Lee or RCBS Single Stage Press?

[Steve in Vermont]

I'm looking to get back into reloading (last time was in the 70's) and have narrowed my choice to either a Lee Classic Cast Press or a RCBS RC Supreme. The prices are almost identical and I see no other real differences between them. To aid in switching dies I'm looking at the Hornady Lock N Load Press and Die Conversion Bushing Kit (for the RCBS) or the Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings. I've been going through past posts and appreciate all the information I've found. I'd like your thoughts regarding this and will probably be back again with more questions.

 

[Sully]

There is no comparison between Lee presses and RCBS. I have both and also a Dillon....but if I could ONLY have one...it would be the RCBS.

Dont be smoozed by any "quick change" feature. Once the dies are set and fully adjusted...you can screw any of them in or out. Some die sets have locking nuts so they dont move....etc...etc.

 

[matsu]

RCBS is the way to go

 

[Chubbs103]

I have never seen better customer service on a product than what I have received from RCBS. No questions asked. No BS. For life. I hear the same is true for Dillon, but I have no personal experience with them.

The RCBS products (as a whole) cost significantly more than Lee products. I look at it in terms of a lifetime investment. From my experience, I have never regretted buying RCBS.

Let the brand wars begin.

Chubbs

 

[Skip Sackett]

Either one will perform as they are designed. Remember, you aren't married to either one should you buy it. There is always ebay or the classified section of some firearms forum where folks are always looking for a deal.

Customer service will be good from both companies. They know we talk about them on the world wide web. None of them can stand too much bad publicity.

All of that being said, I have an old RS -3. That thing will work when none other will! The Lee will too. No doubt about that.


If I could make a suggestion. I wouldn't waste time with a single stage press. What I would get is the Lee Classic Cast TURRET press.

It can easily be used as a single stage press as you learn. Put the advancing rod in and you have an "auto-turret". The dies are held in place with a removable turret and change over is seconds if you have extra turrets with dies left in them from the last time. Literally, seconds.

Get the Cast 4 hole turret. You will not be disappointed. As a matter of fact, if you buy it and don't like it or it doesn't work for you, I'll buy it from you for what you paid for it. There, money where mouth is!

(Which is a WHOLE lot better than putting (keeping) one of your feet there!)

p.s. try kempfgunshop.com. Their prices are usually the cheapest and they have special kits put together. No, I'm not affiliated with them.

 

[augy]

RCBS is the way to go

I agree 100%. Had mine for over 10 years, built like a tank.


augy

 

[Beemer-mark]

If I could make a suggestion. I wouldn't waste time with a single stage press. What I would get is the Lee Classic Cast TURRET press.

It can easily be used as a single stage press as you learn.

I'll second that. I have a Dillon Square D progressive for 45 acp, a RCBS single stage (my very first press) and the Lee Classic Turrent Cast. The RCBS is great, but really over engineered. The Classic I use like a single stage but it is really handy to have all the dies in place and adjusted ONCE. I use the RCBS rarely anymore. The Lee stuff is almost under engineered but it does the job.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I've used a Lee Classic turret press for three years and no problems or faults. They are simple and easy to use. I think it depends on how much you use them. I've reloaded a couple thousand rounds, but some will do much more with their presses. If you don't do a huge amount, Lee is probably cheaper and will do the job. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, so I would assume the higher priced ones are somewhat better.

 

[Bat Guano]

R.F. Wells C press, $12.65, built to last. Oops, that was in 1962.

The RCBS Rock Chucker is a pretty good second choice, but I only have about 35 years out of it so far and don't know how it will stand up for the long haul.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I started with a RCBS Junior press in 1974. It's still going strong. My others are Dillons and Mecs. I use a lot of Lee stuff but I pass on their presses.

 

[RussellD]

Might want to take a look at the forster coax too. Lots of great features that make loading easier..captured spent primers, universal shell holder and lightning fast die swap out..

 

[kennyb]

for me RCBS all the way.....

 

[David LaPell]

I had an RCBS Jr before and I have to say that I am really impressed with my Lee Classic Press. I have loaded thousands of rounds with the Lee and not a hitch.

 

[gmiller0737]

I started out with the RCBS over 20 years a go & It was good,Moved to a Lee Turret Press & for what I do 90% Handgun Ammo I really like the Lee Better,Either Lee or RCBS Will turn out good ammo.

 

[Forrest r]

Get both; it's good to have at least 2 presses. I'm sure that when you reloaded in the past things would come up from time to time. It's easier to set up a new press to do minor/other reloading things rather than change a press in the middle of a project.

Used presses are a dime a dozen right now. Buy 2 used presses & use the money you saved on primers, powder, ECT.

 

[ancient-one]

My first press was a Rock Chucker and i guess it will be my last one.
Never a problem. Some fancier but none better.

 

[dickttx]

I am in about the same position as you. I started getting things together to reload again after not having done so since the early 70's.
I had good stuff then. C-H CHampion press, Ohaus Duo-Measure, Ohaus 10-10 scale, Lyman TC dies. As i started pulling it out and assembling it, it was all good as new.
However, as I started using it, I have gradually replaced it with new. Lee Classic Turret press, new scale, just about all Lee 4-die sets, Lee powder measure.
The Lee is just so handy to use. I am still using it as a single stage, but have bought a primer feeder for it (frozen in at the Denton, TX UPS since Monday) and will probably start trying as an auto-index.
I know some of the other brands are really built well, but I can't see that the final product from them will perform any better than from my Lee. It seems to me that Lee has been able to determine what is important, and what is not important in designing reloading products. About the only thing Lee had when I was reloading before was the $10 hand loader, which was my first equipment.
AND, the price difference is ridiclous.
Before anyone jumps on me and tells me that the others will last a lifetime, let me say that I am 74 years old, and I expect the Lee to last my lifetime too, even tho my Dad is 97 and my Mom just passed away at 94.

 

[kenjen]

the way i look at it is both presses will do what you want them to do, (the turret press is the way to go) also just think of all the money you will save by getting the lee, money needed for power, primers,bullets and such....

 

[kingranch]

I've used many reloading presses over the years. Single, turret and progressive type. Pacific "C" frame, RCBS -RC-, Lyman Crusher, Spartan Turret. Lee 50BMG, "C" frame, Pro-1000 and Classic Turret. Hornady AP- LNL, Redding 7-hole turret and Dillon, both Square D and 550. And after all these years of reloading most of them are gone other then Redding 7-hole Turret and Dillon Square Deal. Redding for my rifle and "special project" reloading and Dillon for all my pistol jobs. I have an enjoyable memory of Lee Pro-1000. It was a good AP press for a "volume" pistol shooter (1000-1500 rounds per week) like I was back then. Anyway, going back to an "O" press…I really dislike RCBS priming system on RC model press. Love the Lee toggle priming system and spend primer catch setup. All said and done…I, (just as the other member said) personally, wouldn't go back to an "O" single stage. A quality turret and an AP press is the way to go!

 

[novalty]

As a suggestion on RCBS, you might want to give their number a call, as they do have factory seconds that they sell at pretty reasonable prices. I'Ve been told that some of the factory seconds are actually display models that they used for shows. I ordered an Automatic Bench primer from them, and had it delivered for $25 less than I could find it anywhere else, and it looks new.