The newer RCBS presses aren't made with the same quality as the old ones. A lot of people have complained about the Rock Chucker Supreme being a little loose and pitching spent primers all over the floor. The latter being a large source of complaints. Several reviews on MidwayUSA are from folks who decided to replace their old RCBS press with a new one, only to be disappointed. Others have stated that while RCBS kits come with a lot of the items you need, they aren't of the best quality.
For $330 you could easily buy a Hornaday Lock-n-Load press kit. The dies screw into a bushing that simply clips into the press. Meaning you don't have to worry about the die not being set exactly the way you want it. With other presses you have to screw the dies in and out of the press head. If anything, they save time and Hornaday is a quality company.
Redding is another high-quality company putting out both kits and individual presses, though the price is a tic higher. Personally, I'd get a Redding press (either T-7 or Big Boss II) simply because of the manufacturing quality. That, and they've got presses that will catch 99% of spent primers without chucking them across the room.
www.midwayusa.com <-- check out their section of reloading press kits and be sure to read the reviews. Lyman, Forster, and Lee also make reloading equipment, but as I said, read the reviews before making a choice. Cabela's has a nice little selection of reloading kits, too, and the prices aren't too far off Midway's. Plus you don't get double-dipped for shipping if an item is out of stock.
As far as books, ABC's of Reloading (ISBN: 0873498518) is probably the best choice. $22 gets you the basics of how, when, where, and what reloading is all about. Bench setup, organization, powder brands/types, primers, pressure signs, all the good stuff you need. The back half of the book is littered with different articles about handloading for this or that sport, hunting, and reloading in general.
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Flakbait [Delta6]
