Lyman's Standing Among Other Reloading Manufacturers

[retread]

I started reloading in 1960 or 61. I started out with all RCBS gear. Over the years I have added CH, Lyman, Lee, Dillon, Hornady, and probably a few others that escape me now. If I need something to do a particular job I am not too picky as long as they are a reputable company. I've had excellent, good, OK, and poor from them all.

[smoked turkey]

I just happened to need Lyman customer service on a 45-120 FL sizer die I just purchased from Midsouth. The new die was not finished properly and caused my new brass to be scored for about an inch at the top. I basically like and buy RCBS products. In this case I went with Lyman. I called customer service and was treated exceptionally good. The nice lady offered me a couple of options in resolving the problem. After I suggested a new sizer die be sent to me and I return the defective one in a mailer they would provide. After a brief consultation with her boss she said the boss suggested that they send me the replacement die and I dispose of the defective one. Case solved. Yes it would have been nice if the die had not been defective in the first place, but reality is that those things happen from time to time. I just happened to get the defective one. I believe Lyman did the right thing and I was very pleased with the way they resolved the problem and I will be a repeat customer in all probability. I just wanted to report what recently happened to me. I can't speak for any one else that has had issues with Lyman. I know my issue was resolved.

[RogerDat]

Lee has made their name for having the acceptable products at a budget price, some innovation thrown in. Between Lyman and RCBS what would be the distinguishing market appeal? The M dies are popular but really between the presses, powder measures and dies which of these two is "better"? Some minor differences, The RCBS kits are very well thought out but both Lyman & RCBS sell about the same level of quality at about the same price point. Both have pretty good customer service reputations. Not everyone is thrilled but overall people like the products and services of either one.

I would not turn my nose up at equipment from either one, or Lee equipment either for that matter. They all make tools that allow one to get the job done. They all have one thing or another that is "better than the rest" for some use or another.

[williamwaco]

In 1956 my mentor told me that Lyman makes good serviceable equipment. Not quite top notch but not top price either. I think that is still a good description. I still use their dies but not their presses.

I would rank them in the 90 percent category. I have never been disappointed with them but when i want top quality regardless of price, i use other brands.

[ironmonger]

I have mostly all Lyman moulds, a few Lyman dies and a lubricator sizer... started in the mid 70's.
Seaco furnace and Rockchucker press.

I recently purchased a Lyman Accumeasure with two cylinders. I did finally find a complete set, but I had resigned my self to making my own.

I sent an email to Lyman, and they provided me with the engineering data that would allow me to make replacement cylinders. Great service for a product that has not been in production for years.

paul

[ohland]

Lyman Accumeasure with two cylinders.

I have an Accupress sitting in a chest. Havent quite figured out why the shell holder's won't fit into the ram, the retaining half moon spring won't allow it.

Instructions?

[lightload]

Lube the shell holder and give it a good rap with a screw driver handle.

[r1kk1]

I've been a fan of A2s, A4s, Summit, Reddings, COAXs, and Champion. Never was a fan of Lyman, Lee, Hornadys single stage or the RC. I have quite of few M die plugs that will stay. I have a few die sets from Lyman for obsolete or black powder cartridges that will stay. I sold both Lyman and Hornadys powder scale and case trimmer years ago. Didn't like them. I do like my Lyman moulds. If my Lyman lubrisizer ever gives up the ghost (I doubt it will) I will add the RCBS version.

I wish Lyman would bring back some stuff.

Take care

r1kk1

[Legion489]

i have some new Lyman dies, can't say they are bad, can't say they are any better than RCBS either and are not as good as Dillon/Redding, but then they don't cost it either. The older Lyman molds are good/excellent. Got a used lube/sizer that seems fine, no problems anyway, but then what can you say about a luber/sizer? The new turret press a guy I know bought hasn't been a problem in any way except he doesn't use it enough.

Lee presses are generally (I was going to say "always") junk, but some Lee stuff is top notch, and I have used/owned nearly everything Lee makes. Love Lee dies for the money, but RCBS is "better", and Redding/Forster/Dillon are MUCH better, but cost it. If I was forced to use nothing but Lee dies I could live with that, as long as it wasn't in a Lee press! Lee CS sucks for anything except small stuff. Problem with anything over $50 and the headaches are not worth dealing with, admit you bought low quality junk, eat it and get on with life. The Lee moulds are so-so, I've got as many obviously junk/trashed Lee moulds straight from the factory as good ones, but they finally replaced the junk molds (eventually!) if I griped and sent them back enough times. For the price it was worth it to try a different style of bullet. If Lyman would make four or six cav moulds in most sizes/styles...

My 40+ year old RCBS ROCKCHUCKER is fine, show me ANY working Lee press over five years old... Dillon has great CS and presses, and dies.

Everyone has a place, you just have to know which is which.

[Maximumbob54]

Oh wow. Really.

