Author Topic: Lyman T-mag II turret press (Read 1104 times)

cflier · « **on:** February 02, 2005, 02:31:14 PM »

Hi, I'm looking at the T-Mag II and wondered if anyone here uses one, and if so how it compares to other presses that you have used? I've only used single stage presses and need some input ( read that as reassurance). thanks, Cflier

longwinters · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2005, 04:40:48 PM »

One of my best buddys' has the Lyman turret. He really wishes that he had gotten an RCBS turret like mine instead. Infact, he is slowly replacing the Lyman stuff with RCBS. The Lyman press always has a "bump" when you use the ram, feels like you are camming it every time. Makes it very hard to tell exactly where you are in bullet seating etc... I know it is a little cheaper than RCBS but the reloading tools they give you with it (in a kit) are not comparible (in our opinions) to RCBS.

Long

KN · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:15:35 PM »

Yup, I have one and longwinters is right about how it feels at the end of the stroke. I realy don't care for it much. I would look real hard at the Hornady lock and load presses if I were to do it over. KN

Dand · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2005, 11:20:55 PM »

I have one.

I like it ok and it was a real improvement over the RCBS Jr I had before - mainly for the compound leverage.

I use my Lyman as a semi progressive for pistol calibers with a Lee Autodisk powder measure in Lee powder-through-expander dies. It works pretty good - faster than a single stage much cheaper than a full progressive. Bu t the auto primer dispenser didn't work for me since I am constantly turning the turret when loading pistol carts. I preprocess the cases by cleaning, deprime and size then prime with a Lee autoprime.

I can run of 100 to 300- 400 rounds of prepped cases of one caliber in a relatively short time - haven't timed it but its quicker than my old single stage.

For doing frequent batches I like the set up.

It hasn't been as convenient to switch among turrets as I expected - especially if I'm doing small batches of various calibers of ammo.

don't have the bump problem other complain of.

I haven't noticed any decline in accurcy of my ammo compared to the prior single stage press - alignment seems good.

Drawbacks;

Ram close to center post might be too close for some with big fingers.

rear turret support is a tiny steel rod. Wish it was much heavier and had a roller bearing or something.

primer catcher is smallish and doesn't always stay in plaase. Primers sometimes bounce out - wish they had drilled the ram an put a catcher at the bottom. Primer cather can fill up if I'm processing a lot of cases that use large primers - and I've spilled them from bumping the catcher (light plastic) or they overflow the inner rim that is pretty shallow.

When I got mine Dillion had barely come out with their turret, RCBS came much later, and the current Redding wasn't out yet.

But I'm happy enough with it and will probably keep it.

Val · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2005, 04:22:04 AM »

I have the RCBS Turret press and like it very much. Based on the feed back, don't settle for the Lyman, spend a few more bucks and get the RCBS. You'll use a press for a very long time. The RCBS customer service and warranty is legendary in the reloading world.

akpls · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2005, 04:59:25 AM »

Don't settle for the RCBS either! Give the Redding T-7 a look. It's built like a tank.

Flash · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2005, 09:51:05 AM »

I have one and it serves me well. I have three presses actually, two Lyman turrets and a Dillon. I had a Lyman All American but sold it since I got a deal on these two. Nothing wrong with a Lyman Turret but they don't have the strength of a RCBS single stage.