Lyman Mag 20 or Lee 20 lb bottom pour?

[DUKE NUKEM]

I am pondering wether to go with the Lyman bottom pour 20 lb-er or I can get 2 of the Lee 20 lb bottom pour for the same price plus have some extra jingle.
I am really leaning toward the Lee. What do you guys use?
TIA,
Duke

[fourarmed]

I use both, and if you aren't bothered by that nagging drip, drip, drip from the Lee, it casts bullets just as good and just as fast. In fact, you can look at the drip as an automatic ready-to-cast signal. Just be sure to get the one with the larger clearance underneath.

[imashooter2]

I'm sure the Lyman is very nice. I just couldn't part with the money. I use a Lee.

I guess I have the only one ever made that doesn't drip.

[mold maker]

I have both. The Lyman is a much higher priced drip. It also freezes up at the bottom and requires a torch to restart. The difference in price will buy lots of powder and primers, or molds,

[VTDW]

I'm sure the Lyman is very nice. I just couldn't part with the money. I use a Lee.

I guess I have the only one ever made that doesn't drip.

Mine only drips while the pot is heating up. Once the mix is molten it stops.:drinks:

Dave

[Marshal Kane]

. . . The Lyman is a much higher priced drip. It also freezes up at the bottom and requires a torch to restart. The difference in price will buy lots of powder and primers, or molds,
That's what straightened paper clips are for. My Mag 20 bottom pour unfreezes when I stick a paper clip up the spout. IME, it's caused by slag accumulating in the bottom of the pot that won't float when I flux. My Mag 20 is five years old and I sure hope it will outlast a Lee Production Pot. Don't get me wrong, the Lee is a lot for the money but I ran across my slightly used Lyman on eBay at a good price. Just my "opinion" as Scrounger would say but then so are all our replies.

[Marshal Kane]

. . . I am relly leaning toward the Lee. What do you guys use?
TIA,
Duke
It's hard to pass up the 20 pound Lee bottom pour Production Pot with the 4" mould clearance when you compare prices. The Lee is a good pot and is undoubtedly the best value for the price. If you're looking for something with a longer lifespan, and lifespan varies depending on how often you use it, the higher priced Lyman deserves some consideration. I had no problems with buying a used pot in good condition so I went with the Lyman Mag 20 bottom pour which I found on eBay. The one I got still looked brand new and I could afford the price difference. Would suggest you not only lean towards the Lee but go buy it. After ten years or so, reevaluate it's performance to see if you want to make a change then. Just my "opinion" as Scrounger would say but then so are all our replies.

[94Doug]

...But if you start leaning towards the Lyman, jump up to the RCBS ProMelt. You won't be sorry. Is the one still for sale here? Good chance to get a pot, and help the cause.

[Marshal Kane]

...But if you start leaning towards the Lyman, jump up to the RCBS ProMelt. . .
Have one of those too! Two more pounds of capacity and an excellent choice albeit a bit more pricey than the Lyman. As Mr. Rolls once said, "The quality remains long after the price is forgotten." or words to that effect. Just my "opinion" as Scrounger would say but then so are all our replies.

[Lloyd Smale]

buy a lyman or rcbs you wont regret it. Like marshal said. You only pay once and if you spread the cost over the lifetime of the pot and buy a couple lees in the same time and factor in the fact its alot more user friendly there is no real choise other then feeding your kids. Heck even then all you have to do is sell a few boxes of bullets to your freinds and its paid for.

[kawalekm]

Hi Duke
I started out with a use Lyman 10lb pot that I used forever, but it eventially died. I went out and bought the Lee 20 lb pot as a replacement because it was cheaper. I think it is junk! So, I saved up and bought a new Lyman Pro20 in 2007. I don't even bother looking to see where the Lee pot is anymore.
Michael

[dromia]

I have a Lee and an RCBS, if was to by another pot it wouldn't be the Lee.

To me the extra is well worth the usability, better ergonomics and lack if irritating niggles, like the drip on the Lee.

If your really strapped for dosh then the Lee will do and you'll cast good boolits with it, just with more aggravation and chew, it is what it is, a cheap pot.

[jlchucker]

I have a 10 lb lee pot and a 20 pounder. Neither drip if I keep the lead clean. If you get a drip it can be easily stopped by putting a screw driver into the slot on the lifting rod and turning it back and forth a couple of times. this normally will dislodge the piece of grit that is stopping the lifting rod end from completely closing the pour hole at the bottom of the pot. Foreign objects in the lead is the usual cost of that drip. The biggest Lee pot is about 4 times cheaper than the comparable Lyman or RCBS pots, and works just as well once you learn how to use it.

[DUKE NUKEM]

I had the 10 lb Lee pot I bought from some guys widow that crashed his plane in 1977. I used it for 1 year and bought a second one to run to keep up with my casting rate. I sold them both and bought a Lee 20 pounder in 1989 and ran that until 2004 when I quite casting. The Lee 20 pounder worked much better than 10 pounder. Looks like I am going to have to regretably go back to the Lee 20 pounder and run two at a time to keep up with the 450 and 500 grain bullets that I will be casting.
I sure wish someone would come up with a 30 to 40 pound bottom pour pot that is affordable.

[45nut]

waage.com they make a 40 lb pot that is 6 in around and 6 in deep sells for 455.00 MP40A-6-1


WAAGE Electric, Inc.
Call us today at 1-800-922-4365 to find the
WAAGE location or Distributor Nearest you!

WAAGE Electric, Inc.
Global Headquarters
720 Colfax Ave, PO Box 337
Kenilworth NJ 07033-0337
Telephone: (908) 245-9363
Fax: (908) 245-8477

[heavyMetal]

Duke:
The real question that should be asked is what type mold are you planning to use?

