lyman 55 tricks and tips

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ericuda

ericuda

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Looking for any tips and tricks with the lyman 55. Picked up a nos measure a couple months ago. For what I load in rifle I can trickle each round but looking to set it up for 53 grains of imr4895 for the 06, 25 h335 for 223 and 14.5 2400 for 357. Also want to load some 45 acp with unique. Is a long skinny setting best or should I use the biggest setting first. I usually trickle and use auto disk for pistol.
 
You should use the top slide only when charging handgun brass.

The top slide is for handgun cases.
The top two slides are for rifle cases.
All three slides are only needed for very large rifle cases.
 
Take it apart and clean it with dish detergent, rinse and thoroughly dry it. Lube with powdered graphite. Before replacing the hopper adjust each slide in and out so you will get to see and feel how they work together. ArchAngelCD explained the correct use of the slides for powder measurements. Make sure the top slide(s) doesn't overlap the bottom one(s). Before expecting reliable results play with it with different powders. Keep notes as to the slide settings. This experimenting with notes with help you understand the feel and rhythm required for each powder type to achieve consistent measurements.

The extruded/stick powders aren't the 55s favorite. The long sticks powders like 4350 are the most troublesome. They will crunch when cut during the downstroke and don't dispense as accurately as ball and flake powders. On the other hand a for a 50-grain charge of 4350, less than a half-grain won't make much difference on a target.
 
Here's a couple of tips from Lyman "Reloading and Cast Bullet Guide" that came with my 1990 Lyman reloading kit.

For coarse-grained powders Lyman suggests that you use all three slides together,whenever possible,to give you a narrow, deep opening rather than a wide, shallow one. The wide , shallow opening allows more powder granules to be lined up on the cutting edge of the measuring pocket. The reason is the coarse grains will be caught between the edge of the rotor and body of the measure, causing considerable resistance as the granules are cut.

All movements must be uniform-with the knocker operated the same number of times-when throwing each charge. Always keep the handle in down position except when throwing a powder charge.

I have two 55's an older 1990 model and a new model I purchased this year they both throw consistent powder charges. The 55 is my favorite powder measure. The new measures come with a baffle but I can't tell a difference with or without one,keeping hopper full helps also. I try to keep a good rhythm going when throwing charges and I have never had a problem. When using small fine power change I only use the the top slide. I have good results with the 55 even with 700X.With extruded tubular powders shaped like IMR 3031 I set up cylinders per Lyman's instructions and it works very well . For my rifle reloads I get measurements close with powder measure then finish with powder trickler for precise powder charges.
 
Guys thx, this is what I was looking for from people who use the measure. It is very stiff so a good cleaning is in order with some powdered graphite to smooth out. I have it mounted to a solid shelf and found that consistency is a key with all measures. The bottom of the hopper was cracked at the threads so I used a little jb weld to reinforce it.
 
ericuda said:
Guys thx, this is what I was looking for from people who use the measure. It is very stiff so a good cleaning is in order with some powdered graphite to smooth out. I have it mounted to a solid shelf and found that consistency is a key with all measures. The bottom of the hopper was cracked at the threads so I used a little jb weld to reinforce it.
Click to expand...
Don't over torque the mounting screw to shelf it may distort powder measure housing. The measure will loosen up with use and make sure the cylinder retaining screw ,on left side is tight or you will get a gap on left side of brass cylinders . If measure doesn't loosen up with a good cleaning, graphite and some use loosen the screw on the left. My new measure came with the screw to loose and I was not getting consistent measurements because of gap it left from brass cylinders. Once I set screw correctly I put a paint mark on screw so I could see if it loosened up but it hasn't.
 
I got a new hopper from Lyman for about $5 with some shipping. I have the original instructions that came with my old Ideal and I will try to find them and copy the chart as to how to set the slides. Chart is for older propellants but it will give you an idea of where to start.
 
I have two No.55 throwers, my original is a gray colored one that I purchased new in 1977, & my other is an older (1940s?) orange one that I picked up at a gun show a few years ago. Both throwers work great, but each seems to have a preference for the powders it throws best!
One 'trick' that I use is to double-tap the handle at the upwards position, as this seems to settle the powder into the drum & gives me more consistent charges.
 
I think cleaning it with alcohol would reduce chances of rusting or corrosion.

Does anyone have good method of darkening the scale? Mine is barely visible.
 
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