I really wanted to get an RCBS kit, but they cost quite a bit more, and my mom doesn't think that she wants to spend $300 on my Christmas present, so I'm looking at other kits on cabelas.com, the Lee kit has a lot of stuff, and only costs $67. It's pretty basic, but I don't know anything about it, what do you guys think???

As far as the reloading kits go, is it cheaper to buy the kits always or would it be cheaper to buy piece by piece????

Lee Kit: This kit and a set of dies is all you need to reload any cartridge. At the heart of the kit is the Challenger Press, a strong O-frame press with a larger-than-average opening angled at 30° for maximum hand clearance. Compound leverage easily performs full-length sizing on even the largest magnum cases. Built-in, easy-to-empty primer catcher. Complete powder-handling system, including the precise Perfect Powder Measure; Safety Scale, the most sensitive and safest of all powder scales; powder funnel; and powder data manual with more than 1,000 different loads tested and recommended by Hodgdon Powder Co. Case preparation tools include a cutter and lock stud to trim cases; an inside/outside case mouth chamber tool; primer pocket cleaner; and a tube of premium sizing lube. Plus, you get Lee's popular auto-prime primer feeding system and a set of shellholders for more than 115 different cartridges.



Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

If you buy cheap bargain basesment gear such as lee it will work if you don't load a lot and don't load large cases that take a lot of effort to size.If you plan on a lot of loading and never want to have to buy another press, buy an rcbs rockchucker and quality dies and tooling.

It will work just fine,the Lee kit . I still have one that is 8 years old and is just fine. I've load thousands of cases with it,from 30-06 down to 223's. All of them came out just fine and shot as good as any other presses loadings.
Buy what you can afford and be happy . It will do the job .
You will also need case trimmers[from Lee] and shell holders {Lee}.
OPPS ! And dies for what you want to load up .

Mounting Man/in PA.


Edited by - Mounting Man on 12/14/2002 13:10:12

Mounting man-You say you load from 30-06 down to 223.These cartridges are quite easy to size but cartridges such as the large magnums and ultras take a lot more effort and put a lot more strain on a press.If you intend on loading these cartridges the lee will not stand up nearly as well as the rockchucker.My first press many years ago was a lee unit and it actually flexed while trying to size 300wby cases so I went out and bought the rockchucker.

Edited by - stubblejumper on 12/14/2002 14:02:00

Edited by - stubblejumper on 12/14/2002 14:02:53

Stubble Have you ever loaded with a Lee challenger press ? I have and some magnums at that ,I have never seen one flex . The old C type presses used to but I have never seen an O type do that . I prefer the RCBS presses but the Lee will work .

Buy what you (or your folks) can afford. The Lee will work just fine. As long as you aren't trying to full-length size the large mag cases you should be ok. You shouldn't need to full-length size them anyway, just neck size. You can always get the Lee kit now and get the RCBS later if you're not happy or as you can afford it. I use Lee equipment and although I don't load for large mags I love it.

NoMercy, after going down and reading your other post about the calibers you plan to load, I would definately say go with Lee! It's 1/5 the price of the RCBS kit and every bit as good for the rounds you will load. It will load these rounds without any problems.

I have loaded with a Lee press for 10 years and I have run 300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag and many standard catridges through without ever having any problems. The Lee kit is a great place to start. The only thing I suggest is use RCBS dies and get yourself a better powder scale. If you get into loading as much as I do a rotary trimmer is a nice thing to have as well.

The Lee kit is an excellent value, it is versatile with the auto index for loading pistol rounds or single stage the press will work just fine and do what is supposed to do. I load from 30-06 down to .223 also and the turret press works quite well. I say go for it and as you move on you'll find the little things, the first extra I would recomend though is to buy a better scale and the Lee Autoprime and shellholders.