There’s a little bit of mystery what you will like, until you’ve worn the newness off a reloading setup. It’s no different than cars, or girls, or houses, cooking equipment, or even pets. Buy once cry once sounds catchy, but making good decisions can sometimes mean wading into the water for the first time. On the other hand you’re looking at good equipment so in some ways it could be said you can’t go wrong.
Someone could do a lot worse than buying an all in one kit from one of the big names with a simple press and beam scale. You will upgrade much of it, maybe. Keep in mind much of what you are hearing online and in ads is marketing driven, rather than a practical difference.
Heavy presses are needed for case forming, like making 6BR brass from 30-06, but the biggest presses with long heavy handles become a chore with no real need for the strength with normal sizing and seating. Turret presses are cool if you don’t reload for a lot of cartridges, but if you plan on having a dozen different guns, you’re swapping dies all the time anyway. Aluminum presses look cool, but the advantages of aluminum are lost on a piece of equipment bolted to the bench. A Rockchucker or one like it will never wear out and work for 99.9% of anything you’ll do.
I find a lot of value having a beam scale that can be put away for years, brought out and still be just as accurate and reliable as ever. Add whatever electronic scale you like, but it’s nice to use a beam scale to appreciate what the benefits and drawbacks of each are. Personally I get anxiety from not knowing if today is the day the electronic scale goes way out of calibration. Did I just load the round I’ll carry in the field and when a shot comes up at a big deer I’ve eaten tags for a number of years, and what should be an easy 500 yard shot in calm conditions just clips his chest and is never seen again. When the best named flatscreen TVs only last an handful of years and aren’t worth repairing, my confidence in E scales is weak. Even if the beam scale isn’t technically as accurate, it’s a more reliable option in some important ways.
I grew up trimming cases watching TV since it’s hard to screw up and is one of the only things anyone can help with. For that reason I really like the Lee hand held trimmer, or the very similar Lyman. The length is not adjustable, but it doesn’t have to be. I don’t care for the fancy trimmers that trim and chamfer - it’s a solution to a non existent problem - time savings isn’t a thing when I’m watching tv or chatting with a friend.
I started with a basic RCBS Rockchucker combo and only used basic RCBS full length dies for a number of decades. That combination was good enough for for a rifle that never shot over 1/2 MOA. I do have some bushing dies, even Wilson seating dies and a little arbor press, neck turning stuff, etc, but for most hunting rifles it’s not needed. I picked up a used C press for less than a 20 piece McNugget and Coke just to show the kids it makes no difference on target.
Something that can’t be read off a spec sheet is how a setup fits your personality and preferences. Reloading has a rhythm and feel that makes it enjoyable. I like the bench to be organized and every piece of equipment at the ideal height. Tools should feel good in the hand, solid, well made. Fancy metal funnels or machined case blocks aren’t needed, but they feel solid. Even an aluminum trickler compared to one with a cast iron base just feel different.
It’s all fun to think about and over think, but have fun and don’t hesitate to replace something that doesn’t seem to work or fit you.
