Fresh new takes on old reloading products by Lyman

Lyman Breacher Blocks on display at SHOT Show 2016. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

While 2016 has not been the biggest year for innovation in the reloading industry, Lyman quietly stole the show with striking improvements on two commonly used products: tumblers and loading blocks. But just how interesting can case tumblers and loading blocks really be? More than you’d think, if you happen to be a fellow reloader.

Lyman’s Cyclone Rotary Tumbler System is a well conceived design, and with its included stainless steel media, is likely the last brass cleaning setup you’ll ever need. The large capacity drum is rated to hold up to 1,000 pieces of .223 brass and a built in timer can be set to run from zero to 3 hours. The small stainless steel pins are really the star of the show, advertised as able to slip inside cases and primer pockets for superior cleaning, and the pins are purported to last a lifetime.

The Lyman tray system on display at SHOT Show 2016. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

The kit also includes Lyman’s patent pending Dual Sifter System, which catches the brass in one tray while a second screened pan catches the pins. Retail on the entire kit with the tumbler, sifter system, five pounds of pins, and brass cleaning solution is $229.

If lower budget but higher efficiency is your style, check out Lyman’s Bleacher Blocks. The 50-round loader’s blocks take the age-old design to a whole new level of “why-havent’t-I-thought-of-this-sooner?” Instead of delicately working between cases, the stepped design of the Bleacher Block lets users easily grasp a single case without bumping fingers into neighboring cases, all while reducing footprint on the bench.

Bleacher Blocks are molded of polymer and come in three sizes that will accommodate most any rounds from .17 to .458. The best part? Retail price is $7.95.

Known primarily for their reloading equipment, the Lyman also holds several other noteworthy brands, including Pachymayr, TacStar, Butch’s, and A-Zoom snap caps. They’ve made quality products for decades with customer service to match. I’m looking forward to a more in-depth assessment of these and other new reloading products in the near future.