Looking around I see mostly RCBS, that is what I started with some 30 odd years ago and it was what was availble then. Still have all of the original stuff I bought, including a Rock Chucker press and all still in use. But I have other brands of stuff as well like Lee, Lyman and Hornady and they all do the job just fine. My advise would be to buy what you can afford and don't worry too much about it cause you will get good service out of what ever you get. And being a beginer you won't know the difference anyway.For your pistol dies, I strongly recomend you get a carbide or nitrite? coated size die, that way you don't have to deal with lubing and cleaning the cases.