BCA vs Group Monster Barrel - Continued

[Hollis]

I am looking at the Hornady Lock n Load Classic kit with 500 free bullets (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012998011?pid=749997). Is it a good idea to get this starter kit? I have the RCBS Jr. press that Sputnik sent me, but it looks like it might be cheaper to buy this kit instead of all the additional parts needed to get going with just the press. Hope some of you are still following this thread and give me some advice on what is the best way to buy equipment that isn't junk and good enough to get starting making good rounds without putting me too far into debt.

[lazyengineer]

I quite like this press. The bushing system is handy.

Also, the can of One-Shot will make an excellent burst-spraying range target when you shoot it.

As to Partner, I have one of those too. I upgraded to this press from that.

The free bullets deal is nice, but they are 129 gr spitzer soft-tips. A little heavy for Grendel, but you can make them work.

[Hollis]

If the bullet rebate is not what I need, then what are your thoughts on the RCBS kit? It's a bit more, but is it worth it?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013036427?pid=828368

[lazyengineer]

More of a style preference really. Both will serve you well. That said, I'd still take the Hornady kit. It's cheaper, but without sacrificing anything, and the Lock-n-load is a Godsend, especially with a single-stage press. The free bullets are a nice bonus. Beware though, the "Free" bullets require shipping costs.

[FLshooter]

If the bullet rebate is not what I need, then what are your thoughts on the RCBS kit? It's a bit more, but is it worth it?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013036427?pid=828368

The little digital scale that comes with that set sucks, It’s hard to operate and it’s too small .I would get the set with the RCBS rockchucker supreme press in it. Great press that you will always keep even when you progress. The thing is a workhorse .
It’s good to learn with an analog scale and the one that comes with the rock chucker set is OK. If you want a digital scale try a RCBS range master.I have an RCBS 750 range master that I got on Midway 2 years back.Very easy to calibrate and it’s big enough to where you can see what you’re doing. I’d stay away from the small compact digitals.

[NugginFutz]

The little digital scale that comes with that set sucks, It’s hard to operate and it’s too small .I would get the set with the RCBS rockchucker supreme press in it. Great press that you will always keep even when you progress. The thing is a workhorse .
It’s good to learn with an analog scale and the one that comes with the rock chucker set is OK. If you want a digital scale try a RCBS range master.I have an RCBS 750 range master that I got on Midway 2 years back.Very easy to calibrate and it’s big enough to where you can see what you’re doing. I’d stay away from the small compact digitals.

I'll second the Rock Chucker Supreme. It is still my go to for precision rifle loads. I've converted it to use the Hornady LNL bushing system - best of both worlds. And, for those who decry the LNL as a source of inaccuracy, measured runout did NOT change.

I'll also throw my vote against the battery powered digital scales. I bought a Frankfort Arsenal, and it is the queen of the drift. Constantly had to recalibrate. My ChargeMaster 1500 has a very stable digital scale which, when checked against the analog, is always spot on.

Buy once, cry once.

[guitarhillbilly]

I considered buying one of the many kits out there and decided Against it. I much prefer picking out each piece of equipment and getting the quality that I want instead of someone picking them for me. In the end you will spend about the same money after you start replacing most of the stuff that comes in the kits.

This is the Press that I use and its very high quality:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013047556/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOreV8GeSVs

[FLshooter]

I considered buying one of the many kits out there and decided Against it. I much prefer picking out each piece of equipment and getting the quality that I want instead of someone picking them for me. In the end you will spend about the same money after you start replacing most of the stuff that comes in the kits.

This is the Press that I use and its very high quality:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013047556/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOreV8GeSVs

I also never started out with a complete kit. But I knew how to reload before I got my own equip.I helped family members? and used their reloading equip for years,that?s how I learned and got started.
I knew what to get and what would work best for me.But,a new reloader does not know that. Sometimes a complete starter set is best for the novice. This way if they learn and stick with it,they?ll eventually upgrade.If not,oh well!

[guitarhillbilly]

I am looking at the Hornady Lock n Load Classic kit with 500 free bullets (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012998011?pid=749997). Is it a good idea to get this starter kit? I have the RCBS Jr. press that Sputnik sent me, but it looks like it might be cheaper to buy this kit instead of all the additional parts needed to get going with just the press. Hope some of you are still following this thread and give me some advice on what is the best way to buy equipment that isn't junk and good enough to get starting making good rounds without putting me too far into debt.

A set of calipers can be purchased for about $20.00 that will do the job.
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/101811...1100741885

There is plenty of free reloading data available on the web from Powder and Bullet Manufacturers. So a book in the Kit is not NECESSARY. [nice to have]
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/


If Price is your primary concern then go with this kit. It should work well for anything 30-06 or smaller.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1013004049?pid=121744

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etWI7Yuh8eA

[guitarhillbilly]

I also never started out with a complete kit. But I knew how to reload before I got my own equip.I helped family members? and used their reloading equip for years,that?s how I learned and got started.
I knew what to get and what would work best for me.But,a new reloader does not know that. Sometimes a complete starter set is best for the novice. This way if they learn and stick with it,they?ll eventually upgrade.If not,oh well!

