I've always liked old tools and enjoy using them along with modern tools, just because they give a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment. One in particular is the Lyman 310.
For those of you unfamiliar with these beautiful old tools, here's some background:
Note that the links need to have the http joined.
Link to below: ht tp://ps-2.kev009.com/ohland/Cast_Bullet/310op/history.htm
The 310 Tool has its roots in the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. In those days Winchester made reloading tools for their rifles, and often included one with a rifle at the time of purchase. The tools were of the "nutcracker" design, and many of them incorporated a bullet mould on the end of the tool. This way, the user had both a bullet casting and reloading tool in one compact package.
Many other companies including Remington, Smith & Wesson, Whitney also manufactured similar tools as a sideline and in addition to their mainstream products.
When Winchester stopped making the tool, the man in charge of their reloading tools, Mr. John Barlow, went to work for the Ideal Tool Co. There, Mr. Barlow refined the tool and over many years Ideal brought it out in several different configurations.
It is believed that Ideal products were first manufactured in 1885, based on John Barlow's patents of 1884. The principal products were a line of tong type reloading tools. As the years went by, each tool design was created, a model number assigned.
Over the years Ideal also produced numerous editions of the Ideal Handbook, which included the current line of reloading tools and accessories.
It all began with The Ideal No. 1 tool. The introduction of new designs by Ideal continued well into the 1930's.
By the late 1930's the Lyman Gun Sight Corporation had taken over Ideal. Tools #4 and #6 were discontinued due to lagging sales. Under new management the Lyman line of bullet moulds with removable handles had been introduced and these advancements made the old mould/reloading tool obsolete.
The #3 Reloading Tool and the #10 Reloading Tool continued to be good selling items, and by 1940 were redesigned slightly to make them easier to use. They were made of steel at that time, and the only drawback was that you had to purchase a separate Reloading Tool for each calibre that you wanted to load.
By the 1950's Lyman had dealt with this design problem, redesigning the tools and incorporating a removable shell guide so one set of handles could work with many calibres. The new Tool was called the 310 Tool since you could reload both rimmed and rimless cartridges with it. Once a set of handles were purchased all you had to buy was the reloading dies for whatever calibre you wanted to reload.
Some early handles for the 310 Tools were made of steel. By the late 1950's they were made of cast aluminium. This reduced the weight considerably, and although not as strong as steel handles, it was not considered a problem since the 310 Tool did not full-length size the cases. [ed. there is one mention of the 310 Tool being made from steel in 57, followed by a complete changeover to aluminum in 1958]
The Lyman Ideal 310 Tool is still in production today, however the cost today is a far cry from 1940.
While not as popular as it once was, the Lyman 310 Tool will still produce fine ammunition. It is a great way for those starting out to learn reloading.
At one time, many rifle and pistol calibers were offered with the 310 tool.
Here's the reference chart listing all that were available:
ht tps://www.lymanproducts.com/media/user/file/i/d/ideal_310_referencea.pdf
More information and how they work can be found here: ht tps://www.castpics.net/subsite/Lyman310/310Refs.html
The tools pictured below are mine.
These are great old tools that are as capable today as they were in the past to load perfectly capable ammunition.
This is a 5 die set for the .30-30 Win with the later aluminum handles
For a limited time steel handles were offered, before the aluminum, and were stamped with the caliber. These handles will work with many other caliber dies though.
Unfortunately the bottom handles have been marked up by possibly being held in a unpadded vise.
A .300 Savage handle with the #2 priming chamber
These are the very rare transitional handles that uses a caliber specific insert like the later aluminum handles. I don't know how many were made but they are seldom seen.
A close look at the removeable caliber specific insert and the wear plate on the right, which is the same as the aluminum handles.
Some original boxes with instructions
My portable tool kit for when I want to load anywhere I go
For anyone that enjoys using such tools and appreciates stepping back in time to a simpler world, these tools can provide a lot of pleasure. If you like things like this, give them a try, you just might like them.
