RCBS rock chucker or lyman crusher?

[slickest]

looking at either a Rock Chucker supreme single stage press master kit or a Lyman crusher 2 Single stage press expert kit.

the lyman kit includes; Crusher 2 Press, Universal Trimmer with Expanded Pilot Multi-Pack, M-500 Reloading Scale, #55 Powder Measure, primer tray, auto primer feed, extra decapping pins, 48th Edition Reloading Handbook, deburring tool, powder funnel, case lube kit and 7/8"x14 adapter for mounting the #55 Powder Measure.

the RCBS kit includes; press, 505 scale, Uniflow Powder Measure, Speer Reloading Manual, hand priming tool, hex key set, case loading block, case lube kit, powder funnel and deburring tool. Dies and shellholders sold separately.

the lyman kit is 20 more but it seems like you get alot more stuff in the kit compared to the rcbs kit. Before I go buy anything im curious about what someone else would choose between the two. Also what one is going last longer? I would like this to be a one time buy.

[charles p]

I prefer to prime cases with a hand primer.  I can feel what is happening and I don't crush primers.  When using a tube fed primer during the sizing step, I don't always get the best results.  Of course you can always buy a Lee hand primer.

I have a Pacific press that is about 35 years old.  It doesn't show any signs of wear.  I bought a old RCBS on eBay.  Nice to have two so you don't have to switch out the dies.

[ihuntbucks]

I own both presses and like both as well.Either one will do you a good job.As far as how long will they last?LOL.....longer than you or I will be here to use them and then some..........Rick

[dw06]

I 2nd ihuntbucks. Buy the kit you like the best as either press will outlast all of us. I bought the Rockchucker press 27 years ago and never regreted it.

[aldar]

I just bought the Lyman about 6 months ago and really like it. very smooth and strong. both will work great just get the one you like

[moosie]

Yes, either will outlast your interest and ability at reloading.  I do not have any experience with Lyman, but I bought RCBS over 30 years ago and it's still going strong.  Further, I can attest to the fact that RCBS treats its customers very well.  Anything goes wrong, they will make it right--usually at no charge.  Twice I have lost a part from RCBS equipment and once broke a piece of a die--all careless mistakes on my part; they replaced all at no charge.   RCBS is great at customer service.
Moosie

[slickest]

I'm sure i will end up buying the hand priming tool also. I guess the main thing that stuck out to me the Lyman kit is it included the universal trimmer with expanded pilot pack. looking at midwayusa that goes for for $60 alone.

I guess i don't know how important this piece of equipment is since this will be my first time reloading but I'm assuming i will need it or it wouldn't be included.

[Graybeard]

Personally I don't think any of the kits are wise buys. I prefer to buy only the specific individual pieces I want and to not waste money buying items I don't want or need. No one makes a kit with the items I'd want to begin with were I beginning over again.

[Catfish]

   I would do alot of price checking, but with the discounts they give you with the kits I think he will probably be better off getting a kit. Eather of the 2 presses are top shelf so check whats in the kits you think you`ll use and what else you will have to buy and go the cheapest way.

[Ladobe]

While I've had several single-stage and turret presses over the years, I still have the old RCBS Rockchucker that I've had for decades and the others are all gone.   It'll do it all as far as a single-stage press will go, and if an old one like mine even swage bullets.   Would never be without my arbor press and all the hand dies for it either.

You don't say if you are just getting into reloading, or what kind of reloading you want to do (simple factory cartridges, whether rifle or handgun or both, wildcats, high/low volume, etc).   But if new to reloading the kits will get you going well enough until you see if it is your cup of tea or not before you spend big money on more precise tools.   Some people find they don't like to reload IOW.   If you dive headlong into it you can always upgrade to any tools you need later.   Used tools are easy enough to resell.   If your thing will be mostly high volume pistol cartridges, you might want to look at a turret press instead of a slower single-stage up front.   If you get heavy into load developement an arbor press is hard to be without.   If your shooting turns to long range you will be adding better equipment I can assure you.   As others have said, get a hand priming unit rather than using the ST press to prime.   They are a small investment that you'll soon be glad you bought.

[Chris Potts]

I went the way that graybeard mentioned when I bought my reloading setup.  It definitely is more expensive to buy everything individually but you get exactly what you want.  However most people don't know exactly what they want when they are starting out.  The kit is nice because you get almost everything you need to get going.  Most kits don't include a set of calipers and you will definitely want to get a set if you don't already have them.  I have the redding big boss II press and have no complaints. I would think that the rcbs and lyman presses are just as strong.  I think that the redding has the best primer collection out there.

Chris

[slickest]

You don't say if you are just getting into reloading, or what kind of reloading you want to do (simple factory cartridges, whether rifle or handgun or both, wildcats, high/low volume, etc).  

I am just getting into reloading so really i don't even know what i need. I only will (not quite payed off yet) own one a rifle a .308 model 700 vsf and i have no pistols and don't know if i will be buying any. I guess when ever i say im going to be doing some target shooting with this rifle and not just hunting deer I always get the response "do you reload?" or "if you don't reload you should learn" SO i thought I would give it a try.

