Lyman or Lee

[OKSaddletramp]

I want to get a new mold for my .30-30, a 170gr. Most of my molds currently are Lee, both 2 and 6 cav. But I'm thinking that the Lyman 31141 may be a better choice than the Lee 309-170FN. But is it worth more than twice the price? Those with experience with both please advise.

[bandsmoyer]

I use Lee molds only. I've never had any problems. IMO Lyman molds are not worth twice the price. Just my 2 cents

[zuke]

Then there's NOE.....

[petroid]

I have several Lee DC molds and they all seem to have their quirks but all produce shootable boolits. I have one lyman 4 cavity. It produces good boolits with less fuss but it is HEAVY! My arms tire very quickly when using it. A DC may have been a better idea for me anyway. I sure like the light weight of the Lee molds.

[chsparkman]

Steel/iron molds like Lyman cast very nice boolits and can take more abuse. I prefer them when I can get what I want. I have a few Lee molds and they cast nice but must be treated more gently.

[GARD72977]

They both suck! Go with RCBS or Saeco for factory or one of the custom manufacturers. If you have the extra change you will be very happy in the long run

[TXGunNut]

I've been wanting to try the Lee 170 but I prefer their 6-cav. Hard to beat the Lyman 31141 ...but then there's NOE. ;-)
What are you wanting to shoot these boolits in? Have you slugged it?

[OKSaddletramp]

I've been wanting to try the Lee 170 but I prefer their 6-cav. Hard to beat the Lyman 31141 ...but then there's NOE. ;-)
What are you wanting to shoot these boolits in? Have you slugged it?

I want the FN mostly for a .30-30, but will likely shoot in .308 as well and maybe even my Garand. I already have a Lee 150gr FN, but wanted something a little heavier for shooting with slooooow powders (like WC867). For the Garand and .308 Encore I also have the Lee 200grRN.

I have not slugged the .30-360, yet; it's still in the shop. (The Encore slugged right at .36085 and I'll get to the Garand after I get some work finished on my Enfield.)

[DLCTEX]

I have the Lee double cavity in 150and 170 gr both and they have cast enough boolits that they owe me nothing and I expect to cast many thousand more with them. I have some Lyman mould that will outlast me, but so what. I can buy three Lees for the price of a Lyman.

[TXGunNut]

Guessing you have a few extra 6's above, who makes the 30-30?

[TXGunNut]

I like Lyman but it seems I only buy them when nobody else makes that particular design.

[OKSaddletramp]

Guessing you have a few extra 6's above, who makes the 30-30?

Fat fingers:oops: Winnie '94 (but I'm thinking of trading it for a Marlin 336 I saw in a Vernon gun shop a couple of weeks ago, after the extraction issues get fixed).

[GP100man]

My next 30-30 mold will be this 1


http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=476&osCsid=2su3o6qdtatlb4maj7lpstj9j6

, & for a 5 cavity ya just can`t beat the price !!

True aluminum/brass molds need softer handlin , but then again all molds are precision tools & need attention paid to handlin them!!

['74 sharps]

My Lyman molds are fine and have no issues. BHN of the different mold materials run from brass @ 60 bhn, aluminum @ 95bhn, and cast iron/steel @ 220 bhn.