Post by engine2 on Jun 6, 2018 0:42:40 GMT -5
The wife is down sizing from 38 & 357 and getting heavy into 380. Sig P238, AMT backup, Hi-Point CF380 and a Hi-Point 3895TS. I've out grown the single stage for 380 so had to make a decision.
I've had an RCBS 4X4 since '85 and converted to an Auto 4X4 in '95 by RCBS. Been using it for 45ACP since day one and thought about getting the plate for 380 but resetting everything back and forth would be a PITA so I bought a Lee Classic this week. So far I've only loaded 50 rounds in the Lee, so here is the comparison.
The bare presses are well built but the RCBS is heavier (+1 RCBS). The index plate turns on the bottom of the RCBS and does build up with trash, the dies turn on the Lee, no build up (+1 Lee). The RCBS indexing is preset but the Lee can be adjusted with a Crescent wrench (+0). The RCBS CAN NOT reverse or you will strip the indexing, Lee can be manually reversed (+2 Lee).
The Lee powder thru expander die took a little bit to setup but works good (+1). That leaves an extra die station so you have a bullet pusher and a bullet crimp station (no more sheared lead) (+1 Lee).
Primer feed: RCBS (+1), the Lee Safety Primer Feed (-2). The Lee jams and the primers sometimes roll over up side down on occasion.
Powder Measure: The RCBS Uniflow is a high quality iron and steel measure. The Lee Auto-Drum is cheap plastic and aluminum. It not only works, but it works damn good (+2 Lee).
Lee purchase was $200+, equivalent in RCBS is $600 (+2 Lee, -6 RCBS). The Lee lock rings suck but I have extra RCBS lock rings.
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I've had an RCBS 4X4 since '85 and converted to an Auto 4X4 in '95 by RCBS. Been using it for 45ACP since day one and thought about getting the plate for 380 but resetting everything back and forth would be a PITA so I bought a Lee Classic this week. So far I've only loaded 50 rounds in the Lee, so here is the comparison.
The bare presses are well built but the RCBS is heavier (+1 RCBS). The index plate turns on the bottom of the RCBS and does build up with trash, the dies turn on the Lee, no build up (+1 Lee). The RCBS indexing is preset but the Lee can be adjusted with a Crescent wrench (+0). The RCBS CAN NOT reverse or you will strip the indexing, Lee can be manually reversed (+2 Lee).
The Lee powder thru expander die took a little bit to setup but works good (+1). That leaves an extra die station so you have a bullet pusher and a bullet crimp station (no more sheared lead) (+1 Lee).
Primer feed: RCBS (+1), the Lee Safety Primer Feed (-2). The Lee jams and the primers sometimes roll over up side down on occasion.
Powder Measure: The RCBS Uniflow is a high quality iron and steel measure. The Lee Auto-Drum is cheap plastic and aluminum. It not only works, but it works damn good (+2 Lee).
Lee purchase was $200+, equivalent in RCBS is $600 (+2 Lee, -6 RCBS). The Lee lock rings suck but I have extra RCBS lock rings.
Attachment Deleted