Should I buy a press kit or individual pieces?

[maroonandwhite]

I have narrowed my reloading purchase down to the RCBS Rock Chucker and am wondering if I'd be better served to buy the kit or buy individual pieces. If I can spend a little more and get a better scale or buy the auto primer separately I wouldn't mind. I haven't ran the numbers yet mainly because I don't know the quality or usefulness of the items in the kit. Can anyone give me some advice on this with what the kit currently ships with? 

 

I'll mainly be using it to reload .223 and some 9mm. I am not interested in a turret or progressive at the moment since I am just getting started and prefer to keep all of my digits.  :pleased:

[mikegideon]

Most of the RCBS stuff is GOOD. Got a link to the kit?

[maroonandwhite]

Sorry

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000449361/Rock_Chucker_Supreme_Master_Reloading_Kit_

[Hozzie]

Get it on amazon and save a little more.  Great kit and it is a better deal than buying separately.

 

http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Chucker-Supreme-Master-Reloading/dp/B0078MWM2W

[maroonandwhite]

So would the auto primer be worth it or should I just hand prime?  I guess I can always add it later. From what I've read carbide dies are the way to go as well.

[Hozzie]

The hand primers are great.  I have the RCBS universal hand primer.  The one that comes with the kit isn't the universal one which means you still need to use shellholders, but it will work just fine.  I never use my single stage press to do primers.

[maroonandwhite]

Get it on amazon and save a little more.  Great kit and it is a better deal than buying separately.

 

http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Chucker-Supreme-Master-Reloading/dp/B0078MWM2W

HAha sneaky Amazon. It's actually cheaper from Midsouth. Amazon only gives a $10 rebate where everyone else gives the $50 RCBS rebate. Good eye though.

[Hozzie]

The rebate is based on how much the RCBS product is.  I think it has to be over $300 to get the $50.  Or is has been the last few years they have been doing it.  I need to recheck as if the $50 is now back on a lower amount there may be some things I need.

 

It's very few and far between that Amazon doesn't beat most other deals in my experience.

Edited December 1, 2014 by Hozzie

[mikegideon]

So would the auto primer be worth it or should I just hand prime?  I guess I can always add it later. From what I've read carbide dies are the way to go as well.

 

Carbide dies for pistol, because they don't require lube. You are gonna have to lube your bottleneck rifle cases before you size them. I use the RCBS lube pad for that. I also have their universal hand primer. I use it for all my single stage stuff.

[mikegideon]

You are gonna have to buy a tumbler and calipers too

[maroonandwhite]

You are gonna have to buy a tumbler and calipers too

Yeah I have a lead on a good used tumbler and have some calipers.

 

 

The rebate is based on how much the RCBS product is.  I think it has to be over $300 to get the $50.  Or is has been the last few years they have been doing it.  I need to recheck as if the $50 is now back on a lower amount there may be some things I need.

 

It's very few and far between that Amazon doesn't beat most other deals in my experience.

You are right but midsouth says it qualifies. It may be before sale price that counts.

[I am Groot!]

Are the Lee products crap?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00162RM3E/ref=s9_simh_gw_d0_g200_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-1&pf_rd_r=0S6DXD4RF3NV5NG55W60&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1824974342&pf_rd_i=mobile

I don't have any idea what I am doing, just wanting to get started in reloading.

[mikegideon]

Are the Lee products crap?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00162RM3E/ref=s9_simh_gw_d0_g200_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-1&pf_rd_r=0S6DXD4RF3NV5NG55W60&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1824974342&pf_rd_i=mobile

I don't have any idea what I am doing, just wanting to get started in reloading.

 

Not crap in general. I have two of their presses, and a bunch of their dies. Their scale sucks.

[Omega]

Are the Lee products crap?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00162RM3E/ref=s9_simh_gw_d0_g200_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-1&pf_rd_r=0S6DXD4RF3NV5NG55W60&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1824974342&pf_rd_i=mobile

I don't have any idea what I am doing, just wanting to get started in reloading.

I have mostly Lee products and have reloaded since the mid 80s with no issues.  I would get this one though, you can use it as a single stage by taking off the index rod or as a progressive when you feel better about the process.  I recommend this one: 

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690928/Value_Turret_Press_Kit_  As stated above the scale is a bit quirky but it does work, but eventually you will want a digital scale.  If you reload many calibers get extra turrets so you can leave the dies installed and switching calibers is a 10 second process.

[mikegideon]

I have mostly Lee products and have reloaded since the mid 80s with no issues.  I would get this one though, you can use it as a single stage by taking off the index rod or as a progressive when you feel better about the process.  I recommend this one: 

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690928/Value_Turret_Press_Kit_  As stated above the scale is a bit quirky but it does work, but eventually you will want a digital scale.  If you reload many calibers get extra turrets so you can leave the dies installed and switching calibers is a 10 second process.

 

Not technically a progressive, because it takes more than one pull to do a round. But, it's way faster than a single stage. I have one of these, and use it for a lot of stuff...

