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<Sarge>
posted
Hi, I'm the new guy. I am here because I am gettintg ready to start reloading. Myself, my brother-in-law, and another hunting pard., are going together to start up a new hobby. We don't know anything except that I have done some reading and think I know enough to ask questions. That's about it. We want to start out in low dollar mode.

We don't know enough to tell the difference between "inexpensive" and "Cheap". While we do insist on the first, we don't want to get caught up in the second. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also someone who has good basic equipment and is moving up to complex operations may find us a willing customer for the old stuff.

------------------
Sarge,

Live your concience. Leave others to theirs.

 
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quote:
Originally posted by Sarge:
Hi, I'm the new guy. I am here because I am gettintg ready to start reloading. Myself, my brother-in-law, and another hunting pard., are going together to start up a new hobby. We don't know anything except that I have done some reading and think I know enough to ask questions. That's about it. We want to start out in low dollar mode. Sarge/ Buy good equipment and you will never outgrow it! It would be hard to beat one of the complete kits being sold by RCBS, they are as good as it gets withoout stepping up to specialized equipment, as for dies,again RCBS or Redding Bushing type for more selective rifle accuracy reloading, FIRST on the list with the RCBS kit is a good reloading manual and then another one! most all the bulletand powder companies sell manuals and it is hard to find a bad one but two is the minimum for good safe reliable reloading and results, and as a plus the RCBS people are fantastic to deal with if you have a question or problem, Midway USA, and others have specials on the KITS and supplies, later special type tools if you advance to the next level are available from Sinclair International, both are good reliable sources of equipment and supplies and information, welcome to the reloading ranks and good luck and good shooting!!!

We don't know enough to tell the difference between "inexpensive" and "Cheap". While we do insist on the first, we don't want to get caught up in the second. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also someone who has good basic equipment and is moving up to complex operations may find us a willing customer for the old stuff.


 
Posts: 687 | Location: Jackson/Tenn/Madison | Registered: 07 March 2001Reply With Quote
<stv>
posted
Sarge, My suggestion is to buy a good quality starter kit. If you are splitting the initial cost three ways then it wont be bad. The best overall quality for single stage rifle loading is(imho) RCBS. However any of the others will get you started depending on the best deal. Look at local garage sales too. In addition, get a few different reference manuals, Sierra, Lyman, Lee, and look through there introductions and instructions carefully. Welcome to the club, I have been at since about 72 and still enjoy it as a hobby in its own right. stv
 
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<Sarge>
posted
I had heard that Lee was "fine" for a starter kit, then just heard from someone else that it's junk. That sort of confused me. I figured if anyplace would have some folks with some "on target" opinions on brands and quality this would be the place. RCBS is what I really have been wanting all along but its 3 times the price of Lee. ??????????????????

------------------
Sarge,

Live your concience. Leave others to theirs.

 
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Many, if not most, items from Lee are VERY functional. Their [discontinued] Target Loader is a treasure which I prudently store in my safe. Their powder measure is a cheap piece of plastic which WORKS BETTER with stick powders than most or all measures which appear to be much better made. Lee practically pioneered priming tools with a decent feel, at least in recent years. You will continue to hear "cheap" and "fine" about Lee for years to come. Ask people on this site about their experiences with specific pieces of Lee equipment, and don't be scared off by a few remarks about appearance, price, or even apparent quality of materials.
 
Posts: 2272 | Location: PDR of Massachusetts | Registered: 23 January 2001Reply With Quote
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Picture of Paul H
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The Lee Anniversary kit is a good way to get started, inexspensive, not cheap. I've loaded countless rounds in mine, everthing from 38 special to 458 lott, and many in between.

The lee is so affordably priced that its worth keeping around once you figure out what comprises the ideal setup for you. I've upgraded to a redding BR30 powder measure, and use a lyman turret press now, but still use the lee press, mainly for sizing cast bullets.

Anyhow, get the lee set, read their book, and get another loading manual or two.

 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
<PowderBurns>
posted
Yeah but . . .

RCBS is guaranteed for life. No questions asked. I just sent back a stand primer tool that I screwed up--MY fault. They sent me a new one free.

