PDA

View Full Version : Lubrisizer?



mtnbkr
12-25-2018, 01:30 PM
I have been reloading most of my ammo for about 20 years now and have been casting for a number calibers for close to 10 years. One step in the bullet casting process is sizing and lubrication. I've been using Lee push-through sizer dies and either liquid Alox for tumble lubing or melted wax-based lube for pan lubing. Both are accepted methods, but tend to be messy and tedious (not to mention tumble-lubing not being ideal for all uses). As a result, I find myself casting less often these days because I will have to lube the bullets and that's my least favorite part of the process.

I cast for 44cal (handgun and in sabots for muzzleloader rifle), 357cal handgun, 359cal rifle, 32cal handgun (and size those down for 30cal rifle).

Fast forward to today...

My inlaws gave me a gift card to Cabelas for Christmas. I don't need more guns, ammo, camping gear, etc. However, while browsing the site, I came across the Lyman 4500 lubrisizer with heater. I'm thinking this might be a good addition to the reloading/casting kit but have never used one before.

Anyone have any experience? Will it revolutionize my casting?

Chris

edison
12-25-2018, 04:08 PM
I have been reloading most of my ammo for about 20 years now and have been casting for a number calibers for close to 10 years. One step in the bullet casting process is sizing and lubrication. I've been using Lee push-through sizer dies and either liquid Alox for tumble lubing or melted wax-based lube for pan lubing. Both are accepted methods, but tend to be messy and tedious (not to mention tumble-lubing not being ideal for all uses). As a result, I find myself casting less often these days because I will have to lube the bullets and that's my least favorite part of the process.

I cast for 44cal (handgun and in sabots for muzzleloader rifle), 357cal handgun, 359cal rifle, 32cal handgun (and size those down for 30cal rifle).

Fast forward to today...

My inlaws gave me a gift card to Cabelas for Christmas. I don't need more guns, ammo, camping gear, etc. However, while browsing the site, I came across the Lyman 4500 lubrisizer with heater. I'm thinking this might be a good addition to the reloading/casting kit but have never used one before.

Anyone have any experience? Will it revolutionize my casting?

Chris

You can also try powder coating. I've tried HiTek coating before & I didn't like it because you have to bake it twice.
With powder coating, you just shake everything in a plastic container & bake once.
They key part is getting the right powder that'll stick to boolits.

But if you don't care for the extra step of baking & the smell/fine powders, then a lubesizer is seems to be next best thing. I don't have experience with lube sizing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoi6T7Wjswo

mtnbkr
12-25-2018, 04:37 PM
You can also try powder coating.
I looked into a couple years ago, but It's a bit more space intensive (toaster oven, etc) than my current pan lubing endeavors and I'm not convinced it isn't harmful to the gun. I don't recall where I read it, but there have been some concerns over abrasiveness of the coatings.

I think the lubrisizer will fit in the space my lube pan, kake cutters, and other stuff is currently stored.

Chris

Malamute
12-25-2018, 05:29 PM
Anyone have any experience? Will it revolutionize my casting?

Chris

Compared to pan lubing and a Lee push-through sizer die, yes, absolutely it will revolutionize your casting experience.

Once the ram is adjusted, place bullet on ram, run handle down, slight pause, and up, place bullet in container of choice, repeat, about that quickly. Slight turn of the screw on the lube feed at each bullet at the pause or at whatever required intervals to keep the lube filling the lube grooves well. It also gives you options for better grades of lube that are messy to deal with otherwise. The hard lubes arent generally as good at their job as some softer types like SPG or the old style Lyman Alox stick lube (NOT the same as the Lee liquid alox, which attempted to copy it but in a thinner, messier format and gets all over the bullet nose).

6 min vid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjx3UYZR-A

mtnbkr
12-25-2018, 06:33 PM
Thanks. That video wasn't coming up on my searches. I'm a bit hesitant because this is will be the single most expensive piece of reloading/casting equipment I own, but I think it's worth it.

Chris

Malamute
12-25-2018, 08:59 PM
Thanks. That video wasn't coming up on my searches. I'm a bit hesitant because this is will be the single most expensive piece of reloading/casting equipment I own, but I think it's worth it.

Chris

I think you will find it worthwhile. Ive done pan lubing for the first years I was casting, the luber sizer is a real time saver and makes casting and finishing the bullets fun again.

lee n. field
12-25-2018, 10:19 PM
I have been reloading most of my ammo for about 20 years now and have been casting for a number calibers for close to 10 years. One step in the bullet casting process is sizing and lubrication. I've been using Lee push-through sizer dies and either liquid Alox for tumble lubing or melted wax-based lube for pan lubing. Both are accepted methods, but tend to be messy and tedious (not to mention tumble-lubing not being ideal for all uses). As a result, I find myself casting less often these days because I will have to lube the bullets and that's my least favorite part of the process.

I cast for 44cal (handgun and in sabots for muzzleloader rifle), 357cal handgun, 359cal rifle, 32cal handgun (and size those down for 30cal rifle).

Fast forward to today...

My inlaws gave me a gift card to Cabelas for Christmas. I don't need more guns, ammo, camping gear, etc. However, while browsing the site, I came across the Lyman 4500 lubrisizer with heater. I'm thinking this might be a good addition to the reloading/casting kit but have never used one before.

Anyone have any experience? Will it revolutionize my casting?

Chris

I have a 450, the predecessor to what you're looking at. PITA. Usual internet disclaimers apply (IMHO & YMMV).

If you do go with the lubrisizer, don't forget you'll also need a die and a top punch.

Look into powder coat.

mtnbkr
12-26-2018, 07:03 AM
makes casting and finishing the bullets fun again.
That is exactly what I'm looking for.

