Whats the better reloading kit?

243win

243win

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SW Ontario
Looking at starting to reload. Wondering which kit would be the better. The RCBS Ruck Chucker kit or the Hornady Lock and Load kit. From what I've read they are both good but I'm just looking for more input from those of you that may have owned or used them.
Thanks.
 
Differences between the two.

RCBS:
Beam Scale
Neck brushes
RCBS Mounting Plate

Hornady:
Electronic Scale
Quick Change Bushings


Biggest RCBS Pros IMHO:
Beam Scale- I still occassionally check my electronic scale with my beam scale. Electronics do fail due to a variety of non-user related issues, whereas a mechanical beam scale should last a lifetime.
Mounting Base accepts ALL sorts of RCBS products and makes for a dedicate multiple work area (New RCBS press? Unbolt old one and remount on base, holes already exist).

Biggest Hornady Pro IMHO:
The quick change bushings are nice because once you set them up, they stay "set-up" between changing of dies. You can preset many different calibers and changing operation requires a simple removal and insertion of the "sleeved dies".
 
Oh. Both have great warranty service both are good presses, and you really cannot go wrong with either of them.

You will still need dies, and if you go the Hornady route, you either need to by additional die bushings for the additional sets/items (Quick Change bullet puller is a good thing for when you are unsure of a reload and do not want to wait until after your "batch job"). Of course that costs extra for the additional sleeves.

And buy a caliper, either mechanical (dial/vernier scale) or electronic, and if looking at rifle calibres, a form of trimmer (Lee quick trimmer or other trimmers).
 
No experience with the Hornady, but I love my RCBS Supreme Rockchucker kit. The scale is 5-0-5 Scale is still my prefered weighing tool.
 
hk33ka1 said:
No experience with the Hornady, but I love my RCBS Supreme Rockchucker kit. The scale is 5-0-5 Scale is still my prefered weighing tool.
Click to expand...

Me either, have been using RCBS for 25 years and no issues, even have great after sales customer service, can't be beat. IMHO
 
I do know that Hornady offers a bushing press conversion which will allow an RCBS or other similar press to swap out the standard threaded bushing with a bushing sleeve to use the quick change bushings.
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I like the RCBS kit and used it when I took my reloading course, but ended up buying a Lee kit. If you go the Lee route to save money don't buy a kit. Go buy the press by itself, most of the stuff that comes with the Lee kit is crap and I ended up replacing it all. Overall though I have been very happy with the press.
 
Although you have chosen two very good brands another to seriously consider is the Redding Big Boss Pro Pak- everything in the kit is top notch there will be no need to upgrade.
 
I really like lee stuff. I have lots of their products. Bought the Challenger kit. Love the press, dies, lube, trimmers, priming tools, etc. However, I despise their powder thrower (The Perfect Measure, yeah, right) and their beam scale. Both suck sh!t.
Buy separately. Kit has a bunch of crap you will replace immediately.
 
The MOST IMPORTANT element in a reloading kit is the MANUAL. READ it first. Not just the section on the calibre you are loading....the intro, the examples of what causes high pressure, the safety info, the steps to follow, etc.

Then go buy a RCBS rockchucker or similar and start reloading. Beginners should ALWAYS start once case at a time....when you have tons of experience, then try a progressive.

Reloading is generally done to improve the accuracy of the load, not to see how fast you can make them. If I want to make 'em fast, I go buy a case of 'em....If I want them all to cut the same hole, I take my time......IMHO
 
Bigbubba said:
The MOST IMPORTANT element in a reloading kit is the MANUAL. READ it first. Not just the section on the calibre you are loading....the intro, the examples of what causes high pressure, the safety info, the steps to follow, etc.

Then go buy a RCBS rockchucker or similar and start reloading. Beginners should ALWAYS start once case at a time....when you have tons of experience, then try a progressive.

Reloading is generally done to improve the accuracy of the load, not to see how fast you can make them. If I want to make 'em fast, I go buy a case of 'em....If I want them all to cut the same hole, I take my time......IMHO
Click to expand...

I learned on a single stage. I reloaded 1000 .40's on my RCBS RC before I took the progressive plunge (which was a Lee-1000). Nearly a decade later I've upgraded to a LnL-AP and still have that old rock chucker right beside it.
 
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