RCBS sent me the pistol die for my Uniflow powder measure--free.

This stuff will last forever. And it's like investing in a gun. It's every bit as precision as a fine firearm.

Someone remarked to me that Lee is like Ford/Chevy and RCBS is like a big ol' Buick. Now ya know ya can't get a Buick for what you'd pay for a Ford . . .

(Yeah, there are BMW's, Mercedes, and Porsches out there too . . . )

------------------
PowderBurns Black Powder / Muzzle Loading Forum:

www.hotboards.com/plus/plus.mirage?who=powderburns

 
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Welcome. I will give you my standard suggestion on starting reloading. I'm sure others will have different opinions, but this is mine.

When I started out, I bought an RCBS master reloading kit from Midway (www.midwayusa.com). The kit gives you everything you need with a few exceptions. I found I needed a Tumbler (Midway), Caliper (Midway), Reloading manual for the powder you intend to use (Midway seeing a pattern here?), bullet puller (you'll need this eventually), primer pocket cleaner, and spray sizing lube (much easier than the lube pad).

As for dies, you mentioned a hunting buddy helping, so I assume you'll be loading for hunting/target shooting. I'm sure you know you need dies for each caliber. As for the brand, I have stuck with RCBS from the start. Not that there's anything wrong with the other manufacturers, but when RCBS says a lifetime guarentee, they mean it. I broke two decapping pins on two different dies in the same day. After calling them, I received all the guts for both dies at no charge.

Bottom line, if you're not looking at serious target shooting, any brand of dies will suit you well.

One more thing, if you decide to go with a kit, check the listing for the caliber pilots, etc. The RCBS kit I bought didn't come with a .338 trim pilot, maybe they do now. It's worth a look.

After a while, you'll need a chronograph, etc, and I'm sure the more advanced loaders will recommend more things, but what I have has gotten me by for quite a few years. Good luck reloading.

 
Posts: 425 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 01 April 2001Reply With Quote
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A friend of mine had no end of problems with some of Lee's kit; in particular the powder measure and scales.At first, I thought is was him, but since moving to RCBS, he has had good results.

When I was in your shoes, I went out and bought some RCBS kit secondhand. I have been
very pleased with it and see no reason to change. I avoid Lee for most stuff simply
because I have heard so many mixed reports.
Having said that, I have never heard anybody
running down their dies which seem to be quality items. At the end of the day you can mix and match, but for the main stuff I would recommend RCBS.

Regards,

Pete

[This message has been edited by Pete E (edited 04-27-2001).]

 
Posts: 5684 | Location: North Wales UK | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
<David Arens>
posted
Congrats! You're getting into a great hobby with many benefits. I just started reloading as well. I bought the Lee Annv. kit so I'll throw in my 2 cents. Although the box says that it includes everything you need, thats not quite the case. The shell holders that come with the kit are for the priming tool only, they don't fit the press. It had me baffled until I figured it out! You will need a dial caliper for measuring case length OAL etc.. loading blocks, case cleaning brushes, that's about all I can recall now, since I'm at work. I just made my first upgrade (after loading 100rds) I bought a RCBS 10-10 beam scale. After having to tap the bench to get the Lee scale's beam to move with 17+grns of 2400 in it I lost confidence. I think the scale is the most critical piece of equipment and it is not the place to save a couple of bucks. I also could not get the powder measure to drop a consistant charge but that could just be my inexperience. I drop a charge from the measure into the pan and then bring it up to the proper weight with a trickler(another extra). I have heard that if your measure is consistant you don't have to weigh every charge with the scale but I like to take every precaution.
Dave
 
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If I were a begining reloader, knowing what I know now, I would buy a Dillon 550B and an electronic scale. I like most of the Lee products, except the Lee 1000. A friend of mine has one of their perfect powder measures, I don't care for it.

I would also recommend spray-on lube, a bullet puller, a good pair of calipers, a primer tray, and a set of check weights for what ever type of scale you buy. As for dies, I mainly use Dillon, but I have loaded very accurate ammo with Lyman, RCBS and Lee dies.

 
Posts: 598 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 16 June 2000Reply With Quote
one of us
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Don't believe everything all these guys say about Lee being a pile of poo.

