Possibly starting to reload... Lee vs RCBS

I have aloads of tools from almost every company, most reloaders probably do. Lee, Lyman, RCBS all have great customer service.

Now you can upgrade the challenger press to the classic cast press I cant see spending the extra money for the rcbs kit. The only thing that sucked in the kit was the press. And even then it was just the toggles in the press.

Save the extra money spent for green paint and go get some components or specialty dies and other reloading gadgets.
 
When I started reloading 25 years ago there didn't seem to be any starter kits around. I had to order stuff that I'd never seen before from catalogs. Being broke I ended up with a lot of Lee equipment most of which I still have, somewhere. I replaced equipment when I broke it, and bought Hornady and RCBS for the most part with a few Redding dies thrown in. If I were starting out today I would just grab a RCBS starter kit and never look back.
One thing we can thank Lee for is prices coming down. RCBS dies that cost $60-70 20-some years ago are only $35 now. I believe the cheap Lee equipment forced the others to be more competitive.
 
Lee makes some really good stuff:
Collet dies
Factory Crimp dies
Auto prime (though I've recently switched to the Hornady unit)
Hand press
Case trimmer units

I don't understand all the raving RCBS fanboys. RCBS makes decent stuff, sure, but it's hardly outstanding in a crowded market.


For my reloading, I mostly use:
Lee Collet die deluxe 3-piece sets
Old lyman press (a good 30lb beast)
Lee hand press (for seating only)
RCBS ChargeMaster 1500
Forester trimmer (mini lathe style)
Lyman powered case prep tool (chamfer, debur, primer pocket cleaner, etc)
Hornady hand primer tool
 
There is one lee press that is different the other ones from lee, it's the classic it is built like a brick $hithouse. Mind you I got 20 years out of my 40 dollar challeger. Most of my gear is mix and match but there is a solid streak of lee, press, auto prime , case trimmers and a couple of dies.
 
wow thanks for the replies everyone!

There seems to be a lot of people who prefer RCBS but also some that say Lee is good too... I guess I'll look at my wallet and figure out which one I'll start with :)

Thanks everyone!!!
 
Furync said:
wow thanks for the replies everyone!

There seems to be a lot of people who prefer RCBS but also some that say Lee is good too... I guess I'll look at my wallet and figure out which one I'll start with :)

Thanks everyone!!!
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Remember. Several reloading manuals!

Nosler, Speer, Hornady, Hodgdons, Sierra, Barnes, etc...
 
stubblejumper said:
I know many people that started with LEE and later bought RCBS.I started with RCBS and am still using the same press 27 years later.I don't know anyone that started with RCBS and then bought LEE.
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X2:D
 
stubblejumper said:
I don't know anyone that started with RCBS and then bought LEE.
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Now you do. Started with a Rock Chucker, switched to a Redding Ultramag (for the primer management) and am now switching to a Lee Classic Cast (for the primer management , low cost and easy access compared to the ultramag).

I had an RCBS chamfer tool, but switched to the Lee tool - lighter and smaller, works just as well.
 
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The Lee chamfer tool is one Lee item I particularly can't stand. Finger, hand and wrist cramps come vividly to mind. I'm happy with my reamer-style VLD chamfer tool from Lyman that handily chucks into a cordless screwdriver
 
IM_Lugger said:
LEE vs. RCBS?

that depends on wheather are you getting into reloading to save money or to spend it? ;)
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RCBS is hardly the most expensive stuff out there. Pretty middle-of-the-road, actually.
 
I am new to reloading, & bought the Lee Anniversary kit. I think I paid $160 for it. It came with the "Modern Reloading" manual by Richard Lee. So far I have reloaded about 150 .270 rounds, & am satisfied with the equipment. I also bought the Lee factory crimp die, universal decapper, & the .270 collet neck sizing die. I already had a RCBS 2 die set in .270 calibre that I bought off a CNG member. I like the fact that other manufacture's dies will fit other presses. I chose the Lee kit because of price mainly. If I decide that I like reloading then I can always move up to "better" equipment later. In my limited experience the Lee equipment looks like good quality for the price. I don't mind the simple hand tools to do tasks such as case trimming, deburring, camfering, etc. I could see wanting to get better equipment for mass producing pistol ammo, but since I don't have a restricted PAL yet, I am just doing rifle ammo.

George
 
I did start with the classic Lee Loader (which I still have), but now use a mix of Lyman, Redding and RCBS. Lee's materials and workmanship is reflected in their price tag; my advice would be to LEEve them on the store shelf, and not on your shelf.

Cheap tooling is rarley a bargin, and often yeilds poor results........and yes, their is a price to be paid for quality; that being said, everything does have its niche also.
 
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acrashb said:
Now you do. Started with a Rock Chucker, switched to a Redding Ultramag (for the primer management) and am now switching to a Lee Classic Cast (for the primer management , low cost and easy access compared to the ultramag).

I had an RCBS chamfer tool, but switched to the Lee tool - lighter and smaller, works just as well.
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Since you already own(ed) a Rock Chucker and an Ultramag...how exactly is buying a third, albeit cheaper, press going to save you money? I'm referring to your comments about the "low cost" of course!:D ;) :p

In all honesty, the LEE Classic Cast appears to be a decent tool & of much greater utility than the other LEE presses. If I had to buy LEE, the Classic Cast would be the one I'd buy.
 
There is little question that the RCBS press, is a better press than the LEE aluminum line. (The Lee Classic Cast is an unknown for me) However, the lee presses are quite capable of producing quality ammo and are a LOT cheaper than the RCBS. Lee does stand behind their products, though they are not as quick about it as RCBS in my experience.
Lee's auto prime is a class act, as is their factory crimp die. in fact, with normal care, I've had no troubles with Lee dies, or dies from any other manufacturer for that matter. Again, Lee dies are cheaper.
The Lee challenger should you buy one, will eventually break the aluminum connecting links. Lee will replace them, but only after you send in the old ones. The length of time they have been producing this press, makes you wonder how big the pile of broken links at the Lee plant has to be before they fix the problem permanently. This press makes fine ammunition, and will serve for years. I've had one for thirty years or so, and gone through three sets of links.
(No more. Thanks to a fellow CGN .. Cocked&Locked ... who made me some very nice replacements) http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128761&highlight=lee
 
X-man said:
how exactly is buying a third, albeit cheaper, press going to save you money? I'm referring to your comments about the "low cost" of course!
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The Ultramag will sell for more than the Lee CC will cost, so I'll free up capital, which i will turn into loaded rounds :)
 
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