RCBS Rebel Master Reloading Kit

[drakeslayer]

I can buy a RCBS Rebel Master Reloading kit new in unopened box for $350. Seems like a good deal but Im not big on kits.

Thoughts?

This would be for 380, 45acp, and 38/357.

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[aasbra]

Are you new to reloading, or have prior experience? I think the RCBS kits offer decent value for someone starting out, or shop around for a kit from someone getting out of the hobby.

If you plan to load higher volume, and primarily handgun, I would consider looking for a used Dillon 550 if you have some basic reloading experience already, or are new to it but catch onto this sort of thing pretty well. While some are happy to load handgun on a single stage press, I prefer the efficiency of a good progressive press for handgun loading.

 

[dangerranger60]

$350 is a good price. it will load those calibers just fine. I use one every day. DR

 

[TommyFun]

Sufficient for low quantity reloading.

 

[joeyou]

That RCBS sounds like a decent deal. I started with a Hornady single stage and moved up to used Dillon 550. Once you learn the basics on the single stage, you'll find that it gets pretty monotonous cranking out large quantities of handgun ammo....you'll want to move on to a progressive press. You'll also find there is lot more that you'll need than what is contained in any kit. The main thing is to just get started. If you're like me, you'll enjoy reloading as much as you do shooting!

 

[kaptin87]

I've bought the same kit. Great for reloading 50 round batches.

 

[MikeInOr]

I started with a progressive press 35 years ago and don't believe it is necessary to start with a single stage press. I personally think there is less chance to mess something up with a progressive... like missing a powder charge.

I still use my Dillon 650XL for all of my reloading. The Dillon 550 is also a great press.

 

[PiratePast40]

I started with a progressive press 35 years ago and don't believe it is necessary to start with a single stage press. I personally think there is less chance to mess something up with a progressive... like missing a powder charge.

I still use my Dillon 650XL for all of my reloading. The Dillon 550 is also a great press.

I also started with a progressive. I've since found that errors are compounded with a progressive and you really need to be watching every stage. I've discovered that some range pickup brass has bulges near the base and this really messes things up if you're not watching closely. I've noticed this in both 9mm and .223. It seems to be a characteristic of some brass being shot suppressed. If you don't catch it during sizing, you can short stroke the primer seating operation as well as the seating and crimping steps. I now size separately and test each case in a case gage.

Not to say there is anything wrong with a progressive press since that's what I use, it's just that you need to be aware of what's going on and VERIFY your steps.

 

[Mikej]

Funny, I started with an RCBS Rock Chucker kit 14 years ago and don't believe I'd ever need to step up to a progressive machine! It depends on how much you shoot, what your mind likes and the time you have.
One thing about the Rebel kit is, I wouldn't ever want an electric scale only. And a $50.00 electric scale even less.

 

[orygun]

A single stage will certainly get you up and rollin and while the tools in the kit might not be the fanciest, it makes it a lot easier from the start up. If you find it's something you enjoy you won't mind sitting long enough to load a couple of hundred rounds. I started with a turret press kit from a friend that had everything mechanical needed to load ammo besides the dies. I used it for years.
I probably never would have purchased a Dillon, but I got it as a gift from my wife. I found that I can single load hunting ammo to my hearts content with the Dillon and then swap dies and crank out handgun rounds by the dozens. But that's a lot more than $350.
I'd say buy the kit.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Buy the RCBS kit with confidence.
You will use it for the rest of your shooting life and the person who ends up with it will also be using it for their lifetime of shooting

Rcbs has the very best in
CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Anything breaks or gets worn out they replace it very fast at no charge to you what so ever.
Completely no BS.
$350 is a good price for high quality reloading equipment kit.
I've delt with Lee customer service and they SUCK.
Lee has a few products that I like and use but very few products.
Once you get your RCBS Rebel set up and gain the proper general knowledge about reloading and want to crank out more ammunition at a faster pace you can advance up to a progressive press.
If you do advance up to a progressive press down the road you will always have use for your RCBS Rebel press.

 

[DDRanch]

Way back when, I started out with a RCBS Rock Chucker kit. From there I jumped into a Dillon 650, then a couple of 550's. Finally added a couple of S 1050s.
Still use the Rock Chucker now and then. If I was to start over again, I will still put a Rock Chucker first then a 550.
Also not try to save money on dies, especially if you are loading on a Dillon.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I recentbought a thirty plus year old set of RCBS dies that had an issue when I bought the set.
One call to the RCBS CUSTOMER SERVICE and they shipped the parts out that day, free of charge and they paid the shipping.