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Press and die choice?

NOVA12NOVA12 Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
edited October 2008 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I'm planning to start reloading and have begun to research equipment. Have been looking at presses and dies from Hornady, Lee, RCBS, and Lyman. Which brand do you prefer and why, or is there a nickles worth of difference in them. I want to start with a single stage press and don't mind spending a little more if it's worth it. Any and all input would be appreciated!!
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Comments

  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hint, look at the warrenties first, than look at what percentage of new cost the various presses sell for on the used market.
    IOW do you want tools (that's what they are) with a limited 2 year warrenty, questionable customer service and poor resale, or tools with a lifetime warrenty, great customer service and good resale?

    IIRC RCBS recently changed their written warrenty (legal thing?), however all reports are that they are continuing to uphold their old "we repair/replace with no questions asked" policy
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  • b00merb00mer Member Posts: 975 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RCBS products hands down, warranty second to none
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  • BHAVINBHAVIN Member Posts: 3,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    No question in my mind. RCBS. I have used their customer service severeal times with great success. Hornady and Lyman customer service left alot to be desired in my experience. Lee was better but not as good as RCBS.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Lee. Their stuff is cheapest and loads ammo just as well as anything more expensive, at least for single stage presses. In fact, their Classic Cast press is about as beefy and strong as you are going to get and has several features the RCBS Rockchucker lacks, such as spent primer disposal tube, ambidextrous handle, and about 1/3 of the cost...
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go to www.midwayusa.com and check out the realoding kits they have.
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  • badhabithobbybadhabithobby Member Posts: 216 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dillon - nuf said
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  • joesjoes Member Posts: 484 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    price= lee- cheapest and has everything you will need in a die
    quailty/service=RCBS- best service around, they stand behind everything 100%. Joe
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  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    For a single stage it is really hard to beat Redding:
    http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/bigbosspress.html

    I also prefer Redding dies as they have the best control of adjustments for the money:
    http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/compseatingdie.html

    But when you decide to step up to a progressive press the only company to look at will be Dillon:
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/
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  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I still use my dad's old RCBS press, over 25 years old. I have switched to Hornady dies as of late. Like them just a bit better. 99% of my reloading gear is RCBS or Hornady. Press wise, you couldn't go wrong with RCBS, Redding, Lyman or Hornady IMO.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    I use Lee all the way. for 45acp and my new 9mm.
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  • awindsawinds Member Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    # 1 .....RCBS
    # 2 .....RCBS
    Never look back.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    One thing to consider for dies is ruggedness. I've broken more than a few RCBS decapping pins and bent the center decapping rod twice- easy to do if you don't screw it in deep enough. OTOH I've run a Lee decapper into a berdan primed case by mistake and it didn't hurt it. Lee's decapper pins and expander are a LOT tougher.

    Lee has a tapered expander lessening the chance of a crumpled case mouth if it is a bit out-of-round (i.e. dented).

    Lee doesn't need an allen wrench to tighten their lock rings. Some prefer this; I don't.

    Lee offers a factory crimp die standard with 3 die rifle sets.

    Lee offers a powder-through expander die for pistol die sets lessening the number of stations needed on a progressive press by one.

    Lee's customer service is as good as RCBS's but their warranty isn't. Their warranty is still excellant, just not for life.

    So you decide- is it worth it to you to pay twice to 3 times as much for a lifetime warranty?

    For me it isn't.

    All this said- ANY of the gear you get from ANY of the big name companies will do well if you use it according to directions. It is personal preference past that.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you want to load large amounts of match grade pistol ammo with no parts breakage or wear it is hard to beat a STAR PROGRESSIVE and lifetime dies that come with the press. I have over 250,000 loaded by me and that is after over 4 million loaded by police dept. "PRAISE THE HARD-BALL GUN"
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  • NOVA12NOVA12 Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the input guys.
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  • sg5054sg5054 Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are interested I can set you up with a Lyman t mag and all the related equipment to get started. Send me a PM and I'll give you the list.
    sg5054
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  • savage204savage204 Member Posts: 72 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by b00mer
    RCBS products hands down, warranty second to none


    I agree 100%, they will fix or replace at no cost, not even the shipping. I call them and they send replacement parts the same day.
    All my equipment is RCBS.,,,,,,,,,,SAVAGE
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  • mudd_boggermudd_bogger Member Posts: 75 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i use a redding big boss 2 press like it for its large opening an the primer colection system. have used rcbs an lee dies must say that i feel that the lee dies are a bit easier to sett up than rhe rcbs,but thats just my 2 cent worth.
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