I don't pretend to be a 'master' reloader, but I've been dabbling in reloading and bullet casting since my late teens/early 20's (I'm in my late 30's now) over the years, I've tried a lot of different equipment. Some good, some bad, some, so-so.
With the holidays upon us and many CGN members looking at buying new reloading gear, I thought I'd share some recent experiences I've had with some of the major players in the field.
RCBS -
I've been a fan of big green almost from the start. They offer quality tools at good prices and they had the reputation of having the best customer service and warranty in the business.
Over the years, they've proved the truth of the above statement time and again. Starting out, money was tight, so I often hit up the garage and yard sales over the weekend, while at university. I'd often come across used/abused/rusted reloading equipment at very reasonable prices. That's how I got my first Rock Chucker single-stage press, and my first Lube-A-Matic sizer/luber...or at, least the main parts of the same.
Both tools were missing parts and really needed a lot of TLC. I called "Jay" at RCBS (great guy, since passed away) and explained my situation. I was simply looking for a price estimate for the needed parts and shipping to Canada. Jay took down my list of needed parts and said no problem; they'll be in the mail before end of business today.
A scholarship student, surviving on the same, plus student loans and whatever part-time work I could pick-up, I immediately had fears that I'd just ordered that would blow my food budget for the next month. Jay picked-up on my near panic and reassured me that RCBS tools came with a lifetime warranty...the life of the tool, not the original owner. There was no charge for the needed parts and shipping was also free!
Right then and there they made themselves a customer/fan for life. Over the years, I've picked up used/abused die sets, other presses, etc...And every time RCBS was there to stand behind their product.
I don't pretend that they offer the absolute best designs when it comes to things like progressive presses or the pinnacle of precision, but they do offer solid equipment that will last several lifetimes and will handle the reloading needs of most average handloaders.
Some complain that the new RCBS isn't the same as the old-school RCBS. While some of their equipment may now be made overseas, they continue to stand behind their stuff.
Back in October I placed an order for several hundred dollars worth of replacement parts to recondition some used RCBS equipment, dies that I'd picked up used, and/or was lost in transit by Canada Post (they destroyed a box reloading equipment I shipped from AB back to Newfoundland on me.)
I E-mailed my 'want' list. Next day I received a reply that the parts were on the way, no charge! I received on parcel A-OK, but the second was late. When it finally showed up a week later, I found that it had been cut open very carefully with a box cutter and the contents stolen. The thieves had kindly replaced the packing slip and invoice and forwarded the package on to me. (An inside job, Canada Post is investigating, but I'm not holding my breath).
I still needed the parts, so I called RCBS and told them my story, credit card in hand, fully willing and prepared to purchase the same parts that were stolen.
RCBS said no problem; parts were on the way once more. NO CHARGE! ...and Thank-you for being an RCBS customer!
That is true customer support and appreciation for my business.
Dillon -
I was a late convert to Dillon, mostly because I was using RCBS progressive machines and hadn't had a real incentive to re-equip with 'Big Blue' until recently. Now I'm running a RL550B and XL650.
Great machines and a great company to deal with. Unfortunately, the 550 took some damage in shipping by Canada Post when shipped it back home. Among other things, the pot metal collar that the powder measure chucks into was smashed to pieces, along with a bunch of other parts that were either lost or destroyed beyond use.
I E-mailed Dillon, looking for a quote, with shipping to Canada. Obviously the parts were broken/lost due to abuse by Canada Post, nothing that Dillon did wrong.
Same as RCBS, got an E-mail back stating that the parts were in the mail and thanking me for being a Dillon customer! The service rep was extremely courteous and in response to my offer to pay for shipping, replied that they were, "just happy they could get me reloading ASAP."
This type of service was repeated several times related to other parts, etc... The same outstanding service was encountered every time.
LEE -
About the best thing I can say about LEE is that they get more people reloading. Some of their recent stuff, like the Classic Cast press are much improved over early stuff, but in my experience, you get what you pay for.
I still have several LEE products that I use, but most have been sold or passed on to new reloaders who couldn't afford their own gear.
I had issues with several LEE bullet moulds. The retail dealer referred me to LEE for warranty issues. Both moulds (separate occasions) had not been properly cut and dropped extremely out-of-round bullets that were simply unusable.
