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Thread: Bench primers Lee vs RCBS

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master


    GregLaROCHE's Avatar
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    Bench primers Lee vs RCBS

    I am getting ready to buy a bench fixed priming system. At first I was going to go with Lee until I found out that I had to buy special shell holders. I have a lot of different cartridges, so I would need the kit.

    Unfortunately I am in Europe and the price for the kit is over forty dollars. That added to the primer cost is almost the price of an RCBS. I think I might be better off with the RCBS.

    The only advantage I can see with the Lee is the way you can quickly load the primers. Are there any other reasons the Lee could be better than RCBS? Is it faster ? Are there any other brands I should consider ?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    I have both, in fact two of both. Here, the Lee bench primer and shell holders is still less than the RCBS. The big difference is using a tray with Lee and primer tubes with RCBS. Most RCBS users are happy with their primers. I just far prefer the tray over the tube. Far faster with a tray. Either way you should be happy. BTW some oterr high end primers use the Lee shell holders.

  3. #3
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    Wayne Smith's Avatar
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    Have the RCBS, don't have the Lee. Lot of people here were having problems with the Lee trays and the lack of precision in the making of them. RCBS is solid, simple, and direct.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I use an RCBS, love it. I did buy extra tubes, but folks regularly make their own.

    Have never used a Lee.

  5. #5
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    I was using a RCBS hand priming tool and tried the RCBS bench priming tool. It worked great, but it took forever to fill the tubes, so I went back to the hand primer. Later, I got a Frankford Arsenal vibra prime to fill the tubes on a Dillon 550 and used it on the RCBS bench prime tool. It works great and fast. Without the vibra prime the bench priming tool is no better or faster than the primer arms on the press.
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  6. #6
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Not to knock the Lee, but you cannot beat RCBS customer service and this product is great. This is a fabulous deal .
    https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...h-priming-tool

  7. #7
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    I have the RCBS.It works well.It is extremely well built.I have not used the Lee so I will not comment on it.The RCBS will probably prove more durable.
    Last edited by KenT7021; 09-15-2018 at 03:44 PM.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy fred2892's Avatar
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    Bench primers Lee vs RCBS

    Quote Originally Posted by Shawlerbrook View Post
    Not to knock the Lee, but you cannot beat RCBS customer service and this product is great. This is a fabulous deal .
    https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...h-priming-tool
    That is a great price but as the OP says, he is in Europe where the price is more than double what midway USA is.
    Here you go, Brownells took over from Midway in Europe. How about almost $200 for the exact same product.
    https://www.brownells.co.uk/AUTO-PRI...RCBS-749007452

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    Last edited by fred2892; 09-13-2018 at 09:51 AM.

  9. #9
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    See the issue here is " I never used one, but I love my whatever else."
    Ignorance is a bad way to go. The Lee primer trays take a tap here and there but work just fine. I could be done priming while someone else is still loading the tube. Since they do not know any better, they soldier on. I do not disagree with the comments, but ignorance is bliss.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    I really like my RCBS. Loading the tubes is no big deal. No slower than my Dillon SDB, same setup.

  11. #11
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    Same slow set up. The fact that both are slow and tedious does not negate that the Lee is faster, as it is way faster to use. May, or may not be a better choice, that would be an individual preference.

  12. #12
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    RCBS make good tools, but my Lee Bench prime works quite well. I first ran 60 cases through mine, and had 3 OOPS!, too many for me. I reread the directions, mounted the tool solidly, made sure the handle goes through it's full travel and "problems" solved. I can dump 100 primers in my Lee Bench prime, and prime 100 cases, non stop. I have no idea about costs in Europe but that may be the deciding factor...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by mdi View Post
    I reread the directions, mounted the tool solidly, made sure the handle goes through it's full travel and "problems" solved.
    This is many times the problem with Lee equipment.
    Watching their videos is very helpful.
    It is really a challenge for them to write instructions that everyone can follow.
    My theory is they want the user to have responsibility for what they are doing.


  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shawlerbrook View Post
    Not to knock the Lee, but you cannot beat RCBS customer service and this product is great. This is a fabulous deal .
    https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...h-priming-tool
    Yes it’s a great deal. I’m thinking of paying twice that here. However, Midway won’t ship anything out of the U.S. I went through it with them trying to buy a mould. I finally got the mould (from Middway) but buying it through Amazon.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    I feel your pain. Although not as bad as Europe, living here in NYS we are limited and can’t buy ammo online.

  16. #16
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    Having been a machinist/mechanic/electrician all my life I have dealt with repair manuals and instructions for many, many years. Some were translated to English from Italian, German, Chinese and "British English". Lee's instructions are no better and no worse than any, it's all in the comprehension/ability of the reader...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  17. #17
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    I the UK prices are £ =$ so about 50% + more.but I'd go for Lee products have used the old round trays for 30 years tried the bench prime works very well .

  18. #18
    Boolit Man GT1's Avatar
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    The gavintube guy has a review up on the Lee, you could tell he was shocked at how well it works. The green bench primer is like most of their stuff, heavily built, overpriced, and middling performance(clunky but reliable enough).

  19. #19
    DOR RED BEAR's Avatar
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    i heard some grief for saying my lee wouldn't feed right . but it still will not feed right with small primers tap all you want they will not go into the little rubber tray. large primers work just fine. i am not sure what you mean different shell holders .are you priming on your press. i thought all the primping tools used the same ones. you could always check ebay usa and buy a set shipping shouldn't be all that much.

  20. #20
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    I have all 3.... the third is the RCBS press mounted version that you add one primer at a time and then put the shell in the shellholder. That one is my favorite....primes perfectly every time.

    The RCBS bench mount works wonderfully too. I fill the tubes with a Hornady handheld tube filler. Maybe 20 seconds to fill the tube...

    I bought the Lee with high hopes but short stroked it and broke it. ( the plastic part can't take the high leverage the Lee puts out. It is in the box on the shelf. If you lived next door I would give it to you but I don't think it is legal to send reloading equipment overseas. Everyone else is happy with the Lee, I think....

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check