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Posted: 11/29/2012 11:17:08 AM EDT
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I want to start reloading .45ACP and .308 Win in the near future, 5.56 down the road a year or two. I've been debating about single stage vs. turret vs. progressive. I've decided it's either single stage, or all the way to progressive. Right now, I could get the Rock Chucker Supreme Master Kit for $650 plus shipping and probably tax. It's $719.99 at Cabela's, they're running $20 off orders of $150+, and RCBS is running a $50 rebate on $300+ in RCBS items.
This seems like a good deal since it includes the Charge Master 1500 Powder Dispenser/Digital Scale Combo, Trim Mate Case Prep Center, and the Rock Chucker (other small stuff included). Is this a good starting point for a noob to reloading? I've been lurking the forum for a while and trying to gain as much knowledge from all of you as I can. It seems that many of your recommend the Rock Chucker for single stage presses and Dillon 550 for progressives. I'm not sure if I should save up more and get a 550, or not because I don't shoot all that much right now. What are your thoughts? |
| a Single Stage is the best to learn on. That kit has everything you need to reload both pistol and rifle, except dies and shell holders. If you are reloading brass with crimped primer pockets, ad a swagger/reamer to the list, along with your dies, shell holders, powders, primers, and projectiles, and you will be good to go. |
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More than you need to get started, but if you can swing it, go for it. That will keep you going for years. All quality stuff. Keep it clean, well maintained and keep the factory boxes/manuals so if you decide to sell down the road, you will get top dollar for it. Likely 85-90% back. I would price shop hard. Cabela's is rarely, if ever, the cheapest.  |
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Not a bad kit but I am not a fan of the trim mate case prep and trimmer. You could maybe do two rebates if you broke it up and had a friend submit the other rebate.
The fundamental big stuff are Press - RCBS, Hornady, and Lee all make a top shelf single stage. Lee can load 50 BMG and can be adapted to the hornady quick change easily. RCBS Chargemaster - Don't know how I loaded without one Trimmer - Giraud is the best, but a possum hollow or WFT can do the job just fine. I am not a fan of the lathe style trimmer included. The case prep center is cute but most of the tasks it helps with are not particularly time consuming with manual tools. |
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Quoted:
a Single Stage is the best to learn on. That kit has everything you need to reload both pistol and rifle, except dies and shell holders. If you are reloading brass with crimped primer pockets, ad a swagger/reamer to the list, along with your dies, shell holders, powders, primers, and projectiles, and you will be good to go. Sir, WADR I've read many comments such as yours regarding starting with a single stage press. While I too started with what was an RCBS "supreme" kit many years ago it didn't take me long to advance to a Dillon RL 450 when they first came out and by the time I upgraded my Dillon to a 550 I still didn't really know much about reloading beyond the fundamentals. My advise is based on the assumption the the people that take the time to come to forums like this are due the consideration that they're diligent enough to take the time to work through the operation of a progressive press successfully with only minor educational errors. For the OP, I would suggest that for the amount of money you're considering spending a Dillon 550 is within your range. I too do not care for the RCBS case prep center and generally speaking you'll not need one for pistol cartridges. I've tried a number of trimmers, now use a Giraud but for starters the Possum hollow is not a bad choice. Hand held swagers/reamers are a cheap way to go for beginners reloading brass with swaged primer pockets but ultimately for the large volume reloader the Dillon super swager is the way to go. I also agree Cabela's isn't the cheapest in town but you can't beat the one stop shop if that's what your inclined. Personally, I would shop around here on the internet for used equipment. You'll be surprised what you can find that won't include alot of sub par tools like case lube pads and other unnecessary stuff. There's more if you care to inquire further. HTH, 7zero1. |
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If you are reloading brass with crimped primer pockets, ad a swagger/reamer to the list, along with your dies, shell holders, powders, primers, and projectiles, and you will be good to go. I don't plan to start with crimped brass. That will likely come in a year or two when I buy a 5.56 AR15. I've heard that most people say the Dillon Super Swage is the best? Quoted:
Not a bad kit but I am not a fan of the trim mate case prep and trimmer. You could maybe do two rebates if you broke it up and had a friend submit the other rebate. The fundamental big stuff are Press - RCBS, Hornady, and Lee all make a top shelf single stage. Lee can load 50 BMG and can be adapted to the hornady quick change easily. RCBS Chargemaster - Don't know how I loaded without one Trimmer - Giraud is the best, but a possum hollow or WFT can do the job just fine. I am not a fan of the lathe style trimmer included. The case prep center is cute but most of the tasks it helps with are not particularly time consuming with manual tools. Can you explain what you didn't like about the Trim Mate stuff? I'm new to this so I don't know a whole lot. |
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Look for a RCBS kit without the case prep center and gunpowder dispenser, at a seller besides Cabela's. You'll almost always be able to beat their pricing.