Chris

mtnbkr
12-26-2018, 07:05 AM
I have a 450, the predecessor to what you're looking at. PITA. Usual internet disclaimers apply (IMHO & YMMV).

If you do go with the lubrisizer, don't forget you'll also need a die and a top punch.

Look into powder coat.

What makes it a PITA? They seem a little fiddly to set up, but once they're dialed in, seem to be pretty straightforward. It seems the key is not putting too much pressure on the lube.

I've looked into powder coating. I'm not interested in going down that path.

ETA: Yeah, I know I need dies and top punches. I'll start with my two most critical (from a production perspective) calibers and expand to the others over time.

Chris

okie john
12-26-2018, 10:30 AM
I used a Star for a while. More expensive than the Lyman, but head and shoulders above it.


Okie John

Malamute
12-26-2018, 10:54 AM
Yeah, I know I need dies and top punches. I'll start with my two most critical (from a production perspective) calibers and expand to the others over time.

Chris

Id suggest signing up on the castboolits forum and watching the sale and trade sections and threads. Many guys sell stuff they no longer use. You can likely find some deals over what new costs.

The top punch for Lyman bullets is usually the last three digits of the mould number. They can probably be used with other similar styles, but are cut to exactly fit whatever mould they number to. Moulds come up for reasonable prices also.

I chugged through using pan lubing when I was first shooting my 1886 Winchester back in the early 80s, and a 44 spl Colt SAA. I was shooting black mostly, there wasnt much affordable ammo in either caliber regardless. I preferred to shoot cast in the 1886 in deference to its old steel barrel (1889-ish production I think), so there was NO store bought ammo that fit that criteria then. It was fun to be able to make ammo for it and shoot it, but its slow and tedious compared to the luber sizer. The fun faded over time. I still have the equipment, Id do it again if I had to, but I dont have to.

I also used a Lyman 310 tool for much of that period of shooting those guns, I was pretty portable. Not very fast, but it made ammo.

mtnbkr
12-26-2018, 10:54 AM
I used a Star for a while. More expensive than the Lyman, but head and shoulders above it.


Okie John

I saw lots of suggestions to that effect, but between my Cabela's gift card and points, the Lyman was free. Plus, if it's a dud, I can easily return it to Cabela's.

Chris

Malamute
12-26-2018, 10:56 AM
After using the pan lube, the Lyman will seem like a huge step forward.

Its all relative. I can still feed many of my reloading needs for some calibers on a single stage press (actually, could fill all my reloading needs, as I did for most of the time Ive been shooting), though a Dillon 550 I inherited is better for volume. Some guys wouldnt feel it was worth their time to reload on anything less than the 1050 with case and bullet feeders, and cleaning cases by the bucket full. I cant fault their logic, it just isnt my reality at this point. The Lyman may completely fill your needs just fine.

mtnbkr
12-26-2018, 10:59 AM
Id suggest signing up on the castboolits forum and watching the sale and trade sections and threads. Many guys sell stuff they no longer use. You can likely find some deals over what new costs.

Been a member there for years using the same name I use here. I'm not very active though and mostly lurk.

Chris

BobM
12-26-2018, 01:05 PM
Do the Lyman and RCBS dies and top punches interchange ? I have my grandpas Lyman lubrisizer and an RCBS mold and hope to take up casting sometime.

edison
12-26-2018, 03:08 PM
Do the Lyman and RCBS dies and top punches interchange ? I have my grandpas Lyman lubrisizer and an RCBS mold and hope to take up casting sometime.

I don't know about the dies, but I'm guessing the top punches are universal.
When I order a mold, they don't give a top punch option for rcbs or lyman, it just comes with one top punch stem.

lee n. field
12-26-2018, 06:40 PM
What makes it a PITA? They seem a little fiddly to set up, but once they're dialed in, seem to be pretty straightforward. It seems the key is not putting too much pressure on the lube.

I've looked into powder coating. I'm not interested in going down that path.

ETA: Yeah, I know I need dies and top punches. I'll start with my two most critical (from a production perspective) calibers and expand to the others over time.

Chris

It's been 4-5 years since I've used it. My recollection is that the O ring seal would go bad readily, and cause the unit to leak.

I don't have the heater (I used an incandescent lamp to warm it up), and this is the version before the current version. Either of those might make the difference.

mtnbkr
12-26-2018, 07:17 PM
Do the Lyman and RCBS dies and top punches interchange ? I have my grandpas Lyman lubrisizer and an RCBS mold and hope to take up casting sometime.

What I read is the dies mostly do, but you'll find some that don't. Those that don't can be modified apparently.

Chris

willie
12-27-2018, 05:52 AM
I've been using Lyman and RCBS lubrisizers for decades. The top punches and dies interchange. They are faster and less messy than other methods. Mine do not have heaters. Sometimes you can skip sizing and shoot as cast and lubed with alox cut mineral spirits. I suggest that you buy used lubrisizer and save money. I'm no expert but have been casting since 1970. I love it. PM me if I might could help.

mtnbkr
01-11-2019, 05:42 PM
So I finally got the .430 die I needed for my 44mag and proceeded to size/lube a pile of bullets I cast ages ago. I went through enough to fill a 16oz tub in no time. That was only 1/4 of what I have on hand. I should have bought one of these years ago.

Chris

Malamute
01-11-2019, 07:47 PM
Bet it made you smile.

jtcarm
01-15-2019, 11:19 PM
I see a couple posts here about shopping used.

In my experience, it’s a waste of time that saves little money. Stuff like top punches & size dies are too cheap to worry about

I wouldn’t buy an older lubrisizer unless you really know your way around them and it’s a great deal.

I prefer to spend my time reloading & shooting than shopping and tinkering.