Lyman Spar T?

[richhodg66]

Someone has one of these advertised locally, not gonna buy it, but curious, has anyone used one and are they good?

Getting interested in turret type presses, but this one just looks weird. Also doesn't look nearly as robust as the Herters 234 does. Think I'm gonna get the All American I have up and running, but I am curious about these ones.

Any experiences?

 

[Pressman]

The Spar-T is an excellent press. In the early 2000's they commanded a premium price, thankfully prices have come bac to earth.
Lyman used the basic frame for over twenty years. Robust as a Herter's, well no, but then again both presses share the Pacific 4x1 leverage.
It is an excellent press for handgun and with enough umph on the handle it will resize the 30-06.
Just remember to keep the handle tight, if it comes loose it can break the threads off.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Yup I have one too. Excellent press as was the Spartan single stage.

 

[Matt]

Will pile on with another good review. Excellent press, mine loaded excellent ammunition for years. When my brother in law started reloading he used it to learn on. He admired it so I passed it along to him with the other basic equipment to get him going. I miss it but still have a Lyman all American turret and a True-Line Jr. turret. Lyman has produced some outstanding products over the years.

 

[richhodg66]

Well, I may have to keep an eye on this and make an offer. He's asking 75 bucks and I need another reloading press like a hole in my head, but this does seem kind of neat.

Matt, how would you say it stacks up against an All American?

 

[Matt]

I’d say it’s better, the turret more ridgid. Less play in the linkage and better leverage. I don’t full length resize rifle cases with the All American for example. The stops for the turret are certainly more positive. It’s a very good press.

 

[Reloader762]

Great press, I reloaded on one of those back in the late 70s that one of my friends owned.

 

[Bret4207]

I have both. The Spar-T is heavier. Both nice presses.

 

[Rick H]

I have one, kept it set up for .308W, 7mmRemMag, and 6mmRem. Used it as a single stage press and just rotated the head instead of changing out the dies. I still have it. Pretty solid press. I never liked the priming system and just used the old Lee hand primer.

 

[JustJim]

A friend had one of these, set up to load 38s and 44 mag. He used it just as Rick H described, as a single-stage press and rotating the head rather than changing dies. I recently picked up a T-Mag turret and will be using it the same way.

 

[quicksylver]

Got three, one is set up with a set of Lee.308 and .30-06 , the second.223, .222, the third is set up for bullet sizing using lee sizing dies .310, .311,,312, .313. As was stated above make sure the handles are tight,and BTW,NOE bullet sizing dies do not work in these, they are too fat to clear the center post.Great presses for rifle and pistol I would grab it if it was reasonably priced, they sure cut down the necessity of changing dies