Those dispensers have a spotty reliability history, and the case prep center is fluff from my point of view, although some folks probably think they're great. The trimmer is a pain in the neck, but even if you get one of the other possibilities to use for .223 Rem or .308 Win, a lathe type trimmer will be useful at some point for other cartridges. The motorized version is much nicer to use. Most of us have pieced together our reloading equipment from different manufacturers because they offer some feature that makes their tools "the best". However, there is very little in the market that is truly horrible, it's pretty hard to make a mistake no matter what you buy. I recommend a quality digital scale for weighing powder and case prep tools (besides the trimmer) that can be used with a drill motor. If you can find one, the Possum Hollow trimmers work great. There's a new kid on the block, the Worlds Finest Trimmer (Little Crow Gunworks) that has great reviews, and I haven't tried one, but I don't see why it won't work well. You'll need other tools not in the kits and your money will be better spent on a good caliper than the stuff I mentioned above in the RCBS kit. |
| Rock chucker kit is a good buy. I got one second hand from a guy on another gun forum. It was missing some pieces and RCBS sent them free of charge; I even told them it was second hand and I would pay for them. Thats some good customer service. Start with that kit and learn the steps. As you accumulate hardware pick up a 3 way cutter for your 30 and 22 cal cases, HUGE time and finger saver. Get Lee pacesetter dies, they come with everything you need: shell holder, resizer/decapper, case expander (pistol), bullet seater, and crimper. The sizer dies have a built in stuck case remover as well. (PLUS!!) After you get cranking you can upgrade to a progressive for bulk loading. Keep the single stage around, you will need it for resizing necked cases before putting them through the progressive. Precision or low volume loads as well. |
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I can't give advice on the kit, but I can assure you the Rockchucker is a great single stage press. I still use mine exclusively as I don't load enough to justify a Dillion. Personally I think there is so much to learn about reloading that starting from scratch a single stage would be better. That way you are spending your time on the techniques of the reloading process and not having to deal with also learning to operate the progressive press. You will always have a use for the Rockchucker later.
I do a lot of business with Cabelas but for reloading components you can sure beat their prices. |
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midway is running a decent deal on the single stage kit right now....but like others I think most of the kits have a lot of fluff in them and unncessary crap you wontt use for long once you figure out what is best for you. And they leave out lots of important stuff...basically the basics are really not included....so you aint really get a great deal on any of them.
notice the lack of a tumbler....and other need stuff |
At Graf & Sons, their Rock Chucker Kit is similar to the kit I bought 40 years ago. No fluff, just good quality tools you will use and use. $326 including shipping. That'd still be my purchase if I were buying new today. Personally, though I got along without a Trim Mate for 38 years, I really like mine and wouldn't be without it. Definitely a time saver. But buy it separately, or buy the Lyman version, which is a good value and has some good features. (Being reviewed in a new thread today here on Arfcom.
Best kit on the market IMO (except the one you found). BTW, I have two tumblers now. Bought a vibrator 4 years ago and a Thumlers wet tumbler a few months ago.......Love em.....but IMO, fluff! Just nice fluff. No fluff in the kit above.