I've been reloading approximately 3 months with a Lee Anniversary kit and dies. With very little effort (less than 150 rounds)I'm now achieving consistent overlapping groups at 100 metres in .22/250. I expect similar results when I start on .243 and .303.

Read the books, be very precise and you shouldn't go wrong.

Maybe that's it - I check weigh every powder measure I dispense, largely for peace of mind but for accuracy too - perhaps some of these guys don't want to put that amount of effort into it and so find working Lee gear just t-o-o much trouble?

Nothing's broken so I can't comment on after-sales service from Lee.

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Posts: 360 | Location: Sunny, but increasingly oppressed by urbanites England | Registered: 13 February 2001Reply With Quote
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Sarge, It's a great hobby and I have been reloading since 1963 when my dad came home and set up a reloading room in the basement.

Everyone has given you great advise and the people on this site are all very knowledgeable through experience. Like BIG_R stated look to Midway. www.midwayuse.com. You can buy it all over the net.

I will give you my, for what it's worth. The most popular press today is the RCBS Rockchucker. (There are many progressive presses but when starting out take you time.) The Rockchucker Master Kit is sold with most of what you need.
The Kit comes with the following:
Press
5 0 5 Scale
Uniflow powder measure
Speer Reloading Manual
Hex key set
Case lube kit
Powder funnel
Deburring tool
Loading block
Primer tray 2
Auto primer feed
Trim pro case trimmer

Leave the Auto primer feed in the box and buy a hand priming tool, RCBS makes a good one as does several other companies. With the hand priming tool you get a better feel for the seating of the primer.

I will give you a list of a few other things to get:
Dial caliper
Bullet puller and collets
Primer pocket cleaner
Powder trickler
Shell holders
Various reloading Manuals

As time goes on you will accumulate other thing that come in very handy.

Good luck and have fun.
Steve

 
Posts: 439 | Location: Kansas by way of Colorado and Montana | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
<TERMINATOR>
posted
My two cents. I would go with RCBS. I like the 10-10 scale because it will weigh larger things. I think RCBS is the most commonly available equipment and is thoroughly reliable and high quality. I always recommend it for beginners. It is a clean cut, moderately priced way to get started. You are most likely able to buy it over the net or at your local stores. That is important when you need a key gadget. Look at the catalogs. Almost all sell RCBS. There is a reason.

Experiment with other brands as you become more knowledgeable.

Good luck and welcome.

 
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<PowderBurns>
posted
I use the plastic ammo blocks from 45 ACP, 9mm pistol ammo for shell blocks. My primer tray is the plastic lid from a 1/2 gal. yogurt tub.

A case tumbler is essential, although I just washed my brass for years. Vinegar, Dawn detergent, water, lemon juice, and a little salt does the job for cheap.

These days I don't tumble my .223 brass because I don't want to nick and work harden the necks. I wash the brass and clean by hand with a cloth.

All my pistol ammo gets tumbled.

Uniflow measure is pretty accurate. I weigh every fifth round unless I'm loading for target. Then I throw short and trickle the charge up to weight on a scale.

I like the RCBS hand primer. These provide a good "feel" for the primer seating in the case.

Case trimmer is necessary for bottle neck brass. I like the RCBS, but I think maybe the Lyman is a bit better design. I needed to use a socket hex driver and perm. LockTite on the screw holding the case holder to the frame on the RCBS. No problems now, but it kept coming loose.

I'm sold on RCBS customer service.

Sinclair and Redding are the Mercedes of this hobby.

Dillon 550 is great if you're turning out a zillion rounds for IPSC. I like to shoot off the bench and spend maybe 15 min. preparing each case for loading. Not in any hurry, just want gnat's ass accurate bug holes in the paper.

The Hodgdon Data Manual provides load data for several brands of powder. Lots and lots of load data available online these days.

You want a book that provides dimensional spec. for brass, OAL, etc. Most online data lacks this important feature.


------------------
PowderBurns Black Powder / Muzzle Loading Forum:

www.hotboards.com/plus/plus.mirage?who=powderburns

 
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<bobshawn>
posted
Sarge & Friends __

Welcome to the club.

