Author Topic: best introductory Reloading kit for encore/pro hunter (Read 1337 times)

outdoorsinidaho · « **on:** October 27, 2009, 06:01:00 PM »

I suppose this is where owning the encore/pro hunter ends up taking you. 4-5, 10, 15+ plus barrels and you start to realize that reloading may help save a few bucks. So, there are lots of reloading folks in here and I'm experienced in shotgun reloading but just starting rifle. I have an ought6, probably end up with a hornet, a 7mm~270 or something for my son, and a long range small caliber. Probably get a shotgun barrel or two but that makes no difference. So... for a newbie starting our with reloading, maybe at most a 1000 rounds between all the calibers per year, which reloading kit do you guys/gals suggest. Leaning towards a $100 ~ $200 kit. Figure that would be a good start. Looking for something that won't fall apart, maybe last a few years, something to fuel the interest in learning about the ballistics, etc. Thanks.

kynardsj · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2009, 01:51:28 AM »

RCBS is the most you can get for the money.

jager · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2009, 04:19:11 AM »

The Lee "Anniversary" kit is on sale at Midway for $80 (plus change). It would leave extra money for dies to load for all those Encore barrels you'll be getting

Nakota · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2009, 09:28:33 AM »

I was in the same situation years ago and went with the Lee kit and dies and have never regreted that decison. I still use the same press & dies I got back then. No problems. When I did break a decapper pin, my fault, Lee sent a replacement free of charge. You may pay more but you won't build better ammo than you can on Lee gear. JMO

hotrod0872 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:08:05 AM »

lee all the way!!

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:35:50 AM »

Yep, I love RCBS, but I got to go with the LEE for the money. But I would at least look at the RCBS kit with the Partner press(I don't recall the price). I've still got the little RCBS Partner(I didn't buy the kit) set up on a portable stand to take to the range for bullet seating when I'm developing loads.

kynardsj · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:53:33 AM »

I reloaded on a friends RCBS rock chucker for about 30 years until I moved away and bought my own reloading stuff. Money was tight so I bought a Lee Hand Press and now I would rather have it than a bench press. Very nice and portable press.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2009, 08:33:02 AM »

I had a Lee Anniversary Kit, and while the press and dies were good, the powder measure and scale were junk in my opinion.

I replaced it with an RCBS Rock Chucker Press I bought at a Pawn Shop for like $ .25 on the dollar. It was missing a couple small parts and a phone call to RCBS got me the small parts I needed free of charge.

I have a buddy that used a Lee Challanger Press for a few years and he did have some problems with it if I remember right but replacement parts were obtained from LEE free of charge.

Don't overlook pawn shops in your area, as there can be some good deals found there.

Larry

teamnelson · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2009, 09:03:01 AM »

+1 for Lee, and I suggest the hand press kit. Takes a little more time than a more expensive set up, but if you're new to it you learn alot, and for a singleshot in several calibers, your probably not loading more than a couple boxes worth a year.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2009, 09:15:31 AM »

RCBS , why ? because they will replace with out ? anything you break . Lee will not do that . This is what I have experinced over the 35 or so years i have reloaded . Redding makes the best dies for the money IMHO . and work well with a RCBS press . Lee has one good product their hand case trimmer works well and cost little .

Idaho_Elk_Huntr · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2009, 01:50:13 PM »

Where in IDAHO? If close we can get together. PM me.

Ladobe · « **Reply #11 on:** November 25, 2009, 01:15:29 PM »

"Best" and "Lee" are not used together in the same sentence in my vocabulary, but the Lee's are adequate if you are not sure that you really do want to get full into reloading.

The RCBS Rockchucker kit is still a "good" place to start if you are pretty sure IMO.

Dezynco · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2009, 02:23:33 AM »

I always recommend the Lee Anniversary kit to anyone who's interested in getting into handloading. It's a good way to get started without having to spend so much money up front.

