Lyman 55 powder measure questions
Looking for some info on a Lyman 55 Ideal powder measure I have. I got this in a lot of items and have not used it as I have 2 RCBS Uniflows already, but I am thinking about selling it and want to know a little more about it before I do. It is the orange painted model with bench mount attachment and the 7/8-14 thread adapter included, unit looks complete minus the cap for powder hopper.
My questions are about the cylinder/drum that adjusts for the amount of powder dispensed. There are two flat brass plates? that slide in and out of drum using two screws, and the top one has two sets of graduations, one from 0 to 15 and the other goes from 10 to 50. Are these numbers used to reference powder charges? Do they have some type of relation to each other, or are they used separately?
My other question is about the blued drum and the markings on it. Next to the area where the brass plates slide is a set of markings on the drum. Two different number systems, one has a "D" next to the graduations that goes from 1/2 up to 5. The other set of numbers above that has a "G" with graduations, numbers here starts at 20 and goes to 140.
I showed a friend who had used a Lyman 55 about this and he did not know what the markings mean. Does the "G" refer to grains and "D" refer to Drams?
Anyone familiar with Lyman 55's that can tell me what I have? Anyone use this powder measure to reload with? Am I correct thinking this is an older unit? I appreciate any help I get on this, not too familiar with the "orange" equipment as most of mine is green or red.[:)]
My questions are about the cylinder/drum that adjusts for the amount of powder dispensed. There are two flat brass plates? that slide in and out of drum using two screws, and the top one has two sets of graduations, one from 0 to 15 and the other goes from 10 to 50. Are these numbers used to reference powder charges? Do they have some type of relation to each other, or are they used separately?
My other question is about the blued drum and the markings on it. Next to the area where the brass plates slide is a set of markings on the drum. Two different number systems, one has a "D" next to the graduations that goes from 1/2 up to 5. The other set of numbers above that has a "G" with graduations, numbers here starts at 20 and goes to 140.
I showed a friend who had used a Lyman 55 about this and he did not know what the markings mean. Does the "G" refer to grains and "D" refer to Drams?
Anyone familiar with Lyman 55's that can tell me what I have? Anyone use this powder measure to reload with? Am I correct thinking this is an older unit? I appreciate any help I get on this, not too familiar with the "orange" equipment as most of mine is green or red.[:)]
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Lyman 55 Ideal powder measure is still (in my view) one of the best vintage measures ever made. The 2 powder plungers were for Course and fine powders. (IIRC). 0 -
Yes the "55" is a nice measure. The graduations are in reference to a chart, you may be able to download off the web site(if not let me know and I'll send you a copy). The chart correlated the different types of powders (mainly the IMR series) with their different size granulations to the graduations on the slides and drum (scales G;D). This was intended to get you in the ballpark of your desired charge weight and you could record it in your loading journal for future reference. I've found the ball powders will sometimes get between the drum and measure body and impede smooth performance, also, with this one as with all measures you will sometimes cut some of the powder granules that are turned just right.
Apparently this chart must only have been supplied with the instructions for the earlier measures:
For example; to throw a charge of 4.1 grains of Bullseye, using only the top slide retract it with the small screw to read 7 on the coarse scale at the front edge of the slide; to throw a charge of 20.8 grains of 4198, using the two slides zero'd together retract them with the larger screw to read 26 on the smaller scale at the back edge of the slide; to throw a charge of 60 grains of 4350, using the drum and slides all zero'd together pull the drum and slides out to read 70 on the "G" scale on the drum. Again the instructions caution that this an approximate setting only and that charges should be checked with a scale for the final setting. These older instructions do state that the "G" & "D" scales are graduated for Grains & Dram Equivalent of black powder.0 -
Your "VINTAGE" Lyman 55 measure is still made.
I have and use two of them. It is about the best made.
There are actually three slides, depending how many grains of powder wanted. Go to Lyman's web site and you can download a manual if you need one.0 -
The Lyman 55 is my powder drop also for over 20years...I have never used the markings for any type of measuring indicator...always drop and weigh and adjust until I get the right throw...lock down the screws and weigh every 10 to 20 throws(handgun)...I have found that if ya keep it full you will have more consistancy... at least with H110 and WW296...I only use the top two "slides"..my 2 cents 0 -
According to the instructions that came with my Lyman 55, the graduations on the slides represent grains of black powder. The instructions don't mention the "D" scale but I believe it does indicate drams of black powder.
When loading smokeless powder they simply become reference points.
I believe Lyman now makes a special "black powder" version of the Lyman 55. Apparently there is some chance that the original design could cause a spark and ignite black powder. That being said, when I was shooting in muzzle loading competitions many years ago I used my 55 to throw charges directly into the barrel. Other people did as well and I never heard about any accidents.
You mentioned that the cover for the powder hopper was missing on the one you acquired. Did you get both drop tubes ? They came with 2 drop tubes (with different internal diameters) to accommodate different calibers.
As far as reliability is concerned, so far so good, but I've only been using mine for about 50 years so I don't know how it will stand up in the long term.0 -
I bought my Lyman 55 measure about 1967, and have charged countless thousands of cases with it. I never referenced the numbers on the slides, they didn't serve me for any of the smokeless powders I used. I suppose one could make a notebook of the numbers set to on each slide for various loads, and get "close" when setting up again, but I never bothered with that. I have also used mine for black powder over the years; so far, so good! 0 -
Thanks for all the replies!!
rhope:
You are correct that I am also missing a drop tube. The one I have is appears to be the small.
I thought it was an "older" unit as the new 55's are not painted orange, and the drams measurement doesn't see much use in modern reloading. I was a little concerned that this unit may have mismatched parts from the black powder version, but it sounds like what I have is correct. Maybe I will give this lyman 55 a try next time at the loading bench. Thanks again to all that replied!0 -
I got here late but I wanted to post this for anyone still looking.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/scales-measures/pdf/LyC_SM_PM_55Cl.pdf
That opens a pdf file of the instructions that came with the old #55 powder measures.You can save that to your computer,and print out the pages that you need handy.
Bob
Oh,I think the main difference between the standard and black powder versions is that the black powder uses an aluminum reservoir container to eliminate the chance of accidental static ignition,and it's much longer for BP rifles.0 -
Originaly they were Gray , then they were orange , now they're Gray again . Just like their Presses ! Lyman makes good equipment , I have a little of every brand , but mostly Lyman . 0
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