Beginners first reloader

[SHOOTALL]

 With both RCBS and LEE i have worn out hand priming tools . Lee broke at the handle on 2 seperate tools ( yes when i started i tried the less expensive route ) . They charged for parts  saying yes they break from time to time . With RCBS i wore out the tray , shell holder -holder from use and they replaced it . That's when i stopped useing less expensive . Since i have had several other RCBS parts replaced most i broke . Damaged one resizing die - stuck case . Yep they send a new one . I use tools every day and feel i can see the quality difference in the two brands . So i feel i get better for the money spent . The rock crusher is 40 bucks more than the lee but you could buy a less costly RCBS press . It is like comparing a caddy to a vega.  Both will make the trip but if you run into a problem which would you rather be in .
 As to wearing out presses , I have a lyman made in the late 50's or early 60's still going strong I use it to crimp alot , a pacfic from mid 70's that i have at home and use alot still sits next to the lyman and i often seat with it and crimp with the lyman . The rcbs is at work and is about 4 years old and i like it alot . I have a Hornady progressive that never gets used .

[johnjohn]

Most all my stuff is Lyman, from what I've read on this and other websites their customer service is not on a par with RCBS. However I've never worn out or broken any of it. Except de-capping pins,and they ain't expensive.

[Dand]

I just checked on Ebay. There are quite a few presses on there for decent prices. I started on a  RCBS Jr and it was a good little press. It (the Jr series) don't have the compound leverage of the Rockchucker, current Lee Cast, Lyman, Hornady or Redding presses. If you don't expect to load a lot of ammo a used RCBS JR or similar might be fine for you. BUT now that I have a newer Lyman with the compound leverage I really like it. The kit can be a good way to go to get many of the tools you need all at once. Or get it piece by piece on ebay if your are patient. I would buy a NEW scale - RCBS, Lyman, or my favorite - Hornady.

Midway is having a sale right now on some presses and kits. But shop carefully. Check Midsouth and compare prices. These outfits are very competitive and prices can be close. I've had great service from both as well as Graf & Sons and Natchez Shooters Supply.

If Ebay isn't your thing, watch GB reloading classifieds for a press. I think there is a decent press for sale there now.

[mdi]

There's a great controversy about Lee equipment, and based, I believe, on very rare one of a kind failures (many of which are operator error, or gorilla practices). I have never heard of anyone "wearing out" a press (a guy on another forum has documented 700,000 rounds reloaded on a Lee turret press). But I've seen/read of a couple abused to failure.

A lot of it is what I call "tool snobbery" I worked as a mechanic in a heavy equipment repair facility and saw a lot of tool purchases solely because of the name on the tool (Snap-On, Matco, Williams, etc), or because that's what their favorite NASCAR pit crew uses. The "snob appeal" of being able to own the expensive tools, or what their idol uses. The same with reloading equipment. Many guys think Lee is junk because it doesn't cost as much as the others and Lee has some innovative (not old fashioned) ideas; a little different (ie; an unbendable locking scale, a powder measure made from modern materials). "If a press isn't made of 39 1/2 lbs of cast iron it can't be any good, can it?" 

So, that being said, RCBS does make good presses, so does Sinclair, Wilson, Forster, Lyman, Hornady, all the others I can't list now, and Lee. My recommendation is start with a Lee Classic Cast and if that doesn't suit your reloading needs sell (to me) it and buy a Forster...

[SHOOTALL]

mdi , The tools that broke from lee that i used were not Gorilla or one of a kind . That said please explain the warranty issue , why will lee not stand behind their product like RCBS .
 As far as NASCAR attitude , we would be using Dillion now wouldn't we !

[Dances with Geoducks]

I must reload to much, worn out a Lee powder measure in less than a year.
When back to my 1960 Redding
The Lee scale does not lock, so you get drift.
Not so With my Redding scale.
You can see where this is going....

[JustaShooter]

+1 to mdi

I'm not saying that RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, etc. don't make good stuff - I think I own some of just about everybody's equipment, or have at some point.  But for whipping up a bunch of .45 or 9mm, the Lee Pro 1000 I picked up 2nd hand 15 years or more ago just gets it done.  It has handled thousands of rounds - now, by some accounts I don't reload a lot, but I easily average several thousand rounds a year through it, more some years, less others.  I've broken a spring or two, and when I got it it had been abused and needed some parts replaced, but contrary to what I see others posting, Lee has stood behind it, more than I'd expect.  Even when told it was abused, they sent the parts free of charge, no shipping cost, just "where do you want it shipped".  When I told them I'd broken a spring, and had a couple of bushings I wanted to replace, told them I'd pay for them, they wouldn't take a credit card number and said they'd include a bill, where to ship them.  Parts came, bill was marked no charge.  Same thing when I got a die set in trade with missing parts.  Same thing when I got a new die set with a badly cut decapping rod retaining clamp (except I didn't expect to pay for that, and didn't).

I can't speak for others, but Lee has done right by me.  I'm just sayin'.

Just a Shooter

[mdi]

mdi , The tools that broke from lee that i used were not Gorilla or one of a kind . That said please explain the warranty issue , why will lee not stand behind their product like RCBS .
 As far as NASCAR attitude , we would be using Dillion now wouldn't we !

OK, I'll bite. (just to point out; I use C-H, RCBS, Lyman, Hornady and Lyman-Pacific equipment along with my Lee equipment; 2 presses, dies, molds, and various tools. I am not defending Lee, just want to be clear about Lee bashing). But so far the post above is really vague and typical of Lee bashing, kinda like a rumor. What exactly did you break? How old was the piece that broke? Is the equipment that failed still in production? Are you the original owner? Under what circumstances did it break? Is this a problem with other users? Does this equipment regularly fail with all users? Who did you speak to at Lee? What exactly was their responce? 

And I don't get the NASCAR-Dillon connection...

[stimpylu32]

Just my take on the whole Lee / RCBS / Hornady / Redding / Forster thing , which one is the best .

Lee = lower up front cost , buy some replacement parts / some free .

RCBS = Higher up front cost , free replacement parts / little or no ??s asked .

These are the 2 that I have personally dealt with , so lets look at it this way , if RCBS would charge the price of Lee , would they be able to offer you free parts even if you screwed up --- Not and stay in busness very long . You pay for that service up front and if you never need it = they profit .

RCBS does make some good products , as does Lee , I have had to send parts back to both for problems , not of my doing , the RCBS was free , however I paid twice as much up front , and the Lee was also free as it was their fault , still less up front cost .

They ALL will load safe / servicable ammo , its just a mater of what you want , need and can afford , no more / no less .

stimpy 

[Diesel40]

I want to thank you guys for all of your help.  You offer so much information with first had experience.  i will let you know what i end up getting.