Lonesome Donkey -not wanting to call you out or anything, but about a week ago in another thread, you strongly advised a new reloader to go with a Rock Chucker, and avoid the Classic Cast due to the "inferior handle and linkage". You spoke of how the extra cost for the Rock Chucker was well worth it as I recall
So I'm surprised to see you now seeking feedback on the Classic Cast, and it appears actually considering one for yourself.
Of course everyone changes there opinion on things, as should happen as we gain more info, and hopefully wisdom. But I am interested in what made you make such a turnaround.
If I irritated you because I advised a new reloader to go with the Rock Chucker kit package in that thread, rather than the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press kit package, I can't help that.
It certainly was not meant as a personal affront to you.
I still believe that it was the right choice. The RCBS press is very strong and reliable and has been the first choice of many reloaders for many years. The scale, powder measure, and hand priming tool were also better choices than the accessories in the Lee Turret press kit.
The Lee scale is also justly despised by many who have used it.
In general, the RCBS reloading kit was a far better deal.
That's why I advised the OP of that thread to buy the RCBS kit.
As far as believing that the RCBS Rock Chucker Press has a superior linkage block and handle, I still believe that.
It is worth the price.
As far as the Lee Classic Cast Press is concerned, I also believe that a solid block and a solid steel handle, such as that used by most other manufacturers is a better design, as opposed to the Lee multi-part linkage and tubular steel handle.
However, I never criticized the main casting, ram, main links, or any other part of the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press. My concerns were only with regard to the handle and multi-part linkage. I have always felt that the other parts were very strong and well-designed.
But things can, in actual practice, be more reliable than they may seem.
Maybe, despite there being several parts in the linkage to potentially loosen up and slip, and despite having a weaker handle, I wondered if it might still work well.
That's why I invited the opinions and experience of actual users of the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press, and in particular, specifically about the aforementioned linkage and handle that I have reservations about.
I think that my Redding Boss, with it's solid block linkage and large diameter solid steel handle is a better press, and that the Redding Big Boss 2 is better yet.
And, as I said, I also think that the Rock Chucker design is also better than the Lee in this regard.
But, the Lee Classic cast Single Stage Press seems to stand up just fine, based on the experiences of those that have responded.
And yes, because the price is right, I just may buy one as a secondary press, despite my misgivings about the linkage and handle.
