Being a saltwater guy I don't normally use cork handles. Problem is the hot shot blank I just picked up seems better suited to a cork handle. Given that I don't plan to do much with cork I can't see the wisdom in bothering with buying stuff to glue up rings and all that. Are the handle kits the way to go in my case? Are St. Croix's a best buy? They seem cheaper than anything else (which I found surprising).

If the shape and size suits you, the St. Croix handle kits are quite good. The cork and related seat parts are very good against the price they sell for.

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The St Croix kist is what I use to use all the time before I got into making my handles myself. They are very good quality and you get everything you need with them.

Couple nmore questions. Are they preguled on a tube or do I get a rear grip, handle and foregrip as individual pieces? Any idea what they are reamed to? Will most vendors ream it to my required size if I ask?

You will get all the parts needed in the kit. You will have to ream each part to fit onto the blank.