I bought my first reloading press in 1956; an RCBS Rockchucker. It's still putting out ammunition beyond my diminishing capabilities. That's not to say that I don't use other products; usually what I can find on the local dealer's shelves. Some might work a little different than others, but that's up to me to learn their idiosyncrasies.

As for all the rest, the above posts far exceed my meager offerings. But, just a little advice. Success is in the details. Don't ever scrimp on your own labor. It costs you nothing but time. Keep your equipment, components, and working area meticulously clean. If you screw up, don't hedge. Do it over.

The real satisfaction comes when you know you've done your best, and you only find one ragged hole in the target.

Good shooting.

Robert

 
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<Gard>
posted
I am not sure if this pic will come thru but this is my reloading bench. I reload thousands of cartridges a year. Most Lee parts will not hold up. I use the hand priming tool and a few dies but would rather have RCBS or Redding dies. Im not saying that Lee product will not work just that it will not work as well as RCBS or Redding. Im not trying to offend anybody here but its kind of like scopes if you would not buy a simmons or tasco scope then dont buy a Lee reloading. kit.


 
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I don't think it is possible to own too many reloading manuals.
 
Posts: 598 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 16 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Sarge I bought a Lee Kit years ago. I have had no problem with it. I even used it to form cases. It makes accurate ammunition. as for durability I load about 2000 rounds per year with no problems. Now I admit that I have upgraded some of the equiptment over the years but I am still using most of it. I have no regrets Starting out with a LEE set for the price I think you can't go wrong. Welcome to the sport and let me warn you now, it is addictive.

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Growler

 
Posts: 95 | Location: Alberta Canada | Registered: 23 March 2001Reply With Quote
<vssf>
posted
Sarge

Go for the Lee Anniversary and a set of deluxe dies. This equipment turns out 1/2 MOA ammunition. As Gard suggests the money you save can go toward a decent scope.

Regards

Ray

 
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Picture of hivelosity
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Sarge, it is not to late to back out if you have not purchased the first of any eqipement.
this reloading is one of the worst diseases you can contract. why
you will never have it all and as soon as you think you do some thing new will show up.
I have five presses;
a lyman True line jr. 30+ years ole, I load 38/357 works great
a lyman t- mag 20 years ole. load all high power rifle.
two mec size masters 12 and 20 guage.
a lee O frame set up for priming large or small primers
lyman 500 scale + lyman auto-scale, a #55 powder measure
probably around 35 sets of reloading dies,
DO YOU SEE MY POINT.

IT ALMOST BETTER THN XEX.
ALL this equipement and each one has its own set of problems. I have had to make modifications to most of it..

BUY THAT LEE STARTER KIT. And when you grow out of it you can use it for something else.

Its a great accomplishment when that first Deer drops and you know it was one of your reloads.

good luck, Hivelosity

 
Posts: 2134 | Location: Ohio | Registered: 26 June 2000Reply With Quote
one of us
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HIVELOSITY, your response is one of the few I've read on any board that makes sense. There is no such thing as "if you buy RCBS (or whatever) you'll never need another press."
Moose nuggets! When the reloading bug bites, the affliction will take you down many roads. Eventually, you'll end up with darn near every company's equipment.
Sarge, get whatever kit calls out to you to get you started. You'll probably end up like some of the people here, claiming that a Stonethrower or Dullun is the best. That is until you spot another accessory at the gun shop. There's so much great equipment out there from every manufacturer.
One press! Well, at first maybe. What you end up collecting will depend on what you load for over time. Bottom line: get started!
We've all got horror stories, triumphs, likes and dislikes. Don't spend too long listening about the beginning. You're not even there until you got stuff to do it with!

Welcome to the roller coaster! The best piece of advice anyone can give is - above all, have fun doing it!

Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
303british.com

 
Posts: 172 | Location: New Lowell, Ontario | Registered: 14 July 2000Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mark
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Sarge,

Welcome aboard! I think you'll find you have located by far the best bunch of shooters in cyberspace here, this is a great place.

