I kind of see it like buying a four wheeler if you’ve never driven one. It’s hard to know what you like and don’t like until you have some seat time.
Some things add speed to the process like 3-in-one electrically powered trimmers, spray lube, or tumblers. Other things are more expensive based on how they feel in the hand, like a Redding cast iron trickler vs all the rest, or machined aluminum case holder trays or powder funnels vs poorly designed plastic ones.
How the press handle feels can drive you nuts if it’s extra effort without a return, like buying an extra heavy duty press with a long handle for lots of leverage, for just simple basic reloading. I like a big press for heavy duty stuff like case forming and a medium weight press for everything else.
Everyone likes a gadget of some kind, but I’d stay away from them until you understand the process and know what it will or won’t do for you. Kind of like buying mechanic tools before you know what they are good for.
The basic press kits from any of the major brands will easily reload down to 1/2 MOA in an accurate rifle with standard dies, beam scale, medium price brass and just good standard reloading practices without anything fancy.
I have some Lyman, some RCBS, some Redding, some Sinclair, some Wilson, some Hornady and some small company parts, but started with a run of the mill RCBS Rock Chucker press kit and standard RCBS dies. Older RCBS dies seem to be better made than the new stuff. Hornady stuff has a lot of features, but lower in quality than Redding. Lyman is good for the most part.
