Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Presses: RCBS vs Lee

I have been looking at getting a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme or a Lee Classic Cast Iron Press.

I am leaning towards the Lee, but I would like to get some input from those with more experience.

Thanks!!

My dad used them and I started on my own with RCBS systems. They have always worked and lasted very well, so I have never changed. mostly new stuff just to try it out. So I can't compare, but I can vote a thumbs up for RCBS.

I've never heard a bad thing about RCBS presses. I have a light Lee press that I use for seating bullets but the heavy work goes to the RCBS.

Some of the less expensive Lee presses are barely usable junk. I have however read a few people give glowing reveiws of the Lee Cast Iron press. When I looked at it the Cast Iron press seemed better than the cheaper Lee stuff.

The way I look at the two is to consider if it is better to buy the top of the line thing from a company that makes cheap stuff like the Lee or do you want to buy the solid proven press bread and butter model from a company like RCBS that makes mid to higher range products?

I started reloading with a Rockchucker press 35 years ago and my not-yet teen age boys will never wear the thing out. Lee's a lot of years behind in proving durability to me.......................DJ

I like my Lee cast a great deal. It is a very good press.

Another vote for the RCBS rockchucker press.

yep

Though I use RCBS, the Lee cast is quality press.

Another nod for the Rockchucker

Geeze I dunno. I'm still trying to wear out a single stage Lyman Spartan and Lyman Spar-T turret press that I bought used in the 70's.

The Lee press will PROBABLY last you the next 50yrs of your reloading.
The RCBS WILL.............................DJ

I have a Rock Chucker and a jr, (the lighter duty press), and the jr. has been in service since 1971. I don't remember when I got the RC. I have had zero problems with either of them. Bear

My Rockchucker has about 20 years on it. It's still relatively new.

There is no comparison. The Lee Classic Cast is a much better press. I also understand the current version of the Rockchucker is made in China. The Lee is made in the US.

Haven't used RCBS Rockchucker. Have used Lee Classic Cast press and Lee Turrent press (not the classic)- The Lee Classic Cast press is definitely of much higer quality (the biggest difference being the diameter of the Ram - i.e., more surface area = more stability).

A similar topic appeared in the Canadiangunnutz site recently and the general consensus was that the Lee Classic Cast press gave up nothing to more expensive presses (including the Forster CO/AX) - this opinion comming from folks who were in the position of providing valid opinions - those who own and use several presses of different makes.

Fixed it a bit. I have them both; no flies on either. Lee Cast iron is probably the better press overall if one loads bigger cases, likes captured spent primers, uses press mounted priming systems - and likes simple-to-change systems, etc. Admittedly, some Lee stuff seems rather cheesy, flimsy, whatever. That can't be said for the Classic Cast press however.

I own two Lee presses and one RCBS. I use all three but prefer the cam over action of the RCBS when sizing cases. Loaded a few 7RM cartridges once where there wasn't enough neck tension because I failed to apply the necessary pressure with the Lee press during the neck sizing phase.

As far as other components, I really like Lee's new hand primer. I used their older one but was restricted to CCI or Winchester primers. Their power dispenser is usually more accurate than my digital scale. Their Safety Scale is pretty sensitive, but setting the 10th and 100thds is a trial of humility.

Having examined current examples of both presses, I'd be inclined to advise folks to get the Lee Classic Cast. If you find an older (even used) RCBS, go for it. The current ones just lack something almost indefinable in the feel. It might be the "Made in China" aspect, or something else; the RCBS just isn't what they used to be. I might just be imagining it, or I might be pre-judging because I know the country of origin. But, there it is ...

The Lee is certainly the "Best Buy" of them all. That's beyond debate.

RCBS for me.

Get the RCBS and be done with it. Pay for quality once, not twice!! In addition, the best customer support there is.
Bear in Fairbanks