Now regarding equipment, there have been some good remarks. My suggestion is to get the Lee Anniversary kit, for $70 delivered from midway, and a can of spray case lube. Some dial calipers are nice, but since I don't know what budget you are working with you can take a piece of sheet metal and carefully scribe the max and min sizes for a particular cartridge on it, then cut along the lines with a hacksaw and you have a max/min case length guage.

The bad thing about reloading with a group is that it is easy for the majority to bully the minority into chipping in and buying more equipment. Thats what happened with me and my brothers, we'd take turns convincing each other that we needed something else, then when you feel guilty making the others chip in and swear to yourself you're not going them to pressure them to do that again, they find something they want and start strong arming you! It is a vicious cycle.

I don't think anyone here has pointed out the theory that reloading saves you money is a load of crap, you still spent the same amount of money, you just shoot more!

 
Posts: 7786 | Location: Between 2 rivers, Middle USA | Registered: 19 August 2000Reply With Quote
<jac>
posted
Welcome to reloading. You've gotten lots of good advice, and here's my 2 cents:
Buy the RCBS press. My second choice would be Redding or Forster. DO NOT SAVE A BUCK ON YOUR PRESS!
Here's why. I have had an RCBS Rockchucker since around 1966. I've loaded a couple zillion rounds of rifle and pistol for myself and others. The press is the same as the day I bought it.
I also own 2 Lee presses. Lee makes some good stuff, but neither of those Lee presses would have stood up to the load the Rockchucker has.
The press is the one item you'll buy that you'll never get rid of- if you buy the right one the first time.
 
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I'm with jac, I broke two lee presses before I finally ordered my rockchucker. Matter of fact I ordered the rockchucker about 10 minutes after I broke the second lee press because I was so pissed off. I like lee dies, their case trimmers and a lot of other things they make but their presses won't hold up. Buy a good one from the start and save yourself the hassle. I'm not down on Lee, they make some great stuff but their presses are complete crap. At the very least get a decent press.

My suggestion would be to buy the rockchucker master reloading kit, get a set of dial calipers from midway usa for $20, and buy Lee dies for the calibers you need. Lee die sets include shellholders and they're every bit as good as other brands. I quit using my redding 7mm stw dies and ordered some lee dies when the reddings gave me lube dented shoulders. Lee's collet dies and factory crimp dies are wonderful.

[This message has been edited by boltman (edited 05-06-2001).]

 
Posts: 1173 | Registered: 14 June 2000Reply With Quote
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At the risk of ruffling a few feathers, what exactly did those of you do, that broke the Lee press? I've used a Lee press (2001) with reloading classes since the early 80's and it's still in one piece.
You weren't pulling on the handle like it's a slot machine were you?
I have a Stonethrower press (it was my first) and it's nice, but the RCBS line of equipment has always been overpriced. A lyman, Redding or even a Lee kit would save the beginner a few bucks that could be invested in additional stuff like a set of calipers for instance.
I know that it doesn't appear so, but I'm not trying to start an argument over equipment, but I can't understand the rationale.

Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
303british.com

 
Posts: 172 | Location: New Lowell, Ontario | Registered: 14 July 2000Reply With Quote
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Steve,

No feathers ruffled. Both of the presses I broke were from stuck cases and I pulled too hard on the handle trying to remove them. Both presses broke in the same places, the base where the press bolts to the bench cracked in several places. The interesting thing is that they were bolted to a 3/4" plywood top which I would have expected to break before the press, but that didn't happen. I took the die with the stuck case that broke the last Lee press and screwed it into my Rockchucker when it arrived and the case came right out. I'm not anti-Lee, I like a lot of their stuff but just not their presses. A good press is the heart of your reloading setup.

You stated that RCBS is overpriced and I agree that a lot of it is. I've got a rockchucker that I bought for $75 and a set of RCBS scales I bought for $40 but the rest of my setup is other makes. I looked in my midway catalog and saw the lyman crusher II kit for around $130. It doesn't have the powder measure or case trimmer of the rockchucker kit but you really don't need a powder measure and I like the lee case trimmers better and they're cheap. That lyman kit for $130, calipers for $20, lee case trimmers for $8, and some lee dies for $20 and Sarge's in business. In any case I still don't like the lee presses, just get something with a good cast iron O-frame press.

