RCBS vs Hornady

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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local shop as these two kits in stock:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master kit for $579.00

or

Hornady Lock n Load Classic kit for $679.00

checking out Amazon.ca, he seems to have his prices a bit high ($505 for the Rock Chucker and $579 for the LnL Classic), but since he's trying to sell the business, he's open to offers.

which do you think is the better kit? Hornady comes with a few extra bits and a digital scale rather than a mechanical.

Rock Chucker comes with:
* Rock Chucker Supreme Press
* M500 Mechanical Scale
* Uniflow Powder Measure
* Hand Priming Tool
* Universal Case Load Block
* .17-.60 Debur Tool
* Hex Key Set
* Case Lube Kit
* Powder Funnel
* Nosler #7 Reloading Manual

LnL Classic comes with:
* Reloading Handbook
* Powder Measure
* Digital Scale
* Lock-N-Load Die Bushings (3)
* Primer Catcher
* Positive Priming System
* Handheld Priming Tool
* Universal Reloading Block
* Chamfer & Deburr Tool
* Powder Trickler
* Powder Funnel
* One Shot Case Lube
 
fun plinking mostly...with custom loads for hunting. probably around 50 - 100 rounds/m per caliber, on the upper scale. I haven't shot rifle for quite some time, so gotta get back into the hang of things and want to get some practice. :)
 
I have a Rock Chucker single stage and a Hornady LNL progressive. Both are great machines. Hornady’s after sale service is supreme. I was disappointed with RCBS service. Won’t buy their brand ever again. There are other great choices.
 
I've used both and they both have their pro's and cons, but ended up sticking with my old RCBS RCII and picked up a new RCIV to go with it. I do all my case prep on the new one, and all the seating and crimping on the old one since it just seems to have tighter tolerances and feels smoother.
However, both presses are outfitted with Hornady L&L inserts so I can still use the die bushings.
For case trimmer (45-70 and some magnum pistol stuff) and powder measure (all pistol calibers as well as 45-70) I went with Hornady.
 
I have the Hornady LnL AP and found it to work well for me. I had an issue with a shell plate not advancing properly, contacted Hornady and was sent out new pawls that same day. Great service.
 
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reading about the two kits, the primary differences focused on were the powder measure, the scales and the reloading manuals included.

the RCBS 505 analog scale was said to be the best mechanical scale on the market while others said a digital scale is often one of the first accessory purchases made after getting a kit.

what are your thoughts between the powder measures? is one inherently more accurate? one comment said the Hornady would not help you make match grade ammo, but sufficient enough to make factory grade ammo.

last comment was on how the Hornady manual was not as detailed as the Nosler that came with the RCD and that the Nosler is a must for each reloaded but not so much for the Hornady. I suspect that was based on the writers bullet preference than anything else though.
 
Marketing, every company wants to sell their own goods. Nosler book sells Nosler bullets. Hornady book list loads for theirs
If I could afford it, would mostly use the most accurate match bullet available in each caliber.
So long as bullets are same weight and construction they are basically interchangeable. C.O.A.L. may vary for tight chambers.

Solids are best to use with their own data.

For scales , I try to use both types, balance and digital, at the same time as a cross check. Found out my RCBS 505 had some crud on the balance pivot knife edge which caused some grief. I wipe it before each use now and cross check it with the PACT BKII. Digitals need a solid surface, so a digital next to a powder trickler on a less than stable surface, along with spiders, can be a pain. The original PACT power supply was causing some serious instability until I replaced it.

I have the Hornady LNL Classic SS press and the LNL AP press. Love the LNL bushings. Die changes can be so fast it be used a turret press for small batches.
Also have a well used RCBS rock chucker, Lee turret and ancient CH by Roddy C press
 
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I have an old RCBS Rockchucker and a Hornady LNL AP progressive. Both are quality, well built machines with great warranties backing them up. The big difference is what colour matches your gun room scheme.

Seriously though it is a wash for me. I would not have a digital scale without also having a mechanical one. I find they both have their places and it is nice to check them against each other. As for the manuals I would suggest you buy at least 3 of them anyway. Even if you are only loading a limited number of cartridges, no two books have the same data. I like the layout and info in the Hornady manual but they tend to be very conservative in their loads. Nosler only has data for their bullets and not a lot of handgun data. Lyman and LEE cover a lot of ground because they are not tied to a particular bullet or powder manufacturer and Lyman has a lot of info for cast bullets. Bottom line... when I start working with a new cartridge or load, I will have 5 or 6 books out on my bench and somewhere in there is the recipe i need.

So in the end, pick a colour you like. Good luck.
 
I love my RCBS stuff, the Hornady presses are decent quality, it's the small tools that I feel RCBS does a better job. If you do go RCBS get the LNL bushing conversion, greatest thing I've ever done as I change dies alot and setting them up once for the most is awesome. I second getting lots of loading manuals as everyone has different ideas and some are conversative and some have pretty spicy information. Start low and work up! Also I use hodgon reloading data alot as well good generic information and it's free and online!
 
I grew up using my dad's rock chucker. When I grew up and moved out I bought a Redding ultra mag press. Never looked back. I use mostly Redding and Lee products now with some Wilson stuff too. Take a look at the Redding kits and see what you think. I'm not a fan of hornady dies. I buy Lee collet dies unless I can't get them in a specific calibre then I buy Redding bushing dies
 
Berger has some online reloading data, and of course it is limited to the calibers they manufacture.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/reloading-data/

Their book is also great, more comprehensive, but you will not find many non-american milsurp rifle cartridge data, and no pistols.
Reminds me I need to get my copy back from a friend who "borrowed" it.
 
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I am not a reloading guru, although I have been doing it for some 30+ years. I have a rockchucker and it does the job well enough. That being said, I absolutely hate RCBS dies and have had much better luck with the Hornady dies. Just my $.02 worth. Like I said, I ain't no professional.
 
I have a Rock Chucker and it has done me right on all occasions. It was a great starter press for me getting into reloading and has remained one of my main go to presses. I use it for precision loads as well as non-bulk tester loads
 
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