Later, most folks spring for a "fancier" set up like the RCBS, but still keep the Lee press for a backup, or use it as a decapper/primer. Can't go wrong with the Lee kit, unless you have the $$$ to purchase one like an RCBS, Hornandy, etc. and you're sure that this is something you'll stick with.

sk330lc · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2009, 11:21:24 AM »

RCBS Rockchucker kit !!!! and never look back. The only lee products I have liked are the Factory crimp dies and the Powder dipper set. Their Hand primer is ok. But I like the RCBS better.

oldredpointer · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2009, 04:41:25 AM »

Have used nothing Lee presses and dies for years and never had any problems. There classic Cast Press is great. I would probable invest in a better scale though, Lees seems kind of cheap to me. RCBS makes good scales. If you really want to save a few bucks pick up the Lee Loader to see if its something you are going to want to do. Minimal investment =great ammo.

Ron

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2009, 07:50:54 AM »

Why invest in a low price unit then upgrade ? why not get quality ?

teamnelson · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2009, 09:07:20 AM »

I was told the best place to buy high end reloading equipment at a good price are garage sales. Normally from a guy that under the advisement of avid reloaders felt he had to buy enough gear to reload for a Battalion, then found out he doesn't shoot nearly enough to make it worth it, or he really didn't get into it, or he wound up not having the time, or he was broke after the capital outlay and couldn't afford brass, primers, powder, bullets.

If you KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will have the passion and time, then go big, like a lot of folks here say. But recognize this, they've already determined that its a passion for them so the cost made sense. It didn't make sense to me, so for a whole lot cheaper I have a system that will more the adequately reload as much ammo I will ever shoot in my lifetime, and the money I saved will be well spent on other things.

sk330lc · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2009, 02:40:40 PM »

As a Mechanic I buy high end tools Like Snap-on , Mac, Wright, EXC. These are the RCBS, Dillon , Hornady Of loading tools and presses. I also have a Few Low end tools. Craftsmen , Cornwell, Proto , Taiwan, tools these are the Lee type reloading presses. ( Keep in mind both classes of tools get the job Done..) BUT the high end tools make it A pleasure to do your Job. You can Depend on them Not to Fail, when you need them Most.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2009, 04:47:02 AM »

I'll agree with the Lee way of thinking,started there because of price..stayed with em because of the quality..never had any problem or breakage with any of thier stuff..

David D. · « **Reply #19 on:** December 14, 2009, 06:59:10 AM »

My suggestion is the same as buying anything else, buy the best your budget will allow. Like buying anything there are reason some are cheaper than others. Quality usually has a higher price.

Its kind of like buying a $000.00 gun and putting $.00 optics on it.

Jay, Tx · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2009, 04:38:43 AM »

Another argument FOR buying the RCBS stuff...If you ever decided you wanted to sell your reloading stuff, for whatever reason it will resale in a heartbeat, where Lee stuff might not move so quick.

I've got a mix of stuff I picked up here and there over the years. Mostly RCBS, but mixed in with Lee, Lyman, Redding, etc. IME every component I own and use has it's own set of quirks. There are things about each of them I like and dislike. For example, my Uniflow powder measure (RCBS) stinks dropping long grain powders. It cuts the grains and makes throwing consistent charges almost impossible. My little cheap Lee powder measure on the other hand, throws long grain charges very consistently. I still trickle up to weight either way though. The Lee hand primer uses proprietary shell holders, only good for use in that one tool. The RCBS uses standard shell holders that also work in almost every press made.

I have three presses, a Redding, RCBS, and a Lee (back-up). You can feel the difference between the Redding & RCBS vs the Lee. It just flat out feels better every time you cycle the press. The same can be said for the hand priming tool. Sure either will get the job done. But side by side, you can tell there IS a difference in quality.

Opinions will vary, as you are seeing. I recommend the RCBS Master Kit to people who want to start reloading. It's about the most comprehensive kit available for the least cost, that will last so long your grandkids will be loading ammo on it and handing it down to their kids. You really only need to add dies, shellholders, brass, consumables, and a good set of dial calipers to this kit and you're set for many years of reloading without concerns of upgrading.

I like Redding dies too btw.

Jay

JON8777 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 25, 2009, 05:05:22 AM »

I have a Lyman Tmag kit that I got 15 years ago and I have picked up a RCBS and Hornady single stage presses at garage sells over the years.

The RCBS press was a steal at $5 (20 years old, but NIB) and Hornady press for $15. Some sanding, priming and truck frame paint they look brand new and work really well. The only problem is my bench is getting crowded.

I use the RCBS for decapping only, the Hornady for bullet seating/priming and the Lyman for sizing and charge dropping.
The turret press is nice, but for bullet seating that spot on you cant beat a single stage.