newbe here , i just starting out on this reloading stuff,but to my good luck i have a friend that has been doing in for a couple years, i just picked up a complete lyman reload set at a very cheep price,it has been setting in a garage for a few years,i need to start picking up some dies and plates as my funds can afford , i found a set of lee 308 dies and shell plate for 20.00 bucks and am wondering if this will work on the lyman press. thanks, rusobr2:):)

newbe here , i just starting out on this reloading stuff,but to my good luck i have a friend that has been doing in for a couple years, i just picked up a complete lyman reload set at a very cheep price,it has been setting in a garage for a few years,i need to start picking up some dies and plates as my funds can afford , i found a set of lee 308 dies and shell plate for 20.00 bucks and am wondering if this will work on the lyman press. thanks, rusobr2:):)


If it is a " modern " Lyman press , yes . I think Lyman made one or two presses , years ago , that used smaller diameter dies ?

Try it and see .

Did you get a Lyman reloading manual ? If not , be sure to get one & read it cover to cover , about 3 times before you start .

And a good scale , too .

God bless
Wyr

Lee presses, I mean. The standard die threads are 7/8x14 and almost everyone makes them along with compatible presses. Lyman makes good equipment along with some others so you shouldn't have any problem if you get the right thread size. Hornadys dies have this allen screw lock righ which I find annoying because it's always in an inconvenient location when you want to snug it down.
I've used Lee products for a long time and I thought I'd take this opportunity to rail against some of them for anybody who's interested. Their dies are first rate. Good quality and reasonably priced. Their standard presses are also good. However, anything that pretends to be a "progressive" press should be avoided like the plague. It's not the press, it's the attachments that you want to have to make it more convenient. Primer loader, case-bullet feeders, powder measures. I've have a Lee Pro 1000 with all the attachments, and a Lee Load Master that've fought with for years. I bought the Load Master hoping it would solve the reliability problems with the Pro 1000. It didn't. I spent 2 days tying to adjust the Perfect Powder Measure that you have to use for rifle cartridges. Couldn't get it to drop powder with less than .5 grains error at best. The chain kept breaking because the measure would move. etc etc etc. I've now got a Dillon on order and the Lees for sale. You're darn right I'm peeved. This has been going on for years which I guess shows my stupidity but at least everybody's been warned.

thanks guys i really do appreciate the info. as i said this is a new project, and i find that the more ?'s asked is a better road in the long run, and yes!! it is a newer version of lyman so the thred size should be ok, thanks,rusobr2

I am assuming that by "shell plate" you mean the shell holder? Lyman's are compatible with the standard shell holders from RCBS or Lee. A shell plate is part of a progressive press and serves as the purpose the upper lip of a shell holder on other presses does. It generally has several shell positions on it, though.

Example of a shell holder (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=170236).

Example of a shell plate (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=210497).


Mcg6637,

You'll like the Dillon. I don't know why Lee keeps fussing with progressives? I have a progressive shotshell loader they no longer make. Lots of primer hang-ups, as I recall. It's one reason I own two Dillons for metallic cartridges. Some things just don't work out as well when you are trying to keep them economical to produce. That said, a lot of people seem very happy with Lee's turret presses. I like their Classic Cast single-stage very much. The Lee Perfect measure is one of the better ones with stick powders when it is clamped down firmly and operated by hand. I can only imagine that a progressive linkage would be problematic for it.

mcg6637

you might look at leeprecision.com for a video or adjustment explanation for the Lee progressives. Or at least know where to send who ever buys them from you. I havent bothered messing with anyone's progressive press as my ammo needs are not that high. I will say this, I started with a Lee Hand Press and it's a very good tool for the money and portability. Then got a little Reloader "C" frame press and then my Lee Classic Turret Press. The Classic Turret is hard to beat feature, operation and dollar-wise in my not so humble opinion. :D The little "C" frame is getting replaced with a sale table Lee Challenger "O" frame press so I can use the "C" frame press for lube and size operation only. I may need a new, larger reloading bench. What will my lovely wife say??? :eek:

Rusobr2, I think you'll be happy with your Lyman. They make rock solid presses. Get that Lyman reloading manual (48th Ed. I think now), then one or two more. Read them cover to cover. Then read them again. Start slow, go easy and pretty quick you'll be hooked for life and looking for new calibers to reload. ;)

I am assuming that by "shell plate" you mean the shell holder? Lyman's are compatible with the standard shell holders from RCBS or Lee. A shell plate is part of a progressive press and serves as the purpose the upper lip of a shell holder on other presses does. It generally has several shell positions on it, though.

Example of a shell holder (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=170236).

Example of a shell plate (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=210497).


Mcg6637,

You'll like the Dillon. I don't know why Lee keeps fussing with progressives? I have a progressive shotshell loader they no longer make. Lots of primer hang-ups, as I recall. It's one reason I own two Dillons for metallic cartridges. Some things just don't work out as well when you are trying to keep them economical to produce. That said, a lot of people seem very happy with Lee's turret presses. I like their Classic Cast single-stage very much. The Lee Perfect measure is one of the better ones with stick powders when it is clamped down firmly and operated by hand. I can only imagine that a progressive linkage would be problematic for it.


I have the Lee Classic ( cast iron ) Turret Press . I like it .

The Perfect Powder Measure also works fine with flake powder ( Unique ) . It is a nightmare with ball powder . That is why I bought the Lee disk measure .

Can / does the disk powder measure work onn the Lee progressives ?

God bless
Wyr

Lee presses, I mean. The standard die threads are 7/8x14 and almost everyone makes them along with compatible presses. Lyman makes good equipment along with some others so you shouldn't have any problem if you get the right thread size. Hornadys dies have this allen screw lock righ which I find annoying because it's always in an inconvenient location when you want to snug it down.
I've used Lee products for a long time and I thought I'd take this opportunity to rail against some of them for anybody who's interested. Their dies are first rate. Good quality and reasonably priced. Their standard presses are also good. However, anything that pretends to be a "progressive" press should be avoided like the plague. It's not the press, it's the attachments that you want to have to make it more convenient. Primer loader, case-bullet feeders, powder measures. I've have a Lee Pro 1000 with all the attachments, and a Lee Load Master that've fought with for years. I bought the Load Master hoping it would solve the reliability problems with the Pro 1000. It didn't. I spent 2 days tying to adjust the Perfect Powder Measure that you have to use for rifle cartridges. Couldn't get it to drop powder with less than .5 grains error at best. The chain kept breaking because the measure would move. etc etc etc. I've now got a Dillon on order and the Lees for sale. You're darn right I'm peeved. This has been going on for years which I guess shows my stupidity but at least everybody's been warned.



You selling the Lee pressed ? Please PM me .

God bless
Wyr

The Perfect Powder measure worked great for me as long as it was on a stand. Putting it on either the Load Master or Pro1000 was a disaster. Leaking powder (ball), balky operation (Varget) and repeatabilty of +- .5 grains at best. The auto disk measure works fine on both presses. Talked to Lee about the Perfect and got the distinct impression that he knew it was less than wonderful also on a progressive.

I have mine permantly set up on the stand , for for a standard load of 4227 , for .44 Mag .


God bless
Wyr




The Perfect Powder measure worked great for me as long as it was on a stand. Putting it on either the Load Master or Pro1000 was a disaster. Leaking powder (ball), balky operation (Varget) and repeatabilty of +- .5 grains at best. The auto disk measure works fine on both presses. Talked to Lee about the Perfect and got the distinct impression that he knew it was less than wonderful also on a progressive.