Press Kits

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kYoteSmoker

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I'm just looking into getting started reloading and was wondering about press kits. I have looked at the hornady lock n load classic kit, and the rock chucker supreme kit, so my question is which one is better and what your experiences are with them. Thanks for any info
 
Go to the top of the page and use your search function. There are a lot of topics on the same thing that you are asking about. I went with the LNL but most of the stuff that came with the kit has been replaced with something better. So you can go with the kit but I would see if you can pick up the individual pieces used and get better quality. But it will cost you a little more. I would just make sure that you D or O frame press. Used is not a bad way to go because you can't wear out a press. I have been loading for over 30+ years. Dad is using the same one that is 40+ years old.
 
Like the previous post I purchased a kit then soon found myself upgrading a lot of the components. The items I have bought that I feel made a good purchase for me is redding powder thrower, a good digital scale, Saturn aluminum funnels, stoney point overall length gauges, and comparetors, actually now about the only thing I use from the rcbs kit is the press and the lube pad, other than that I've upgraded everything else. Alot depends on what caliber, or calibers u plan on loading and how much of it u want to do. I started out just planning on doing 243 and 3006, then later I ended up loading pistol, and shotgun, and about 10 different rifle calibers. today I'm back down to just loading for only 3 rifle calibers no pistol and only 1 shotgun load. I'll say it this way, in 23 years I've accumulated Alot of stuff for loading , and much of it I don't use, but can always resale it. Don't stress over it too much, if u plan on reloading to save u money, my best advice is to never get into it and continue to purchase factory ammo. If u want precision and just a good hobby then go for it. Firearm related stuff is like having kids, there's always something unexpected u end up having to purchase.
 
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i have the rockchucker and picked up a few other thing along the way.no compaints with it.there doing a $50 rebate till july.i'm still learning and found the stickys up top very helpful. click here also pick up the abc's of reloading and a few manuals.and if your not sure about something ask.good luck it's a hobbie in its self.
 
It is impossible to go wrong with the Rockchucker kits.

Yes, yes, people will talk about having to "upgrade" some of the components, but this is mainly for added speed or to make some process steps easier.

You can turn out thousands and thousands of rounds of perfectly acceptable ammo with the Rockchucker kit. It may pay to buy one the best of these kits you can afford, but many of us on here are still using Rockchucker presses that are decades old.

Grouse
 
Originally Posted By: The Famous GrouseYou can turn out thousands and thousands of rounds of perfectly acceptable ammo with the Rockchucker kit. It may pay to buy one the best of these kits you can afford, but many of us on here are still using Rockchucker presses that are decades old.

Put me firmly in that group. I bought a Rock Chucker Supreme kit when I was a poor college student and Gander Mountain let you take six months to pay. Sure, I've added some gear over the years, and flirted with the idea of getting a progressive, but in the end I just queue up in front of the Rock Chucker and crank out some rounds. It's a great place to start this lifelong obsession of rolling your own.
 
I turned out almost 4000 rounds on my Lee single stage press before I upgraded to a Dillon 650.

All the options, RCBS Chargemaster, Giraud case trimmer, Stainless Steel tumbler, Dillon swage tool and I can do 150-175/hour once the cases are prepped.

That's not as therapeutic as a single stage press and I learned more about reloading while doing those 4000 rounds than by merely setting up a progressive and cranking out rounds like a robot.

I only mass produce plinking ammo with the Dillon. My single stage RCBS gets all the action for load development and hunting ammo.
 
I bought the rock chucker supreme kit several years ago. It is a great starter kit. I have since added an electronic scale along with several other small doo dads to make things easier. If I had to do it all over again I would look at the redding turret press which has the ability to hold multiple dies at once.
 
I went the really cheap route and went with the Lee Challenger kit because I wasn't sure I would stick with the reloading thing and didn't want to put a bunch of money it in. I have now become addicted to it. I have been doing it for a year or so now and I have not upgraded anything from what came with the kit (which could be a good or bad thing). I plan on upgrading scales soon and get a second powder dispenser. The cheap little set up has put out some pretty accurate stuff for me so far and hasn't broke the bank. I believe the RCBS kit will serve you well and as someone said above they have a $50 rebate going on. My hunting partner bought the Hornady kit and it seems to work very well too. Good luck and I guarantee you will enjoy reloading.

Shelton
 
My chucker is 25 years old and dads is close to 50. Clean it once a year and lube it. No worries. Will pass it on to the grandkids.
 
Originally Posted By: 204DudeI bought the rock chucker supreme kit several years ago. It is a great starter kit. I have since added an electronic scale along with several other small doo dads to make things easier.

You can now get a Rockchucker kit that includes a digital scale. Not required, for certain, but nice if the budget extends that far.


With just a quick look at my log books, I have over 10,000, and probably closer to 15,000 rounds through a Rockchucker. This press replaced an RCBS JR press, that had over 2000 rounds on it.

Grouse
 
I use a rockchucker that is several years old. Great press. I also use a old Hollywood press that I inherited from my grandfather. I use a lee turret for pistol reloading. Inexpensive and has several thousand rounds thru it.. 45, 38, 9mm, 380. Learn to be consistent with the press you chose and get a digital scale. GW
 
Originally Posted By: The Famous GrouseIt is impossible to go wrong with the Rockchucker kits.

Yes, yes, people will talk about having to "upgrade" some of the components, but this is mainly for added speed or to make some process steps easier.

You can turn out thousands and thousands of rounds of perfectly acceptable ammo with the Rockchucker kit. It may pay to buy one the best of these kits you can afford, but many of us on here are still using Rockchucker presses that are decades old.

Grouse


I have a rcbs single stage I've been loading on since the beginning. A lee progressive I used for a bit, haven't in a while. And a nice dillon. That a year later I haven't actually set up yet
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I haven't been shooting much so even less reloading.

Presses, unless you're going after 50bmg sized cases, they all do pretty much the same job and they never wear out as far as I can tell. Buy used and you'll save a mint.
 
I started off with the Hornady L-N-L classic kit .

The only two things that I do not like are:

1. I do not like the primer catch system. 5% of the primers end up on the floor instead of the catch pan which crowds the ram.
2. The electronic scale provided in the kit can be off by as much as .5 grain.
Note: I now use weights to check all my scales for accuracy and even use them to calibrate my beam scales.
 
I have the Hornady lock and load press. It's nice for changing calibers quickly. Once you set everything, after that, it's a 2 second switch.

I also don't like the kits since there are things in there that are just destined for the trash.

If i was going to do it again, i would just start collecting the brass, then get a tumbler, and press, but get the press from Craigs list or estate sales. I am always surprised at how cheap they are there.
I would get the dies, and hand primer seperate too. Since i like the square primer tray vs. the round one.
I would also start with a digital scale, not a reloading one. I would also suggest starting off with a fine adjustable or bench shooting powder drop. (this saves a lot of time)
also a set of chamfer and primer pocket reamer.
 
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