LEE offered to exchange the moulds if I was willing to send the moulds to them on my dime and pay shipping back for the new moulds. I grudgingly did so and got two just as crappy moulds back in return. (I should've learned after the first case). The first time I called back to complain and they once again offered to exchange the mould, if I picked up shipping again. By this time, the mould in question had cost way more than retail price. I decided to cut my losses and tossed the mould. Over the years, I have picked up several other moulds that with some work and tweaking on my part, drop acceptable bullets, but the point is you shouldn't have to do that buying a factory new product.
I guess my experience with RCBS spoiled me, as I expected LEE to stand behind their product, especially when it came to obvious factory defects. They didn't, so I've opted to spend my money elsewhere. I'm sure others will have had very positive experiences with LEE; I'm just relating my own here.
Redding -
Very high quality tools, presses and dies. Their T-7 Turret press is my absolute favourite turret press on the market, and I'd recommend it to any new handloaders just starting out and hoping to load both rifle and pistol rounds.
Their dies are very good quality, especially the precision micrometer seating dies and the one issue I had with a Redding die was quickly corrected by the factory, although they did charge me shipping from the US to Canada.
Hornady -
I haven't used any of their progressive presses, but have used their single-stage press extensively. I don't own one right now, but it was a quality tool. I liked my Rock Chuckers better, however.
Hornady dies are good quality. Their version of the no-lube 'carbide' pistol die set is quite well done. (Titanium nitride IIRC). Their hand-prime tool works well and they do have a pretty good promotion on-going right now for 1000 free bullets with purchase of a Hornady press.
The one issue I had was dealt with in a timely manner, but I did have to pay shipping for the replacement part, and at an inflated cost.
SAECO -
My experience with SAECO is limited to their lead hardness tester (mine is the old-school all stainless steel version), their bullet moulds and mould handles.
All have proven to be extremely well made and I have had zero issues with any equipment that would necessitate making use of their customer service.
Lyman -
I'll admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for old-school Ideal-later-Lyman iron bullet moulds, their old Model 310 nutcracker reloading tool/mould combos and their "M" Expander Dies, that are so useful in cast bullet loading.
I can't say as I was ever a fan of the old orange colour equipment. The new metallic black/gun metal flake finish is much more attractive and I currently have a Lyman Turret Press in my possession. It is a well made tool, but it really does pale in comparison with the Redding T-7.
Their dies are usually pretty well made and their lead furnaces are of decent quality, although the RCBS Pro-Melt is tops.
In the past, Lyman dealt with replacement parts, etc... quite satisfactorily, and they covered the shipping costs of small parts. They are also very willing to send a paper catalogue to customers upon request, not something that all manufacturers do anymore.
Recently, however, I had a problem with the plastic powder reservoir for my Lyman DPS 1200 electronic powder dispenser/scale. A crack developed and eventually a quarter-sized oblong piece of plastic broke out of it, rendering the reservoir unusable. A cast plastic tube has to be one of the cheapest parts you could want to replace. I E-mailed Lyman's customer service about acquiring a replacement, asking for the price of the part and what shipping would run me to Canada.
I got a one sentence reply back a week later advising me to call their telephone number during business hours and someone would be happy to take my order, but please have your credit card handy.
Honestly, this response left me somewhat jaded. I had taken the time to search the Lyman site and was unable to find a page for ordering replacement parts, or even the part number for the reservoir.
I don't believe asking for the part number, its cost and shipping to Canada would've been extraordinarily time-consuming for the service rep to look up for me and to pass along. But he didn't, instead I was given a brush off. I found this somewhat irking, considering the fact that the tool in question retails for over $400.00.
Will I purchase more Lyman product in the future? Perhaps, but it certainly won't be at the top of my list.
Anyhow, that is my experience thus far. I'm sure those reading the above will have different experiences or opinions to offer. All I can say is that the above has been my personal experience over the past 20 years, your mileage may vary. For you newbie’s out there, or guys contemplating getting into the reloading game, please do so! I just hope that my thoughts posted here will allow you to make a somewhat more informed decision. All the best!
