i got my rockchucker about 25 years ago. went from personnal loading to friends, family, then commercial. have owned lee presses, several dillons etc. but have always had the old mean green. i estimate that i have put 2 million rounds thru this press, not the number of times i actuated it, but rounds loaded. the other day i noticed the ram was wobbly (had been getting worse for the last several years, but now moved side to side about a 1/4 in. ). RCBS diagnosed the problem immediately, sent me the parts and i had them installed in less that 4 days all FREE. i have all kinds of reloading tools from a wide variety of companies. Lyman wont fix anything for free even if it is new. Lee wont replace even a bad product and they want to argue about it. Dillon and RCBS has always replaced a product, even if i broke it. if you are going to load parttime or less than a 1000 rounds a year, most any brand will do. If you think that it might be something you might get into a lot, start simple with a single stage press that will last. you will form your own way to load and will find products that fit your style as you learn what to do and what works for you. Redding, RCBS, Hornady dies all work really well. i have bought lee dies that wouldnt even hold a bullet when F/L resized NEW brass of 3 different brands (and they wouldnt reimbuse me or change them either). RCBS will change out or exchange any product that doesnt work for you or breaks for the life of the product, even if you didnt buy it. RCBS is the ONLY die that works on heavy wheelgun roll crimp (even dillon says this), e.g. 360 grain bullets for 44 mag or 400 grainers for the 45 colt, 454. etc. Sinclair and other specialty tool makers have great products, but i would learn the basics with a good single stage press first.
a word of caution. read a good manual, like lyman, hornady etc. first. talk to someone who YOU trust as a reloader. Knowing the person, how meticulous, ritualistic, etc. they are helps a lot in the information that they give you. an ADD type will have a lot more problems than an obsessive compulsive type. some people shouldnt ever reload. You should develope your own system. in that system always set up a method that rechecks every step at least 3 times on every cartridge!!! always load only one load on your bench at any given time. that way you leave your powder CANNISTER with your scale/measure, primer box with your primer tool, etc. learn from an experienced reloader and they will be an invaluable resource and keep your mistakes prayerfully down and on the small side. if you dont remember where you are on a load or forgot, redo it, never assume anything or guess. write everything down, this diary will be valuable over the years and help immeasurably.
it's a big step, but opens a world that i think you will always be glad you opened. we are all glad and excited for you because we remember that giant first step too.
doc
