Casting Furnaces

[Swindler1]

Looking to update an old Lee pot. What are your opinions on RCB PRO MELT vrs Lyman Mag 25?

[engineer401]

I have a RCBS Promelt. It was extremely reliable when I used it. I switched to ladle casting so now it sits.

[dannyd]

I would stay away from Lyman till they get the bugs worked out of it.

[ioon44]

For me the RCBS Promelt is the only choice, because of quality and customer service.

[lightman]

It would be hard to beat a Promelt.

[Walks]

Remember that Guanantees from both only cover two years because of the electronics.

I have the old pots from both. But when one does die,

I will buy a new RCBS pot. Even though the display is on
the side. RCBS still has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Lymans has gone down the tubes.

And I understand the the N.O.E. mold guide now fits the new RCBS pot

[swamp]

I have two Pro-Melts. One for alloy, one for pure.
swamp

[kevin c]

I started with a Lee 4-20 and recently refurbished an old ProMelt. Now for volume casting the 4-20 acts as a feeder pot for the ProMelt. When casting in smaller volume I just use the Promelt - greater capacity, much less dripping, and more space on top to preheat ingots. Temp control I think is better on the RCBS, but honestly it's dial is off, and both units are on PIDs now so no matter.

If I needed a new pot I'd go for an old US made ProMelt as first choice, and the new model as a second. I have no experience with the Lyman.

[KenT7021]

The new RCBS pot and the Lyman Mag25 are both made in China.My Mag25 hasn't had any problems.

[kungfustyle]

if you get an RCBS get it from Brownells.com and wait for a sale they are always doing a $10/20/30 sale. However, they offer a lifetime on everything they sell.

[OuchHot!]

I have had a promelt since about 1980.....it was originally ohio thermal and bought out by rcbs. It still works (the first one smoked out of the box....Mary Cabella handled the return). I have been using a lyman 25 for only about two years but no problems. The problem here is seething hatred for all things lyman so I cannot say much more. In my experience the Lyman is better in many ways, but not if it quits tomorrow or starts a forum hate fest. My lyman molds are also.........well better not go there.

[dannyd]

My Lyman Mag 25 lasted over two years. Both RCBS and Lyman have no parts, so if it breaks under warranty they send you one if it breaks out of warranty 175.00 will get you one. The first mold guide from NOE did not work for the Lyman Mag 25 but been told they fixed that. I just went back to my Lee 20 lbs pot and a PID unit.

[NoZombies]

I've had older generations of each, and I have had no issues with either, but I have had better customer service overall from RCBS on everything. I have no hatred for Lyman, but their CS certainly isn't up to the standard of RCBS.

[Dragonheart]

Another vote for Pro-Melt.

[lightman]

I have had a promelt since about 1980.....it was originally ohio thermal and bought out by RCBS

I was trying to remember who made those for RCBS. I think you are correct.

[dannyd]

I was trying to remember who made those for RCBS. I think you are correct.

If you look in old Handloader magazines you will see the add for Ohio Thermal

[bobthenailer]

I have a older RCBS pro melt been using it for over 25 years with no problems , I usually make between 5K to 10K bullets a year ! that's a lot of lead dispensing !

[Dragonheart]

Cooked these yesterday. The first PC batch of over 15K bullets that the old Pro Melt poured out this last week. There are 900 of the H&G #7, 9mm bullets per 1/2 sheet baker's tray, times 5 trays in a single cook. If my Pro Melt died today I would order another.

[Lloyd Smale]

had two lyman 25s lost the in a fire. they were good pots. replaced them with 2 rcbs pros. they are great pots. there more expensive but if you can afford it there a better pot and worth the extra money.

[Burnt Fingers]

My two pots that I use the most are an older RCBS Pro-Melt and a new RCBS Pro-Melt. The older one is full of pure lead for lure and jig casting and the new one is full of bullet alloy.

My main complaint about the new one is that it sits lower and is harder to see the spout. Of course I'm comparing it to the older one.