The Lee Classic Cast is a great choice for a first press that will last a lifetime. It's just as rugged as a RockChucker, and costs much less. It also has a few features that are not offered on the RockChucker.
Link to Classic Cast Press
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/classic.html
But if you plan to ever reload for pistol or any high volume rifle, than you may want to look at the Lee Classic Turret. I has a big cast iron base and the same big ram as the Classic Cast, but it has a four position auto-indexing turret that allows you to load ammo much quicker than with a single station press. It can also have the auto-index disabled and be used just like a single stage press as well. It is exceedingly strong and is very durable.
The only weak area on the press is the little bushing that operates the auto-index, as they do wear out and can be damaged if you short-stroke the press while auto-indexing. But they only cost about $1 for 3 of them and are simple to replace, so no big deal. If you will only have one press to do all your loading, this is the press to have. Very versatile, very strong, and much faster than a single stage when loading large quantities of ammo.
Link to Classic Turret:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/turretpress.html#ClassicTurretPress
I also like the priming system on the Lee much better, and it's a huge plus if you plan to prime on the press. I have several hand priming tools, as well as a Forster bench mounted piming tool as well. But I still like to use the Lee system on occasion, as I just like the way it feels when it seats the primers.
I have several Lee presses, Breech Lock Challenger, Classic Cast, Classic Turret, Lee Hand Press, and a Lee Load Master Progressive. I have been happy with all of them.
But Lee also offers a new Breech Lock Classic Cast press as well, which has quick change bushings like the Challenger, but has the cast iron frame of the Classic Cast. It's another option to consider, though it's not all that big of a deal to screw your dies in and out anyway.
Link to Classic Cast Breech Lock
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/breechlockclassic.html
I think the Classic Turret would be a great way to start if you will be loading any volume or using it for pistol in the future. I use mine to load all my hunting, plinking and varminting ammo with auto-index and can load about 60-80 rounds of .243, .308, or 30-06 in an hour, or 100-120 .222 or pistol rounds in an hour. It's plenty capable of high precision ammo if you disable the auto-index, and if you take your time it will load very good ammo in auto-index, nearly as good as single loading.
If you only plan to load for the .308 and other rifle rounds and will only be loading for absolute precision, the Classic Cast is a great choice.
If you want to get everything you need to get started, a set of dies and the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit or Breech Lock Challenger Kit and a case gauge and shell holder for the included trimmer will get you going. Both kits come with the Breech Lock Challenger press, which is a good press and will do everything you need. But it would be worth it to purchase the Classic Cast as well, as a second press is priceless when you are reloading. The difference in the two kits is the priming system. The 50th Anniversary lets you prime on the press, and the Challenger kit comes with a hand-held primer.
Link to the Lee Press Kits:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html
I will make one other suggestion as well, and you should really make this $25 purchase regardless of what press or kit you buy. Purchase a Classic Lee Loader in .308 and use it to load ammo when you first start. It's the most hands on way to load ammo there is and is an awesome learning tool. I have several that I still use today, they load excellent ammo and can be used anywhere. I bring mine with me when I go to hunting camp with a few bullets in different weights and a bit of powder in case I run out of ammo or I need specialty ammo I don't have with me, when I go to the range and don't want to bring a press and dies and all the other crap to load there, and if I am going to go to help a new reloader learn how to load. A Lee Loader and a set of their dippers makes for the simplest loading kit you can buy, and is super easy to pack along wherever you need it. They are also some of the best learning tools made. Really an excellent buy and something every reloader should have in his kit.
The Lee Loader is $25 at most places and the Dippers are under $15. They are some of the best money you can spend to learn reloading in a very hands on way and will give you the ability to reload anywhere you so choose. Highly recommended.
Link to Lee Loader:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/cleeloader.html
Link to Powder Dippers: scroll down until Lee Powder Measure Kit and the picture of the yellow dippers.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/powhan1.html