Lyman 450/4500 vs. RCBS Lube-A-Matic

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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I’m toying with the idea of a spare lubersizer press to back up my Lyman. It could be used for the times I wanted to switch bullet lubes for a small batch, but it would mostly just be a spare device. I’m in no hurry to acquire it and it will likely be second hand, not new.

I have too many Lyman/RCBS dies to even consider a SAECO or Star (although I’ve lusted for a Star for years, it just isn’t going to happen)

My Lyman has been a real workhorse and part of me thinks I should just buy a duplicate as a backup. If nothing else, I would have spare parts.

However, I’ve never been disappointed with RCBS gear and the dies would still interchange.

Thoughts?
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
While I prefer the older Lyman 45 over the 450/4500...if you are happy with your Lyman 450/4500, then I suspect that is a moot point to you, cuz it's likely a good idea to have a spare for spare parts. I just believe that the 45 is a better design.
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With that out of the way. I'd suggest a Star. Yeah I know you don't want to buy a whole bunch of dies, especially since they cost more that Lyman dies if you can't make them, like many here do. Used Star lubesizers's have come down in price, due to the popularity of powder coat, the last one I bought was $200. There really is no better way to size and lube large quantities of bullets thanwith a Star. Once you find a good used Star, just buy the one die/top punch in the caliber you shoot the most, maybe that's the only set you'll ever need? And who knows, maybe in the future, you stumble into a deal where you pickup a half dozen Star dies for a steal...it happens.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
There's no doubt the Star wins the production volume contest. And I think it's a great design. (it's certainly more efficient from an ergonomic point of view). It's the proprietary nature of the Star dies that scares me off. If I had started with the Star, this discussion would have been moot. But I didn’t go down that path.

The advantage of buying a used Lyman 450/4500 series would be the ability to cannibalize parts from one if I ever needed to. Of course, having an RCBS lube-a-matic would be almost as good. The parts wouldn’t interchange with the Lyman (other than the dies), but a complete unit would still serve as a back-up.

I’m not a survivalist, “fill the bunker” with gear kind of guy, but I like redundant equipment when something breaks at 4:30 pm on December 23 in the middle of a blizzard.
 
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RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Look for one of the RCBS "Lube Matic" in preference to the newer "Lube Matic II". In my opinion they were better quality castings and bits and pieces US made rather than Chinese. I have two RCBS and two SAECO, each with a different lube.
 
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obssd1958

Well-Known Member
I've used them all. RCBS, Lyman, Star, Saeco - and for getting the job done, I wouldn't put any one above another.
The Star should have been faster, but I had issues with excess lube, and was never able to get that resolved. The RCBS and later Lymans (450 and 4500) are functionally the same, and are strong enough for the tougher sizing duties - although I have broken the handle of an RCBS at the "weld", but RCBS pomptly replaced it for me.
The Lyman 45 works well, but is definitely a machine for lighter duties. I would put the Saecos and therefor the Herters in about the same category.
Overall, unless you just want to try out something "different", my suggestion would be to get another Lyman, for the reasons that you originally stated.

PS - I have extras of all of them, should you be interested in buying one...
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
The only one I've used in the Lyman 45. Grew up with one, found a used one in a gun shop forty years or so ago for myself. It will still use the same dies if you find an old one for a good price. Parts won't interchange as far as I know.

I've used a Star extensively in a commercial, custom-bullet business (not mine) for several years. The Lyman 45 is a good tool, but it excretes if the pressure is not relieved before walking away.

The most important thing about the 45 to remember is that you don't want to try to resize too aggressively and don't over-tighten the set scew that holds the die in. The handles will break and the set screw can split the casting if you get too crazy with it. Got one once that was cracked and the dies that came with it were chewed up from the set screw. Never figure out why someone needed to torque that set screw so hard, because it will NOT keep lube from leaking past the die.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Broke the spot weld on my RCBS many years ago. Didn't bother calling RCBS, just took the handle into work and had it welded...............no gap where there once was one.

Used the RCBS for years, until I ventured into casting for long rifle bullets.. Purchased a Star, for concentricity. Never looked back. The only thing the LAM is used for, anymore, is some pistol bullets. It has Carnauba Red in it, the Star has 2500+lube.

One thing about the RCBS, it doesn't require a gasket, on the bottom. Doesn't leak, if you remember to release the pressure from the plunger.

Heaters on both.
 
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