I started reloading in 1964. Lyman stuff, including pots, molds, sizers and presses. I gradually moved up to RCBS after I got out of the Army in 1971. About twenty-eight years ago I started IPSC shooting. A friend and I went in on an SDB in 45 acp. I don't know how many thousand rounds we loaded, but we had two full to the rim 3lb coffee cans and half of a third full of empty primers with zero malfunctions.
I've shot Benchrest, Schuetzen, and Cowboy Action over the years.
In the last twenty-five years I have NEVER!! had anyone admit to using Lee equipment at any match. I have, on the other hand owned eleven of the hand priming tools. All of them broke priming rifle brass at matches and at home before I gave up on them about 2000. I was on my fourth set of the punch-style depriming punches when they broke and I quit that.
From the appearance of every product, one would expect they were built in China.
In my experience, Lee products survive based on low cost. They appeal primarily to low volume reloaders, who have low level accuracy standards. I load 308 Win on one of my 550's. I have two because I am too old and lazy to switch the priming system from small to large and vice versa. My loads with good old 311332 shoot sub-moa out to 300yds out of my Savage 12BV-SS in that caliber.
Rich
I now await a barrage of responses from Lee press & die users who are consistently producing cast bullet loads in any caliber under 1moa at 100 yds.