I'm not set on the kit but when ever i ask someones opinion on what i should get i never seem to receive an exact answer. I'm not looking for top the line. Just a press with descent quality if i decide i like reloading and for descent resale if i decide i don't like it and also the tools and the books to start out with.

Also and yes I have went back and read the newbie sticky post and all that seems it is about people saying what they would do over but not exactly what all they would buy if the were to start out again. SO that doesn't help me so much either.

[Tom W.]

You're going to need:

Load manuals. Preferably more than one.

Press - either one will last, I prefer RCBS or Redding, but that's a personal choice.

Dies and shell holder--I just got a  Redding Deluxe three die set  for my B'day!

Case trimmer- Again, look and see. You can get by with a Lee for years, but I ended up with an RCBS, my son has a Redding.

Chamfer and deburr tool.

Scale -  I bought a Pact BBK-II electronic scale.  There again, the balance beam scales are ok, people have been using them for years.

Calipers, so you'll know what size your brass is. Kinda handy if you don't want bad things to happen.

Powder Measure --Again,, I have an RCBS, but really don't use it too much, unless I'm loading with ball powder. Most of the time I use Lee dippers, and weigh each charge.

Case lube- Something to clean and lube the inside of the case necks, and a way to lube the outsides. I like Imperial sizing die wax.

A tumbler is good to have. Clean brass is easier to inspect.

A loading block is nice to have, too.

RCBS makes a nice hand priming tool that uses the same shell holder that goes in the press, and I think the newer one doesn't need a shell holder... but you'd have to check on that one, I may be wrong.

I'm probably forgetting something, but if I am, someone else will chime in..

[Ladobe]

Ahhh, to be a one gun shooter again.   Life was so much simpler W A Y back then.   

Sounds like you are only exploring reloading because someone told you you should be reloading.   I'd suggest you back up and decide if you really have a need to reload if you are not that sold on the idea.   Even some folks who go in thinking they really do want to reload soon find out that they don't like it or the time or trouble it takes.

Folks reload for a lot of different reasons, some valid, some not.   Just a few common reasons might be to get better precision (accuracy) from a firearm for either hunting or formal target shooting (usually at longer ranges); to better match a certain bullet to the game it will be used on but that is not available in factory loaded ammo; some because it's the only choice to shoot wildcats; some do it just for the good personal feeling they get from making their own ammo; some because of the sheer volume of ammo they shoot a year and they think it saves them money; and the list could go on and on.

For the gent who only drags out the rifle for deer season, there is probably not a real need to reload.   Same if he also does a little plinking or informal target shooting with it once in a while.     If he also gets into formal target shooting or longer range hunting, then he probably should reload.   There are exceptions, but generally unless you shoot a very large volume of ammo a year, you won't save enough money by reloading for that to be a factor - and it may even cost you more.

I first started reloading in the 50's with the old Lyman 310 nutcracker tool kits that included everything you needed to reload "simple" ammo with.   They were very slow to use but made acceptable ammo for hunting and informal target shooting from your once fired factory ammo brass in a particular firearm (the early ones couldn't full length resize new brass).   They also built strong hands if you used them much.   They are collectable tools now days and can have high prices, but the point is it doesn't take a lot of equipment nor a large investment to make serviceable ammo while trying reloading to see if you want to do it or not.   Modern reloading equipment can make more consistent ammo and definately saves time over the early equipment, but your time is cheap at this point.   The ads on gun boards and on-line auctions often have complete reloading set ups for sale that are only lightly used by someone who tried it and didn't like reloading, and usually for a huge cost savings.  For your one gun needs even used equipment in good condition would also not cost much and would be plenty good enough to give it a try with.

Tom put together a great list of equipment for the starting reloader - some absolutely necessary, some you can get around and it omits many others that are nice to have if you become a serious reloader of precision ammo.   But the most important of all is a good manual that will teach you a safe loading regime and practices.   The old standby for beginners is the Lyman 47th that has been through many reprints and can easily be found even used for a few bucks.   Get it and read it cover to cover.   It'll have safe starting loads for the 308 with many component options, and many more loads can be found on the Internet.

All just food for thought even though highly abbreviated to save space.    And all just some opinions from an old phart who has just about come full circle with reloading after about 5 decades and would love to be a one gun shooter again.

L. 

[Dand]

ooo tough choice. All good products and both the Speer and Lyman manuals are ones I highly recommend for a newbie.  I'll put in a good word for the Lyman case trimmer.  I really like mine though I had to replace the hex head set screws with longer fat head slotted screws for ease of use.  But I really like the ease of the universal chuck / case holder compared to other trimmers. You can get by with a Lee case trim system but I quickly tired of mine and bought the Lyman years ago. I don't care for the Lyman tube feed primer system and use a Lee Autoprime.  Last summer Lyman repaired free of charge, a carbide pistol die they made where the carbide ring popped out.  For loading dies for target work look at the versions that have precision bullet seating. I think Hornady, has a sliding seater as well as RCBS, Redding, and even Lee (I think). And like someone already mentioned, don't forget a good caliper. I like the digital ones available these days. Good luck. I find I really enjoy the reloading as much as the shooting.

[slickest]

thanks for all the help guys. It is appreciated. Also thanks for the list tom w. I got a good idea what i need now. I think i will like reloading once i actually try it. I just didnt want to invest the money into the equipment at first thats all.