Lyman vs RCBS vs Redding vs ### reloading kits? plz spend my $500!

manbearpig

manbearpig

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im a total reloading newbie, and have been confused by the million different options of reloading equipment and 'kits'. it seems like not only are there a half dozen different manufacturers, but they all offer 2-3 different lines/presses like the Rockchucker, T-Mag, Crusher, Special-5, Boss, etc. to add to the confusion each has a Pro, Extreme, Supreme, Expert, etc designation which is enough to make a newbie's head spin.

which manufacturer is better? which line to buy?
id like a robust, quality setup - but it doesnt have to have all of the bells and whistles, just durability and quality which i can add on to later on if needed. id prefer a high quality core setup to a lower quality one with more bells and whistles.

for example this is how many different kits are available:
rcbsve7.jpg

lymanxt8.jpg

reddingcy2.jpg


which is best for my needs? what else am i going to need?
i can budget $500 towards this new hobby for xmas, but id honestly prefer if someone who knows what they are doing spends it instead of just me going out and buying something i like because of the color :)

thanks in advance to anyone that can help me!
 
What are you reloading for? Rifles only? Rifles and handguns? How many different cartridges?


The Redding and RCBS are about equal in quality and will last for ever. Either the Supreme Kit or the BOSS KIT would serve as a great base for rifle reloading.

With any kit you will need to add dies and shell-holders for each cartridge you will be loading for.

With the RCBS Supreme kit you will also have to add a set of calipers and a tool to trim cases to length.

With the Redding BOSS KIT it seems all the necessary gear is included except for a set of calipers.

The Lyman tools are also pretty decent as are those from Hornady.

I also have to point out that even though I am not by any means a fan of the LEE line of tools they offer a very inepensive way to get involved with reloading especially if one plans on only loading a few hundred rounds a year.



[quote='Boo at HuntShoot]The basic tools you will need are:

Reloading manuals. More are better and these should be the first items purchased. Read the "how-to's" several times until you can almost repeat then verbatim.


A press. A "O" type press is stronger than a "C" type and has less deflection while reloading. With 30-06 class cartridges however a lot of brute strength is not needed. Most presses other than Lee have capabilities of priming new cases although a dedicated priming tool is quicker.

A scale. While Lee does offer data using their "scoops" a good quality scale is a must.

A set of calipers that will measure to .001". Dial or electronic is a personal preference.

A method of trimming cases. All cases will "grow" after being shot and re sized. The pressure and stretching inside the case during ignition will cause the case to thin above the case head. This brass has to flow somewhere and so it takes the path of least resistance and flows out into the case neck lengthening it. Lee makes a cute little lock nut and cartridge specific cutter to trim cases back to minimum lengths. Not a good tool if you have hundreds of cases to do it will work on smaller batches. Most reloading tool companies offer a "file die" that is hardened on the top and once screwed into your press allows you to insert a case into it with the excess length protruding above the top surface. A few swipes with a fine file and the case is brought back to minimum length. Most companies other than Lee offer a lath type trimmer that not only cuts to length but also can be fitted with other gadgets if desired.

A de-burring/inside chamfering tool. You must bevel both the inside and outside of the case mouths after trimming the cases.

A set of dies. A standard set of full-length sizer die and bullet seater die is what you need to start.

Shell holders. These are pretty near universal in fit these days and shell-holders from one companies press usually fit another brand of press.

Cartridge sizing lubricant. many different types on the market and most work well. (My personal favorite is Imperial Sizing Die Wax from Redding)

Loading blocks. These hold the cases while you are working on them.

Cartridge boxes. These hold your loads once they are made. Re-using factory ammo boxes does work too.

A notebook. Mark down everything you do with each batch of ammo. The recipe is no good if it can't be repeated. :D[/quote]
 
those are all O-type presses, right?
look like it to me, just wanted to confirm. i assume a C-style press looks like a C clamp from the side.


dies/shell holders - i guess initially i intend to order the ones for guns that i have the most of and ammo is more expensive for:
.308, 7.62x54R, .30-06, etc
not going to bother with anything like .22, .223, 7.62x39, etc just yet.

calipers i have several of in my workshop.

so if i order the RCBS RockChucker Supreme Kit, then i have:
reloading manual,
rockchucker press,
505 reloading scale
uniflow powder measure
various other small stuff like funnels, loading block, primer tray, etc etc

couple of questions:
-why is there both a powder measure, and a powder scale? you have to sit there and weigh out every load of powder for each case? sounds time consuming - is there no machine that measures out a certain powder load automatically?

