Reply to : Finn45

As far as I remember, Lyman has made three models of bottom pour in my lifetime.

The first was the old Mouldmaster.  It was a decent pot but had a coil wrapped with ceramic beads and asbestos.  It had a seperate cord and a cast iron inner pot. It wasa very similar to the old Saeco bottom pour pots.

The second I beleive was called the Mag 20 and had different coils and a sheet metal inner pot. It had a fairly high profile. Look in the parts section of Lyman's site and they may list the differences.

The third is the present production Mag 20.  It has a lower profile and other than that, has all of the advantages/disadvantages of the earlier Mag 20.

The Lymans are pretty good pots until they go bad and then, it's either back to Lyman or the scrap heap.  Lyman doesn't support repair of the earlier Mouldmaster pots so if it's that model and it goes bad, you're out of luck.  The good part is that if you don't mind digging through asbestos, you can sometimes splice the heating coils or bypass the thermostat if required.  NOt a recommended fix in either case but I've done it several times when the casting fever was upon me hot and heavy.

Now, I have a pair of RCBS Pro Melts with a Saeco backup so I don't have this problem./beagle

Earlier this year my 30 year old Mouldmaster bit the dust.

I messed with it for awhile trying to determine what was wrong with it.

I finally called Lyman.

They told me to send it in.

When I asked questions about if they still supported them etc. they just repeated..."send it in".

I got a letter from them saying it was unrepairable and to call them.

They made me one heck of a deal on a new Mag 20.

Way, Way below what I could have bought it anywhere.

I was happy with their service.

Wish I could say the same about a brand new 358429 I'm going 'round and 'round with them on!

JLK

Reply to : jlkonn

Glad to see that Lyman is finally doing a little better in standing behind it's products.  Maybe they've seen the light or at least a glimmer.

After all, service and quality is what got RCBS where they are in the esteem of the boolit casters.  At least on my part.

Now, I like Lyman mould designs but they are sure sometimes a PITA to deal with.

Hope your 358429 deal comes out all right.  One of my favorites./beagle

Beagle,

Thanks!

I don't know what is going on with the 358429.

It casts some of the most beautiful bullets I have ever done.

I have tried different alloys, shooting them as cast and shimming the mould as you recommend.

Still nothing.

It won't hold 10" at 25 yds.

I'm probably dealing with the wrong person at Lyman...a ballistician not a customer service guy.  I don't know if he has the authority to say send it back.  He has agreed to shoot some of the bullets I sent him.  I hope he get them this week although I am sure it will be awhile before he shoots them.

I've been casting since 1971 and I have never seen good ammunition in a good gun shoot this bad!

JLK