X-man
With the holidays upon us and many CGN members looking at buying new reloading gear, I thought I'd share some recent experiences I've had with some of the major players in the field.
RCBS -
I've been a fan of big green almost from the start. They offer quality tools at good prices and they had the reputation of having the best customer service and warranty in the business.
Over the years, they've proved the truth of the above statement time and again. Starting out, money was tight, so I often hit up the garage and yard sales over the weekend, while at university. I'd often come across used/abused/rusted reloading equipment at very reasonable prices. That's how I got my first Rock Chucker single-stage press, and my first Lube-A-Matic sizer/luber...or at, least the main parts of the same.
Both tools were missing parts and really needed a lot of TLC. I called "Jay" at RCBS (great guy, since passed away) and explained my situation. I was simply looking for a price estimate for the needed parts and shipping to Canada. Jay took down my list of needed parts and said no problem; they'll be in the mail before end of business today.
A scholarship student, surviving on the same, plus student loans and whatever part-time work I could pick-up, I immediately had fears that I'd just ordered that would blow my food budget for the next month. Jay picked-up on my near panic and reassured me that RCBS tools came with a lifetime warranty...the life of the tool, not the original owner. There was no charge for the needed parts and shipping was also free!
Right then and there they made themselves a customer/fan for life. Over the years, I've picked up used/abused die sets, other presses, etc...And every time RCBS was there to stand behind their product.
I don't pretend that they offer the absolute best designs when it comes to things like progressive presses or the pinnacle of precision, but they do offer solid equipment that will last several lifetimes and will handle the reloading needs of most average handloaders.
Some complain that the new RCBS isn't the same as the old-school RCBS. While some of their equipment may now be made overseas, they continue to stand behind their stuff.
Back in October I placed an order for several hundred dollars worth of replacement parts to recondition some used RCBS equipment, dies that I'd picked up used, and/or was lost in transit by Canada Post (they destroyed a box reloading equipment I shipped from AB back to Newfoundland on me.)
I E-mailed my 'want' list. Next day I received a reply that the parts were on the way, no charge! I received on parcel A-OK, but the second was late. When it finally showed up a week later, I found that it had been cut open very carefully with a box cutter and the contents stolen. The thieves had kindly replaced the packing slip and invoice and forwarded the package on to me. (An inside job, Canada Post is investigating, but I'm not holding my breath).
I still needed the parts, so I called RCBS and told them my story, credit card in hand, fully willing and prepared to purchase the same parts that were stolen.
RCBS said no problem; parts were on the way once more. NO CHARGE! ...and Thank-you for being an RCBS customer!
That is true customer support and appreciation for my business.
Dillon -
I was a late convert to Dillon, mostly because I was using RCBS progressive machines and hadn't had a real incentive to re-equip with 'Big Blue' until recently. Now I'm running a RL550B and XL650.
Great machines and a great company to deal with. Unfortunately, the 550 took some damage in shipping by Canada Post when shipped it back home. Among other things, the pot metal collar that the powder measure chucks into was smashed to pieces, along with a bunch of other parts that were either lost or destroyed beyond use.
I E-mailed Dillon, looking for a quote, with shipping to Canada. Obviously the parts were broken/lost due to abuse by Canada Post, nothing that Dillon did wrong.
Same as RCBS, got an E-mail back stating that the parts were in the mail and thanking me for being a Dillon customer! The service rep was extremely courteous and in response to my offer to pay for shipping, replied that they were, "just happy they could get me reloading ASAP."
This type of service was repeated several times related to other parts, etc... The same outstanding service was encountered every time.
LEE -
About the best thing I can say about LEE is that they get more people reloading. Some of their recent stuff, like the Classic Cast press are much improved over early stuff, but in my experience, you get what you pay for.
I still have several LEE products that I use, but most have been sold or passed on to new reloaders who couldn't afford their own gear.
I had issues with several LEE bullet moulds. The retail dealer referred me to LEE for warranty issues. Both moulds (separate occasions) had not been properly cut and dropped extremely out-of-round bullets that were simply unusable.