 

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690304/Classic_Turret_Press_Kit_?clicks=box6

[Hozzie]

Yeah I have a lead on a good used tumbler and have some calipers.

 

 

You are right but midsouth says it qualifies. It may be before sale price that counts.

 

Nope, it isn't.  I have used these rebates a couple of times.  You can try, but it is only on the price you pay (minus taxes of course).  The rebate is throught RCBS so it will be the same rules whether you buy from Midsouth or Amazon.

 

I should add, simply buy some RCBS dies to make the difference up to $300 and you then can get the $50.  You need dies anyway and RCBS are very good.  You can combine RCBS products to get up to the $300 mark.

Edited December 1, 2014 by Hozzie

[gregintenn]

Are the Lee products crap?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00162RM3E/ref=s9_simh_gw_d0_g200_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-1&pf_rd_r=0S6DXD4RF3NV5NG55W60&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1824974342&pf_rd_i=mobile

I don't have any idea what I am doing, just wanting to get started in reloading.

Nope. They are just inexpensive. I've used Lee products for over 20 years now. I actually prefer their dies to others regardless of price.

[maroonandwhite]

Nope, it isn't.  I have used these rebates a couple of times.  You can try, but it is only on the price you pay (minus taxes of course).  The rebate is throught RCBS so it will be the same rules whether you buy from Midsouth or Amazon.

 

I should add, simply buy some RCBS dies to make the difference up to $300 and you then can get the $50.  You need dies anyway and RCBS are very good.  You can combine RCBS products to get up to the $300 mark.

Cool. Well that's good you caught that. Saved me some money! I'm gonna try to buy everything else locally but it's hard to beat that deal for the kit.

[mikegideon]

I actually prefer their dies to others regardless of price.

 

Me too, unless I'm loading tweaky long range stuff.

[R_Bert]

Bite the bullet.  Get a Forster coaxial press.

 

You will want one eventually, and ya mighr as well start there.

 

(no, I ain't got one.  But will.  My Redding press is great, but looking to tweak the "tweaky stuff" Mike Gideon mentions.  David from Magnum Materials always mentions these).

 

http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=24822 (you might can find better prices than the Forster store).

[mikegideon]

Bite the bullet.  Get a Forster coaxial press.

 

You will want one eventually, and ya mighr as well start there.

 

(no, I ain't got one.  But will.  My Redding press is great, but looking to tweak the "tweaky stuff" Mike Gideon mentions.  David from Magnum Materials always mentions these).

 

http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=24822 (you might can find better prices than the Forster store).

 

You mean one of these? :) Good advice! Matches my Hornady tumbler. It's good for the tweaky stuff, but is really just a joy to operate. If I loaded everything single stage, it would all be done on the coax.

 

Edited December 1, 2014 by mikegideon

[maroonandwhite]

Bite the bullet.  Get a Forster coaxial press.

 

You will want one eventually, and ya mighr as well start there.

 

(no, I ain't got one.  But will.  My Redding press is great, but looking to tweak the "tweaky stuff" Mike Gideon mentions.  David from Magnum Materials always mentions these).

 

http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=24822 (you might can find better prices than the Forster store).

Well it's not too much more but I'd have to buy all the extras that comes in the other kit. What's the main difference in them? Just better materials and workmanship? RCBS has a lifetime warranty so I'm not too concerned about that.

[Hozzie]

The Forster is the best press made, period.  Now, unless you are looking to eek every bit of accuracy out of your longer rifle rounds, then the RCBS will do everything you need it to and then some.  You can certainly by once and be done with the Forster for a single stage, but as you mention, you will still have quite a few things to buy which will add up quickly.  

 

Personally, I would go with the RCBS set and if you want to get into it more later, then consider the Forster.  You will understand the benefits of it better after you reload some and then you can decide if you want one.  It's never bad to have two presses.

Edited December 1, 2014 by Hozzie

[R_Bert]

Well it's not too much more but I'd have to buy all the extras that comes in the other kit. What's the main difference in them? Just better materials and workmanship? RCBS has a lifetime warranty so I'm not too concerned about that.

 

In quick terms,You need stuff round, in-line, and consistent..  This one lines up components better than any other press on the market. 

 

Do some research on this one for reviews related to "run out", concentricity.

 

(and it uses anyone's dies)

Edited December 1, 2014 by R_Bert

[mikegideon]

Well it's not too much more but I'd have to buy all the extras that comes in the other kit. What's the main difference in them? Just better materials and workmanship? RCBS has a lifetime warranty so I'm not too concerned about that.

 

Read the reviews, 110 of them, all 5 star. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/265719/forster-co-ax-single-stage-press

 

 

They're hard to get sometimes. when I got mine, it was a helluva search. Here's a good price with 35 in stock. It's where I got mine...

 

http://www.gunstop.com/products/reloading-presses/co-ax-press-with-s-jaws-model-b3