RCBS vs. Lyman Bottom Pour furnaces

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  • Last Post 03 April 2026
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horne458 posted this 31 March 2026

Your thoughts? Plus or minus? Time to scale things back. My 100 lb. capacity, propane-fired bottom pour pot is becoming  more work than my body can handle!!!

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pat i posted this 31 March 2026

I always liked anything RCBS over Lyman. For economy a Lee 20 pounder will work too.

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RicinYakima posted this 31 March 2026

I have an RCBS 30 year old pot that I like very much, after the high temperature cut switch was replaced. I would not recommend the new PID RCBS pot as the electronics are poorly located and not very durable. I converted mine to an external PID. Never owned a Lyman pot. 

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Aaron posted this 31 March 2026

Have been using a Lyman Mag-20 for over 30 years. No issues with it whatsoever. Still use it for the bottom fill as well as with a ladle for some molds.

Either the Lyman or the RCBS should work just fine. Darn things are expensive now too.

 

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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dannyd93140 posted this 01 April 2026

I run both the new RCBS and Lyman with built-in PID unit, they both work good,I do use the Lyman more. The only issue with the RCBS is it as to cool down to 160 degrees before turning off or the PID unit will be damaged. Also have two Lee 20 bottom pour they work fine too, they do drip, but if you clean the nozzle regularly they don't drip much.

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dannyd93140 posted this 01 April 2026

On the Lyman I did remove the mold guide and replace it with a Lab Scissors Jack from Amazon.

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Mal in au posted this 01 April 2026

Have 2 pro Melts  circa 70 s 50+ yrs still going strong ,used a pyrometer to calibrate back then ,checked the temps just recently still spot on. no drips ,love them.Mal in au.

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Eddie Southgate posted this 02 April 2026

Flip a coin or buy whichever you get the best deal on . I have had a Mag 20 for 15 or 20 years and so far I cant remember using it but once since I bought it. I was weaned on the old SEACO and Lyman 10 pound pots and just can't seem to break myself of the habit. I have probably 6 split between the two and one of the round Lyman 20 pound pots plus a couple of Lee pots that I use instead. Old habits die hard.

Grumpy Old Man With A Gun......Do Not Touch .

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fc60 posted this 02 April 2026

Have 2 pro Melts  circa 70 s 50+ yrs still going strong ,used a pyrometer to calibrate back then ,checked the temps just recently still spot on. no drips ,love them.Mal in au.

G'Day Mal,

How did you "calibrate" the RCBS pots?

Mine did not have a adjustment screw in the centre of the shaft.

Cheers,

Dave

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Mal in au posted this 02 April 2026

Hi Dave mine have a screw in the knob, they were a bit out as indicated by the dial,use one for lino,the other for 20/1 .I use the bottom pore for most cals ,exception my 40/65 I use a dipper, Can’t believe the both still work so good. Have cast many  K.s with them Cheers mal in au.You could just use a pyrometer to confirm your desired temp and ignore what the dial says.

 

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OU812 posted this 02 April 2026

I like my rcbs old bottom pour pot. The digital temp controls are very accurate. I purchased this pot about 8 years ago and it still works.

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horne458 posted this 03 April 2026

Appreciate everybody’s input. Am leaning toward the RCBS, but could be happy with the Lyman. It’s also time to investigate PID controllers. I’ll search this site for info, then no doubt will find more things to ask questions about!  I’m fairly new at this bullet casting thing.  I didn’t start casting until I was 8 years old, in 1957!

Thanks again,

Don in Missouri

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fc60 posted this 03 April 2026

Greetings,

If you decide to go with the PID controller, good move.

In this case buy a Lee 20# Magnum Melter.

Then buy a 2" diameter Cast Iron ladle.

I used to bottom pour; but, find I can control the fill better with a ladle.

Cheers,

Dave

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