Author Topic: On offense to my roots, but I grabbed some green (Read 582 times)

bajabill · « **on:** November 21, 2005, 06:56:36 PM »

I have been, and still am, a proponent of Lee equipment for starting out. I go the anneversary kit and a few sets of Lee dies. All have performed as I could expect, no problems at all. I have been telling myself that once I make 1000 rifle rounds, I should reward myself with a new press. I have been eyeballing the Lee classic cast press, and almost ordered on up for about 65 bucks plus shipping. That was after scanning ebay to determine few deals existed there, shipping from individuals is usually steep.

Then, today, I go into my local reloading shop to pick up some powder and bullets, and scan thru their resale rack and there it is. A Rock Chucker II, in very nice shape. Looks like it has spent more time idle than in use. I make an offer for $60 and home it goes with me.

It will look nice, a little bit of green sitting amongst a sea of red. Im going to keep the Lee set up to cut down on die changing.

If I had to do it over, I would do it just the same. 1100 rounds ago, I had no idea I would stay with this hobby. I spent more money on powder and bullets today than I did on the my Lee kit. There was not a penny wasted on that equipment.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2005, 07:01:59 PM »

Green is good...easier on the eyes. :eek:

-Patriot

MickinColo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2005, 03:44:14 AM »

Great price!

I bought a new Rock Chucker last spring. It took a couple of weekends getting all the dies setup on the new press but its so much smoother than the old RCBS RS for full length resizing.

bajabill · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2005, 04:39:06 AM »

there is one on Ebay now, with a buy it now price of $60, but as always, 15 to ship. Actually, that is one of the better buys on these items I have seen on Ebay. Usually the end up at least 75 + shipping.

Mine is the RCII, with the priming feature that I doubt I will ever use. When did RCBS remove that and come out with the RC Supreme? I guess I can remove the parts associated with the prime opperation to get them out of the way.

varmit_master · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2005, 10:51:45 AM »

Hi bajabill I started out the same way. I got a Lee Kit for Chrismas. And on ebay one day i got a RCII for 63.00 shipp to me . And the thing look like new. One thing about RCBS the customer service is the best they will go out of there way to help you. VM

koli · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2005, 02:08:03 AM »

I just got my Lee Annav. Kit in mail yesterday. Am waiting for the dies and a few other things. Will probably start after deer season. Am pretty excited. I looked at the RCBS kits, but could not see spending all that to start out. RCBS did look like it's equipment was more robust however.

I looked at ebay, but it seemed that people way overpay for items that can be bought new for a lesser price. There were a couple of times that I wished I could post on ebay, "What are you doing, I saw that same item at Gander Mountain for $10.00 less w/o shipping!".

I ordered my stuff from Cabela's and paid less than the price for the Lee kit and got deluxe dies, calipers, brass, bullets buy using points and gift cards(obtained through motel stay club).

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2005, 02:14:01 AM »

Got to love that Green... :-D

bajabill · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2005, 03:57:12 AM »

Re. RCBS lifetime guarantee

You bet it is, I did not come completely clean here. I do have some "green" already. A RCBS case lube pad :shock: and a Case Master Guaging Tool. :agree:

With the CMGT, I bought it on EBAY, and it arrived with the dial indicator broken. I talked to the seller and he said it wasnt when he shipped it but to call RCBS. RCBS sent me a new one and I returned the pieces, no cost except the shipping of the broken one. Saved me a battle with a seller who was probably honest but did not protect the item well enough for package basketball, I mean shipping.

I also have a Lyman accutrim and outside neck turner. I dont trim case length with it however, thats reserved for good ole Lee.

Tom W. · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2005, 03:34:59 PM »

Guess what, Bajabill....

Little by little you'll discover that almost everything on your bench will turn green.... And that there are a lot of people out there that will buy the red stuff to help that green appear!

Gatofeo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2005, 08:48:33 PM »

I have an old RCBS JR. I bought new in 1975. Still works but I've retired it for a Lee single-stage press.
The Junior is robust but stouter than I really need. The Lee is angled to the right on my bench, which makes it easier for my hand to access. The RCBS sticks out 90 degrees and doesn't give me as much room for manipulating components.
But no doubt about it, the RCBS is good stuff.
Next to my red Lee is a blue Dillon 550B progressive press. The Lee does a box at a time, for small runs. The Dillon will crank out a box of 50 .38 Special rounds in about 7 minutes.
Love my Dillon. Love my Lee. Love my RCBS (though it's retired, it was my first press so I have a soft spot for it).
Nothing wrong with Lee in my mind. The stuff is inexpensive, which allows many cashed-strapped folks to get into reloading. It works too.
No, the Lee isn't as strong as the RCBS but how much strength do you need to resize a case? I resize .30-06 and .45-70 cases on my Lee; never had a problem.
I wouldn't use it for case-forming, however. I'd drag out the cast-iron RCBS for that. But then, I don't do case-forming so the point is moot.
Go with what works and what you can afford.

Savage · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2005, 06:48:49 AM »

We are so fortunate nowdays to have so much quality reloading equipment available to us. I got into reloading in the early 70s using a mallet and a Lee Classic Reloader in .38/.357. This was followed by the same loaders in 12ga and the 10ga in 2 7/8". I made the big move a short time later to the RCBS Jr. and a Mec 600jr. Loaded TONS of ammo on both. Passed these two on to my son. Had a 550 Dillon was a while and traded it for a couple of SKS carbines. Currently I have a Lee Loadmaster for 45.ACP and a Lee 4 station turret press for the half dozen or so calibers I load in small quantities. I am very well served with these choices. I even replaced my 35yr old Ohaus with an electronic scale. Life is good!
Savage