RCBS or Lee

RHarris · February 10, 2001, 06:35 AM

Perhaps this has been asked before. For a basic single stage reloading setup to start out with, what would be preferable and why(all things being "equal"), RCBS or Lee. The RCBS cost a little more, is it worth it?

solo · February 10, 2001, 07:19 AM

Get the RCBS Rockchunker. I have both an RCBS Rockchunker and a Lee Turrett press. The lee is a cheaply made press and it feels like it will fall apart with every pull of the handle. My Rockchunker is solid and smooth. RCBS is well worth the extra price.

lodraw · February 10, 2001, 10:52 AM

Go with the RCBS, you will glad you did. Shop for the full "kits" or "packages", upgrade to carbide sizer die(s).
RCBS and Dillon are simply the best in their respective markets. Read everything, BE SAFE and have fun.

ea2 · February 10, 2001, 02:44 PM

RCBS comes with a lifetime warranty, should you ever need it.

Lee comes with a 2 year warranty - after that you send your equipment in with half the catalog list price for replacement.

Monkeyleg · February 10, 2001, 05:15 PM

Maybe Lee has changed, but back in the eighties I had one of their progressives. It was the worst piece of junk I'd ever used. After a short hiatus, I got back into reloading and bought an RCBS Rockchucker. Don't know how many rounds are through it, but it's still going strong. Great customer service, too.

Dick

RiverRider · February 10, 2001, 05:42 PM

ROCKCHUCKER.

Lonely Raven · February 10, 2001, 10:09 PM

I guess it's silly for me to even reply, but yes
RCBS of any level is good. I got the Pro 2000 progressive
and it's a nice piece of work. Considering reloading has
been around for a century, I can't believe all the presses
are not this good yet.

http://www.natchezss.com
has the rockchucker master kit on sale for $219!!
Just add your carbide die and bullet components and
your set!

I did look at the Lee presses...and they just look and feel
like junk.

p85 guy · February 10, 2001, 10:14 PM

Hi all I have A RCBS JR3 single stage the old one. I bought one A year A go and I have reloaded at lest 10,000 rounds.It works great.

Kenneth L. Walters · February 11, 2001, 11:23 AM

Get the Rock Chucker. It has a couple non-obvious advantages.

In its top is a big nut into which normal 7/8 by 14 dies are screwed. Take that out and you can use odd diameter dies. There aren't many BUT RCBS does make dies for some round that are so large that they need a larger diameter. You may never need it but it is there if you do. Can handle everything BUT the 50 BMG. Those rounds are just too long.

Then there is the Piggyback conversion. Truth is that this conversion kit which will change this single station press into a progressive has, historically, been something of a bummer. Still RCBS has just announced the Piggyback III. Looks like they finally got the bugs out of this idea. I hope so as I've ordered one. If this does work then you have the ability to switch from an excellent single station press to a progressive easily.

tooltime · February 12, 2001, 02:42 PM

I agree with the others that the RCBS Rock Chucker Press is one of the best but, for the money I think Lee dies are a good bargain. I recommend that you give them a try.

Big Bunny · February 12, 2001, 08:03 PM

I agree with last post...Lee Dies and shellholders in a RCBS R/C press is hard to beat if on a budget - for anyone!BB

Bogie · February 13, 2001, 11:51 AM

Just wanted to say that my Lee Turret press has felt like it's gonna fall apart for going on 10 years now... Nothing's broken, nothing's nonfunctional. Works fine. It's just the sloppy way the handle's put on. I still use it for pistol rounds and blasting ammo. I'd buy another.

For rifles, the Rockchucker is hard to beat.

Mouse Gun · February 14, 2001, 08:19 PM

Lee makes some good stuff like their Autoprime tool but for a package RCBS is the way to go. I started with RCBS and have purchased others along the way but RCBS is first rate in my book for customer service and they make quality products. I'm still using a third generation Rock Chucker to date and going strong. I'm guessing it will survive for the next generation to come.

Brian

Rokchukrslave · February 14, 2001, 08:41 PM

My name is my answer.

ArmySon · February 14, 2001, 09:49 PM

I guess it would be superfluous so I won’t tell you to get the Rock Chucker

trlmech · February 15, 2001, 09:11 PM

A Lee press is made out of an alloy that will last you a good while. The Rockchucker is made out of cast steel. If I have any great-grandchildren and they find it in the attic of the homeplace it will still be working to the same tollerances as the day I bought it.

February 12, 2001, 02:42 PM	#10
tooltime Member Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 17	RCBS Press / Lee Dies I agree with the others that the RCBS Rock Chucker Press is one of the best but, for the money I think Lee dies are a good bargain. I recommend that you give them a try.

