Got my Lyman 310 and I love it

[David LaPell]

I got my Lyman 310 (technically Ideal) and I love it. I bought it because after my surgery and injury I really can't use my Lee Handpress so I thought to give this a try, and it works like a charm. The hardest part being resizing which as long as I have a way to open the dies, which I do using only one hand. After that the rest is nothing. So far I have worked up quite a few .38-44 loads that I can't wait to try out. One question I have is when did Lyman change the name on the tool and put their name on the 310 as this one only says Ideal on it with nothing else.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Picture1298.jpg

[3006guns]

Boy, do I feel sorry for you............now you'll HAVE to get a set of dies for each gun you have. There's no end to it!

Dip the case mouths in either white graphite or even talcum powder if that's all that's handy. Either can be left on (or in) the case as it won't harm the powder or get your hands dirty. Makes sizing a LOT easier!

[StrawHat]

Dave,

Glad to hear you've found a tool that works for you. I like the 310 tool for my rifle cartridges and have some dies for handgun stuff as well. My brother swears by the Lee stuff, I swear at it.) Can't give you an answer on when Lyman bought the Ideal Co and/or relabeled the tools, sorry.

Here is a fellow who can supply your needs when it comes to additional tooling for the 310.

http://www.cnyauctions.com/the310shop.htm

[Pavogrande]

Well actually, it is stamped "Ideal middlefield conn." in two lines.
Lyman bought Ideal in 1925 -
I was prepared to say the handles were still stamped Ideal, but I checked my box of bits and lo and behold one is marked "Lyman" with no address. The name is moulded in rather than being stamped.
There are small dimensiol differences between them -- slightly shorter overall, a few thou thinner -- and a bit smoother casting.
Since I know my one set is from about 1956, the "lyman" must be somewhat newer.
I started reloading with this ideal set caliber 25/20wcf in 1956.
my tuppence

[Ben]

I really like mine :

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=146538

[Bent Ramrod]

The first aluminum alloy handles were like yours with nothing on it but the Ideal/Middlefield stamping. Somewhat later ones have LYMAN in Roman capitals stamped on the other side without any Ideal designation. The last iteration of the handles had LYMAN cast in a sort of cartouche, with the letters in relief rather than stamped. There are also variants in the quality of the black paint on the handles, earlier ones with a rather rough and thin crackle finish and later with smooth, heavier enameled finishes. There is an in-depth discussion of Ideal/Lyman 310 tong tools in the March 2011 ARTCA Journal.

The general consensus there is that the merging of the #3 and the #10 to make the #310 happened around 1948. The company either used up old handle stock or (less likely) continued to manufacture the malleable-iron cast handles until 1957-1958, when they switched to aluminum. They continued to use the Ideal/Middlefield stamping until the 1960-1962 time frame, when they switched to the stamped LYMAN on the off side. Somewhere around 1972 the smooth enamel finish started, and the cartouche with the LYMAN in relief appeared then. This is my hasty rereading of the article; hopefully I haven't deranged the accuracy of the details too badly.

Anybody with more than a passing interest in these (or any) old tools ought to join ARTCA or at least go to their website and review the data there and ask questions. The scholarship of the group is as good as that of any antiquarian in any other field. Everybody is also, of course, very interested in any discoveries anybody might like to show off.

[smokemjoe]

That was my first loading tool for 30-06, Got it in a kit with a bullet mold, 311291,the kit in 1960 like $20.00, then got a 03A3 from the DCM for $14.00, Powder 4895 was like $.50 a lb., primers were$.40 per 100, Couldnt keep a lb. of powder over a week. Anyone remember them days?? Joe

[tacofrank]

After reading this thread I pulled out my old 310 stuff out and loaded 20 30.30 rounds. Brings back a lot of good memories.

[Ben]

That was my first loading tool for 30-06, Got it in a kit with a bullet mold, 311291,the kit in 1960 like $20.00, then got a 03A3 from the DCM for $14.00, Powder 4895 was like $.50 a lb., primers were$.40 per 100, Couldnt keep a lb. of powder over a week. Anyone remember them days?? Joe


You bet I remember those days, Joe.

I ordered from Herter's back in those days. In around 1966, I ordered a J-9 , 264 Win. mag Mauser bolt action rifle for $89.95, the post man drove up one afternoon and said...." He is your new gun."

I guess we won't be seeing that anymore ? ?

Ben

[Char-Gar]

Yep, I got one of those $14.00 03A3s as well. Mine was shipped Railway Express from the Pueblo Colorado Army Depot.

[charliek]

I found it,