Need Advice - RCBS or Lee for large calibers?

[The Judge]

Gents,

Need your mind share on this topic.

I'm ready to start reloading for the 50bmg, 416 Barrett and 338 LM, but need more education on each press and their advantages. Yes, I've been to websites and have watches numerous YouTube videos. However, I trust the experience and feedback of the The Hide

For reference, I have friends who use both, RCBS and Lee, and have had great results.

Neither of them have complaints, but the one who uses the RCBS has been reloading for more than 20 years, said the quality and service they provide is outstanding.

My other friend who uses the Lee single stage has had excellent results are well.

Can anyone provide me meaningful feedback on which one is the better investment and why?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Foul Mike]

I am no guru and don't load for those calibers, however, over the years I have bought Lee stuff when only loading a few and not using the rifle regularly. It all works and is functional, kind of like Russian stuff, not pretty but it gets the job done, just not too smooth.
Many times cost was a big factor for me as I was Poo. and didn't figure on using that die set too much only to replace that initial purchase with better shit and wished I had gone that way all along. Buy once and cry once.
I do like Lee trimmers, but other than that I use RCBS and Redding for everything else.
I have never had a Lee press but feel certain they do the job. Lee has some other great products out there but I learned early on to save my nickles and dimes and buy higher end things up to a point. Some things I use would make the Gurus here shutter but they are good enough for me.
In short, you get what you pay for.
I have only been reloading for 45 years so I don't know a lot and am always learning.
Take it for what it is worth, and that runs down to opinions ans assholes and everyone has one. FM

 

[The Judge]

I am no guru and don't load for those calibers, however, over the years I have bought Lee stuff when only loading a few and not using the rifle regularly. It all works and is functional, kind of like Russian stuff, not pretty but it gets the job done, just not too smooth.
Many times cost was a big factor for me as I was Poo. and didn't figure on using that die set too much only to replace that initial purchase with better shit and wished I had gone that way all along. Buy once and cry once.
I do like Lee trimmers, but other than that I use RCBS and Redding for everything else.
I have never had a Lee press but feel certain they do the job. Lee has some other great products out there but I learned early on to save my nickles and dimes and buy higher end things up to a point. Some things I use would make the Gurus here shutter but they are good enough for me.
In short, you get what you pay for.
I have only been reloading for 45 years so I don't know a lot and am always learning.
Take it for what it is worth, and that runs down to opinions ans assholes and everyone has one. FM

Foul Mike,

LOL!! Great response. I'd say 45 years of reloading is quite the watermark.

I'm not a young one anymore either, so I prefer to buy once - cry once, and enjoy quality.

Thank you for the reply back - I do appreciate your opinion. It does help.

 

[Spblademaker]

Big fan of Lee stuff. My old man likes the RCBS and Hornady presses. Never had an issue with anything Lee until last month when my 6.5CM sizer started doing weird shit to the brass. No more Lee stuff for me. I hope the old man has me in the will. ??

 

[The Judge]

Big fan of Lee stuff. My old man likes the RCBS and Hornady presses. Never had an issue with anything Lee until last month when my 6.5CM sizer started doing weird shit to the brass. No more Lee stuff for me. I hope the old man has me in the will. ??

Good stuff!

 

[OLD308]

My personal experience (not benchrest), is its more the dies than the press. I did a comparison, just like a lot of other, between the RCBS Rock Chucker and the Forester CoAxel Press. No difference berween run out or setting depth consistently. So I sold the CoAxel and bought more Rockchuckers. I was using custom dies. Dies make all the difference. Custom Dies from Whidden cost the same and some times less than the super high end off the shel generic dies. Hope this helps.

 

[The Judge]

My personal experience (not benchrest), is its more the dies than the press. I did a comparison, just like a lot of other, between the RCBS Rock Chucker and the Forester CoAxel Press. No difference berween run out or setting depth consistently. So I sold the CoAxel and bought more Rockchuckers. I was using custom dies. Dies make all the difference. Custom Dies from Whidden cost the same and some times less than the super high end off the shel generic dies. Hope this helps.

Very much !!! Thank you.