Lee & RCBS compatible?

[trukinbear]

I can't decide between the Lee Turret Press kit, the Lee 4000, RCBS Rebel Master, or RCBS Rock Crusher kits - but the Lee dies are $100 less than the RCBS - are they inferior? Will Lee dies work in RCBS, and vice versa?

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[Alexx1401]

I can't decide between the Lee Turret Press kit, the Lee 4000, RCBS Rebel Master, or RCBS Rock Crusher kits - but the Lee dies are $100 less than the RCBS - are they inferior? Will Lee dies work in RCBS, and vice versa?

Most dies are standard threads so yes. Now "some" are not but, the one you mentioned "should" be. Simple to check, look up the dies and see what they list the threads as.
Now which press depends a LOT on what you are rolling. For hand gun stuff the Turret does great. If you now or maybe later want to roll some of the larger rifle calibers? The heavier press will make the work easier. I have been using Lee dies since the 70's. Have never yet seen one fail.

 

[Poole]

Both use standard 7/8-14 threads so they'll swap no problem. Lee's cheaper because they're simpler, still load good ammo just not as overbuilt as RCBS. If you want "lifetime tank" go RCBS. if you want to save a hundred bucks and still shoot straight, Lee works fine.

 

[aasbra]

Dies are interchangeable. There are a few presses I know of that use proprietary dies for that press (Dillon square deal).

As to brand preferences, opinions vary. I've used both Lee and RCBS , and others. Lee is typically among the least expensive. RCBS stands behind their products well if you need any help/warranty.

As to the press and other components, I think Lee makes some presses that are pretty durable and well built, and others that are on the lighter duty end. Do your research on that aspect.

The RCBS Rock Chucker kit is a pretty decent setup to get one started.

 

[Local Loader]

I've used Lee, RCBS and Hornady dies and haven't had any issues with using them, however the one thing I make sure to change is the lock rings to Hornady only as they hold better than the RCBS rings and are simpler than the Lee rings. If you're looking for a press kit, Hornady has a good press kit as well.

 

[trukinbear]

Lee was the only brand I remembered from my reloading days some 4 decades back, and I can get a smoking deal on the dies for my odd caliber 30SC from Lee. I can choose dies for a few of these kits, but not in 30SC so I'll probably choose 9 MM as that will likely be the only other caliber I'll be reloading.

 

[TNThomas]

I can't decide between the Lee Turret Press kit, the Lee 4000, RCBS Rebel Master, or RCBS Rock Crusher kits - but the Lee dies are $100 less than the RCBS - are they inferior? Will Lee dies work in RCBS, and vice versa?

There are alot of options, and most will work just fine. I suggest you get what you want to. You will likely buy sone stuff you won't use, and likely buy stuff you wished you knew at the start. I like my Lyman Brass smith 8 station turrent press quite a bit. I hand prime with a Frankfort arsenal hand primer, double check my loads on a Chemisty lab scale and an RCBS 10-10 scale (fantastic mechanical scale), and drop my charges in a Lyman powder drop, which is OK. A big benefit of the turrent press is that you can go straight from dropping your powder to seating your bullet. I keep my powder drop mounted right next to my bullet seater. That way you are less likely to double charge. Lee dies will work just fine.

 

[trukinbear]

It looks like I could get a Dillon RL550C for not much more money than these kits. Other than a reloading manual, what would be missing from the RL550C that would have been in one of the kits? My Lee dies should work?

 

[aasbra]

Yes, lee dies will work with the Dillon. The 550 is an excellent machine, very versatile. You would need a caliber conversions and dies for each caliber you want to load for on the Dillon. I load handgun ammo, and some rifle on the 550 and a 650 (with case feeder).

The main thing that the 550 does not include that you would need (other than dies and conversion kit) is a scale to weigh powder, a manual or selection of manuals, and components, of course (brass, powder, primers, projectiles). There are other odds and ends which make things easier/convenient you may want to consider. If doing rifle, you would probably need a case trimmer also, and case lube/lube pad/spray lube. I suggest carbide dies for straight wall handgun, and thus don't really need to lube them.

If you are mainly loading handgun ammo, I personally would go with the Dillon 550 over the other options you suggested.

 

[trukinbear]

Oh, Dillon doesn't have a conversion kit for 30SC - nevermind :-(

 

[rhollister71]

I HAVE THE LEE 4000 PROGRESSIVE WORKS GREAT I HAVE BOTH LEE AND RCBS DIES NEVER A ISSUE
IT MAY NOT BE THE MOS PRECISE FOR PRECISSION MATCH BULLETS BUT GREAT FOR VOLUME

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

The only thing you can do with the normal RCBS dies that you can not do with Lee dies is act superior because you paid more for your reloading dies

 

[aasbra]

Oh, Dillon doesn't have a conversion kit for 30SC - nevermind :-

If you are interested in the 550, it would be worth a phone call to Dillon to see if there may be another shellplate and locator button that would work for the 30 SC. Or if there is sufficient demand for conversion kits, they likely may start offering one.

I load 32 cal revolver cartridges on a Dillon press. Probably use the same powder funnel as its a .312 diameter projectile. Based on a quick search, I saw one person online saying the 22 Hornet shellplate was close, just needed a bit of work for the 30 SC brass.

 

[trukinbear]

Yeah, it looks like 22WCF, 22 Hornet, and maybe 32-20 all have head size within a few .00" - is that all the conversation kit is, a shell holder?

 

[edzz]

Yeah, it looks like 22WCF, 22 Hornet, and maybe 32-20 all have head size within a few .00" - is that all the conversation kit is, a shell holder?

Shell holder and locating pins in conversion kit.

You will also need the powder drop tube / expander and die that comes with the Dillon die set.

 

[trukinbear]

Shell holder and locating pins in conversion kit.

You will also need the powder drop tube / expander and die that comes with the Dillon die set.

I've already bought the 4 die Lee set - Dillon doesn't do my caliber :-( the Lee 4000 Pro looks better, and better even if something in the back of my head says I'll be happier in the long run with the Dillon.

 

[Steel Head]

I use dies from cortina, Lee, rcbs, Hornandy, fortster, whidden, Redding and Wilson in my Lee classic turret.
It's a pretty versatile press.

 

[rhollister71]

I've already bought the 4 die Lee set - Dillon doesn't do my caliber :-( the Lee 4000 Pro looks better, and better even if something in the back of my head says I'll be happier in the long run with the Dillon.

you will be happy with the lee 4000. i load 556, 300bo, 458 socom, m1 carbine, 9mm, and 380 off it.