-why does the kit offer a deburring tool but no case trimmer? (off to look at cartridge trimmers now). seems silly.

-a progressive press merely speeds up the reloading process, right? so unless i am doing high volume reloading i dont need it?

off to look up case trimmers and dies/holders now, ill list what i find here in a few min.
 
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powder measure=dumps pre measured powder in GRAINS
Scale = weight the powder in GRAINS.

Progressive press = every pull of the handle gives you a loaded round
Single stage press = you need 3-4 pulls to produce a loaded round.

BEST ADVICE I WOULD GIVE.....BUY A GOOD RELOADING MANUEL FIRST
 
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how about these dies?

dies1lz2.jpg


their description says they eliminate the need for a case trimmer? do these really work?

**edit:
looked up further info:
"Unique design to control case growth during sizing. After initial trim to standardize case lengths, X-Sizer allows repeated full-length resizing without case length exceeding the ANSI specification."
Click to expand...

also, what does SB signify?
there is .308 Win and .308 Win SB.
i assume that the Die SET - second column - is for the Die and shell holder? what is an X-Mandrel Assembly?
 
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You have to set the measure up to a specific weight. Even when your measure is "dialed in" at the weight you want you should still spot check it after every 5 or 10 drops.

To tell the truth I personally have never had much use for a powder measure for reloading rifle cases. By the time I had it throwing consistent weights I would be nearly done. LoL ;) I started out using the LEE powder scoops and a good scale. I would find the scoop that would come closest to the load I was aiming for and use it to dump the initial charge of powder into the scale pan and top up with a powder trickler until my desired weight was reached. It is quick - usually less than 15 seconds per charge - and was more accurate than a powder measure.
 
manbearpig said:
how about these dies?

their description says they eliminate the need for a case trimmer? do these really work?
Click to expand...


You still have to trim all your cases to a specific length before you use those dies for the first time. For the cost of several sets of them you could buy a real decent lath type case trimmer.

To begin with all you need is a good basic set of full-length resizing dies. As you progress you can try other specialty dies if they interest you.

BTW, Don't overlook buying used dies from boards such as ours here. Dies are almost impossible to wear out and even those with a bit of rust can usually be cleaned up easily.
 
here are their standard die sets, from RCBS. there are 9 columns though and im already confused as to which is which. saying i wanted a set for .308 and .7.62x54R, which would i order?
dies2ly2.jpg



is a case-trimmer like this OK? i assume the kit includes several sizes of holders for common cartridges?
trimmerof3.jpg




are all powder measures pretty much made equal?
ie: will the RCBS one serve me indefinitely or will i eventually get pissed off with inaccurate measurements and end up buying a better one?
i only ask because i prefer to buy things once, not 2-3 times :) id rather get a good one right off the bat.
 
With your dies it depends on what type of action your rifle has. If they are standard bolt action then the Full length dies sets in the first column is what you are after. If your rifles are auto-loaders or pumps than you may need the small base die set in the fifth column.

The regular dies will produce a reloaded round that should fit in all rifles chambered for a given cartridge. In real life however some semis and pumps require the cases be sized down a little more for reliable feeding. The cases sized in the small base dies however usually have to be culled sooner that those sized in regular dies thanks to the extra working of the brass.

When it comes to shell holders there is a lot of overlap in uses. Your 308 and 30-06 for example share the same size shell holder #3 RCBS. (Other manufacturers use different numbers for their shell holders)

The RCBS trimmer you show is a good one and can later be upgraded with other accessories if you desire.
 
sb is SMALL BASE- sometimes it's required for autos/pumps, or so i'm told- i never seen or used 1 in 30 + years of reloading-
i can't believe that anybody still hand lubes their cases- do 50 at a time, and use the rcbs spray or a hornady 1 shot- stand them case up and be sure to get all 4 sides like it says on the bottle
the LEE case trimmer is FACTORY SET so you never get a short case-
don't be afraid to mix and match as every manufacturer's product has certain features you may or may not want- from day 1 i had a rcbs jr, lyman dies, a redding powder measure and a ohaus 505 scale- and a pacific manual
now i've got a dillon 550, a speer manual, lee trimmers and a bonanaza scale
that's for rifle- for pistol it's a lee 1000 progressive, but when i hit 223, i put on a dillon powder measure as there wasn't enough capacity in the lee- and i've gotten rid of redding powder measure when i went progressive /turret as i didn't always remember to trip the lever when i got to that stage, for whatever reason -one less thing to worry about
 
so for bolt actions/general use, for the die and holder, you order from the first column, the full length die SETs.