 
Posts: 1173 | Registered: 14 June 2000Reply With Quote
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A friend has a cheap and cheerful "C" type press by Lee which has broke near the fixing
holes. It is now bolted to some angle iron after he drilled new holes...He also had trouble with the Lee scales...they were the ones with a ball bearing for a counter weight. Anyway, that put me off Lee's big stuff although I do use some of their small kit.

[This message has been edited by Pete E (edited 05-06-2001).]

 
Posts: 5684 | Location: North Wales UK | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
<Hunter333>
posted
I have a Lee Anniversary Kit and love it. I have only been reloading for a year but I have yet to run into a problem with the Lee equipment. I did screw up the depriming pin and they sent me a new one withing a few days. Other than that, nothing else has happened. I am very happy with my $100 purchase!!

------------------

 
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<migra>
posted
Ok,
Everybody else has put their two cents worth in, so what the heck. Hivelocity is right. Just say no do this addiction! Take it from somebody who has had the bug since childhood, theres no cure. I bought a Pacific (Hornady) kit in the early eighties when I decided my dad's stuff was too old. It's all still intact after I don't know how many rounds. I think any good O-frame press will last you three lifetimes. I would lean toward the RCBS kit because the scale and measure are better. BUT!!! I have a friend who bought a LEE kit against my advice and he is still happily loading quality ammunition 6 years later with his original equipment. No matter which brand of press you buy there is one piece of eqipment from Lee that no reloader should be without. The Lee primeall two. It is the best priming tool I have found. Back to the Pacific kit I bought. One of the best things that came with it was Hornady's loading manual. It has about twenty pages of instructions on how to safely and properly load ammunition. Through the years I have bought a bunch of other manuals but this is the one on top of my loading bench day in and day out. Regardless of what you buy get good loading manuals. Good luck and have fun.

Migra

 
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<OTTO>
posted
I started with the lee set mostly due to cost. I am not impressed with their powder measurer. Replaced it with a Redding. If I had the money at the time it would have been the RCBS set from the start.

------------------
From my cold, dead hands!
Thanks Chuck!

 
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Moderator
Picture of Paul H
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I feel I must reply to the comment about those using lee presses as akin to those using tasco and bushnell scopes. I don't see that as a fair comparison, as a cheap scope very well can cause one a hunt due to either internal fogging, or failing to hold zero. I won't put a cheap scope on a hunting rifle!

On the other hand, I have never had a round loaded on the lee equipment fail to fire, be unsafe, or innacurate. You can load ammunition that is just as safe, and just as accurate on Lee equipment as more exspensive equipment.

I do have some specific beefs, the powder measure will utterly gum up and leak powder if you use ball powder like H110. It also isn't very accurate with stick powder. Interestingly, the most accurate ammo I've ever assembled and shot was assembled using a measured charge of H4350 from the lee measure that veried +/- 1/2 gr for a nominal 36 gr weight. Despite that, the ammo would put 3 shots inside a 1/2" square, and that from a contender handgun.

The scale, I haven't had the problems otheres have sighted. I do not weigh individual charges, as I feel that it is a waste of time for what I do. I did upgrade to a Redding BR powder measure, and just use the scale to keep an eye on charge weights.

The press, I use this mainly as a backup, as I found a lymann T-mag saves me alot of time, and works well enough for what I do. The press isn't nearly as strong as a rockchucker, so don't abuse it! If you want the best press, it isn't a rockchucker, for single stage the Co-ax is it. The lee press makes a find 2nd op press for pulling the occasional bullet (collet pullers are superior and safer then kinetic), sizing cast bullets, or whatever else.

No single starter set will be ideal for you, but the advantage of the lee set is you can get started for not alot of $, and find out what upgrades you'll want. If you can afford the RCBS at the get go, then go for it, if not, don't think that you won't be able to make good ammo on it, as that just ins't true.

I think the better comparison is a savage rifle to the other factory guns. The savage is just as accurate, if not more so to guns costing 2 times or more as much. Thats not to say I care for savages or would buy one, but don't discount them as junk, because they work fine for what they are.

