I am just getting started into reloading and need equiptment and am looking at presses.

From searching everyone says Forster press, and will look into that.

I am looking for pro's and cons of the RCBS, Redding, and Hornady. I am not to interested in the Lee, the guys that are going to help me and show me what to do had one, and were not impressed.

One swears by the Redding, the other by RCBS. No matter what press I get I think I am going with Redding dies.

I will first be loading .223, then when I get a handgun depending on the caliber either 9mm or .45.

Thanks
Big G

Have you read the hundreds of replies from the last 12 years using the search function's archives?

Any press has advantages and disadvantages.

The Forster CoAx is my personal favourite, but it works best for small to medium size calibers. Very long cases are harder to load on the CoAx, and depending on which dies you buy, there might be additional costs for lock rings to match the CoAx.

The Redding presses also seem to be very good, as does the RCBS Rockchucker. In one sense what probably matters the most, is to get a decent cast iron press - even Lee makes one.

- mike

Get a Forester and never look back....

I'm just starting myself too. I have 20-30 boxes empty 270, 7 mag shells, but got a 30-378 so have to reload. Picked up a Redding ultra mag, scale, powder measure, case trimmer, lyman tumbler and a bunch of other little items & tools. Need to order a calipers & dies nx.

Should one buy 100 dollar caliper or will that one for $21 be sufficient? Buddy said to get a mitayo or something.

I think I'll order forester dies for 30-378 first?

Ya know, I have around 20 lb of powder and have shipped in over thousand Barnes & Nosler bullets over the last few months. I have some primers, but can't ever get those fed 215's which is what my buddy said I needed for 30-378.

Where do you all get the 215's? We live in rural Ak, and midway doesn't ship here with hazmat. I was in Fairbanks last weekend, got some H1000 & reloader 22 but no primers. Any other online places where 215's in stock? I know, that's the weak link I think. My one back east buddy has over 10K primers at home, wonder how I could get some mailed to Ak? Any Idears?

quote:

Originally posted by Zhurh:
...but can't ever get those fed 215's which is what my buddy said I needed for 30-378.

Any large rifle magnum primer will suffice. Winchester's WLRM, Remington's 9 1/2M, or CCI250 will work just fine no matter what 'your buddy' says.

I've been using a RCBS rockchucker press for over 40 years and it has never let me down. Have loaded everything from .380 ACP to 416 Rigby on it without any problems. However, any well made iron press will work. Stay away from the LEE stuff.

I agree with Labman.

I just not long ago went through the same ordeal...After alot of research, I eventually went with the Hornady Classic kit from Midway for something like $324.

It comes with almost practically everything to reload except for the hard supplies like bullets, brass, powder, and primers.

I went a few steps farther and purchased a few extras to make my reloading easier. One of the things I purchased was the Hornady cam lok case trimmer. Reason behind the purchase was because I already had to buy shell plates for the press, and the shell plates would also work with the case trimmer. Then after reading all the reviews about the Hornady kit I figured I couldnt go wrong.