I am starting to reload at my house so we are gathering all our stuff. We need to get a primer, we are using the RCBS rock chucker so we will have to buy shell holders for it, does the rcbs hand primer use the same shell holders as the press?? The rcbs hand primer is $30.00 or so, while the lee is on sale right now at midway for 9.99 +3 handling and 8 to ship, then I can buy an assortment of shell holders through them for another 12 bucks. What do yall suggest??
I have both. I like the rcbs alot better. It feels sturdier and has more of a quality feel to the stroke in my opinion. The tray seems more accurate on the rcbs at keeping the primers in the "up" position too. Yes the rcbs uses the same shellholders as the press uses. I don't like having to fumble around and cross reference the lee shellholders for the lee primer. Some have said they like the lee better but I can't quite understand why....like alot of Lee products it's one of the cheapest out there but you kind of get what you pay for.
Posts: 2002 | Location: central wi | Registered: 13 September 2002
I don't have a Lee I've only seen and handled them and I then got the RCBS which I really like. Kraky is right it uses the standard shell holders that fit your press.
Posts: 5604 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005
I use a Lee and I like it. I have never used the RCBS so I can't comment on it. I doubt it would outlast 3 Lee primers for the same cost. I have loaded several thousand cases with the one I have been using for 15 years. You can also get replacement parts for them if a part fails without having to buy another...but they are not costly so why bother. I don't think you will go wrong with either of them. The Rockchucker is a darn good press too. Good luck.
Woody
Posts: 4115 | Location: Pa. | Registered: 21 April 2006
+1 for the RCBS. Yes, they use the same shell holders. I would order two of each one you will be using, one for the primer and one for the press. It saves a lot of time and set-up for very little money.
I like the Lee, I bought two and keep one set up for small and one for large primers just for the convienance. For the price they work great and you can easily afford several to the cost of one RCBS and I've yet to wear one out in 15 yrs.
Posts: 332 | Location: Western CT | Registered: 10 June 2003
I wore out a Lee and so went to the RCBS which I also find much more comfortable. If you buy the RCBS I suggest that you buy the new one with the universal shellholder. That way you don't have to mess with taking them off your press. The RCBS is much more comfortable in my hand, but if you have a small hand you might like the Lee better. But if you've tried the RCBS in hand and find it comfortable I wouldn't bother with the Lee......................DJ
....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004
I can't comment on the RCBS, having never used one but I think the Lee is the greatest thing since bottled beer. I have three. One set up for small primers; one set up for large primers and one on the shelf if what the nay sayers that talk about cheap Lee products happens and one of mine goes south. I've used mine for several years and thousands and thousands of rounds and it hasn't happened yet.
I have two of the Lee auto-primers, one set up for small and one for large primers. The only problem I've had in thousands of rounds (except misplacing a part and buying a second after moving....) was that I needed to open up the metal a bit so that fat cases like 300 RUM or 25 WSSM would fit.
Cheers,
Dan
Posts: 430 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 02 March 2006
You already have the Rockchucker so buy an RCBS hand held primer tool and the Lee universal shell holder set, they're in a green box. It comes with 11 shell holders and they will fit both the primer tool and press and are suitable most cartridges. The Lee shell holders in the red box only fit the lee primer tool.
Posts: 207 | Location: Central Ohio | Registered: 11 April 2007
Originally posted by Bob in TX: Yes, one of the new RCBS units has the universal shell holder. The reviews from folks that have used it have not been very good.
Bob
Not so, There have been a couple complaints but everyone I've talked to has liked theirs. I love mine.......................DJ
....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004
Thanks yall!! I have talked to my gun dealer and he is ordering me the universal RCBS...Surplus City in Jackson, MS is the only local dealer for reloading around me and all they had was the older RCBS hand primer. I will let yall know how it turns out since it is newer!!
Buy the RCBS, for all the above reasons. Stay the hell AWAY from that cheap piece of crap Lee hand primer, sure they will sned new parts at no cost, but I got tired of that pretty quick and went to the RCBS and never looked back.
Posts: 578 | Location: Post Falls, Idaho | Registered: 03 February 2006
HHG, One little tip I'll mention to you that will help when using the RCBS Universal shell holder is to give the case a little turn after you snap it into the jaws. It's possible to push it too far to one side when you put it in and that can lead to it popping out on the other side. Snap it in and give it a 1/2 turn or so and you shouldn't have that problem..........................DJ
....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004
Seems my experience with the RCBS was less than satisfactory. The priming rod stuck on every seating operation along with a few other glitches. I have used a Lee for several years and have the up most confidence that it seats the primer .004" beneath the head and functions very easy. Lee is a quality value! Look at the bench rest shooters that use their dies! I have 40+ sets of dies, mostly RCBS competition or Full length sets. In the past few years I have turned to Lee and have even sent some of my wildcats off to have Factory Crimp dies made. Dollar for dollar the Lee wins hands down IMHO!
Focus on the leading edge!
Posts: 453 | Location: Louisiana by way of Alaska | Registered: 02 November 2004
I like the Lee, I bought two and keep one set up for small and one for large primers just for the convienance. For the price they work great and you can easily afford several to the cost of one RCBS and I've yet to wear one out in 15 yrs
I also have the RCBS but find it cumbersome to change shell holders. Although it is built stouter than the Lee, the Lee has always given me accurate ammuniton and is a lot easier to use.
"I ask, sir, what is the Militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them" - George Mason, co-author of the Second Amendment during the Virginia convention to ratify the Constitution
Posts: 1699 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 14 April 2004
I started out with the Lee, but switched to the RCBS universal (square tray) for a couple of reasons. The Lee uses only the thumb, which gets really numb after a couple hundred rounds. The RCBS uses the whole hand and is much more comfortable. More comfort means less stress, and more seating "feel" to me.
The tray on the RCBS is designed better. It is large enough to take a whole tray from the manufacturer's packaging laying down inside it when you remove the cardboard sleeve. It also feeds from the corner, naturally funneling primers into the chute better. It removes easily from the handle for easier, less fragile storage, and has a sliding gate to shut off the chute so that primers won't spill out.
Lastly, I draw some comfort from the steel bar that separates the primers in the tray from the one being seated. Not sure whether it really matters or not, but I like the idea. Lee just tells you not to use some brands of primers...
I still use my Lee autoprime. I keep it set up for small primers, since I don't use many of them anyway. It keeps me from having to change either one over. I'll probably get a second RCBS one some day.
If you already have the older RCBS one (round tray, takes press-type shell holders), RCBS sells a conversion kit to use the new square tray with the old handle.
