lyman #55 powder dispenser

[palerider1]

how accurate is the old lyman powder dispenser? i know the new scales get you within 1/10th of a grain. should i buy the old dispenser off of ebay, or go with the new scale and measure and load each shell separate from the press?
thanks,

 

[RyanM]

You don't have a scale that measures within 1/10th of a grain? Get one of those before you buy any kind of volumetric dispenser. The Lyman has labels which will allow you to set the number of grains of volume, but you absolutely need a scale to verify the weights. Smokeless powder is measured by weight, not volume.

If operated consistently, a Lyman #55 will throw charges to within under + or - 1/10th grain of weight, but you need to have a scale so that you know how much powder is actually being dispensed.

 

[palerider1]

so i guess i will need to get them both then. i have never reloaded before and i dont know what all the tools and dies do. i have a basic concept of what needs to be done, but i have no formal instruction. i have to have my dad over. he is an old timer who's reloaded thousands and thousands of times and familiar with my old equipment.

 

[palerider1]

you know it's absolutely amazing that you can find all this reloading stuff from the 50's in brand new or near new in the box condition. i guess the old timers from the depression era really took good care of their stuff, or didnt use it. i have things that i have owned for over 30 years that are brand new in the box. i use them, clean them, and put them back in the box too.

 

[HSMITH]

The Lyman 55 is a decent powder measure.

I would advise you to get a Redding instead though if you can scrape up another $50, it is worth the extra money.

 

[palerider1]

The Lyman 55 is a decent powder measure.

I would advise you to get a Redding instead though if you can scrape up another $50, it is worth the extra money.

i have an old lyman tru line jr press that i want to hook it up too, so thats why i am buying the old lyman powder measure.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Spend a couple $$ and pick up a manual or two. The books will give you a much needed background of what for, and how to, use your tools.
You can load without a measure but a scale is a must!!

 

[W Turner]

I use an older Lyman #55 and with most powders, it consistently throws charges not more than .1 +/- what I set it at. Only exception I have found is when using Clays. Those throws tend to vary up to .2 at times. By contrast, Accurate #5 flows like water and only 1 out of every 50 or so isn't right on the money.


W

 

[oscar]

They are old and they work very well.

 

[ScreamnEagle]

I use the lyman #55 as well, ball and flake powders measure very well + or - 1/10th gr. the only powder that dosen't measure well is the IMR line, like the IMR 4350 and so on. The extruded powders seem to cut uneven and not measure out as well. On the other hand, I have been loading H380 in my 22-250, it is a ball powder that seems to "Flow like water" and is pretty much right on the money every pull of the handle.

Hope this helps you.