What is your opinion of Lyman Pistol dies?

[Bruce H.]

I have only used RCBS dies on my single stage press. I am very satisfied with the RCBS dies, but I have an opportunity to purchase a new set of Lyman 38/357 dies at a good price. How do the Lyman dies compare with RCBS dies?

 

[loadedround]

Lyman makes decent dies and that was the brand I started with forty years ago. My only suggestion would be to make sure the sizer die is carbide so that you won't have to lube and clean your cases.

 

[highlander 5]

I gave up on Lyman products years ago. Their mould blocks didn't stand up to my long term use and I baby my casting stuff. Had a buddy who used Lyman exclusively until he had a problem with a carbide die that he had to pay to get fixed. Carbide insert came out of the die and they refused to replace it.

 

[ranger335v]

I started loading in '65 with Lyman gear. Never had a moments trouble, but maybe tomorrow?

Now I own and use a wide variety of equipment, especially dies, and still like Lyman's dies best of all for handguns. (Prefer Forster for bottle-necked cartridges.)

Don't know how or why anyone should have trouble with Lyman's cast iron molds. Mine have made thousands of bullets reliabaly. Who makes "better" molds?

 

[AKCOP]

I have a set of .44 spcl/mag carbide dies that I bought in 1971 when I bought my Spar-T press. Not sure how you would judge them. I have been using them since that time, have loaded more rounds than I can even begin to
calculate and I suspect I will pass them down to one of my sons when I pass.
I guess they are OK. I have mostly Lyman stuff, I have been happy with all but most was bought years ago, not sure how the new stuff is stacking up.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I use Lyman and RCBS dies in my RCBS and Dillon presses...

Started with Lyman, and probably have more RCBS than any, but I've never had issue with the Lyman carbide sets. Mine are easily 20 years old and have been through thousands of rounds of brass in several calibers. I keep extra Lyman and RCBS decaping pins on hand. I've broken them both!

-Steve

 

[rcmodel]

Don't know how or why anyone should have trouble with Lyman's cast iron molds. Mine have made thousands of bullets reliabaly. Who makes "better" molds?

My thoughts exactly!
What can you do to a cast iron bullet mold to hurt it, short of all-out abuse!

If the alignment goes out eventually due to long-term wear, the taper pins are easily adjustable.

It's been my experiance, the longer you use them, the better they get!

rcmodel

 

[AKCOP]

Nothing beats a 10 cavity Hensley & Gibbs for production. You get spoiled and going back to a 4 cavity Lyman is tough. However they are great moulds
and as stated unless abused they will last forever. Wonder if Lyman could be
convinced to at least make a 6 cavity in handgun calibers?

 

[stubbicatt]

Years ago I started out with a Lyman kit. After many different tools and such, I have determined that the Lee setup fits my needs better. The Lee carbide pistol die set is what I prefer.

 

[Virginian]

My second reloading outfit was a Lyman Spartan C frame (1st was a Lee HAND loader) and I got some Lyman 25-06 dies and 38/357 dies. I used the 38/357 dies for years until I got a Dillon SD in the early '90s or so, and sold the Lymans (SD uses proprietary dies). Never had an issue.
The most accurate handloads I ever made came out of the Lyman 25-06 dies. I still have the 40+ year old Spartan, and the Lyman shotshell press I gave to a buddy 20 years ago, after I had been using it for 11 years, is still going strong. I like Lyman - nary a problem, but I guess like everything else I better add yet.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I'm still using a Lyman Carbide sizing die in .38/.357 that I bought in 1969, and it's sized many, many thousands of rounds. I have other die sets made by Lyman and they're just fine. My other sets are from all the other manufacturers, and the Lyman dies compare in quality, etc.

As for bullet molds, about 30 of mine are Lyman, and the rest are H&G, Seaco, Cramer, Lee, Rapine and RCBS.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve been useing a couple of Lyman carbide pistol dies sets since the early 70`s without a problem. I actually prefer the "M die" expander in them to the "bell" type in RCBS, Redding, ect.

 

[TooTaxed]

For about thirty-five years I used Herter, Lyman and RCBS dies for my considerable loading.

I now get Lee die sets for any new cartridges and have bought the Lee carbide and factory crimp dies to replace those functions in my old die sets. Bonus...the Lee set are both far less expensive and come with shell holder included.