RCBS Quality?

No there isn't any truth to RCBS being junk now.

ive noticed the new crowd is all about Hornady this or that. I have mostly lee but have lyman, rcbs, Frankfort tools and dies and I can tell you that my Hornady dies for 45-70 seems like pot metal junk compared to the lee and rcbs. It seems Hornady is the most recognized name so that's what people go with. Go to cabelas and all you will see is Hornady bullets, manuals, tools, etc.

My Rockchucker is about 40 years old, still going strong.

You did right by advising him to buy RCBS. If he goes for the red koolaid he'll soon regret.

RCBS is a bit pricey, but well worth it. A good comparision is they are the Leupold of reloading equipment.

RCBS is my go-to brand. Lee is cheap and clever, and some of Hornady's equipment is good, but none are as consistently high quality as RCBS.

And on top of that, no one's customer service and warranty support comes within hailing distance of RCBS.

You can spend less (Lee), and sometimes less is good enough. You can spend more (Redding), but I'm not sure you get more value.

Folks are equating some of the new presses being built in China as being junk, because they are cast in China. Kinda like how folks used to claim Japanese optics were all junk. RCBS is still great quality at a good price, with a no-nonsense CS that is second to none. Their presses and dies are covered by a lifetime warranty.

RCBS is a great company that makes great products and stands behind them incredibly well.The first thing to advise a new reloader on is the information that comes from the internet.Sometimes,it's solid info from research and experience,other times,it's just plain BS.

The RCBS tools will outlast both you and your son. His kids will enjoy using them after he's gone............

Hope this helps.

Fred

I'm using my Dad's original #3Jr. he bought back in '70. If either of my sons actually cares to start reloading, they will get it.

I have had positive results with RCBS tools and equipment. Most of my reloading tools are from them although I also have some from other manufacturers too. In my hop RCBS has the best customer service department in the business. They treat you right and have resolved any issue I've had no problem. The others could not possibly be better only as good.
That said I have no reason to say someone else sells junk,maybe not as nice looking,or made a little differently but all of the major manufacturers make stuff that works, some a little better some not as well.

RCBS Junk? NOT BY ANY MEANS.

Like already said the best CS in the industry.

Now if he's wanting Made in the USA, Redding is the other Green press that is very good. Their Boss II has the best system I've run across for priming on the press. There Turret is top notch. I have noticed with their sizing dies, you only need to contact the shell plate, no addition turn is required.

I bought the Rockchucker in 1972, and the Rockchucker Supreme last year. The original RC is still going strong, no issues. Just wanted to get a Supreme cheap. It too is rock solid. I have RCBS dies going back to 1972 with the newest being from last year. Same quality and functionality. Would not hesitate to purchase any RCBS tools. In the last 5 years I have settled on Redding for pistol and Forster for rifle. These also are more expensive and polished than the RCBS but by no means produce better ammo. Feel safe with RCBS, they have great product service reps also.

The kid needs to quit listening to whoever told him that.
"...RCBS is a bit pricey..." Pays for their warrantee. The RCBS warrantee is the best there is. Covers the kit, not who bought it, forever, including used kit.
"...Go to Cabela's and..." You'll see every brand. Retailers promote stuff they buy for less money. Or put stuff they have too much of on sale.
"...folks used to claim Japanese optics were all junk..." Used to be everything from Japan was considered junk. Was too. Until the assorted Japanese management types came to North America and saw what was being made here. Things changed.
Chinese made clothing always makes me laugh. Sizes are never right. Bought a, XXL work shirt a few years back. Nice short sleeve, grey shirt. Fits well in the neck and shoulders. Comes to my knees. I look like a cafeteria lady. Beard and all.

Al Farkle wrote:
His response was, "RCBS is junk now". Who said? His response: "The guys on gun forums."

Click to expand...

It is perhaps time to teach your child a lesson he should already know; just because some anonymous person on the internet say it doesn't make it true.

In general, equipment purchased from RCBS is backed for life. But, after I have had something twenty, thirty or forty years, I don't expect the manufacturer to replace it, so I will usually purchase something new rather than asking for a replacement (which they have always offered to provide). And the new equipment I have purchased in the last few years has met or exceeded my expectations. The die sets I have recently bought have greatly exceeded my expectations.

The only thing I recommend someone buy other than RCBS is the Lee Universal Decapping die. Lee's collet retaining system for their more robust decapping pin is simply a better system that anyone else offers, but after I decap with my Lee die, nearly everything else happens on RCBS equipment.

entropy wrote:
I'm using my Dad's original #3Jr. he bought back in '70.

Click to expand...

I'm still using my RCBS Reloader Special that I bought back in 1979. And if any of my sons were to take up reloading, I would be very gratified if they were to keep using it.

