I have taken some advice to save a little more for a rcbs kit. Its priced at 269.00 at cabelas, was wondering if any one has any experience on any better places to purchase this single stage kit, also if you have purchased it what did you purchase seperately or in addition to it? Thanks and God Bless.

quote:

Originally posted by sydsdaddy:
I have taken some advice to save a little more for an RCBS kit.

A very wise decision. I was hoping you would move in that direction. MidSouth has it for $10 less. They usually have very good prices and service.

www.midsouthshooters.com

You will still need a caliper, case trimmer (eventually), Imperial sizing wax, and a Sinclair catalog. MidSouth has everything except the Sinclair catalog.

Buy the dies of your choice, but you will want RCBS's shellholder to work with the hand priming tool.

Since you will be using the UniFlow powder measure, there is a powder baffle for the reservoir available as an option (MidSouth# 044-90225); it helps with consistency of charge. When you tire of tedious re-setting with changeovers, there is a micrometer metering adjustment available as an accessory. You may also need a stand for the powder measure, although it comes with a mounting plate.

As an aside, rigid mounting of powder measures has been found to be a major factor in improving their consistency. For the innovative, there is room here for experimentation.
.

Perfect choice on tools to get started reloading with. I saw that Natchezss has it for 10 bucks less:

http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?category=475&brand=RC&catLevel=2

Natchezss has given me good service when I've ordered from them but nobody will beat Cabela's service overall.
You might check around for Cabela's coupons. You might find one that you could use that would make Cabela's price beat the other competitors. If you have a Cabela's card it might also be worth paying the extra 10$ because you'd get it some back in Cabela's points.
Anyway wherever you buy it the RCBS kit is the best way to start IMHO. If you have a local tool supplier you can get a usuable digital caliper for under $30. You'll also need dies, a shellholder for the caliber(s) you are loading and components.
The kit comes with case lube so you won't need sizing wax yet.
Hand priming tools are a really nice add on. RCBS makes one with a Universal Shellholder that will work on just about any caliber up to 600 Nitro.
Good luck............................DJ

Shell holders
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=786187

Here is a good deal, you have one of everything, and they are standard for all presses.
Lyle

Thanks guys, this is really a great place to get answers for a guy like me, I really do appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by YUMAN:
Shell holders
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=786187

Here is a good deal, you have one of everything, and they are standard for all presses.
Lyle

Will they work with the RCBS priming tool?
.

quote:

Originally posted by sydsdaddy:
Thanks guys. This is really a great place to get answers for a guy like me. I really do appreciate it.

You're willing to listen. Makes a difference.
.

Here, probably 2/3 of reloaders start with that kit and do not regret it at all. Even the integrated priming device works well IMHO.

I can only quote ScottB:
* * *

ScottB Posted 07 May 2002 09:59

I always recommend the anniversary kit to a new reloader.
-> If they decide reloading is not for them, they haven't spent a fortune on something that sits in the closet. You can still recoup about the same percentage if you wish to resell it.

-> For the limited outlay, you have the extra funds to get a tumbler, pocket chamfer, decapper dies, crimp dies, more than one die set, several powders, safety glasses that don't scratch just by sitting on the bench, ammo boxes, cleaners, whatever. Start off with a full bench for the same price as a bare-bones setup in another brand and your ammo will in fact be better.

-> Should you decide to move up to something else, you will undoubtedly find a use for all the Lee stuff anyhow. And you will have recieved a cheap introduction to loading to make a good decision on your next setup. That also frees it up to be given to a young reloader with limited funds (have them wash your car and mow your lawn), or lend it to a freind (about the same risk as lending out a set of sockets), mount it to a board and clamp it on the tailgate at the range, or at the deer lease (if it gets damaged, so what?).

I personally don't see the logic in a Rockchucker if you aren't going to size cast bullets; a cheap lee O-press is about as good and a Dillon progressive is better. And I can't stand RCBS dies. I'll trade my RCBS carbide 9mm dies with shellholder for a carbide Lee set right now. Any takers?

check grafs - they ship everything for $4

quote:

Originally posted by carcano91:
I can only quote ScottB:
* * *

ScottB Posted 07 May 2002 09:59

I always recommend the anniversary kit to a new reloader.

