Author Topic: Lyman T-Mag or Hornady lock and load (Read 1141 times)

jimmyp50 · « **on:** April 10, 2006, 01:23:44 AM »

Hi guys, Lyman has a kit for $279.00 that Cabella's sells for $279.00. The kit has electronic scale, + case trimmer+ powder measure+ manual+ Tmag turret press. I am looking at the Hornady lock and load kit as well for $249.00 from Wiedners. I have reloaded off and on, mostly off for years but have bought and sold equipment as I moved from place to place following jobs. I am ready to start reloading again, so I have to start at the beginning! I would appreciate any feedback on these two kits, the biggest factor is how good is the T-Mag and also it seems like you are getting a lot more for your money from Lyman which worries me a little!
JimmyP

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2006, 01:45:20 AM »

The Lock-N-Load allows you to change dies without having to reajust them. But remember that the kit does not inlcude the shell plate!

PaulS · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2006, 06:33:34 AM »

According to their website the Lyman Tmag kit also includes two sets of rifle dies. It sounds like a good deal as long as you remember that the turret presses need ocassional adjustment of the free play to keep them from canting under the pressure of sizing cases. (once a month you check the gap with a feeler gauge and adjust as required) The Lyman press is a solid tool that will last for a lifetime. If you use it with dies set in each then you can have one turret that holds up to three two die rifle sets or two three die pistol sets. (or one of each)
you can get extra turrets to hold more dies or switch them out like you do with a single station press. (I leave the lock ring tight and never have to reset the dies once they are adjusted so the lock-n-load isn't really better. (it might be considered worse because if you have lots of different die sets you need to buy more of the adapters if you want to keep them for "lock and Load" use.)
Personally I would go for the lyman T-mag - but then I already have a turret press and keep it loaded with two sets of dies - ready to load.

Dand · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2006, 08:36:37 PM »

I have the Lyman Tmag turret and I really like it, especially for semi progressive loading of hand gun ammo. I have 4 turrets. My problem comes when I want to load another caliber and haven't left room on one of my turrets. Some times it seems like a bit of a hassle to change off the turret. Then I think I need 2 presses. One for production and one for the short term,small batch experimental loading. I load for 223, 30-30, 30-06, 300 Win, 7.62x39, 348, 9mm, 38, 357, 41, 44. But In don't have bench space or $ for a second press.

What I do is keep 2 turrets only half loaded with dies - the ones I mainly use. Then use the open spots as needed.

I watch sales at Midway and have picked up extra turrets for less than list price.

I like the Lyman but wish the rear support had more beef, maybe even a roller bearing or something.

jimmyp50 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2006, 05:29:23 AM »

I think the Lyman Tmag kit is the way I will go. I will need to buy a feeler guage. The Tmag kit sounds more realisticaly easy than the Hornady lock and load. I want to buy a hand priming unit as well, any recomendations there? Thanks. JimmyP

Dand · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2006, 07:40:31 PM »

Lee Auto prime. I have 2, 1 for large and 1 for small primers. I wore out parts of one of these tools and bought replacement parts from Lee. Its the best tool for the price.

I tried an older RCBS and didn't like it. I've considered trying the newer RCBS APS hand tool but the strips seem like a hassle and since I'm not loading as much lately I stick with the Lee.

I tried a Cabela's which I think was a buy out of a Hornady design. The lever is more comfortable for long priming sessions but the rest of it just doesn't work as smooth as the Lee. I had to customize one of the Cabela rams to get it to set primers right - it works ok now. But its sat in the back of the drawer for 3-4 years now.

The Lees are on the scale shelf ready to go all the time. I keep the extra shell holders in a small plastic vitamin jar on the same shelf.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2006, 09:36:24 PM »

I owned the older T-Mag kit of Lymans and now use the Hornady Classic L&L ...both are great presses for the money....The Lyman is much better suited for loading as many different cartridges as your going to... since you can change out the head and have multiple dies sets ready to go..but the L&L once set up is much faster to change out your dies..and is a great press...rock solid...

There are trade offs with everything..I much prefere Hornady's powder measures to the Lymans..but seldom use mine anymore since getting my Lyman 1200DPS..I still have my Lyman case trimmer..but prefere Hornady's to it..

As already stated..you do have to check the alignment frequently on the Lyman..and make the needed adjustments..but it still is a good strong press...If I was certain I wanted another Turret press...I would spend a few more dollars and go with the Redding T-7 press though..I prefere it over the Lyman and it gives you a extra die hole ..but since I really have no need for a Turret press at the moment...My next press will be a Co-Ax press..with it's snap in and out lock jaws..I don't need the adapters...and have a top-of-the-line press as well...

The Lee Auto-Prime is a good one..and from what I have heard and read...so too is the new RCBS hand primer..

Mac

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2006, 03:32:51 AM »

I have read almost every post here and a great deal of "other places" and have come to some basic conclusions. Kind of like car choices, I would have said choices of wifes but the comparisions bring up much arguement.
I digress, I have noticed that it is the mind set of folks as too what they prefer. Some want the least expensive way, not necessarily because of lack of funds--some folks are just turned this way.
Some folks do not enjoy the process, they just want the end product. A Dillon suits their needs.
Others think that what they decided on is the best, well, because their research convienced them such and such was the best.
All, well almost all, would desire that the one they chose to be GOOD and provide a good end product without much hassel/hassle [all things spelled approximately].
I chose the LNL because I am a newby. It just seemed, too me, this was a simple way for a simple guy. It consumed me that I could set the dies once and could count on it to function and change dies easily. I was also wanting a simple, single stage approach to prevent me from mistakes-well, that said I can outsmart any safty device known to man- or at least give me an edge.
I am sure that at some point I will want a progressive, as I load for handguns, and get a Dillion--but that will be awhile.
Blessings

PaulS · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:43:17 PM »

I must be doing something wrong in my reloading.
I am hearing that it is hard to change out dies from one caliber to another, and all I do is unscrew the die that I am using and screw the next die in. They were adjusted - a long time ago - and locked in at that adjustment. The adjustment on my dies doesn't change when I unscrew it - the lock ring is kept tight - the adjustment remains as it was set.

Are others loosening the lock-ring to unscrew the die?