looking for a sizer lyman45, vs 450, vs 4500

[Mach_Cat]

Looking for a used lyman sizer maybe. is there any reason for one press over another between the 3 models
45, 450, 4500

Thanks Ed

[Foto Joe]

I'm not familiar with the 45 but I believe the difference between the 450 & the 4500 is that the latter comes with a heater.

[theperfessor]

The 45 uses a different mechanical arrangement than the 450 & 4500, more like the Saeco sizer. It is not as strong but when used within its capabilities is a pretty good unit. The 45 won't work with RCBS dies, unlike the 450, 4500, and LAM, which uses a retaining nut to hold the die in place. The 45 requires a Lyman-spec die with a grooved body, it is held in place with a knurled head set screw.

[sigep1764]

I have a 4500 and use Lyman Alox stick lube and couldn't be happier. Easy to use and set up. If you buy a new one, DO NOT forget to liberally lube the first boolits you try to size BEFORE you place them in the sizer. BTW, I got mine on sale sans heater at Cabelas for $125.

[Green Frog]

Not to hijack the thread, but I have seen a couple of the older (#1?) lube-sizer units by Ideal show up lately (and own one myself) and am wondering how they compare with the #45? I've got mine set up to size .517 bullets for my 50 caliber (percussion) Maynard. I haven't used it a lot yet, and the mould drops a bullet that doesn't have to be sized much anyway, but I am curious just how well it could do. I was fortunate enough to find the unit with its (usually missing) special clamp at a very good price of $30, then found the original wrench on flea-Bay about a year later. I have a couple of 450s that stay set up for some of my modern rounds but have never worked with a 45.

Froggie

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I prefer the 45, While the handle and linkage are kinda weak compared to the 450 and 4500...The 3 point guide design of the 45 provides superior alignment.

I typed "lyman 45" into the Google custom search Box and got a bunch of interesting reading about the 45...the link below kind of sums it up.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?106213-Is-a-Lyman-45-bullet-sizer-any-good


edited:
Froggie, I have a couple of the Ideal #1, I do like them for tiny boolits, since they provide more finger room. But they are even weaker in design...so I'd recommend only using a #1 when minimal sizing is needed.

[Beagle333]

If you aren't going purely for speed... run them though a Lee sizer die first and then just use a Lyman/Ideal for lubing. I size mine through a Lee before running through my 45 or my #1 and it doesn't put any strain on the machine at all. I had actually rather use the #1 for lubing, but 45s are easier to find on the market. Either of them are nice and smooth if you don't have to strain to shove a boolit down and back up in one. :D