Brand loyalty in reloading

[Atticus Thraxx]

I have a buddy at work who makes good bank, not married and no kids. His reloading setup is incredible, almost all Dillon. Looks like an ammo factory. He likes Dillon I suspect because it's expensive. I've never owned a Dillon press. I'm sure they're overbuilt and and run great. But way, way back in the day when I started reloading the only brand that had stuff at my price point was Lee. Heck, I remember sitting and watching the Bills lose their first Super Bowl while using a hand Lee Reloader for .308 and pumping out pretty decent ammo. Still have it too.
Over the years as my earning power grew, I never saw a need to move away from Lee presses. Tough, economical comes first of course, but I feel some loyalty to Lee who seemed to always have getting value for the shooter in mind. Anyone else feel similar about Lee or another brand? Or one you just dislike and for good reason?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

This ought to be good...we've already had this discussion. I started with an RCBS RC and have complete gear in that name, also have a Dillon 550 progressive for loading pistol ammo. I traded a Colt Commander steel frame 9mm for the RCBS gear and the complete parts kit for a Browning .303 MG for the Dillon. I've got over two hundred thousand rounds out of them since 1980 which really isn't so much when you divide by years... Lee on the other hand I won't bother with as it's inexpensive for a reason. Any time I forget that and give it another chance, it proves again why it's inexpensive.

[Atticus Thraxx]

. Lee on the other hand I won't bother with as it's inexpensive for a reason. Any time I forget that and give it another chance, it proves again why it's inexpensive.

You're not the first person I've heard say that. I have been fortunate I guess. Or maybe I just don't know how good working with higher end equipment is. Probably the latter.

[browningautorifle]

Wait, there'll be much, much more...

[Atticus Thraxx]

I'm new so if I retread tired old ground to the point of annoyance, just cuff me in the head, I'll pipe down.

[browningautorifle]

No, no...this one will grow. The others were guys asking what to buy.

[Daan Kemp]

I tried two Lee progressives and never could get them to work. The primer feed especially.

The dies and hand sets work very well. Pity they don't make 410 hand sets any more.

[NORTHOF60]

In my neck of the woods, its not so much brand loyalty, as whats available. Not much in the way of variety.

[fjruple]

Over the years, I have used mostly RCBS reloading presses to reload. I started with a RCBS Jr that I found in the trash bin in a gun shop that the owner was getting rid of. It was free for the taking as several parts were missing. I used that press for many years and moved up to a used RCBS Rock Chucker which I paid $50.00 for from a shooter at the range. I do not particularly like the RCBS Dies and used dies from Lee. I found the Lee dies to be a bit better and forgiving in lubrication as they have a vent at the neck to vent any excess lub out and prevent dents in the cases. Five years ago I picked up a Dillon Square Deal B press for my pistol cartridge reloading and ended up picking up two additional presses. One I pernamently leave in 9mm Luger (9x19mm). One I set for small pistol primer cartridges and the other for Large Pistol primer cartridges. Last year i moved up to a Dillon 650XL as the dealer was getting rid of the press for the newer 750XL. I got the press in .223Rem/5.56mm with all of the bells and whistles for half price. In my reloading I like to size and prime the cases separately from the functions of the press to decrease my reloading time on the progressive presses. In my smaller lots of cartridges I will use the RCBS or my Lyman Turret press to do a run of a specific cartridge. I follow a very rugged QC and inspection of all phases of my reloading to minimize accidents. When you don't pay attention to details that when stuff happens. As far as brands, I like to stick to CCI for my primers as I use a ton of their Bench rest and military spec primers. I prefer Remington Brass as it seems to last longer but use whatever I can find. For military surplus cartridges I like PPU as they seem to be made to the original milspec.

[oldfoneguy]

I prefer RCBS for its quality. I have a little Partner press I've had since 83 and it's still my go to for accurate seating especially with the micrometer dies. Then there's the Rock Chucker used for all other operations. Die wise other than CH4 I wouldn't use any other than RCBS. I'll make an exception however in that the old style RCBS dies with the long non floating pin decappers and round locking collars leave a lot to be desired.
I will give kudos to where they are due in that my work isn't finished until I've used a Lee factory crimp die on every round I produce. I will never again load without them and have a Lee FCD for every rifle round I load. Not so much for pistol except for the 44mag rounds l load for hunting with the Winchester and Model 29.