Deciding on a Press

I know we have a RCBS vs Hornady thread but that's the decision I'm trying to make on my first press. I've decided on the Rockchucker kit or the Hornady classic kit. My problem comes in because I know if later on I decide on a progressive it will be a Hornady LnL but I want a beam type scale. Their classic kit comes with a eletronic scale. The Rockchucker Kit comes with the scale I want but I know I'm not going to buy one of their progressives. The cost is pretty much a wash because Rockchucker is 300 with a 50 dollar rebate and the Hornady is 300 with the free bullet deal. I'm mainly going to learn on 40 and 38/357 stuff. I have looked at both presses in stores but that's it. I know both will do what I want and I certainly don't like one better than the other and I know it's a simple decision but I'm just undecided. If any of you have any opinions I would really appreciate it because from where I'm sitting it seems like a wash. I just don't want to buy one and later on down the road realize I should have bought the other because of something I didn't think about.

what kinda volume do you do? I usually opt for telling people to start out on single stage and go from there but if you just gonna crank out pistol ammo and dont wanna go full progressive.. maybe you should look a turret press...

Your concern about the scale is correct. Either press will be good. Even if you go progressive later you will want to have a single-stage around.

I agree with Savageshooter,Beladran and Shoeshooter. Get a single stage press and LEARN HOW TO RELOAD SAFELY. Try to find a mentor to help guide you thru the first few times. The mentor will give you some sound advice they learned the hard way. When you are ready to upgrade, get a Dillon progressive. Yes I know they are expensive but they are the standard everyone else tries to live up to. Just my $0.02 worth.



Doggoner

I think if you buy the Hornady, you get some free bullets.

RCBS

learn on the 38's first....good luck...be carefull

I've been loading on a Rockchucker for 25 years and recently got a dillon 550b. If I had to do it over again with what's on the market now, I'd get a Hornandy LNL, especially for pistol. The progressive can be run with one die, just like a single stage. Ii like the five die stations of the Hornandy and their powder measure. The advantage over Dillon is slim.

YMMV

Thanks for the replies guys. I would buy the Hornady Classic kit hands down if it had a beam type scale. Both of the presses I'm looking at are single stage. If I really get interested in shooting and reloading I'll eventually end up with a progressive for my pistol stuff. I can always use the single stage on my rifle stuff down the road. I'm just trying to plan ahead so I don't wind up with a little of a lot of different companies stuff laying around.

g2072 wrote: I'm just trying to plan ahead so I don't wind up with a little of a lot of different companies stuff laying around.

I don't think like that, some companies are better at certain things than others so I have several colors of painted tools laying around.

I have two beam scales, just to check against each other.

On edit: Just FYI the gold standard of single stage presses is the Forster Co-Axe. Amazingly concentric rounds and universal acceptance in the bench rest world are the proof. Buy quality once, cry once. http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=24822

rcbs you cant wear it out if you tryed!

I went with the Hornady and it got here a day or so ago. I've been getting a spot ready in my shop to sit everything up. I have been tumbling some brass and gathering some other supplies so maybe it won't be long before I'm a little closer.