RCBS or Lyman?

[NVScouter]

So work just gave me a $750 reward for being the #1 Q4 guy. Its only to Amazon.

So I want a lube sizer and a new press. I can get either the RCBS Lubeamatic II or Lyman 4500 with heaters for about $200. I'll still have enough for the LEE Loadmaster progressive and a good batch of accessories for each.

If you had to choose between the RCBS or Lyman what would you choose and why?

The RCBS sizers suposedly fit both and are about $3 cheaper per die. Do you interchange in yours?

[bhn22]

RCBS would likely be the best for you in the long run. Better warranty, and their quality history has been significantly better. Both sizers use the same style of dies, so there's no real advantage there. Lymans are often cheaper, and RCBS dies seem to be a bit more popular. And some don't care either way.

[theperfessor]

RCBS. It has a bigger die retention nut with coarser threads that are less likely to cross thread and strip the casting. Otherwise nose punches and MOST (not necessarily all) dies interchange between the Lymans (45, 450, 4500) and the RCBS series.

No real differences in operation that I'm aware of.

[Mugs]

yes,RCBS
Mugs

[DR Owl Creek]

RCBS LAM-II, if no other reason the customer service over the years.

Dave

[Bored1]

Rcbs without a doubt. Their warranty is outstanding!

[georgerkahn]

Listen to theperfessor! I have five Lyman 450s and one Lyman 45 -- trust me, if I had it to do over, they'd all be RCBS. And, CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful reward! That's a good chunk of money for any business to award to a worker -- surely, it must be well deserved! My kudos to and for you! Now retired, whenever (on too rare an occasion) I got a windfall or reward, I'd also purchase something. Better, imho, to put it towards something "real" rather than just have it melt in with the other bill-paying funds... Any loading/casting equipment is top choice!
georgerkahn

[Cmm_3940]

I recently got a RCBS LAM-II. Feedback like this from this forum is why I chose it over the Lyman. It's only been a couple of months, but so far, I think it's wonderful.

[MT Chambers]

Of your two choices, Lyman and RCBS, I'd get a STAR, hands down.

[rmb721]

Posted at wrong thread

[ascast]

rcbs i have several lymans - they can be broken and lyman wont help so much

[Yodogsandman]

RCBS LAM II, it's much stronger! You can use the same Lyman heater, I do. Sizing dies are interchangeable, so get whichever is a better deal at the time.

I mounted mine on a full size 2"x6" wooden stud about a foot long and put it in the vice when I need to use it. I can put it away, out of the way when I'm not using it.

[NVScouter]

Thank you all. I only orders the RCBS LAM II .311, .358, .459 sizers and the Lyman heater

[ohland]

Thank you all. I only orders the RCBS LAM II .311, .358, .459 sizers and the Lyman heater

I have at least two LAMIIs, and one Lyman heater. Only downside of the heater is using it on a lube too long, then the lube starts squirting out around the stem of the H&I die. Not the fault of the die OR the lube. Just turn off the heater and let the die cool. Until it cools, you will get lube pushby and it makes the gas check or base of the bullet covered with extra lube....

Messy, you have to wipe the excess off the bullet and occasionally scoop the excess lube off of the stem... Pay attention to the amount of effort it takes to work the lube screw and when it gets too hard, heat it up... But once the body of the LAM heats up, it will keep the lube workable. I was using some Apache Blue with the heater and shazzam! there was lube squirting around the stem in the H&I die, held onto the base of the bullet, made it harder to take out of the LAM. Trying to scoop out the excess lube in the H&I die is a riot. Can't get to it from above, and the side access is restricted.

So far I've not hurt my LAMII. Other than my own ineptness, there's nothing about it I find bad.

[trapper9260]

I have a 450 lyman and had it when i first started casting and then got a heater and made life easyer and for the press like stated that you will have some leak lube but when it is up to temp unplug it and keep usen it and when the lube is to get hard too much plug back in.I say just make sure you have a heater to make life easyer.The one I got was years ago from midway that was universal.it says what press to use it on .