Best brand for Reloading Equipment

[El Diablo]

Best brand for Reloading Equipment

[Lee C.]

I didn't vote because 80% of my reloading equipment is from Forster. But i do use a few thing from RCBS and Hornady also. But Forster equipment works best for me.

[johnlives4christ]

i voted hornady. i dont have anything from them. but from all the research i've done they seem to be the best of the choices given. although lyman and rcbs are excellent as well. lee, not as much i think

[woolleyworm]

I wasn't going to vote due to the lack of adequate choices, but possibly the OP is just asking for what is the best out of the choices that may fit his budget, so out of the bunch, I'd stay with RCBS due to their customer service, but with Hornady a close 2nd. If "most" people had an unlimited budget, without much doubt in my mind, they'd be reloading on Blue though. Since we're all not loaded in the wallet, we've got to make decisions that are cost effective. There are some out there that are convinced that they'd still load on less expensive equipment, but I am certain that I would have a room full of Dillons.

[gary0529]

Not enough choices.
All of the above are fine.
Customer service with RCBS and Hornady (for me, at least) are exemplary-it is what other companies should strive for.
As to the question of "Best", however, you have left out Forster, Sinclair and others not yet in my mind due to a coffee deficiency as it is early and brain not fully engaged.

If you are trying to figure out what company to spend your money on, they are all great choices.

Gary

[Kevin Rohrer]

I didn't vote either. The question is too vague.

My favorite presses are:
1. Hollywood
2, CH
3. Dillon

My favorite dies:
Hornady

Powder Measure:
B&M

[redwing carson]

I did not vote. Where is Dillon?? What about Forester??

RC

[DBMJR1]

I started with the Lee 50th Anniversary Challenger Kit.

I quickly replaced the powder measure, with an RCBS.

I then replaced the scale with a Lyman M-5.

Then I bought an RCBS single stage press, cause everyone said they're so much better.

Wrong. My RCBS press is mounted off to the side, and relegated to sizing cast bullets only. I love my Lee Challenger Press. It de-primes without a spent primer on the floor, and primes cases fast, and quickly. It is tight, without play or wobble, and strong enough for any cartridge. The stroke is smooth.

I know someone here is going to say all Lee products are cheap, but anyone getting into reloading, on a budget, should seriously consider the Challenger press.

BTW: All of my dies are either RCBS carbide, or Lyman.

[howlnmad]

As others have stated, the question is to vague so I didn't vote euther. My bench has a rainbow of colors on it for different reasonsm You should never drink just one persons kool-aid, taste them all or you could miss out on something good. JMO.

[RandyP]

For me anyway the 'best' reloading equipment is that which fits my needs and budget and makes safe, reliable and accurate ammunition. In other words they are all good at what they do and the need they fill from the $30 Lee Whack-a-mole Loader to the 6 figure Dillon super ammo factory with bells and whistles galore.

I didn't vote either since I'd only be voting on what was 'best' for me, not anyone else.

[BobMcG]

Didn't vote either 'cause,

I use equipment from all of the above plus Dillon, CH and Herter's and like them all.

Talking presses? I have Lee, RCBS and Dillon that I currently use. It all depends on the job as to which one gets used. Out of the two single stage models, RCBS gets the nod as being the better one in my loading room.

[flintlock]

A Lyman turret press and a Dillon 550B cover all the reloading I have to do.

[El Diablo]

Lets vote for these options, then will place a new poll with others options and the winner of this poll

[RustyFN]

I didn't vote because my answer would be different depending on the type of press, single stage, turret or progressive.

[El Diablo]

Originally Posted by RustyFN

I didn't vote because my answer would be different depending on the type of press, single stage, turret or progressive.

Lets vote for single stage

[AngelDeville]

I have 2 Dillons, one Lee and one RCBS press, most of my dies are RCBS or Pacific.

[Jackman]

RCBS has great web site support, lots of reloading supplies readily available locally, and there reloading equpment is well made check their single stage cast iron press WOW , built for the long haul for sure ,,,,, that said I am a newbie just bought the RCBS Grand Master Reloading kit , very complete even has a reloading manual #14 , a very good book for the newbie reloader ......

