Lyman or Lee?

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Major Sights

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So I wanted to start reloading .223 a couple years ago and was given an older Lyman Spartan press by my Wife and Father-in-Law, but ended up selling the rifle I was intending on reloading for. So that project went on the shelf.
it looks like this one
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However I now have a couple .308 rifles and have the dies, the small tools, and I still have the lyman press, however my buddy is also getting into reloading and is looking for a cheap press. I was thinking of picking up the Lee 50th Anniversary Edition kit (for a few of the accessories I wouldn't mind having), and selling him the press and a reduced price, but then I thought, which press is better? The Lyman Spartan or the Lee 50th Single stage?
 
I am not a fan of some of the less accessories. So I would not let that get in the way of your decision about presses.
 
I have an old RCBS Jr I got from an ol' timer that doesn't load anymore, I cleaned it up and it is my dedicated decapper. Just tore it apart, painted it with Hammerite Green and lubed it all up. Don't get rid of the old press if it works, buy yourself a new press for doing your reloading on ( numerous posts about which one to buy ) and keep the Spartan. If you find you never use the old press sell it later
 
Those Spartans are massive, it should do anything you need to do. The only reason to move up would be to speed up pistol reloading by using a turret or progressive press, otherwise keep going with the old Lyman.
 
Keep the Lyman. The only thing LEE has going for it is that it is cheap to buy. That allows more new guys to enter the hobby. However, many of these eventually opt to upgrade to better equipment as their finances allow.
 
Not a lot of love for Lee out there. I have the big cast steel (iron?) press and love it. It has a slick decap system, and with Lee sizing and seating dies, it builds a round with VERY little runout. I do not like the collet neck sizer, but many do like it. I use the standard sizing die and set it up so that it just sizes the neck and bumps the shoulder.
I think you should put your own "kit" together. Just takes a little research and you don't end up with stuff you won't use. JMO...C.
 
I own a Lee and an old RCBS, both work great. I pull the lever and the ram goes up, my cartridges go bang and they group great. There is a difference with quality when you spend the money. A Lee works, a 40yr old Lyman works and a Dillon works. VW and Porsche are both cars, one is not like the other but they will both get you there.
 
Not a thing wrong with a lee kit, great way to start out for low dollar amount. The anniversary kit will allow you to create some accurate ammo. If you enjoy the process then upgrade as desired. That's what I did.
 
skeeterC said:
Not a lot of love for Lee out there. I have the big cast steel (iron?) press and love it. It has a slick decap system, and with Lee sizing and seating dies, it builds a round with VERY little runout. I do not like the collet neck sizer, but many do like it. I use the standard sizing die and set it up so that it just sizes the neck and bumps the shoulder.
I think you should put your own "kit" together. Just takes a little research and you don't end up with stuff you won't use. JMO...C.
Click to expand...

This is definitely some good info here.

I bought the breechlock kit and ended up selling off the primer auto feeder because handheld primers are superior. Got back 25$ for that. I've still got my original lee scale which I find to be excellent but also VERY sensitive. I added an RCBS 505 scale. Everything else in that kit I use though.
 
I have one of those Spartin press's. It's been in my way for too long. First $50 + shipping can have it! It has a new upgraded ram so you can use modern shellholder's
 
That Spartan is one heck of a press. So is the newer Lee that comes in the kit.
The Lee will require less input force on the handle to do the same work.
All the bits and bobs in the Lee kit work, and will get you started.
Once you're going, then you can decide if the included tools work for you, or if you want to splurge on other brand names.
You'll find that most reloading benches have tools from just about every maker.
 
I've been reloading rifle , handgun and shotshells for almost 50 yrs. Yes I'm likely a little "set" in my ways.I like things that are well made and last. I wouldn't recommend Lee tools to anyone. They are a good example of how cheap something can be made. The old Lyman press is a much better tool in my opinion. The only short coming of some of these old press's they do not handle the long H&H type cases as well as some of the newer press such as the Lyman O-mag & Chrusher presses, the newer RCBS Rockchucker and the Redding Big Boss. You mentioned you wanted to start loading 308. That old Lyman press handles everything up to and including 30-06 length cartridges. Stick with your old Spartan press and get a couple years experience loading THEN you will know what you want if you move up to a better press.
 
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