February 14, 2001, 09:49 PM	#15
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	I guess it would be superfluous so I won’t tell you to get the Rock Chucker __________________ Your friends will forgive your mistakes. Your enemies will kill you for it.

February 10, 2001, 06:35 AM	#1
RHarris Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2000 Posts: 416	Perhaps this has been asked before. For a basic single stage reloading setup to start out with, what would be preferable and why(all things being "equal"), RCBS or Lee. The RCBS cost a little more, is it worth it?

February 10, 2001, 07:19 AM	#2
solo Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 1999 Posts: 211	Get the RCBS Rockchunker. I have both an RCBS Rockchunker and a Lee Turrett press. The lee is a cheaply made press and it feels like it will fall apart with every pull of the handle. My Rockchunker is solid and smooth. RCBS is well worth the extra price.

February 10, 2001, 10:52 AM	#3
lodraw Junior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 14	Go with the RCBS, you will glad you did. Shop for the full "kits" or "packages", upgrade to carbide sizer die(s). RCBS and Dillon are simply the best in their respective markets. Read everything, BE SAFE and have fun.

February 10, 2001, 02:44 PM	#4
ea2 Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 24	RCBS comes with a lifetime warranty, should you ever need it. Lee comes with a 2 year warranty - after that you send your equipment in with half the catalog list price for replacement.

February 10, 2001, 05:15 PM	#5
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	Maybe Lee has changed, but back in the eighties I had one of their progressives. It was the worst piece of junk I'd ever used. After a short hiatus, I got back into reloading and bought an RCBS Rockchucker. Don't know how many rounds are through it, but it's still going strong. Great customer service, too. Dick

February 10, 2001, 05:42 PM	#6
RiverRider Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Posts: 341	ROCKCHUCKER.

February 10, 2001, 10:09 PM	#7
Lonely Raven Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Posts: 24	I guess it's silly for me to even reply, but yes RCBS of any level is good. I got the Pro 2000 progressive and it's a nice piece of work. Considering reloading has been around for a century, I can't believe all the presses are not this good yet. http://www.natchezss.com has the rockchucker master kit on sale for $219!! Just add your carbide die and bullet components and your set! I did look at the Lee presses...and they just look and feel like junk.

February 10, 2001, 10:14 PM	#8
p85 guy Junior Member Join Date: July 28, 2000 Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 11	Hi all I have A RCBS JR3 single stage the old one. I bought one A year A go and I have reloaded at lest 10,000 rounds.It works great.

February 11, 2001, 11:23 AM	#9
Kenneth L. Walters Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: flagstaff, arizona Posts: 477	Get the Rock Chucker. It has a couple non-obvious advantages. In its top is a big nut into which normal 7/8 by 14 dies are screwed. Take that out and you can use odd diameter dies. There aren't many BUT RCBS does make dies for some round that are so large that they need a larger diameter. You may never need it but it is there if you do. Can handle everything BUT the 50 BMG. Those rounds are just too long. Then there is the Piggyback conversion. Truth is that this conversion kit which will change this single station press into a progressive has, historically, been something of a bummer. Still RCBS has just announced the Piggyback III. Looks like they finally got the bugs out of this idea. I hope so as I've ordered one. If this does work then you have the ability to switch from an excellent single station press to a progressive easily.

February 12, 2001, 08:03 PM	#11
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	I agree with last post...Lee Dies and shellholders in a RCBS R/C press is hard to beat if on a budget - for anyone!BB

February 13, 2001, 11:51 AM	#12
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	Just wanted to say that my Lee Turret press has felt like it's gonna fall apart for going on 10 years now... Nothing's broken, nothing's nonfunctional. Works fine. It's just the sloppy way the handle's put on. I still use it for pistol rounds and blasting ammo. I'd buy another. For rifles, the Rockchucker is hard to beat.

February 14, 2001, 08:19 PM	#13
Mouse Gun Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 101	Lee makes some good stuff like their Autoprime tool but for a package RCBS is the way to go. I started with RCBS and have purchased others along the way but RCBS is first rate in my book for customer service and they make quality products. I'm still using a third generation Rock Chucker to date and going strong. I'm guessing it will survive for the next generation to come. Brian

February 14, 2001, 08:41 PM	#14
Rokchukrslave Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2000 Posts: 111	My name is my answer.

February 15, 2001, 09:11 PM	#16
trlmech Member Join Date: June 3, 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 85	A Lee press is made out of an alloy that will last you a good while. The Rockchucker is made out of cast steel. If I have any great-grandchildren and they find it in the attic of the homeplace it will still be working to the same tollerances as the day I bought it.