We have gotten off topic a little here. When I referred to the Lee hand primer I meant it seated the primers with better feel than any other primer. Not that they held up better. Many bench rest shooters use them because they can feel the primer seat and can seat them more consistently than any thing else. I personally have a RCBS hand primer. What I like about the RCBS is it uses standard RCBS shell holders and it seems to be built pretty well. What I do not like about it is that you can crush a primer if you are not careful because it is too powerful. If you have not tried a Lee collet neck sizer, you are doing yourself a disservice. They are excellent. They are not finished the best, but they make straight necks and you do not have to use any lube what so ever with them.
wtroger - Sorry about the hi-jack. I still say get a good quality press, you will not be sorry you did. I have no personal experience with any press except for the RCBS Rock Chucker. It is an excellent press with the exception of the primer thing which to me is minor. I have not even looked at a newer one and they may have redesigned a better way to handle them by now. The press will do any thing you want within reason. You are not going to be able to load 50 BMG, because the opening is too small, you are not going to be able to swedge jacketed bullets with it either, but I do not think there is a press made out there that will unless you buy a specialty press and pay some big bucks for it. When I say a quality press I mean a cast iron one. The brand you decide on should be based on features, service and of course price. I personally think you should start with a single stage press. This is to learn the ins and outs of reloading. If later you decide to get a faster type, turret or progressive then you will know what you want and you can still use the "old" press for special jobs. I still am using my "old' press and probably will for a while yet. We could argue all day long and into tomorrow about what the best one is, everyone has his favorite. A lot of times people argue that what they have is the best, based on the fact that is what they chose to begin with and will not admit that they could have done better or know any thing else. As far as service RCBS is one of the best. I broke a bullet punch on one of my bullet seaters and they promptly replaced it free, even tho it was my fault. I have not needed their service for my press and that is what I expect, no service needed, thank you. I would expect that if you buy any quality press you will find the same thing, no service needed. Just my 2 cents worth.