For those of you unfamiliar with these beautiful old tools, here's some background:
Note that the links need to have the http joined.
Link to below: ht tp://ps-2.kev009.com/ohland/Cast_Bullet/310op/history.htm
The 310 Tool has its roots in the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. In those days Winchester made reloading tools for their rifles, and often included one with a rifle at the time of purchase. The tools were of the "nutcracker" design, and many of them incorporated a bullet mould on the end of the tool. This way, the user had both a bullet casting and reloading tool in one compact package.
Many other companies including Remington, Smith & Wesson, Whitney also manufactured similar tools as a sideline and in addition to their mainstream products.
When Winchester stopped making the tool, the man in charge of their reloading tools, Mr. John Barlow, went to work for the Ideal Tool Co. There, Mr. Barlow refined the tool and over many years Ideal brought it out in several different configurations.
It is believed that Ideal products were first manufactured in 1885, based on John Barlow's patents of 1884. The principal products were a line of tong type reloading tools. As the years went by, each tool design was created, a model number assigned.
Over the years Ideal also produced numerous editions of the Ideal Handbook, which included the current line of reloading tools and accessories.
It all began with The Ideal No. 1 tool. The introduction of new designs by Ideal continued well into the 1930's.
By the late 1930's the Lyman Gun Sight Corporation had taken over Ideal. Tools #4 and #6 were discontinued due to lagging sales. Under new management the Lyman line of bullet moulds with removable handles had been introduced and these advancements made the old mould/reloading tool obsolete.
The #3 Reloading Tool and the #10 Reloading Tool continued to be good selling items, and by 1940 were redesigned slightly to make them easier to use. They were made of steel at that time, and the only drawback was that you had to purchase a separate Reloading Tool for each calibre that you wanted to load.
By the 1950's Lyman had dealt with this design problem, redesigning the tools and incorporating a removable shell guide so one set of handles could work with many calibres. The new Tool was called the 310 Tool since you could reload both rimmed and rimless cartridges with it. Once a set of handles were purchased all you had to buy was the reloading dies for whatever calibre you wanted to reload.
Some early handles for the 310 Tools were made of steel. By the late 1950's they were made of cast aluminium. This reduced the weight considerably, and although not as strong as steel handles, it was not considered a problem since the 310 Tool did not full-length size the cases. [ed. there is one mention of the 310 Tool being made from steel in 57, followed by a complete changeover to aluminum in 1958]
The Lyman Ideal 310 Tool is still in production today, however the cost today is a far cry from 1940.
While not as popular as it once was, the Lyman 310 Tool will still produce fine ammunition. It is a great way for those starting out to learn reloading.
At one time, many rifle and pistol calibers were offered with the 310 tool.
Here's the reference chart listing all that were available:
ht tps://www.lymanproducts.com/media/user/file/i/d/ideal_310_referencea.pdf
More information and how they work can be found here: ht tps://www.castpics.net/subsite/Lyman310/310Refs.html
The tools pictured below are mine.
These are great old tools that are as capable today as they were in the past to load perfectly capable ammunition.
This is a 5 die set for the .30-30 Win with the later aluminum handles
For a limited time steel handles were offered, before the aluminum, and were stamped with the caliber. These handles will work with many other caliber dies though.
Unfortunately the bottom handles have been marked up by possibly being held in a unpadded vise.
A .300 Savage handle with the #2 priming chamber
These are the very rare transitional handles that uses a caliber specific insert like the later aluminum handles. I don't know how many were made but they are seldom seen.
A close look at the removeable caliber specific insert and the wear plate on the right, which is the same as the aluminum handles.
Some original boxes with instructions
My portable tool kit for when I want to load anywhere I go
For anyone that enjoys using such tools and appreciates stepping back in time to a simpler world, these tools can provide a lot of pleasure. If you like things like this, give them a try, you just might like them.
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Impressive. An old friend and English gunsmith I shot handgun with at a mid Vancouver Island club passed on a number of years back. Some of his old reloading equipment and accurized 1911 were offered to me and I opted to 