Let me give you some senerio's:
1. Your a BPCR shooter making bullets bigger than a democrats IQ! Because of the size of the boolit it's a single cavity mold with this it's one at a time and bottom pour has no advantage with this type of casting.

2. Your a master blastin animal IPSC shooter with a pair of 10 bangers H&G 68's left to you by your late uncle! (He was a great guy) Your needs are 6000 rounds a month!

For this you will need as big a bottom pour pot as you can find. Don't try using these babies with a ladle, with lead in it you won't be able to pick it up!

Seroiusly pick your pot based on the type, and amount, of shooting your planning on.

Hope this helps!

[DUKE NUKEM]

Duke:
The real question that should be asked is what type mold are you planning to use?

Let me give you some senerio's:
1. Your a BPCR shooter making bullets bigger than a democrats IQ! Because of the size of the boolit it's a single cavity mold with this it's one at a time and bottom pour has no advantage with this type of casting.

2. Your a master blastin animal IPSC shooter with a pair of 10 bangers H&G 68's left to you by your late uncle! (He was a great guy) Your needs are 6000 rounds a month!

For this you will need as big a bottom pour pot as you can find. Don't try using these babies with a ladle, with lead in it you won't be able to pick it up!

Seroiusly pick your pot based on the type, and amount, of shooting your planning on.

Hope this helps!

I am going to be casting for the wife and I CowboyAction Shooting 45 Long Colt so yes I will need a big pot.

[DUKE NUKEM]

waage.com they make a 40 lb pot that is 6 in around and 6 in deep sells for 455.00 MP40A-6-1


WAAGE Electric, Inc.
Call us today at 1-800-922-4365 to find the
WAAGE location or Distributor Nearest you!

WAAGE Electric, Inc.
Global Headquarters
720 Colfax Ave, PO Box 337
Kenilworth NJ 07033-0337
Telephone: (908) 245-9363
Fax: (908) 245-8477

I have gone to that site on a couple occasions but did not see a bottom pour 40 lb. pot 45nut.

[DUKE NUKEM]

Guess Il'l order 2 20 pound Lee's tomorow
Thanks for the help all.

[milltownhunter]

do all lee pot drip all the time or is just mine

[afish4570]

Lee Pot Drip.....Screwdriver slot is to be used 1st. If this doesn't stop drip I use a copper wire or wooden toothpick help in a pair of pliers. This will increase the flow too as there is a buildup of slag & dirtbuggering up the valve seat. Careful not to mess things up using a metal harder than valve seat. Occasionally cleaning the last lead and slag accumulated in pot by scrapping things down before refilling dumping into an ingot mold (or whatever) and start over again. I like to do this after I am on my last pot of the day. Clean start for next time.afish4570

[Hipshot]

No matter which pot you decide on, having two pots speeds up production-------work off 1 pot while the other pot is getting up to temp!
As far as the drip----the screwdriver trick works but also drain your pot on occasion and do the paper clip trick also.

Hip

[hawkeye1]

I have a Lee 10 pound pot and it works great. I wanted the RCBS 20 pounder but couldnt bring my self to spend that kind of money when the Lee works just as well.
I would buy the two Lee 20 pounders and never look back.

good shooting, or casting

[Frank V]

I have an old SAECO that I have had for 30 years. I have found that although the bottom pour is handy, I get much more consistant bullets using the dipper. By consistant I mean the bullets have less variation in weight as well as diameter. Does anyone else find this too? Frank

[dale clawson]

I've been using the vise grips clamped to the plunger rod trick that someone suggested here(Buckshot?) and it eliminated 80% of my drips. DALE

[jackley]

I have both Lyman doesn't drip but freezes up from time to time and the Lee drips every now and then. Get the Lee
Jerry

[DUKE NUKEM]

I just noticed the front page. Mods can you move this thread to the appropriated board. Sorry.
TIA
Duke

[TexasJeff]

I bought the Lee Pro IV-20.

Zero problems, easy to use, heats FAST, excellent temperature range.

For the price versus what you get, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat and not even think about it.

Jeff

[ed etheridge]

i started with the lee pot years ago, at some point decided to up grade to the lyman like both pots i prefer the lyman but really can't fault the lee

[carpetman]

Started with Lee pot. Ever try Columbian?

[DUKE NUKEM]

The 2 Lee 20 pounders arrived last week. Not much wow or cool factor. Looks like the Tin Man's chalis. <yawn>

[imashooter2]

You're right about that. No bling to 'em at all. The beauty is in the cost/benefit ratio.

[yodar]

I'm sure the Lyman is very nice. I just couldn't part with the money. I use a Lee.

I guess I have the only one ever made that doesn't drip.

I had the 10 lb lee bottom pour, it doesnt drip either cause I am very careful that my alloy is really clean, and after I sent my BATF 03 license copy to Midway, I got the Lee 20lb pot for what I paid Midway for the ten pounder when I had no C & R

Lee sent me a special dealer catalog

It's a good pot, and a C & R helps lower your costs at many suppliers

yodar

[quasi]

the Lee 20 lb'ers are the best value for the money for sure. If I hadn't found a deal on a used RCBS, the Lee was the clear choice for me. I have mounted my 10 lb lee over my Rcbs pot as a feeder pot, ala member Robert Bank.

I started off years ag with a Saeco 10 lb, it had quite a few issues over the years, finally chucked it.

[Sprue]

If you're gonna spend that much jingle on a Lyman go ahead and go for the RCBS Pro Melt. It'll be around as long as your dillons, with nearly the same warranty:!: