I got my Cabela' s Fall Master catalog today [8D] and being that I' m going to buy a reloading setup very soon I flipped right to the reloading page. The first thing I saw was the new Rock Chucker Supreme Master Kit for $260, which is less than the old RC Master Kit was selling for. Then I noticed that they changed the kit' s contents to include the hand primer (which sells by itself for $27 local) but omitted the case trimmer (which retails local for $85).
My question then is which way would I be better off...getting the original master kit with the case trimmer and then purchasing the hand priming tool separate, or get the RC Supreme master kit with the hand primer and then get a different case trimmer? I seem to recall hearing some people mention that the RCBS case trimmer wasn' t as good as some others. To start I' d be reloading .22-250 and .45ACP, so would I be served well by saving some cash and getting a case trimmer like the Lee hand trimmer system? Or would you guys recommend a different brand trimmer like Lyman. I guess I' m not really sure how much case trimming is involved with the above cartridges or how much effort is required. I' d probably be reloading maybe 50rds/week of .22-250 and 100/wk .45ACP. How often (typically) do cases need to be trimmed? I' d be more inclined to trim the .22-250 brass more frequently as I was to the loads to be as consistant and accurate as possible. The .45ACP brass I' d only probably trim just when it needed it.
I use the forsters case trimmer it works well for me. I haven' t looked at the others so I can' t say they are better or worse. I have never trimmed a pistol case yet and as far as how often on the .22-250 it' ll really depend on how hoy your loads are and how much the brass stretches ( you can minimize the stretching by neck sizing if that' s possible)
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RE: Why did RCBS go and do that?!
As far as the RCBS case trimmer goes, I' ve had one for several years and can' t say as I' ve ever had a problem with it. I think it is a great case trimmer and I believe you will like it also. I mount mine on the bench on RCBS' s interchangeable base plate mount which raises it up about an inch or so more than if it were mounted directly to the bench. This gives you more room to turn the handle without hitting your knuckles on the bench. Also, when you are done trimming, removing about 3 small screws will allow you to remove the trimmer and put it back on the shelf.
I would go with the RCBS Superme Master Reloading Kit because the press can handle the larger magnums. I feel the hand primer is safer than the tube priming system. I use a RCBS Trim Pro Power Case Trimmer due to my messed up wrists. It works fine for me, but I have never used another brand.
I trim my brass every time I load; remember the more uniform your cases are to each other the more accurate your rounds will be.
Good luck.
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Yea, I think they are doing you a favor not sending that trimmer. I have called RCBS and have replaced everything on my trimmer to get it to line up correctly. Finally, I think it is ok acceptable. But like the wilson better. I feel with the RCBS if you can' t get the brass lined up with the pilot perfectly, you might get run out problems. Which defeats the purpose of buying a decapper and changing your sizing die to reize the neck all the way in the die right as its coming out.
Forget the trimmer, the RCBS trimmer is more hassle than its worth.Mine doesn' t cut straight and is a pain in the arse to set up. Buy a set of Lee trimmers- They are very cheap, they don' t have any kind of set up time, you don' t need to measure anything, just lock the case into the base and trim with the cutter until it bottoms out. You can even chuck the cutter up in a 1/2" drill if you like.
Handprimer- they are nice, but your really don' t need one.
Use the money saved by getting the lee trimmer to buy a really good set of dial calipers if the RCBS kit doesn' t come with them. Don' t need digital calipers- they are just a costly gimmick imho.
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After the negative reviews on the RCBS trimmer, I decided that I would rather go with the new Supreme Master Kit and get the hand primer instead. Seems like the hand primer would be convienient for priming en masse cases like with the .45ACP. I' ve also noted that many say they prefer the handheld priming tools because they give them a better feel for when the primer is properly seated.
Realizing I' d need a case trimmer anyway, I went ahead a bought a Forster case trimmer on Ebay for $20. It' ll also mount an outside neck turner on the trimmer as well, which would be good for accuracy. I' m in the process of piecing together a good reloading setup. The RCBS RC Supreme master kit will be part of it, but I' m getting together the other stuff that the Kit doesn' t have, like a dial caliper, case trimmer, chronograph, a couple handloading manuals other than the Speer manual that comes with the RC kit, etc...
Slowly but surely I' m getting what I need to start handloading some good accurate ammo.
Mike, That Forster trimmer is a very good choice. I use mine for trimming, neck turning and primer pocket cleaning. You' re also correct that you get a much better feel with the hand primer. I' ve had a Lee Auto Prime for years and really like it, but the RCBS should work equally well.
You might also consider getting a Bullet Comparator from Sinclair. This will allow you to make a proper measurement with your dial caliper of the bullet seating depth since it registers on the bullet ogive just where the lands first touch. It' s nothing more than a 1" hex nut without any threads and six caliber sizes with the correct minor dia. for each. Good luck, and don' t forget your safety glasses.
Westbronco, thanks for that reminder. I know a guy that managed to touch off an entire stack of large rifle primers with a simple error....It' s rare but it can happen.
Why did RCBS go and do that?!