Literally, almost everything made 20-40 years ago was better. You generally can't compare to the same product from the same brand today. Saying your whatever lasted 40 years has no relevance to what's made now.

Luckily, most reloading equipment is still good quality, but I find it a little disheartening, if I read it here correctly, that RCBS is making presses in China.

You can find naysayers for anyone of the manufactures but they all make good stuff. I have an old RCBS-RS and it stills works like it is new. When I broke the primer tube they sent me a new one for free. Have fun with you son.

RCBS of yesterday is NOT the same as today, RCBS is now a shareholder company that imports the majority of their products from China , I do have lots of RCBS stuff but will no longer buy their products in fact I was looking for a new set of dies yesterday and noticed almost all of the RCBS boxes said made in China and partly made in China so I bought a set of Redding dies instead, the new RCBS reloading kits are made in China read the box, I called RCBS last week with a question and guess what it is answered by Vista Outdoors and they will create a help ticket and transfer you to a RCBS REP , I ask why does RCBS not answer the phone the Vista Outdoors person replied we are now the parent company of RCBS would you like to be transferd I said yes was on hold for 15min and hung up,
Look at their new balance beam scale its junk form China which is part of the RCBS kit, looks like they are phasing out the quality US made and replacing with cheep Chinese made stuff, but this is what happens when shareholders take control ,
RCBS is good stuff especially the made in USA stuff but you need to read the back of the new product boxes and see the Country of Origin if the matters to you ,but you can find good sales on a RCBS reloading kit still a good starting set up just know it's not all USA made not the same as RCBS of yesteryear

buck460XVR said:

... RCBS is still great quality at a good price, with a no-nonsense CS that is second to none. Their presses and dies are covered by a lifetime warranty. ...

Click to expand...

There it is.

JO JO said:

RCBS of yesterday is NOT the same as today, RCBS is now a shareholder company that imports the majority of their products from China , I do have lots of RCBS stuff but will no longer buy their products in fact I was looking for a new set of dies yesterday and noticed almost all of the RCBS boxes said made in China and partly made in China so I bought a set of Redding dies instead, the new RCBS reloading kits are made in China read the box, I called RCBS last week with a question and guess what it is answered by Vista Outdoors and they will create a help ticket and transfer you to a RCBS REP , I ask why does RCBS not answer the phone the Vista Outdoors person replied we are now the parent company of RCBS would you like to be transferd I said yes was on hold for 15min and hung up,
RCBS is good stuff especially the made in USA stuff but you need to read the back of the new product boxes and see the Country of Origin if the matters to you ,but you can find good sales on a RCBS reloading kit still a good starting set up just know it's not all USA made not the same as RCBS of yesteryear

Click to expand...

Looks like one would do well to buy up the older stuff at gun shows and estate sales.?

Very true the older USA made rcbs has value I sure would not pass any up at a yard sale at a good price

I think the advice that your son should not take too much stock in forum comments is good. We all have opinions and all gear gets good and bad reviews.

I like Lee gear when it’s a good value. The Classic Turret, Hand press and dies come to mind.

But I also have all colors of stuff from RCBS to Lymann to Hornaday to Harbor Freight calipers which are the same China Inc ones many reloading companies sell for much more.

Is your son looking for a kit or is he willing to piece stuff together?

For a beginner who wants a kit I’d say get the Lee Classic Turret press, a set of HF calipers and a set of dies and get started. Then get additional stuff as needed and as he learns what he likes and dislikes.

For someone willing to piece things together I’d say look for used gear here, on Craigslist, on Let Go, etc. then supplement with new gear when a deal is found. And don’t get hung up on brands. But check to make sure you’re not buying an oddball piece that’s junk.

Let me give a counter example. I just bought a set of Dillon .30 Carbine dies. Couldn't wait to try them out. They arrived and I decided to resize some of my freshly polished brass. The result was belted .30 Carbine cases. The sizing carbide die had sheared the wall of the case leaving what looked like a case with a belt at the base.

Called Dillon, first they were incredulous about what I was telling them. But they agreed to replace the die. They also requested I send them 3 such damaged cases. I did.

Got my replacement die and proceeded to test it. Again, the same but less extreme belted cases. I even tried re-resizing cases already resized using my trusty RCBS carbide die. Same result, belted cases.

Called Dillon and ask for my money back. Got an arrogant comment about RCBS and Lyman being C level products with, not surprisingly, Dillon being the only A level products. They agreed to return my money but requested more damaged cases. I sent a handful of damaged cases back.

Lesson: don't always believe what you hear or read. I love my RCBS and Lyman dies. Not so much Dillon dies.

Update: my RCBS dies are older ones.