Lyman 55

[old codger]

I have obtained a gray painted Lyman 55 powder measure that has been sadly neglected. It needs a good cleaning. I can get everything disassembled except for the hopper tube. How do you remove the hopper? It just spins in place.

 

[bozo699]

As I recall there just a press fit
Wayne

 

[Charliemac]

I have a gray one and an orange one. On both the hoppers are threaded.

 

[kenhwind]

Early ones were threaded; I do not believe later ones were, Lyman also changed the colors back and forth.

 

[kelbro]

I have a hammered gray model and I'm not sure that it's removable.

Is it the smokeless powder model or the black powder model?

 

[old codger]

What is the difference between smokeless and black powder models? How do you tell them apart?

 

[bozo699]

What is the difference between smokeless and black powder models? How do you tell them apart?

Black powder has a brass tube
Wayne

 

[old codger]

It is a smokeless model. The hopper just spins and will not come out. When you pull on it it feels like it hits hard on a ledge or something. Can't see any evidence of threads.

 

[kelbro]

I've not been able to remove mine and there's nothing in the instructions about removing it.

 

[SeabeeKen]

The parts list shows 2 different hoppers. One being a 1 lb hopper. Poor parts drawing so cant tell if its threaded or pressed in

 

[603Country]

If you’ve never used a Lyman 55, there’s knowledge to be gained to get consistent powder throws. I’ve had one since about 1980. These days I use it strictly for pistol ammo reloading, because once it’s set right, it’s a lot faster than my RCBS electronic rig. One thing to be aware of is that the finger tightened screw that keeps the set internals from shifting needs to be checked for tightness often. On mine, the dang thing will sometimes loosen and vary the throw volume. That could be dangerous.

 

[kelbro]

If you’ve never used a Lyman 55, there’s knowledge to be gained to get consistent powder throws. I’ve had one since about 1980. These days I use it strictly for pistol ammo reloading, because once it’s set right, it’s a lot faster than my RCBS electronic rig. One thing to be aware of is that the finger tightened screw that keeps the set internals from shifting needs to be checked for tightness often. On mine, the dang thing will sometimes loosen and vary the throw volume. That could be dangerous.

Good tip to keep an eye on those set screws and check the weight of your throws at some sort of cadence. I check one every 20 throws. That way if it's off, I only have to go back and weigh the powder in the last 20 cases.

The Lyman 55 throws short cut powders pretty well but is very precise with ball type powders.