First Time reloaders final buy decision, Lyman turret press or RCBS turret press. - Page 2

Vane · January 13, 2006, 08:37 PM

Coyote,

Welcome to the club! One thing you may consider is one of the kits which have most everything you are supposed to need to get going (except dies, although I think Lee's might comes with one set). A couple years back my wife gave me a huge RCBS Rock Chucker kit to replace my Lee Loader (Lee Loader is slow and definitely "handmade" ammo, but it works). I had a Lyman single stage press and RCBS 30-30 dies as a kid but never really got into it then so it doesn't count. What a pleasure it was to get it going; it has scales, Speer manual, the press, hand primer, case deburring tool, lube tray, and more. I just bought my brother an RCBS Partner kit for Christmas for $150at Gander Mountain, included what he needed to get going, except the dies. For a guy on a budget, they (or the Lee kits) would do it for a lot less than $700. Check out Cabela's, Midway, and your local gun shop/gun shows for reloading gear. The gun shop is really handy if the owner reloads, most folks are happy to impart knowledge. Read the book, and everything else you can get your hands on. And ask questions. I have Lee, RCBS and Lyman dies they all seem pretty good.
Of course, you will end up buying a lot more stuff (tricklers, case trimmers, etc.), just like guns you can never have enough stuff!

Have fun with whatever you do get!
Vane

RERICK · January 17, 2006, 05:38 PM

Before you decide take a look at the Redding T-7.Its built like a freekin tank.

klw · January 19, 2006, 11:25 AM

I have both the RCBS and Lyman turrets. There is no question that the Lyman is the easier machine to use.

The RCBS turret head has a recess up by the bolt that holds the turret to the machine. Within that recess is a iron or steel donut undoubtedly put there to minimize the wear as the turret turns. That donut comes out when you change turrets. BUT it does not come out easily. It almost gets welded in place. Removing this can become a REAL hassle. You can order spares of this little part, of course, but...

Indexing is also easier on the Lyman.

I've got 50 turret heads for my Lyman and 10 for the RCBS. A few years ago the cost of a turret REALLY increased for the Lyman so I bought the RCBS. I notice, however, that I use it less and less.

WESHOOT2 · January 22, 2006, 12:31 PM

I started in '76 with the LEE 'hammer thingie' (wear heavy gloves while priming!).

I currently use a LEE Reloader (broke it on its FIRST stroke -- now only for holding my powder measure and flaring AND dropping powder through those marvelous Lyman 'M' drop-through dies); it's mounted next to my Bonanza Co-Ax.
Across this bench sits my Lyman Crusher II (bought because it has three mounting holes).
On my 'production' bench sits my XL650, now with only ten toolheads (sold five; gotta finance these gun projects somehow, ay?) filled with dies and powder check stations.

Under my production bench sits the LEE Challenger I bought new (way too cheap not to try) but it broke during its first session.

RCBS / REDDING / Hornady / Lyman presses.
Dillon for progressive machinery.

January 13, 2006, 08:37 PM	#26
Vane Junior Member Join Date: May 26, 2005 Location: Germany (Military) Posts: 13	Coyote, Welcome to the club! One thing you may consider is one of the kits which have most everything you are supposed to need to get going (except dies, although I think Lee's might comes with one set). A couple years back my wife gave me a huge RCBS Rock Chucker kit to replace my Lee Loader (Lee Loader is slow and definitely "handmade" ammo, but it works). I had a Lyman single stage press and RCBS 30-30 dies as a kid but never really got into it then so it doesn't count. What a pleasure it was to get it going; it has scales, Speer manual, the press, hand primer, case deburring tool, lube tray, and more. I just bought my brother an RCBS Partner kit for Christmas for $150at Gander Mountain, included what he needed to get going, except the dies. For a guy on a budget, they (or the Lee kits) would do it for a lot less than $700. Check out Cabela's, Midway, and your local gun shop/gun shows for reloading gear. The gun shop is really handy if the owner reloads, most folks are happy to impart knowledge. Read the book, and everything else you can get your hands on. And ask questions. I have Lee, RCBS and Lyman dies they all seem pretty good. Of course, you will end up buying a lot more stuff (tricklers, case trimmers, etc.), just like guns you can never have enough stuff! Have fun with whatever you do get! Vane __________________ You live to serve the boat, serve well and live! Socialism kills freedom... Your right to swing your fist ends when it connects with someone else's nose.

January 17, 2006, 05:38 PM	#27
RERICK Junior member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Posts: 369	Redding T7 Before you decide take a look at the Redding T-7.Its built like a freekin tank.

January 22, 2006, 12:31 PM	#29
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	return I started in '76 with the LEE 'hammer thingie' (wear heavy gloves while priming!). I currently use a LEE Reloader (broke it on its FIRST stroke -- now only for holding my powder measure and flaring AND dropping powder through those marvelous Lyman 'M' drop-through dies); it's mounted next to my Bonanza Co-Ax. Across this bench sits my Lyman Crusher II (bought because it has three mounting holes). On my 'production' bench sits my XL650, now with only ten toolheads (sold five; gotta finance these gun projects somehow, ay?) filled with dies and powder check stations. Under my production bench sits the LEE Challenger I bought new (way too cheap not to try) but it broke during its first session. RCBS / REDDING / Hornady / Lyman presses. Dillon for progressive machinery. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 19, 2006, 11:25 AM	#28
klw Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2005 Posts: 118	I have both the RCBS and Lyman turrets. There is no question that the Lyman is the easier machine to use. The RCBS turret head has a recess up by the bolt that holds the turret to the machine. Within that recess is a iron or steel donut undoubtedly put there to minimize the wear as the turret turns. That donut comes out when you change turrets. BUT it does not come out easily. It almost gets welded in place. Removing this can become a REAL hassle. You can order spares of this little part, of course, but... Indexing is also easier on the Lyman. I've got 50 turret heads for my Lyman and 10 for the RCBS. A few years ago the cost of a turret REALLY increased for the Lyman so I bought the RCBS. I notice, however, that I use it less and less.