Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

[Goodwood]

Getting started in reloading. (I know, I know, bad timing for finding components). The wife bought me some dies, projectiles, and primers for Christmas. Now I need a basic kit to begin loading 30-06, 308, 44mag, etc. Ive got a case trimmer, and an ultrasonic cleaner already.

The Question: Is the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme master reloading kit ($350.00) that much better than the Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit ($125.00)?

My gut tells me that it should be, but in my searching here I have found folks saying te like the Lee. Is this just the Classic Cast press, or does the Challenger have the same following? The only loading I have done has been on an old RCBS for 300 Wby Mag, and on a Dillon progressive for pistol calibers. (just feeding the press - a friend did all the setup).

I am also considering buying a second press for an additional caliber, or to set one up for sizing and the other for seating. Knowing this, would you still spend the money on the RCBS and run a single press for a while, or would you use the extra money to buy a Lee Classic Cast press and use it on the rifle calibers?

Or, am I TOTALLY miss-informed and should do something else?

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I use a Lee Challenger Breech Lock...

learned on a Rock Chucker...

was broke when I bought my own, went w/ the Lee to save some $$$, thinking I'd upgrade later... that's been YEARS, still haven't found a need to upgrade the press

now after saying all that...

I wouldn't buy a kit again, it didn't take long before I hated the powder dispenser and scale...

buy the press, a chargemaster (or a smartreloader isd, what I use) and all the little pieces seperate

 

[ejb]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

you might want to look at the redding T-7. 7 dies in one press and pick up the other components here on the hide or on sale.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I "THINK", operative word here, Midway has the RC kit for under 3 bills.
Cabela's sells a RC master suppreme deluxe whatever for around $700.00, way more realistic in todays world.

 

[Temp9]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I believe the Lee Challenger kit comes with the cheaper aluminum press, not the cast iron press.

The Rockchucker kit comes with better equipment (IMO). Although the Lee scale and powder measure, they leave a bit to be desired. The RCBS comes with the Ohaus 505 scale and Uniflow powder measure. Those two are much nicer to use than the Lee counterparts.

 

[CowboyBart]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

Lee press is OK and yes, the Challengers that I have are aluminum. RCBS press is better. RCBS powder meas and scale are much better.
If you are doing this on the cheap I would buy used. I have been reloading for 25+ yrs and have never worn a press out (although I have sold my original RL-3 press and bought an Ammo Master).
PM comin' at ya.

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Temp9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe the Lee Challenger kit comes with the cheaper aluminum press, not the cast iron press. </div></div>

Yes. It is the alloy press not the Classic Cast press.

Lock and Load kit from Hornady any good? I know some folks have mentioned the digital scale is a piece of junk.

 

[Temp9]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

The RCBS 505 scale is much better than the Hornady GS-1500(?) scale. Everything else seems comparable. Remember that you can upgrade the RCBS RC press to use Hornady LnL bushings for only $11 if you so desire.

ETA: Upgrading to a 505 scale later will cost near $100.

 

[338Federal]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I have my original Rock chucker still set up next to my Dillion 650. The RCBS kit is what i bought and havn't replaced or upgraded a thing. Only added a Redding trickler, case trimmer, and still use this set up for my precision loads of 223, and 338 federal.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

First, I detest kits. None are complete, there are extras to be selected and bought with all of them. Worse, the buyer gets locked into everything in the same color and NO maker has a lock on the ideal tool for every job.

Next, "better" is a relitive term, depends on what you need, not what someone else needs - or thinks he needs.

Lee's Challenger alum alloy press is fine for what it's made for. That being common reloading of small to middling sized cases - up to .300 mag - but it's not a great choice for truly large cases or for massive case reforming; for that the larger iron and steel presses are indeed much better. (Anyone wanting the 'strongest' common press will get a Redding Ultramag.)

IMHO, Lee and Hornady both came up with a great solution for which we have no problem with their 'quick-swap' die bushing gimmicks. Dies need not be more than finger tight and most anyone can easily screw swap dies in less than a minute - that's not going to improve the quality of anyone's life.

I've never gotten into blind loyalty to inanimate objects. My main press is a perfect condition RockChucker II bought in '87. But if Lee had made their Classic Cast single stage at that time my main press would be red; it's the better tool.

 

[CowboyBart]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

+1 for the Kits are crap!
You should be able to pick up a used RCBS Rockchucker for $80 and an Reloader Special for $50. I recently picked up a new (out of production) Pacific "Power C" press for $60 shipped. RCBS Uniflow, Lyman 55 or Hornady's powder measure should be able to be bought used for $50 or $60 with a stand. I paid $7 for an RCBS 5-10 scale at an auction, and $3 for a Lyman D2 scale at a gun show. The Lyman was missing the pan hanger - I made one from 12 ga electrical wire in 30 minutes!! These were bargains that don't happen everyday but $40 should buy you a good used scale. Avoid the electronic scales. I like Lee's handpriming tool(s) and have several of them (1 for large, 1 for small, and 1 for a back-up). These go for about $25 new and the shell holders are about $15/set. You only need one if you are willing to switch the parts back and forth - I'm too lazy. Loading blocks, trimmers, and dies can be found at gun shows or estate sales for cheap - especially if you buy all of them from the same vendor!
Most Lee die sets come with a shellholder - saving you $5 and having to buy it separately. I like Lee's collet neck sizer or Redding neck sizer dies. IMO Hornady makes the slickest pistol dies but the Lee factory crimp die is great for heavy recoiling rounds. RCBS and Dillion have the best warranty. Lyman is very good and I never had to use Redding's. Lee's is only 2 years.
Stay away from the overpriced box stores and take an additional $200 to your next gun show.

 

[judgedelta]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I bought the Rockchucker kit and no longer use the powder dispenser, lube pad, scale or trickler. Get a Chargemaster as soon as you can swing it...

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I love the snipershide!

A friend of mine lurks here (although I don't think he has a user name yet) and he saw my post. He owed me some money for gunsmithing, and had an RCBS press NIB. After some negotiation, I ended up with the press and a couple pounds of IMR 4064!

So, original problem solved. Not the way I thought it was going to work out, but that's turning out to look like more of a blessing than curse. Now I am going to need to come up with a powder measure and a scale.

I have also located a Hornady hand priming tool, and it looks like it needs a case adapter to use it for .308. Does anyone know what case adapter I need off the top of their heads?

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: judgedelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought the Rockchucker kit and no longer use the powder dispenser, lube pad, scale or trickler. Get a Chargemaster as soon as you can swing it... </div></div>

They are that slick huh?

Maybe I'll dive in right now and do a chargemaster with the money I saved on not having to do the kit thing. I still need a scale to verify correct? What is SOP for using the chargemasters?

 

[RebelRouser]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

I bought the RC II kit years ago and I think the powder funnel and the press are the only things I still use. I use a cast aluminum Lee challenger press for seating bullets only and the more sturdy rock chucker for the sizing...works for me.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lee Challenger or RCBS Rockchucker kit?

"They (Chargemaster) are that slick huh?"

The justification for a digital dumpster depends on the volumes of rifle ammo you want to weigh charges for and how fumble fisted you may be with a conventional measure and beam scale. I can load manually just about as fast as my young friend's costly dumpster works but I do have a few years of practice. But I KNOW what each of my charges are, there's no hoping the electric scale hasn't drifted or burped.