Brand loyalty in reloading

[Daan Kemp]

Use an RCBS Rockchucker since 1983 with many different dies. Still works excellently. Also a Piggyback that I know has been in use since new in 1984. Still working well as long as you don't rush and check closely.

Would like a Dillon but can't afford it now.

Information

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[Bruce McAskill]

My 1973 Rock Chucker is still going strong with well over 100,000 rifle rounds through it.(Not counting the pistol rounds so maybe the same amount.) When I started the only dies around were Lyman. They were OK and later I got some RCBS dies used but still good shape. I picked up a set of Redding dies in 30-06 but not impressed by them. Later Lee dies came about and the mil surplus rounds started to flow. Hey I don't load a lot of 6.5 Carcano or Japanese BUT I can as the dies were cheap and fit just what I needed. Hey if I load a couple of hundred rounds of .303 or 7.62x54 and don't use the dies again for 5 years I am happy as I have them. My latest Lee dies are in 7.65 French long. Starline is making the brass and the dies work like a champ. The problem with the Lyman and the RCBs dies is their pin system for de-capping. Too easy to break or bend a pin. Cheap but you need to have them in stock at your bench all the time. RCBS has a problem with leaving the pin in a tight flash hole sometimes. My .30 carbine Lyman dies were finally worn out but the replacement Lee's I bought have lasted twice as long. But for the money, Lee dies work OK.

[paulo57509]

I always have been loyal to RCBS, as they were the tools of choice when I started reloading back in 1981.

After my old Lee Auto Prime broke, I bought a new RCBS Hand Priming Tool. Gravity wasn't enough to get the primer onto the ram.



After receiving some replacement parts (didn't fix it) and returning the tool to RCBS, it was returned in working order, N/C.

During transit, to and from I bought a new Lee Auto Prime. The RCBS tool sits in the unopened box unused. I now longer limit myself to just one brand.

[usabaker]

Anyone else feel similar about Lee or another brand? Or one you just dislike and for good reason?

I have no loyalty to any particular brand, I will tell you though in all my interactions with the folks at LEE, RCBS, and Hornady.... RCBS is the most responsive and customer-centric. I use what I feel is suitable for what I am loading. I have Lee, RCBS, Hornady, and a bunch of off-brands. Most are RCBS followed closely by Hornady, then Lee. I only use a single-stage, same ones I have had since the late 80's and 90's both RCBS, I just moved to the Hornady CAM-LOC Trimmer from the LEE and then Hornady Electronic Scale from my RCBS beam scale; I do find myself "double-checking" things on my beam scale only because I still don't fully trust electronic scales.

[Atticus Thraxx]

I do find myself "double-checking" things on my beam scale only because I still don't fully trust electronic scales.

It took me a few years too, but now I'm a believer. Now my beam scale is just a decoration along with my Lee Handloaders and handheld case trimmers.

[usabaker]

Now my beam scale is just a decoration along with my Lee Handloaders and handheld case trimmers.

Funny, I still use my LEE handloaders now and then. Back in the 80's I used to make shims to change the seating depth so that when I was out testing I could dial in loads.

[pocketshaver]

got a little hornady electronic scale, lee hand press, lee dies. whats more to ask for?

Yeah some parts about lee aren't that great, but they do things others DONT do,,, like the standard lube vent hole in rifle full length dies,,,, those cost EXTRA in some other brands...


One of the biggest off put is that SO MANY of the *******s on shooting forums are "purest fanboys" against lee.

[usabaker]

One of the biggest off put is that SO MANY of the *******s on shooting forums are "purest fanboys" against lee.

Yeah, what is that about? LEE has more in their offering and is the most reasonably priced items of all of them.

[browningautorifle]

LEE has more in their offering

I think if you look you'll find everything is available from all manufacturers...

[pocketshaver]

cant say that LEE has less in its offerings. They do things that other companies don't do.

the first cast load I did with my .308 was with LEE everything. somehow I got a group 1.5" in diameter at 30 yards?. the boys using redding and hornady dies said they typically got twice that when starting out with their premium dies the first time. Talking about the accuracy I got with my second load of HORNADY ROUND BALL at the same range, got me kicked off of that web site. apparently my accuracy was too good.