Make a list of what you need and keep an eye on the EE, there are still deals available on better equipment if you watch.
Some people swear at Lee, others swear by it. I haven't found it makes all that much difference for all normal purposes.
FWIW, my RCBS Rockchucker press is still going strong after 40 years. Speaking of good customer service, I lost a small part last year. When I phoned them to buy a new one, they sent the complete assembly that day, for free. They even paid postage.
FWIW, my RCBS Rockchucker press is still going strong after 40 years. Speaking of good customer service, I lost a small part last year. When I phoned them to buy a new one, they sent the complete assembly that day, for free. They even paid postage.
- Location
- Lloydminster, Alberta
We are sold out.
Thanks in part to CGN we sold almost 600 of those kits in a few months. Good for us but a great deal for our customers too. BTW, 600 kits was 18 pallets, filling an entire tractor trailer.
Depends on your budget and how much you will reload. Also are you sure you want to reload? I started with a Lee "50th anniversary kit" 4 years ago and have reload 600-700 rounds and I am very happy with the kit. For about $200 for the kit, dies, lb of powder, 200 primers and 200 bullets I had 200rounds loaded for less than 200 factory ammo. and I probably got another $200 worth of education from diving in and doing it. I was not sure I wanted to reload and was not willing to spend $400 on a better kit. My feeling only having ever used a lee kit is that if you are sure that you will do thousaands of round and can afford it go for a more expensive kit, but if you are unsure you will answer many questions with a lee kit.
