Thought's on Lyman Kit?

DaFadda · #1 02-20-2013, 09:21 PM

Personally... I like the ability of the Lee Classic Turret to quickly switch calibers. If you're loading one caliber only, then some of the others make sense. But I load 38, 357, 40, 45, .223 (9 and 380 if absolutely necessary). I can switch to a new caliber in less than a minute without have to adjust any dies. I also prefer to load in "batch mode" which for me... allows better quality control over the process.

Oscar is correct if he says "you can't go wrong with a Dillon." You will like it. A lot. But I can't justify the cost differences between a Dillon Square Deal and a 4 hole turret from Lee (Press is about $100, add another hundred or so for a set of dies and other particulars).

Talking about reloading is sometimes like asking the question: "which is better for carry... 9mm or 45?" Guarantee that we all have our opinions, and that most of us have the knowledge behind the opinion to back us up. Reloading is an art, a science, AND a labor of love. If someone wants to reload to "save money"... I'd tell them not to, just use the money to buy more ammo. Reloading WILL allow you to shoot more, which means accuracy goes up.... etc etc.... And for me... I DO enjoy shooting more now that I have control over the cartridge side of the equation. It's just fun.

I just looked at the Lyman kit on Midway (your link). You would be getting the scale (RCBS sells theirs for about $100,) and the universal trimmer (needed for rifle rounds, RCBS has a similar model for about $120), powder measure (don't know the quality, but RCBS has a great one for $149) plus the press. So, for what you're getting.... It looks good. I'd still look at the Lee Classic Turret as an option.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785...dex-deluxe-kit

You would NOT get the manual trimmer with the kit at a price of $194. But hey... check ebay for a trimmer!!! But I can tell you this... my RockChucker supreme is relegated to rifle rounds only now that I'm using this turret. I won't buy another unless I go full progressive, and then... its probably going to be the Dillon 1050 with all the bells and whistles!

My story, and I'm sticking to it!
+Michael

BadOscar · #2 02-20-2013, 09:52 PM

Well said

. Reloading really opens up new worlds and makes shooting more fun. 90% of what I create could not be purchased off the shelf and that is why I do it. I did not mean to sound elitist at all about my choice of reloader. I think people want different things out of reloading. For example, I don't have a lot of spare time and I need the ability to load 200 rounds on a Friday night and not spend more than 1 hour. The press I have just fits for what I want out of it. That's probably where a reloading discussion should start is what type of person are you, what sort of experience do you want out of reloading.

DaFadda · #3 02-20-2013, 10:16 PM

Alex... I'm working on my elitist attitude so I may one day get a job in homeland security where I may be able to view xray pictures of Doc walking through an airport. I will then stab my eyes with a stick! (Back to the story).... as usual, we're both right. And since I have no life, I spend my lonely evenings pining away at the reloading bench.... punching round after lonely round out.... man I'm getting depressed.... Think I'll go wake up the Mrs.......

Da

Sheepdog · #4 02-21-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFadda

Personally... I like the ability of the Lee Classic Turret to quickly switch calibers. If you're loading one caliber only, then some of the others make sense. But I load 38, 357, 40, 45, .223 (9 and 380 if absolutely necessary). I can switch to a new caliber in less than a minute without have to adjust any dies. I also prefer to load in "batch mode" which for me... allows better quality control over the process.

Oscar is correct if he says "you can't go wrong with a Dillon." You will like it. A lot. But I can't justify the cost differences between a Dillon Square Deal and a 4 hole turret from Lee (Press is about $100, add another hundred or so for a set of dies and other particulars).

Talking about reloading is sometimes like asking the question: "which is better for carry... 9mm or 45?" Guarantee that we all have our opinions, and that most of us have the knowledge behind the opinion to back us up. Reloading is an art, a science, AND a labor of love. If someone wants to reload to "save money"... I'd tell them not to, just use the money to buy more ammo. Reloading WILL allow you to shoot more, which means accuracy goes up.... etc etc.... And for me... I DO enjoy shooting more now that I have control over the cartridge side of the equation. It's just fun.

I just looked at the Lyman kit on Midway (your link). You would be getting the scale (RCBS sells theirs for about $100,) and the universal trimmer (needed for rifle rounds, RCBS has a similar model for about $120), powder measure (don't know the quality, but RCBS has a great one for $149) plus the press. So, for what you're getting.... It looks good. I'd still look at the Lee Classic Turret as an option.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785...dex-deluxe-kit

You would NOT get the manual trimmer with the kit at a price of $194. But hey... check ebay for a trimmer!!! But I can tell you this... my RockChucker supreme is relegated to rifle rounds only now that I'm using this turret. I won't buy another unless I go full progressive, and then... its probably going to be the Dillon 1050 with all the bells and whistles!