I've also seen lesser quality products discourage folks from sticking with a hobby because they started out with them.

I have much experience with this in the world of guitars and have seen inferior quality guitars discourage many a potential guitar player from sticking with it.

[A5BLASTER]

I considered buying one of the many kits out there and decided Against it. I much prefer picking out each piece of equipment and getting the quality that I want instead of someone picking them for me. In the end you will spend about the same money after you start replacing most of the stuff that comes in the kits.

This is the Press that I use and its very high quality:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013047556/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOreV8GeSVs

My advice is this.

Don't buy a kit, peice it toghter with better then budget grade equipment.

Here are the reasons for this. If you like handloading you will be money and miles ahead then if you go with a kit are with cheap gear.

If you don't like it and need to sell it off, you will get better resale price on good quality gear then you will with bottom of the barrel budget gear.

Tell us what you have now and what kind of action you will be loading for and I'm sure us members can help guide you to a kick butt setup for cheaper then you might think.

[Hollis]

I considered buying one of the many kits out there and decided Against it. I much prefer picking out each piece of equipment and getting the quality that I want instead of someone picking them for me. In the end you will spend about the same money after you start replacing most of the stuff that comes in the kits.

This is the Press that I use and its very high quality:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013047556/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOreV8GeSVs

I like the idea of just getting the right stuff upfront as you say, but I have to weigh that with getting by with what I can afford to get started and upgrade as needed. I'd prefer to get all I need that will not need replacement as I progress if I can pull it off.

But on the topic of RCBS vs Hornady - everyone says the Lock n Load with bushings of the Hornady is such a time saver. What does the RCBS (or Redding Big Boss) have to make it better than the Hornady?

Appended: I see that there is an option to buy bushings for the RCBS press, so that might be the way to go if affordable.

[Hollis]

My advice is this.

Don't buy a kit, peice it toghter with better then budget grade equipment.

Here are the reasons for this. If you like handloading you will be money and miles ahead then if you go with a kit are with cheap gear.

If you don't like it and need to sell it off, you will get better resale price on good quality gear then you will with bottom of the barrel budget gear.

Tell us what you have now and what kind of action you will be loading for and I'm sure us members can help guide you to a kick butt setup for cheaper then you might think.

I like this advice.

All I have now is the RCBS Jr. press. Sputnik sent it to me but one of the parts was damaged during shipping. Not sure what it was. But the main press looks fine.

I would like to reload for 243, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel. I also have 223 Wylde (223 or 556) and 7.62x39, but those are not high priority right now. I would also like to do 9mm luger, but that seems to require a different setup - again, low priority.

[Splatt]

I have a few extra sets of dies in 308, 30/06, I think 243, and 223.
Let me know what you like, and I'll send them, and any other extra reloading stuff i have.
It's an addiction !

[guitarhillbilly]

I like the idea of just getting the right stuff upfront as you say, but I have to weigh that with getting by with what I can afford to get started and upgrade as needed. I'd prefer to get all I need that will not need replacement as I progress if I can pull it off.

But on the topic of RCBS vs Hornady - everyone says the Lock n Load with bushings of the Hornady is such a time saver. What does the RCBS have to make it better than the Hornady?

You can buy this conversion kit and use it with most modern single stage presses. RCBS-LEE-LYMAN-REDDING-MEC- I use it in my MEC Marksman Press. My Redding BB2 is still OEM configuration.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012999418/

[Hollis]

A set of calipers can be purchased for about $20.00 that will do the job.
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/101811...1100741885

There is plenty of free reloading data available on the web from Powder and Bullet Manufacturers. So a book in the Kit is not NECESSARY. [nice to have]
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/


If Price is your primary concern then go with this kit. It should work well for anything 30-06 or smaller.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1013004049?pid=121744

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etWI7Yuh8eA

Great info. That Hodgdonreloading.com site looks very useful!

[Hollis]

I have a few extra sets of dies in 308, 30/06, I think 243, and 223.
Let me know what you like, and I'll send them, and any other extra reloading stuff i have.
It's an addiction !

Wow! No excuse now, I've got to get started!

The 243 and 223 would be great to get started and see if I can crank out something that shoots.

[Hollis]

You can buy this conversion kit and use it with most modern single stage presses. RCBS-LEE-LYMAN-REDDING-MEC- I use it in my MEC Marksman Press. My Redding BB2 is still OEM configuration.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012999418/

Great. This is what I was looking for.

So I'm leaning toward the RCBS Plus kit with the bushings unless I can find a way to buy individuals parts for a good price. I'll also need to wait until Midwayusa has another free shipping sale.

[guitarhillbilly]

Great. This is what I was looking for.

So I'm leaning toward the RCBS Plus kit with the bushings unless I can find a way to buy individuals parts for a good price. I'll also need to wait until Midwayusa has another free shipping sale.

I like RCBS products and use several different RCBS Rifle Die Sets. Never used one of their presses but the RC Supreme has excellent reviews.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6tXv9iCDBk

[Lemonaid]

As this thread has mutated into reloading, here is an excellent reloading press comparison by Gavintube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqcYI0G2hqM