[j4570]

Lyman makes some good stuff, just as they all do. I use their lubrisizer. I also have a T-Mag II press (that my father currently has borrowed...) that I loved. And despite that pesky thread on the #55 powder measure, it can throw a small charge for those 32 S&W wadcutters (oh, I sold that...), but yes, update the thread, or did you case enough bases in 1974 to last till now???? I do agree they are old school so to speak.

I think the Orange Crusher was a better press for the money 20 years ago that the RCBS offerings, not so today, based on prices I am seeing. My T-Mag II did everything I asked of it, with ease.

The die sets, I don't have many of, and that's their fault, as I bought a 38 S&W set (which member here bought) that I simply could not get to load good ammo. It came with a SWC seating stem which I called and they were nice enough to send me a RN stem (ever seen a factory 38 S&W in SWC?-I haven't) for about $12 delivered. That die set didn't turn out to be such a bargain. This was pre internet days when info was harder to come by. turns out the member pointed out that the expander was a 38 special one and was not expanding the case enough for the 38 S&W boolit. He knew that and still bought the set (I was fortunate to find a great deal on an RCBS set used which worked great for me) when I decided to get rid of it (at a nice price I add). That was some 15 years after I bought it!!

Oddly, all my LEE dies (and Hornady) reside in Lyman boxes because I can't stand LEE's cheap (nor Hornadys large) boxes. And Lyman boxes empty are cheaper than RCBS.........but still good.

And oddly, the Acculine trimmer, though how ridiculously slow, worked for any odd case you had a shellholder for, and a pilot that fit. That's why it's still around, for that odd trimming operation here or there.

[Maven]

Never a problem with their presses (Orange Crusher & T-Mag), dies, or powder measures. The #450 lube sizer is easier to work with than the RCBS LAM I & II (LAM I has virtually the same body casting as the 450, but the II has a solid base and the same footprint" as the 450), but its Achilles Heel is the fine threads on the body and die retaining nut. In short, I've been quite happy with their products, including many of their moulds.

[flashhole]

I especially like their FL sizing dies.

[Elkins45]

I really like their M dies, and I have a couple of their die sets that seem very well made to me.

When I bought my 4500 lubrisizer (new) the ram was misaligned with the sizing die opening. I sent it back and they replaced the casting. I had to pay the shipping to them, but they did fix it at no additional cost.

I have only purchased one new Lyman mold and it wasn't undersized. I bought three new old stock from an oddball gun shop a couple of years ago that were produced in the mid-90's and they all make great bullets. My tumbler is a Lyman 1200 and I have been using it since 1988. Overall I would call myself a satisfied Lyman customer, but I own more Lee and RCBS equipment than Lyman simply because those brands have been more readily available when I wanted that particular item.

[clownbear69]

Its been awhile buy any reloading equipment but I will say this from a Big Box chain to a mom and pop Lyman consists of maybe 1%. Ive seen more Redding equipment than I have seen Lyman (in the lines of dies and presses and many molds).

Ive always been curious why I don't see the brand much

[Cmm_3940]

I have a Lyman digital powder dispenser that has loaded a lot of rounds with absolutely no issues.

I bought the Lyman hand tools for reaming and uniforming primer pockets, but ended up replacing them with Hornady, RCBS, and Redding tools, all of which have worked better for me.

I've never used an older Lyman mold, so cannot speak to that. The first two brand-new Lyman moulds I bought recently, 311291 and 311299 both drop undersize boolits. The 311299 in particular drops too small to compensate for by adjusting alloy or temp. As this is a bore rider, the small noses make them shoot like bananas, so it's pretty worthless to me. I won't be buying another Lyman mould. I much prefer the NOE moulds I've bought which can be counted on to drop perfect bullets.

I find my Lyman manuals to be indispensable as an unbiased source. Other manuals seem to be biased either towards greatest accuracy with a particular manufacturer's bullet, or towards greatest velocity with a particular powder.

[Char-Gar]

Lyman Gunsight Company was one of the big boys and industry leaders in the reloading business for a very long time. The family sold the company to Leisure Group in 1970 or so who continued to make most of the products. The signature Lyman orange color was turned to dark grey. After a time somebody bought Lyman and made it a free standing company again and went back to orange, albeit a different shade of orange.

With all the changes in ownership and management over the years, Lyman has never regained it's place in the reloading market. I doubt they ever will. They have not learned the art of customer service. If they would adopt the RCBS model, they might stand a chance of doing better. The RCBS model is; You got a problem with something made by us, tell us what it is and we will fix it or send you a new one.

I have many sets of Lyman dies of various vintages and they have all been good dies. I would not hesitate to buy Lyman dies again.

[Kevin Rohrer]

Their Lyman #49 manual is the Bible of reloading.

[John Guedry]

I don't believe anyone makes a better reloading manual than Lyman.

[Dframe]

I bought my Lyman Spar-T turret press used in 1968. Many thousands of rounds later I'm still using it. So far I've replaced the primer assembly twice(in over 40 years). Both times supplied at no charge by the company. I know these companies have their ups and downs but I've always had excellent service from Lyman.