 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
<Mats>
posted
Sarge,

It all depends on what you want to do. If you're just gonna load some .270's and .30-06's for hunting and casual plinking, go with the cheap Lee kit. Hell, buy it anyway - if you fall into the handloading swamp you can buy other stuff as you go along. Whatever you do, DO NOT buy an electronic scale unless you plan on weighting lots and lots of cases, they CAN have an edge there. But don't let anyone fool you that they are more accurate than a beam scale, 'cause they ain't - it's the other way around. I'll elaborate a little on mostly the Lee stuff below...

I started out with a Lee Anniversary kit and have since bought stuff from RCBS, Lyman, Forster and Redding (not counting the BR gizmos).

If you are to load big cartridges and/or form cases, the Lee press is a bit too weak. I have RCBS Rockchuckers for normal loading, my Lee is a decap-only press now since I bent it running .30-06 cases into a 6.5x55 FL die... Another wonderful press is the Forster Co-Ax, but it's expensive. The Rockchucker is what all other presses are compared to, and with good reason - it's a damn good and strong press.

The Perfect Powder measure is just that, perfect - if mine ever would stop throwing as good loads as it does now, I'll get another one. RCBS Uniflow is a piece of junk in comparison, I sent the first one back because there was no way I could get less than .5 gr ES on 40-50 gr loads with short grain powders like N 133 through N 150 - with MRP there was over a grain ES. The one I got in exchange was worse, I sold it at a loss and went back to the Lee which is boringly accurate.

The Lee hand-held primer seater is very good and often seen at BR shoots. Lee's powder scale is a bit sensitive to the powder's position in the pan, but it settles fast and has twice the accuracy (in terms of lever movement for X grains) of my RCBS 5-0-5 or 5-0-2 - they're case/bullet scales only for me.

Lee's primer pocket cleaner is very good and IMO better than the brush type. The case trimmer is the fastest and most accurate you could use, although you must work with a fixed length (can be adjusted with small shims though).

I'm not too fond of the Lee RGB dies, although I see no difference in function between them and Lyman/RCBS dies - I don't like them either. If you don't want to shell out for Forster or Redding dies, who are miles above the rest, go with Lee. The Collet dies (Lee's neck dies) are fascinating little creatures and have been used by more than one World Record BR shooter (in the long range events).

To sum my rant up: For "normal" re- and handloading, Lee tools are as good as or better than the "normal" offerings from RCBS, Lyman et compagnie. For serious competition and the ultimate in accuracy, other - often more expensive - tools are necessary.

-- Mats

 
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<Ronnberg>
posted
Gard,

A DL650, 550, Rockchucher.. could have been a picture of my bench - except yours is tidier.

I actually love the RCBS Rockchucker - got two just because I got one used for a good price in a car boot sale. I do not use Lee for much. Have a couple small items - including handpriming tool and some dies and they seem to work - but if possible in dies I always go for RCBS or Redding. Had some bad experiences with Lyman so I stay away from Lyman dies (one 223 with neck so loose the brass wouldn't hold the bullets - and a 9mm that sized the brass so the finished round looked like a coke bottle. Presses ok though, have a little handheld Lyman for traveling purposes - loaded thousands of .375 H&H on it.
Rgds.,
Peter


 
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<Elliot Viker>
posted
Check E-Bay for some higher quality used equipment. I also started with lee, and still use some lee equipment. I love their hand priming tools, and the perfect powder is great for stuff like IMR4350 or RL19 and other long type powders. I like lee dies too you get a shell holder and load information with each die. The fact that they cost less does not mean they are not as good as others. Welcome to the hobbie!!
 
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one of us
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Reading this thread, I began to wonder if some people weren't employed by certain manufacturers. I own Lee, RCBS and Lyman presses. Press preference depends on what I'm doing. I own Lee, Pacific and RCBS dies. I prefer the Lee and Pacific dies. I own Lyman and RCBS powder measures. I prefer RCBS.
But as far as breaking etc.
Ever notice how one guy's '92 pickup truck looks well cared for and the other guy's looks like a pile of crap? I believe the same applies here.
 
Posts: 258 | Location: Baltimore, Maryland US of A | Registered: 01 June 2001Reply With Quote
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