Lyman has introduced a number of new products for 2013 for gunsmiths and hand-loaders. An impressive new offering is the new, large-capacity Turbo® Sonic Power Pro Ultrasonic Cleaning machine. This new unit, one of the largest and most powerful on the market, can ultrasonically clean items up to 34″ in length. The Lyman Power Pro’s large, stainless-steel heated tank and ten transducers allow gunsmiths, armorers, and gun-owners to quickly clean a wide variety of metal items. Designed for high-volume cleaning or for larger-than-normal items, the new Turbo Sonic Power Pro’s 34.75″-long* heated stainless steel tank can easily handle most barreled actions, upper receivers, as well as multiple handguns. The Power Pro includes both a timer and adjustable heat control (you can select temps up to 175° F).
With an MSRP of $1395.00 and a 70-lb shipping weight, this is a big, heavy, and costly unit. But if you need a hard-working machine for big jobs, this may be worth the investment.
Ten Transducers Do the Job Fast
The Power Pro’s TEN high-output transducers aggressively clean and degrease items, both inside and out. In fact, the Power Pro is such an effective cleaner that Lyman recommends that cleaned parts immediately be treated with Lyman’s Turbo Sonic Gun Lube. Changing from cleaning to lubrication is easy with the built-in drain system. Lyman now offers both cleaning concentrate and parts lubricant in gallon containers.
(*Note: the tank is listed as 35.75″ in product photo, but Lyman’s spec sheet states 34.75″.)
How-To Video: Ultrasonic Brass Cleaning (Click Arrow in lower left to start video)
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Product tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Alliant’s Powder for 50-Caliber Applications
In 2009 Alliant unveiled Reloder 50, a new powder designed for long-range, 50-caliber rifle shooters. According to Alliant, the burn rate is “a little slower than Winchester 860″ and the powder is showing excellent lot-to-lot consistency. Load density is optimized for the 50 BMG and similar cases. Like Reloder 17, Reloder 50 employs a process which penetrates the kernels with the burn-rate-controlling chemical. This should allow a longer, flatter pressure curve, yielding more velocity than conventional powders can deliver. Alliant says that Reloder 50 offers “superior velocity and the ability to burn cleaner (with less residue).” Reloder 50 comes in both 1-lb (#150527) and 8-lb (#150528) containers.
Giraud 50 BMG Case/Bullet Comparator Giraud Tool makes a comparator for 50-Cal cartridges. The double-ended comparator is quite versatile. In one orientation you can measure base-to-ogive bullet length and also measure cartridge OAL from rim to bullet ogive. When reversed, you can use the comparator to measure cartridge headspace. The $30.00 Giraud 50 BMG Comparator gauge is constructed of 303 stainless and fits most any vernier, dial, or digital caliper. CLICK HERE for more info.
Lyman 50 BMG AccuTrimmer and Forster 50 BMG Trimmer
50 BMG enthusiasts asked for a reasonably-priced 50 BMG case trimmer and Lyman responded with an Accutrimmer designed specifically for that cartridge. Easy-to-use course and fine cut-length adjusters are positioned on the right side (by the handle). The shell head fits into a special holder which centers the case. The unit comes complete the 50-Caliber neck pilot. This case trimmer, including pilot, costs $59.99 at MidwayUSA.com.
Forster Products also makes a dedicated 50 BMG trimmer. Forster’s cutter tip is much sharper than the cutter on the Lyman AccuTrimmer. However, with the Forster tool you will pay more for that superior cutting ability — Forster’s 50 BMG trimmer costs $92.95 at Sinclair International.
Lyman has introduced two new Turbo®Sonic Ultrasonic Cleaning units, a large 6.3-quart model TS-6000 and a smaller 23.6 oz. model TS-700. Along with the original mid-sized TS-2500 model introduced in 2011, Lyman now offers a full line-up of three (3) ultrasonic cleaning units: large, medium, and small. By most reports the TS-2500 worked well, so we expect the new TS-6000 and TS-700 will also handle ultrasonic cleaning duties well.
TS-6000
The large Model TS-6000 processes up to 1300 9mm cases or four handgun frames in less than 15 minutes (when the built-in heater is used). This workhorse is powered by two industrial-grade transducers and has an integral drain and hose for easy solution changes. The unit’s two-color LED display panel controls five different timed cleaning cycles.
TS-700
The small-footprint Model TS-700 fits in tight spaces. This unheated model handles up to 100 9mm cartridge cases. The compact TS-700 can also clean parts such as dies, muzzle brakes, and mould blocks. Note: Lyman recommends using its Steel & Stainless Steel Solution for dies and other steel components. The TS-700 features oscillation circuitry and five (5) timed cleaning cycles.
TS-2500
The mid-sized TS-2500 model, with heated tank, shown below, process up to 900 9mm cases per cleaning cycle. Introduced in 2011, this product has been widely adopted by hand-loaders. The TS-2500 will clean cases inside and out, including primer pockets, in less than 15 minutes.
Lyman TS-6000 and TS-2500 Units Can Heat Solution for Faster Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning machines employ ultrasonic cavitation to gently lift and dissolve carbon, dirt, lubricants, and other residues left on fired cases and small metal parts. Lyman’s TS-6000 and TS-2500 TurboSonic cleaning units feature tank heaters to warm the cleaning solution. Because ultrasonic cavitation works faster and better with a warm solution, Lyman claims its machines’ built-in heaters will speed up your cleaning job, by cutting processing time.