[the yooper]

its all i have ever none works well cant complain rcbs my choice. i ges i took good advice

[howlnmad]

Now that you narrowed it down, I voted for the Lee. The Classic Cast is a great press. The price is fair, I like the primer disposal, it has a larger opening, it's built like a tank, has removable bushing for larger dies. When Lee's son designed this press he took out all the aluminum. The only downfall is the 2 year warranty but if taken care of properly and cleaned, you shouldn't have any problems.

[Orin]

Depends more on your mind... Take for instance the scale. Back when, a long time ago, I was addicted to RCBS. Good tools. Now I'm using a cheapo Lee kit cuz I'm getting back into it & have no interest in anything but pistol ammo. I first found the Lee powder scale fussy but after sitting back & considering, I adjusted my thinking & ways... Got fussy myself! Turns out the scale's incredibly accurate. It was my laziness, not the tool that caused my probs. Every load is measured to within 3 or 4 flakes of Unigue. I look forward to experimenting with the ball powders. Bullseye's next for the wife's .38.

[noylj]

Price no object:
This for reloading and not swaging bullets or some other activity.

Single stage: Forster Co-Ax. Then the Hornady L-N-L SS, and the Lee Challenger. I consider the RockChucker to be out of the running since it, as far as I know, does not come with a die bushing (though I have heard that Hornady makes a press bushing you can install).

Turret: I never understood a turret. I wanted an "O" press and not a "C" press and all the turret seemed to be was a way to keep a set of dies permanently installed. Since it cost more than a SS and I didn't like the "C", I just never paid them any attention.
Currently, I think the Lee classic turret with auto-indexing seems perfect for rifle reloading where you will be removing a case for inspection and trimming such that a progressive press would be a hinderence.

Progressive: I have to give it to the Dillon 1050. It is the best press that I have ever seen or handled.
Second is the Hornady L-N-L AP. It is as good as the Dillon 650 is supposed to be and is a pleasure to work with even without a case feed tube or case feeder. It is ergonomic and very easy to work with and change calibers.
Next, would be one of the 3 Dillons,
SDB if you only want to load one caliber you like to work in very small spaces (this is true of all Dillons-they pack the dies as close together as possible), you only need 4 stations, and you are happy with the Dillon dies and never to find a better die. Still seems VERY EXPENSIVE for what you get.
550B: you have to be a control freak. You have to enjoy manual indexing and the "control" it gives you. Also, you need to be happy with only 4 stations. At least you can use Lee, Hornady and Redding dies.
650: This is the Hornady L-N-L equivalent. Feeding in a empty case by hand is inconvenient with the 550 and 650. You have to manually fill the feed tube with 20 or so cases or you need to buy a case feeder. If you buy the case feeder, you then have a really nice machine for production, but it still isn't easy or cheap to make any caliber conversion.
I think that all the Dillon presses are designed for the reloader that want to crank out the maximum number of rounds in only 1 caliber as none of them are even close to being easy to change calibers.
RCBS: I have no knowledge about it, so if interested, go to RCBS and get a pdf of the manual and read it.
Lee LoadMaster: this machine is for the person who wants a challenge and doesn't mind tinkering or modifying things. I like the idea of the case feeder and the bullet feeder and would see the case feeder as not having the problems that the electronic ones have. Since I need to refill the primer tube every 100 rounds, feeding case tubes and bullet tubes wouldn't be that much more to do.
Pro 1000: I can't even imagine only having 3 stations. Back in the late '70s, I bought one of the first Hornadies as they were the first company to bring out a 5 station press as an affordable price. Never regretted that decision.

[gdmoody]

I'm another one who didn't vote.

I have a Lee single stage press (my vote for Single Stage Press) and a Dillon progressive
I have more Lee dies, but also have RCBS, Lyman, and Redding.
I have a Hornady balance scale and an RCBS electronic.
My powder "drops" are RCBS and Dillon.

100 people will have 100 opinions!!