Reply With QuoteAs far a quality they both are great. The thing hornady has is free bullets with a purchase. As far as dies i use fl rcbs, but hornady, redding, and lee work great too.
RCBS or Hornady single stage
Well, I am about to bite the bullet and jump into reloading after selling some stuff filling up the safe.
I have seen a few comparisons between the RCBS Rockchucker and Hornady LnL press but thought I would ask the experts here since it will mostly be reloading all the 6.8 brass I have accumulated
Some advice in dies would be appreciated as well.
As far a quality they both are great. The thing hornady has is free bullets with a purchase. As far as dies i use fl rcbs, but hornady, redding, and lee work great too.
Next time you go to the range make some money. Just catch or retrieve your 6.8 brass and sell it.
01 FFL
NRA Lifetime
"Life's tough, it's even tougher if your stupid" John Wayne
I bought the RCBS kit a couple years ago. It is a great press, I'm happy with it. I have converted mine to use the LnL bushings from Hornady, I think its an overall better way to handle die changes.
As far as presses go, I would buy the RCBS and the conversion again over buying the Hornady press, the single reason being it is cast iron vs aluminum. I think the Hornady press is a great press don't get me wrong, but I prefer the heavier press. Either one will work great for the 6.8.
As dies go, it's pretty much how much do you want to spend and how accurate are you trying to get with your handloads. I load ammo that shoots very well using the RCBS small base die set for the 6.8. Some will say small base, some normal full length dies, I honestly don't think it makes a difference in an AR. All Hornady dies are small base, and guys here make some great ammo with them as well. If you want to get into some serious precision dies, then the Redding dies are worth a look, but you're going to pay for it. You will want a full length or small base sizing die, not a neck sizing die for a semi auto.
If you want a crimp die, in my opinion the Lee Factory Crimp Die is the best choice hands down. Myself I don't care for the other Lee dies based on some experiences with their pistol dies. RCBS and Hornady make quality dies that will work well for you for a standard set of dies.
Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776
V-E Day - May 8, 1945
MLK "I Have a Dream Speech" - August 28, 1963
6.8 Forums celebrates its independence - June 25, 2012
I just bought the Hornady dies for the 6.8 and their description says nothing about small base. They only say "full length". Did I miss something?Originally Posted by BFL
I bought the Hornady Classic LNL kit over Christmas and have been quite pleased with it. I'm 100% sure it's cast iron just like the RCBS. The Lee might be aluminum, but the Hornady is iron. The free bullets was a deal sealer for me. I'd say it's something like "ARP vs. Bison". Flip a coin and the outcome will be good.
Welcome to Tennessee, the patron state of shootin' stuff.
Just got into loading 2 months ago - I am far from an expert but I am satisfied with RCBS Rock Chucker kit which I bougth for $267 from Natchez Shooting supply. I will get fifty bucks rebate on top of that. That outdid the offer of the free bullets from Hornady. The Lee Crimping tool is also great. There is a large learning process involved and lots of learning to do. The end result is your own premium ammo - very satisfing.
I would also recommend the Lyman Case prep center which is a powered case prep machine with several attachments included. It speeds up the process and SSA brass ofter has primer pockets that need work. The hand tool was way too laborious.
Stingray
Source on the small base here. H said he spoke with Hornady and that's what they told him. Hornady doesn't make a die labeled small base, as thats the only kind they make, so they just call it full length.
While I do not have a Hornady Classic, it is advertised and in several reviews as being cast aluminum. I haven't seen anywhere that says its cast iron, have they changed them recently?
Case prep centers are great, I have the RCBS one, it works well.
As for trimmers, I have a Forster Original, it works very well.
Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776
V-E Day - May 8, 1945
MLK "I Have a Dream Speech" - August 28, 1963
6.8 Forums celebrates its independence - June 25, 2012
Well, I learned 2 things. I guess I did miss something. You're right about the S/B Hornady dies and my press is aluminum. It looks like cast iron on the painted surface, but the machined areas that aren't painted are definitely aluminum. Shows you what my "100% sure" is worth...
My press still works good though, dammit.
Last edited by LocoGringo; 06-20-2012 at 12:33 AM.
Welcome to Tennessee, the patron state of shootin' stuff.
Haha, well if it makes you feel any better I didn't learn they were all S/B until 6/11/12, so you aren't far behind sir!
I'm sure it does work good, I'd be happy to have one myself. For what its worth, your press comes with a die system that is 100% better than the one mine came with, and I prefer that brand for everything else when it comes to reloading.
The steel thing is a hold over from my days working in a steel mill, supporting the industry and all =)
Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776
V-E Day - May 8, 1945
MLK "I Have a Dream Speech" - August 28, 1963
6.8 Forums celebrates its independence - June 25, 2012
Good idea, G. If you seek ultimate accuracy, you will never regret getting into reloading. Both RCBS and Hornady make good presses. I have a Rockchucker that I bought 35 years ago and its still going strong. Aluminum is stiff enough, but I'm not sure about the bearing surfaces. On that count, I vote for the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme with its cast iron construction @ about $150. Be sure to buy the Hornady parts to convert the Rockchucker to LnL function. Its the only way to go, pre-adjusted dies snap in and snap out in a jiffy. Avoid the kit, you are better off buying the extra tools required separately, that way you get exactly what you want, not someone else's idea. I like Hornday dies, but wouldn't mind upgrading to Forster dies when they start making a 6.8 set again. Midway has about everything you need. - CWWell, I am about to bite the bullet and jump into reloading after selling some stuff filling up the safe. I have seen a few comparisons between the RCBS Rockchucker and Hornady LnL press but thought I would ask the experts here since it will mostly be reloading all the 6.8 brass I have accumulatedSome advice in dies would be appreciated as well.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/513...le-stage-press
Vincit Amor Patriae - over the top at 0545Z, 28 May 1918
I bought the Hornady LnL Classic Kit. Use RCBS bullet seating die, Lee de-priming die and a Lee Crimp Die. I also had a friend give me an RCBS Reloader 5 Special Press and it has my RCBS sizing die in it. Right now, I'm only reloading for the 6.8 so the sizing die stays in the R5 Press. And the other dies have the Hornady quick change set up on them and get used in the Hornady Press. Have been quite happy with this set up.
I will say this, if the Hornady Press is made from aluminum, it's some heavy stuff. Because it felt like it weighed the same as the RCBS press I have.
Posting Permissions