LEE offered to exchange the moulds if I was willing to send the moulds to them on my dime and pay shipping back for the new moulds. I grudgingly did so and got two just as crappy moulds back in return. (I should've learned after the first case). The first time I called back to complain and they once again offered to exchange the mould, if I picked up shipping again. By this time, the mould in question had cost way more than retail price. I decided to cut my losses and tossed the mould. Over the years, I have picked up several other moulds that with some work and tweaking on my part, drop acceptable bullets, but the point is you shouldn't have to do that buying a factory new product.
I guess my experience with RCBS spoiled me, as I expected LEE to stand behind their product, especially when it came to obvious factory defects. They didn't, so I've opted to spend my money elsewhere. I'm sure others will have had very positive experiences with LEE; I'm just relating my own here.
Redding -
Very high quality tools, presses and dies. Their T-7 Turret press is my absolute favourite turret press on the market, and I'd recommend it to any new handloaders just starting out and hoping to load both rifle and pistol rounds.
Their dies are very good quality, especially the precision micrometer seating dies and the one issue I had with a Redding die was quickly corrected by the factory, although they did charge me shipping from the US to Canada.
Hornady -
I haven't used any of their progressive presses, but have used their single-stage press extensively. I don't own one right now, but it was a quality tool. I liked my Rock Chuckers better, however.
Hornady dies are good quality. Their version of the no-lube 'carbide' pistol die set is quite well done. (Titanium nitride IIRC). Their hand-prime tool works well and they do have a pretty good promotion on-going right now for 1000 free bullets with purchase of a Hornady press.
The one issue I had was dealt with in a timely manner, but I did have to pay shipping for the replacement part, and at an inflated cost.
SAECO -
My experience with SAECO is limited to their lead hardness tester (mine is the old-school all stainless steel version), their bullet moulds and mould handles.
All have proven to be extremely well made and I have had zero issues with any equipment that would necessitate making use of their customer service.
Lyman -
I'll admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for old-school Ideal-later-Lyman iron bullet moulds, their old Model 310 nutcracker reloading tool/mould combos and their "M" Expander Dies, that are so useful in cast bullet loading.
I can't say as I was ever a fan of the old orange colour equipment. The new metallic black/gun metal flake finish is much more attractive and I currently have a Lyman Turret Press in my possession. It is a well made tool, but it really does pale in comparison with the Redding T-7.
Their dies are usually pretty well made and their lead furnaces are of decent quality, although the RCBS Pro-Melt is tops.
In the past, Lyman dealt with replacement parts, etc... quite satisfactorily, and they covered the shipping costs of small parts. They are also very willing to send a paper catalogue to customers upon request, not something that all manufacturers do anymore.
Recently, however, I had a problem with the plastic powder reservoir for my Lyman DPS 1200 electronic powder dispenser/scale. A crack developed and eventually a quarter-sized oblong piece of plastic broke out of it, rendering the reservoir unusable. A cast plastic tube has to be one of the cheapest parts you could want to replace. I E-mailed Lyman's customer service about acquiring a replacement, asking for the price of the part and what shipping would run me to Canada.
I got a one sentence reply back a week later advising me to call their telephone number during business hours and someone would be happy to take my order, but please have your credit card handy.
Honestly, this response left me somewhat jaded. I had taken the time to search the Lyman site and was unable to find a page for ordering replacement parts, or even the part number for the reservoir.
I don't believe asking for the part number, its cost and shipping to Canada would've been extraordinarily time-consuming for the service rep to look up for me and to pass along. But he didn't, instead I was given a brush off. I found this somewhat irking, considering the fact that the tool in question retails for over $400.00.
Will I purchase more Lyman product in the future? Perhaps, but it certainly won't be at the top of my list.
Anyhow, that is my experience thus far. I'm sure those reading the above will have different experiences or opinions to offer. All I can say is that the above has been my personal experience over the past 20 years, your mileage may vary. For you newbie’s out there, or guys contemplating getting into the reloading game, please do so! I just hope that my thoughts posted here will allow you to make a somewhat more informed decision. All the best!
X-man
) he said he uses Hornady dies and has no issues. Bought a set of Hornady 45-70 dies, still can't get a proper crimp!! The sized and primed brass sits in a ziploc bag on my bench, awaiting me to trim a crimp die on the lathe. Other then that, I like their gear.
