Lyman ideal press garbage or okay to start with?
- Thread starter Mike112288
- Start date
It all depends on how much reloading you intend to do.
The only negative I can give you are the cast metal mandrel bars. I can see them wearing fairly quickly. Still, they're likely available for replacement but it would definitely be something to watch.
That cast steel press body is as rigid as you will likely ever need.
The price is good as well at $100 US base price.
The only negative I can give you are the cast metal mandrel bars. I can see them wearing fairly quickly. Still, they're likely available for replacement but it would definitely be something to watch.
That cast steel press body is as rigid as you will likely ever need.
The price is good as well at $100 US base price.
The Lee Classic will be stronger than that one. I personally don't like resizing rifle brass on a light duty press such as that one.
If you're open to spending a little more money, have a look at the RCBS Rock Chucker.
If you're open to spending a little more money, have a look at the RCBS Rock Chucker.
thepolinator
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, ON
Isn't the rockchucker 4 times the price?
Ultimate Reloader on YT reviewed the ideal press. Tale a look at that.
I would say for .223, pistol calibers etc., the press is good. Mounting it to a solid base/tabletop is key. Keep it clean and lubricated and it will serve you well.
The classic cast is heavier but also more $$. It’s nice to have another press but you have to assess your needs.
I would say for .223, pistol calibers etc., the press is good. Mounting it to a solid base/tabletop is key. Keep it clean and lubricated and it will serve you well.
The classic cast is heavier but also more $$. It’s nice to have another press but you have to assess your needs.
Yeah I hear ya. I’m leaning towards the regular one. I looked this little Lyman press over today. It seriously seems very solid built for the money. Maybe I’ll keep it and get the lee classic and have two presses setup for faster reloading 223 ammo
OK, I have a bud with a Lyman Ideal. He uses it exclusively. He also has an RCBS Jr and a Lee Classic.
He really likes the accessibility of the Lyman Ideal over the other two and he likes the other two presses as well. He tells me the Ideal makes cartridges every bit as well as the other two when it it comes to concentricity.
I can tell you, from years of friendship with this fellow that accuracy and concentricity are very important to him. If his hunting rifles aren't shooting his hand loads into sub moa groups, out past 300 yards, he finds out why. I honestly don't think he's bought any factory loaded ammo, other than rimfire, over the 50 years I've known him.
If Jess says the Lyman Ideal press is a good press, IMHO, it's a good press.
- Location
- West Quebec
Agreed you can always add a better press later and keep it for single duty..
I am a fan of the breech lock system. I only have the most frequently accessed dies equipped with collets. It’s nice to have my hornady collet bullet puller set up in a breech lock collet to quickly break down a round during bullet seating set up should it go too far in.
I also have my RCBS powder throw set up with a Lee breech Lock Collet to easily set up, despense, remove and dump the powder back in its container. That operation would be difficult to to pull off if I had to spin the whole powder throw through all the threads.
You can always leave a single collet in the press and use it like a normal press. You don’t have to buy a collet for every die.