Lyman Cleaning Solutions (Three Types) — Lyman now offers its Brass Cleaning Solution and Steel & Stainless Steel Cleaning Solutions in 4 oz., 16 oz. and 32 oz. sized bottles. For even more versatility a new 16 oz. Jewelry Solution is available. For more information visit www.lymanproducts.com.
High-volume hand-loaders can save time and effort by using power case prep machines. High Power shooters and varmint hunters, in particular, need to process large quantities of cartridge brass. One of the more versatile power case prep units on the market is the new Case Prep Xpress from Lyman. With five (5) power take-offs conveniently arranged on top of the machine, you can perform multiple functions quickly. Watch the video to see the unit in operation.
Lyman Case Prep Xpress Just $89.99 with Sinclair Code
Now through 12/19/2011, with Sinclair Promo Code 555444, you can get the Case Prep Xpress for just $89.99. That price includes a full set of accessories: Inside Deburr (VLD) Tool, Outside Deburr Tool, Flash Hole Uniformer, Primer Pocket Uniformer (Large and Small), Primer Pocket Cleaner (Large and Small), Case Neck Brushes (4 sizes), Case Neck Lube (Mica), Removable Dump Pan and Clean-up Brush. Editor’s NOTE: This is a very good price. We’ve seen the Case Prep Xpress priced at high as $117.00 elsewhere.
Here’s a user review from a Lyman Case Prep Express Owner: “The Lyman unit has more than adequate power/torque, unlike some other case prep units on the market, plus a solid exterior case, plus a decent selection of threaded tools. I’ve prepped several thousand cases without a hitch. I have no complaints or criticisms.”
Hot Deal Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
If you’re on a tight budget, Lyman offers factory overstock products at bargain prices — up to 50% off MSRP. Right now you can pick up the original version of Lymans’ Digital Trigger Pull Gauge for $39.95 (product #7832248Q). This is listed on MidwayUSA for $54.99. The newer version, which is a light gray color with a slightly different housing, costs $69.99. The $39.95 Trigger Pull gauge is factory new and tested. This is an over-stock item, not a return or refurbished unit. AccurateShooter.com uses this very same black-handle “original model” digital gauge for our testing, and it has functioned great. READ Lyman Trigger Pull Gauge Review.
Digital Trigger Pull Gauge (Original Model)
$39.95 On Sale! (Latest version is $69.95)
Factory new and tested. Original version. Includes case.
If you’re on a tight budget, here’s a way you can get a strong press, an electronic powder dispenser, and a multi-caliber case trimmer for about half what these products normally cost. On the Lyman web site, Lyman offers factory reconditioned reloading gear at huge savings. For example, the Lyman 1200 DPS electronic scale/dispenser is marked down to $179.99 from a $394.95 MSRP. MidwayUSA’s price for the Lyman 1200 is $279.99, so you’re still saving $100.00 off low retail.
According to Lyman: “These factory reconditioned items have been thoroughly evaluated and meet all our quality standards. These products are classified as ‘reconditioned’ simply for cosmetic purposes. Due to some scratches, paint defects, and minor markings from normal use, these items are no longer considered new, however they will function the same as a new product and carry the same warranty. These items… come with our quality assurance guarantee. Should the product fail in any way within one year of purchase, simply return it along with a copy of your original receipt for repair.”
Reconditioned Lyman Reloading Equipment
LYMAN Product
Factory MSRP
Sale Price
1200 DPS 3 Electronic Scale
$394.95
$179.99
Orange Crusher Press
$162.50
$87.75
Power Trimmer 110V
$300.00
$162.00
Universal Case Trimmer
$94.00
$50.76
Accutrimmer w/9 Pilot Multi-Pack
$59.95
$32.37
Note Lyman also offers a reconditioned T-Mag turret press for $121.50. While that’s a good price, you can find the upgraded T-Mag II press for $149.99 at Cabelas.com. We suggest you go with the newer, Gen II product.
Lyman has introduced a handy new multi-function Case Prep Tool. Most serious reloaders employ a variety of tools to chamfer and de-burr case mouths, and to clean and uniform primer pockets. As you may need four or five separate tools to do all these tasks, keeping track of all those gadgets can be a challenge. The Lyman Case Prep Multi-Tool makes life simpler. The Multi-Tool comes with six matching tool-heads, all of which conveniently store inside the orange-anodized aluminum handle.
Lyman’s new double-ended Case Prep Multi-Tool is a smart design. It holds tools on both ends, and the orange handle unscrews in the middle to provide secure storage for all necessary case prep fittings: Outside Deburring Tool, VLD Inside Deburring Tool, Large & Small Primer Pocket Cleaners, and Large & Small Primer Pocket Reamers. Both ends of the handle are threaded, allowing two heads to be mounted at the same time.
COMMENT: Priced at $24.95 MSRP, the Lyman Case Prep Multi-tool is a good value, considering what it would cost to buy a full set of case prep tools one by one. However, we wish some of the tool heads had better cutting edges out of the box. For the Multi-tool heads (as with most Lyman cutting tools), you’ll benefit by honing the cutting edges with a good whetstone or blade sharpener.