One More Thing!! Your $700 kit has some fluff alright......damned good fluff. But check prices at Grafs, first. Compared to the kit I posted above, the hand primer is the better universal shell holder version, the trimmer is a fine tool that can be automated with a drill and 3-way cutter easily, and the Scale and trickler is the finest tool of its kind anywhere. Plus, be assured that RCBS will back them up with the best service in the market. A fine Christmas if I ever saw one!!! |
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Quoted:
I want to start reloading .45ACP and .308 Win in the near future, 5.56 down the road a year or two. I've been debating about single stage vs. turret vs. progressive. I've decided it's either single stage, or all the way to progressive. Right now, I could get the Rock Chucker Supreme Master Kit for $650 plus shipping and probably tax. It's $719.99 at Cabela's, they're running $20 off orders of $150+, and RCBS is running a $50 rebate on $300+ in RCBS items. This seems like a good deal since it includes the Charge Master 1500 Powder Dispenser/Digital Scale Combo, Trim Mate Case Prep Center, and the Rock Chucker (other small stuff included). Is this a good starting point for a noob to reloading? I've been lurking the forum for a while and trying to gain as much knowledge from all of you as I can. It seems that many of your recommend the Rock Chucker for single stage presses and Dillon 550 for progressives. I'm not sure if I should save up more and get a 550, or not because I don't shoot all that much right now. What are your thoughts? The Rockchucker is absolutely a perfect choice for a first press. Beyond the most recommended point being that a single stage is best to learn on, it will last forever and you will keep it forever ever if/when you go with a progressive because a single stage press is great for working up loads or for using as a prep station for various operations such as decapping if you want to decap before tumbling. My Rockchucker has served me faithfully since I bought it new 30 years ago, and only now am I shooting enough to go with a progressive (my personal research led me to the Hornady Lock and Load AP and am very happy with it). |
If I had the money I would just jump in and get the "best" of each device category (press, trimmer, tumbler, etc.). But as a recent college grad and being 22 y.o., I need somewhere a little cheapter to start. I don't have $2k to spend just yet 
ETA: The reloading setup will also likely have to wait as I just found the rifle I'm looking for on sale for the cheapest I've seen it, add to that a $20 off coupon for the store, and a $40 mail-in rebate. |
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http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit I suggest this kit and add a trimmer, tumbler, and caliper. That other kit had stuff you don't need to start this hobby.  550 on the left, but still have and use the Rockchucker often. |
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http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit I suggest this kit and add a trimmer, tumbler, and caliper. That other kit had stuff you don't need to start this hobby. 550 on the left, but still have and use the Rockchucker often. Sir, I second your recommendation. However somewhere in there I assume there's a scale. He'll need that as well. 7zero1 out. ETA, on second glance is that an RCBS scale on the shelf just to the left of the Dillon PM and above the spare primer tubes? |
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I'd go with the kit GWhis pictured. It's better to start off slow and simple. The kit you mentioned has a lot of stuff that I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds without using.
A good single stage press is something you should have. Even if you do most of your reloading on a progressive, it's nice to have a single stage for small batches, to swage primer pockets, to pull bullets etc. The rockchucker is a great press. You could beat an elephant to death with it, hose it off and use it again. |
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Quoted: Quoted: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit I suggest this kit and add a trimmer, tumbler, and caliper. That other kit had stuff you don't need to start this hobby. 550 on the left, but still have and use the Rockchucker often. Sir, I second your recommendation. However somewhere in there I assume there's a scale. He'll need that as well. 7zero1 out. ETA, on second glance is that an RCBS scale on the shelf just to the left of the Dillon PM and above the spare primer tubes? Yes that's my scale. With that pic I was trying to show that I use my Rockchucker even though I have a 550. So the kit I linked would be a good start. IMHO
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I use that same press to load and it works great. For pistol I'd suggest buying carbide dies.
I found most of my stuff on craigslist. that trimmer works great. Don't let people tell you otherwise. Yes you have to do it by hand but someone in the EE makes a drill attachment for $10. Speeds up the process. The trim center would be nice as well. I can see how that saves your hands after doing about 600 rounds the other weekend. The digital scale is personal preference. I stick to the old school triple beam style but that's because I feel they're more accurate. Other than that, 223 savings is aroudn 7-10 cents a round for me and 45 is about half price using Hornady bullets and around $0.15 using lead bullets and 5.0 grains of powder. |
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Just picked up a RCBS Partner single stage press for a dedicated military brass primer pocket swaging station. It's my first RCBS press (used Lee previously) hopefully it will work out good. If it does I'll look at a Rockchucker for my main press. have no fear it will work wonderfully for that process. I dont like the partner presses but all of the rcbs cast iron presses will serve you well...I just aint big on any press made from aluminum |
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