Well, the money spent purchasing quality equipment hurts only once. The regret for NOT purchasing quality lasts forever.

Another observation from the long gone times of mainframe computing: No IT manager ever got fired for purchasing IBM equipment...

The RCBS kit is good value for the money. Like I wrote, I don't know many people who did not start with that kit.

rcbs rockchucker it is, talked to my dad today, my parents live about 500 yards from us and he has a detatched garage. We are going to add a room off of one side for a really good place to reload, so thats good. OK I have opinions on the lee deluxe set , what made by rcbs is comparable as I can compare?

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
check grafs - they ship everything for $4

$4.50 for on-line orders; $6.95 otherwise.
.

quote:

Originally posted by sydsdaddy:
I have opinions on the Lee deluxe set; what made by RCBS is comparable?

Their standard, two-die set. Doesn't come with the dipper, shellholder, or the Lee Factory Crimp Die, none of which you want anyway. MidSouth has exceptionally good prices on the RCBS sets ($26.56 in their newest catalog).
.

quote:

Originally posted by sydsdaddy:
rcbs rockchucker it is, talked to my dad today, my parents live about 500 yards from us and he has a detatched garage. We are going to add a room off of one side for a really good place to reload, so thats good. OK I have opinions on the lee deluxe set , what made by rcbs is comparable as I can compare?

I would strongly recommend you avoid the Lee kit. Lee products are often very cleverly designed but they are almost always poorly manufactured. Lee products are the only reloading products that I've worn out. The have a comparatively poor warranty. If you are happy driving a Yugo maybe Lee stuff is for you but other than maybe some of their die sets in odd calibers and the crimp dies I really try and avoid lee stuff.
RCBS, Redding, Forster and Wilson products will last a lifetime and are guaranteed for that long.............................DJ

quote:

Will they work with the RCBS priming tool?

THEY WORK IN MINE
LYLE

I got out of reloading in the mid-'80s and then when I changed jobs about 10-12 years later, they asked my hunting buddy what they should get me as a farewell gift. He didn't hesitate--get him an RCBS reloading kit. They did, I'm happy, and now 12 years later I'm still building ammo with it (and some additions). It went through a flood in '98--completely immersed in muddy water, but fortunately, I got back in the house the next day, rescued my rifles and eventually all of my stuff. Only things I lost were powder, primers, and bullets. Some of my tools are butt-ugly, but they work. And, I've never had a problem that RCBS didn't make right, right now.

I have both Lee Challenger & RCBS Rockchucker presses.
The difference in robustness is obvious & all I use the Lee for these days is with a universal decapping die.
The Rockchucker was purchased in the Master Reloading Kit which is worth every penny.

The Lee Classic Cast Press and the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press are much better quality then the cheaper Lees. They should also be considered.

You'll always have a need for a single stage press and RCBS makes one of the best out there.
If you decide to get a progressive later you will still use the single stage to help process brass, etc. I have an RCBS for Rifle and a Dillon 550 and 650 for processing handgun rounds. I load a lot of 9mm and 223 as well as 44 Mag.
Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS all make great progressives. Good luck and welcome to the shooting sport.

This is kinda' old business, but I saw the following in a post on another forum and want to pass on the excerpt.

quote:

I became involved in loading for rifles in 1951 when my father got a Pacific Super Press, Pacific dies, a Redding balance scale, and a Belding & Mull powder measure. I still use the scale and the powder measure. My son still uses the press.

I can't think of a better example of money well spent. The Belding & Mull powder measure is highly sought after by some today. If that old Redding scale is hydraulically damped, it may be the same scale that Glen Zediker uses.

I'm not suggesting that these are pieces appropriate for your needs, but rather that wise choices in equipment selection represent excellent value. The value of informed decisions.

Pacific, incidentally, was bought up by Hornady a long time ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldcoyote:
The Lee Classic Cast Press and the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press are much better quality than the cheaper Lees.

I have been of the impression that the differences were solely in the metal from which the base/frame and handle's fulcrum parts are cast. Are there other differences/improvements?

Win 69
Materials and size of parts, classics are generally beefier and have a better reputation.

Here are some reviews of Classic Cast Turret:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm

There was also a review in Handloader.

'Yote
I've probably read the HandLoader write-ups, but haven't seen the others. Thanks.