My story, and I'm sticking to it!
+Michael

, before you jump in to a 1050 look real hard at the 650. It is smaller easier to change calibers and cheaper than the 1050. The 1050 is considered a commercial reloader and is not covered by the same "cover everything" as the 650. Dillon has not charged me for repairs to my 1050 just saying. The 650 will do everything the 1050 does. You will spend more time filling primer tubes than pulling the handle. Dillon also makes an auto primer tube filler and an auto bullet feeder. Just my .02 cents.

AutoMag · #5 02-21-2013, 01:40 PM

I have the Dillon RL550B and it has served me well for many years!!!

markbob45 · #6 02-21-2013, 03:01 PM

I have the Lyman T-Mag turret press kit. I bought mine almost 20years ago and I have been very happy with it. I think some of the additional components have changed a little since then but it looks basically the same. I like being able to leave a couple seating dies in place so I don't have to go thru the set up process as much. Its also nice to be able to do multiple steps without changing dies like you would with a single stage press. Most of my dies are Lee and they work fine.
There may be better presses/kits I don't know but overall I am very happy with the Lyman T-Mag.

Boats · #7 02-21-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markbob45

I have the Lyman T-Mag turret press kit. I bought mine almost 20years ago and I have been very happy with it. I think some of the additional components have changed a little since then but it looks basically the same. I like being able to leave a couple seating dies in place so I don't have to go thru the set up process as much. Its also nice to be able to do multiple steps without changing dies like you would with a single stage press. Most of my dies are Lee and they work fine.
There may be better presses/kits I don't know but overall I am very happy with the Lyman T-Mag.

Hmmm... the T-Mag sounds a lot like the Lee Classic Turret press. I'ver been using mine for years, but not as long as you

I don't know why I'm even thinking about something better since I like the Lee very much. Maybe I can't leave well enough alone and need to think "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

The Dillon 650 is a progressive press, and quite a bit more powerful and fast. See this link. One loaded bullet per pull.

But since I only load a few hundred rounds at a time I probably don't need such a powerful system. And there are downsides. With my Lee Turret press, I can change calibers in about 10 seconds. Likely a lot more with a progressive. Once you get them set up, they are very fast, but they're a bit finicky and more suited to loading a lot of one caliber.

But must... have... one... !

Tom

Riverpigusmc · #8 02-21-2013, 03:20 PM

We really need a popcorn smilie

Dave Waits · #9 02-21-2013, 04:51 PM

Okay, basically all the Turret Presses work the same way. It's a single-stage press with a quicker way to change dies. Instead of unscrewing a die and screwing another in, you just turn the Turret. so, you save about 20 seconds between operations. Once the dies are set and the nuts locked, all that you do with a single stage is unscrew one and screw another in. With a turret you just turn the turret. The only real advantage is you can buy extra turrets for other calibers and simply switch Turrets and shellholders.

The difference in Turret Presses is the same as any other Press, quality. Not badmouthing Lee or anything but, quality-wise the Lyman is well above the Lee. In other words, you're not just paying for name.

The best advice I can give for anyone just getting into reloading is not to go overboard with equipment. Why? you're going to make mistakes and, using more complicated equipment magnifies those mistakes. Say you go whole-Hog into this and buy one of the big Progressives from Dillon or RCBS,etc. Set everything up and run oh, 300 rounds off. Unknown to you, your dump is misthrowing a charge on the highside, because you unknowingly turned the adjustment while screwing it into that press turret. How do you check your rounds? You don't know. So, you load up the Slabsides and let loose with a dangerous overcharge.

My advice is keep it simple until you know what you're doing. Then, once you get some experience under your belt, you can cheat yourself out of an enjoying past time by running off rounds as quickly as possible and using that $500.00 plus piece of equipment for one-hour every month or two if you're an average shooter.

I'm sorry guys but, recommending advanced equipment like this to a beginner is not a good idea. Toms' statement above about need pretty much says it all.

Boats · #10 02-21-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

, before you jump in to a 1050 look real hard at the 650. It is smaller easier to change calibers and cheaper than the 1050. The 1050 is considered a commercial reloader and is not covered by the same "cover everything" as the 650. Dillon has not charged me for repairs to my 1050 just saying. The 650 will do everything the 1050 does. You will spend more time filling primer tubes than pulling the handle. Dillon also makes an auto primer tube filler and an auto bullet feeder. Just my .02 cents.

Damn! Now you've got me interested.

I'm very happy with my Lee Classic Turret Press and I've got all the additions I need to make it sing. But I like to tinker too much.

What would be an approximate "all in" price to give me a full setup switching to a Dillon XL 650? Don't need rigorous analysis

, just a ballpark.

Thanks,
Tom