a first 1500pts or 2000pts list - advice?

Hi all, I'm thinking of starting OKs as I really love the models. Starting with the battalion, Im thinking of running this as an initial 1500pts list - although I would go to 2000pts if I could do it with just one or two more units:

HERO
Butcher (level 2, ironfist, armoured of silverered steel)

CORE
8 ironguts (banner of eternal flame & bellower)
7 ironguts (standard & bellower) - put the butcher in this unit
10 Gnoblars
10 Gnoblars - both are for chaff and shielding

SPECIAL
4 leadbelchers
2 Mournfang cavalry (bellower, standard & ironfist)

RARE
Thundertusk

which comes to 1500pts

OR

HERO
Butcher (level 2, ironfist, armoured of silverered steel)

CORE
6 ironguts (banner of eternal flame & bellower)
6 ironguts (standard & bellower) - put the butcher in this unit
10 Gnoblars
10 Gnoblars - both are for chaff and shielding

SPECIAL
4 leadbelchers
4 Mournfang cavalry (bellower, standard & ironfist)

RARE
Thundertusk
scraplauncher

which comes to just over 1600pts

Either way your general is sporting a Leadership 7 which isn't the best.  A few failed panic tests and your game is over quite possibly, also consider swapping the flaming banner with discipline instead, the Leadership will have a greater value to play across the army and secondly when your bus is slogging the enemy you may run into some characters sporting the dragonbane gem which will be a nightmare.

Just started myself. For a 2k army, which I'm 50% through painting, I got a battalion, an extra box of belchers, an ironblaster, 4 MFC (actually I'm using rhinox as MFC since I don't like the MFC models), 2 sabretusks and an ironblaster. That gets me 2x4 leadbelchers, 4 mournfang, 8 ironguts, 3 ogres, the ironblaster, a bsb, and two sabretusks. I'm using an ogre I already had for the slaughtermaster. It's about as cheap as you can build an army (although rhinox over mournfang isn't cheap).

Thanks both - so i should use the remaining points on a Lord with high leadership?

At 1500 points I'd seriously consider a Slaughtermaster on the cheap for the general. Failing that stick your Firebelly/Butcher into the unit of Ironguts and give them the Standard of Discipline for at least Ld 8.

A BSB is also pretty important If you can get one in I'd recommend it.

Thanks! so maybe something like this for 1500pts?

LORD
Tyrant (armour of silvered steel, ironfist)

HERO
Brusier with BSB & ironfist

CORE
6 Ironguts (bellower & standard - banner of discipline) - put Tryant here
6 ironguts (bellower & standard)

SPECIAL
3 leadbelchers
2 Mournfang cavalry (bellower & standard)

RARE
thundertusk

leaving 6pts left over