Need recommendation for a new bullet sizer.

Jag

Active Member
It seems kind of like a "What does the color blue smell like?" question.

I have a Saeco lubrisizer that has been working great for decades. Everyone knows the dies and top punches are proprietary and cost more than the Lyman pattern. Not being one of the serious casters here that have a large assortment of calibers, sizes, etc where the extra cost adds up, for me that doesn't matter. If it broke tomorrow, I'd buy a new one.

But then again, maybe I wouldn't.

I do little casting for handguns, and small volumes for the specialty handgun bullets I load. Most of it is rifle, and I don't shoot those a hundred or so at a time. As well, after discovering powder coating, my Saeco is still full of Gray's #24. As far as I know, he hasn't been making and selling that lube for quite a few years now. How well the lubing mechanism works is now not much of an issue.

I got a set of NOE's bullet sizing equipment for one of the calibers I load for, and from how slick it works, I think that these days it could mostly replace my Saeco, not to mention offer more versatility in sizing. For others in different situations, perhaps Lee push through sizers would be the cat's butt for sizing.

I think it's a question where the answer really depends on what you're doing.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I have both a Lyman 450 (about 20 years old) and a 4500 about 8 years old. I treat them gently and they have held up well. If another sizer/luber becomes necessary, it will be an RCBS LAM II. Lyman sizers in times past were often seen for sale; not so with RCBS LAMs.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
Holy smoke! Lyman and RCBS sizers are now more than I paid for my Star several years ago. There appear to be a number of used RCBS sizers on ebay. Since you already have sizing dies to match, I suggest one of the two for economys sake.
 

jordanka16

Active Member
Glad you found one. I have an RCBS and Saeco, the Saeco I use for blackpowder lube only. Both are great and I have a hard time picking one over the other.
 

Mowgli Terry

Active Member
Have used Lyman 45, 450,4500; all do the job. Bought a Star - wow. Lyman's don't get used much any more.
I have exactly the same experience after getting a Star. In current use I have two 4500's and one antique 45 for BP cartridges. I suspect that the number of Lyman's out there secondhand may have to do with the number sold since the dawn of time. Lyman is more aggressive marketing their casting equipment. I've only broken the handle off one 450 about twenty years ago.
 

ShamusSage

New Member
At least you found one, no reloading supplies available around here worth anything. I've always been a Saeco guy, never had a reason to change. On my 50 cal stuff I use a NOE push through set up though, need more leverage! And I still have to pan lube my Lee Real BP bullets. ;)
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
I got my LAM cleaned and added new seals furnished byRCBS and loaded it with Carnuba Blue. I sized some 30 caliber bullets today and it worked great.

l have one issue. When I was disassembling it for cleaning I broke the threaded tube under the sizer. You can see I still have enough of it left to work with longer bullets but not pistol bullets unless I use a spacer but that would be a bear to install/remove each time I changed bullets.RCBS does not have them.
Any ideas??? Thanks
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
A friend if mine is somewhat of a collector. Sorry I didnt think to ask him before. Anyhow he has some not advertised but for sale if your/anyone is wanting.


I gave him a link to this thread too.

CW
 

Wasalmonslayer

Well-Known Member
I had an issue like that and I used a small section of pipe between the adjustment screw and the flat head of the floating plunger. You then still have adjustment and less length.