What's your feelings on the RCBS line of reloading products?

[Intercooler]

    Which pieces do you like/don't like?

[sqlbullet]

I started out with a RockChucker starter kit.  The press is bulletproof.  I like the powder measure, and the scales.  I am also a big fan of their dies, but I don't know if they are twice as good as Lee dies.  I have about an equal qty of RCBS and Lee Dies.

They also have a great warranty.  Stood behind a Lachmiller lubra-sizer I got for free because it was broken.  Sent me the parts to repair in no charge on their dime.

[The_Shadow]

I started my handloading venture 1979 with RCBS Jr. press, It has been a great little press but it lacked the leverage of other compound presses.

I made a small portable table using 3/4" ply and folding table legs, with the RCBS Jr. mounted, the pressure I had to exert to size rifle brass proved this table had to be stronger.  While I beefed up my table I aquired a RCBS Big MAx

This is one tough press!

I still do many things on the RCBS Jr because it yields a feel for things when seating bullets...

[EdMc]

I bought the Rock Chucker Supreme kit two years when I started back reloading. No complaints. Addition things from Lyman, Lee and Hornady, no complaints with their products either. Only problem I had was with a RCBS 357 SIG sizing die and they took care of the problem pronto. Even threw in a bag of decapping pins for my trouble. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the major companies products.

[cwlongshot]

I have owned and used many if there products for over thirty years. The few problems I have had where lost or broken small parts. Many tunes my own fault. There customer service was always top notch

I always recommend RCBS.

CW

[Intercooler]

I'm not into reloading yet but thinking about taking advantage of the "in" to buy a reloading setup A-Z. At 50% off what pieces should I get? I figure even if they don't get used for a long while they just might.

[sqlbullet]

Don't go spend $500 on a reloading set-up you aren't ready to use.  Buy ammo instead.

I know more people that own an unused reloading kit than I know that reload.  Most of them die with them still in box and their kids give them away.

[Intercooler]

Good point. I can hardly reload for what I get ammo at now but hard to know if that lasts or for how long. Maybe getting more stocked is best for now. When I know the plug is near the end buy the reloading stuff!

[cwlongshot]

I gotta know where you guys are buying ammo!!!!  Everywhere around here its very costly a d going up!!!

While reloading equipment is also expensive it's a one time purchase. Unlike that ammo that needs to be replaced. Components can be found at much better prices if you buy in bulk and blem bullets. Or cheaper yet with lead bullets. Loading a box of shells is easily 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of same same factory loads. For some calibers like my ol time favorites. 25/20, 32/20, 32/40, 38/40 and 44/40. The cost of a box of shells I load is 10-20% of factory loads  with a caliber like 9mm its less of a savings but still there is a savings that's worth considering if you shoot allot. With the 10MM I can load my own cast bullets for less than 25% of a new box of ammo. (75% savings) Even my top vel loads with premium bullets are easily 25% cheaper than other full house loads. If you do not shoot allot than I agree, factory loads may be good choice.

Also, look at local classifieds as well as clasifieds on fourm boards and even eBay for USED NAME BRAND QUALITY EQUIPMENT.

GOOD LUCK,
CW

[sqlbullet]

CW... Don't get me wrong.  I reload and cast and think everyone should.

But IC was suggesting he would buy the set-up now and reload "someday".  I don't see that as being an effective use of funds. Invest in what you need now and keep your liquid reserves unless you have money to gamble on the market.  And if you have money to gamble, ammo is more is more fungible than reloading equipment.

And, it really isn't that costly to start.  Get a lee reloader press ($31.00), a Lee hand prime ($20.00) and a set of Lee dies for 10mm ($33.00) and you are all set for $85.00 plus shipping.  You will be able to make perfectly serviceable handloads.

If you want a powder dispenser and scales too, might as well get a Breech Lock Challenger Kit from lee for $138.00 plus dies ($33.00).  Ready to push limits and load like crazy for under $200.

And that $200 will easily be recouped within 2000 shots fired even if you have to buy 1000 starline brass ($147.00) as feedstock. 

If you really want to save right up front, get the $85.00 set up, add in another $100 for a two cavity mold and 10lb bottom pour furnace and sizing die.  By my calculations you could buy the equipment for $200 shipped, brass will put you at $350, and powder + primer will push you to about $400.  Beg some wheel weights, cast and load your first thousand for less than you can buy 1000.  Your second thousand will cost you about $50 (primers and powder)

I think a bunch of guys avoid reloading because of the "up front expense".  If you buy ammo in any qty at all, you can start with Lee products for the same price for the first 1000 as you would spend.  No "up front expense" at all. 

If you don't like Lee stuff, fine, load 3000 rounds on the Lee equipment, paying your savings account $500 per K as if buying them, and buying your supplies/equipment from that stash.  When you are dont with loading your 3000th round, you should have enough money in the account ($1500 in, $500 out, $1000 balance) to buy a really, really nice progressive set-up. Shelf the Lee stuff or sell it in the paper, or even pay it forward to someone that wants to start.

If you want to start with RCBS press kit, then the math works out $1500 in, $319 out RCBS kit, $100 out Lee casting, $147 out brass, $150 out powder and primers, balance $784 after 3K rounds loaded.  Still plenty for a progressive press.  But now you do have about $220 more than 1K round going out up front.

So, IC, to clarify, I think you should buy a reloading set-up...But start using it now.  You will shoot lots more for the same money.

[The_Shadow]

It's my fault IC's is even thinking about the Handloading bug!    As a gift for sending me the commercial ammo to pulldown, I sent him a few 44 mags I had loaded with the Lyman 260gr Cast Devastator HP with Gas Checks...

If I had to start from scratch today, it would be with the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit and a set of dies...there is usually a RCBS $50 rebate on the amount you spent on the kit.

Then again finding used equipmet can save some money, if you carefully shop for stuff.  Estate sales or moving sales could prove target rich shopping spree.

[sqlbullet]

Even putting the word out around you non-gun loving but not gun-hating friends.  Lots of guys dads have an attic or closet with a reloading kit they bought in 1968 or 1984 or 1994 when they were sure they had to get it now or not at all, then never used.  From the right friend, those are cheap to free.

[Caneman]

I started with the Rockchucker kit and none of the parts are throw aways... i still use the RCBS single stage for all my rifle reloads and my experimental loads for pistol/rifle... if I am reloading 50 or more pistol then I use the Hornady LnL AP...  I think RCBS makes quality stuff, not top of the line, but really good quality at a decent price... imo

[gandog56]

My feelings are that Lee dies are just as good, and one heck of a lot cheaper.

[claimbuster]

Like others have said, don't go buying stuff you may or may not need.

Personally, I don't get too hung up on a brand or name.  I've been loading for close to 60 years now and don't think I've got much of anything except maybe an old Pacific upstroke c-press that my grand dad gave me when I was 10-11 years old.  It still works great.  I load several calibers, rifle, pistol and shotgun.  Way too many I might ad, and my equipment ranges from RCBS. Redding, Lyman, Hornady, PW, Dillon, etc.  I don't own any Lee equipment and I think that is a carry over from years long past.  In the early days, Lee equipment was pretty much junk and admittedly that effects my attitude today.  I have been looking at their "factory" seater as I like the concept of the die.  Over time Lee equipment has improved considerably, IMHO.

Good luck; however, take it slow and easy.  Do your homework, before you go digging into the piggy bank.  Also, afetr you have an idea what you want to do, don't hesitate to buy used.  A lot om my die sets have been purchased on ebay.  In fact I just bough a very slightly used three die set of dies for my 454 Casull.  I paid less than half of a good new price.  The dies have seen little use and are in perfect condition.