so:
RCBS RockChucker Supreme Reloading Kit
RCBS Trim Pro Manual Case Trimmer
Full Length Die Set (for each caliber i want to reload for, say .308 and 7.62x54R to start)
A Caliper (i already have several calipers and micrometers)

this will cover everything i need to start out?
then i guess i need to buy powder, bullets and primers from a canadian store since these cant be shipped across the border.

anything else? bullet puller? stuck case remover? powder trickler? im ordering these from the states so anything you think i will need its cheaper if i add it to the order now than have to order it again separately.
 
leetrimmerzy5.jpg


is this what you mean by the Lee trimmer, t-star?
so you order the cutter and lock stud, chamfer tool, and then guage/holder/pilot set for each caliber you want to reload for?

so $4.18 for the cutter/lock stud
$2.08 for chamfer tool, and then $3.48 for the kit for each caliber? am i reading that right?
 
The Lee trimmers are good for doing small batches of cases.


If you go to http://huntshoot.coastangler.com/membergallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/49 I have downloaded pics of pretty near all the tools I use to reload rifle cartridges. Not all are required but all have been acquired over the years to suit the way I reload. I don't for a second think that anyone has to do things the way I do - there are many ways to skin a cat - but it may give you an idea of what you are getting into.
 
there is no bench primer/hand primer in the kit, so what do i use to push out the old primers and press in the new ones?
will something like this work (the Lee Ram-Prime, not Auto-Prime) with the RCBS press?
ramprimeaj8.jpg


ill add a LEE primer pocket cleaner as well for cleaning the primer pocket, theyre only a buck.
i figure i can just make a loading block in a few minutes with a drill press.

can i get some poly sealant to seal around the case neck and primer pocket like milspec ammo?
 
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The resizing die will push out the spent primer. If there is no primer tool in the kit (check with your supplier as even though one is not listed in the package the picture shows one) you can prime on the press. If you are looking at a hand-primer LEE makes one that is both inexpensive and has great "feel".

All my loading blocks are "home made". The fancy cherry one in the pics I posted was made by a friend of mine. This picture of the saw file with a bent and sharpened end shows one of the most important tools you can own. It is used to check for thinning of the case walls in front of the case web caused by repeated/excessive resizing. A bent piece of stiff wire works as well.
49Case_head_separation_detector_long.JPG



49case_head_separation.JPG
 
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Don't forget a deburring tool to use after you trim the cases. Also don't forget to resize before you trim so the end result is consistent. It is a little out of your price range but the Forster Coax B2 press is the better press. That aside I guarantee you will be very happy with either the Redding or the RCBS. I have some of everything and the finish on the RCBS is smooth which makes cleaning easier, where as the Redding is porous. I would get a trickler as it makes for easy topping off of powder charge. Essentially you set your powder measure just under your target and top off with the trickler (only for rifle don't bother with pistol just use the measure). On that note you'll need a different measure or micrometer insert for pistol and rifle. If your reloading anything straight walled such as pistol make sure you get carbide dies. The RCBS case trimmer is the better unit.
 
 
You will need a powder trickler. The powder measure throws charges very close to what you are after. The trickler makes the charge perfect. The charger will throw depending on what powder you use within 1 grain. You will need a trickler. They are $10 to $20 or so i believe from RCBS.

Also. When ordering dies make sure you get case holders which are small metal objucts which clip into your press. These holders hold the case to the press. The press is useless without them.
Also. full length resize dies punch out the used primer so you are covered there.
You dont need to seal primers in the case. Unless you plan on submerging your ammo .
The rcbs rockchucker kit has a primer press with it.No need to buy one.

I believe in one of your earlier questions you were asking about collets in with a case trimmer. The rcbs case trimmer if i am not mistaken has all the collets you need with the trimmer.
 
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