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creedmoormatch
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Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Sep 9th, 2011 at 8:49am
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  What are the differences between a smokeless Lyman # 55 powder measure and their black powder version?  I understand that the B.P. model has an aluminum powder reservoir, whereas the smokeless variety has a plastic/Lucite powder hopper.

   What about the "internals" ?  I have an extra #55 for smokeless and would like to know what (and how) needs to be changed over in order to make it into a B.P. version?

  Creedmoormatch
  
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boats
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Re: Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Reply #1 - Sep 9th, 2011 at 9:16am
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I have had a few and now using one that's made up of mixed # 55 Parts.  Guy gave me an older measure with a broken handle. Had a better looking body and the cast iron frame was brass bushed for the rotor. Newer one was not bushed however the rotors and handles  interchanged.  Far as I know all 55 internals are the same. 

Never do anything special to use Black Powder except it needs to be cleaned good after or the brass slider will corrode.  Some say the plastic hopper is a threat but I don't worry about it. If it's a concern plastic one is easy to replace with Brass or Aluminum tubing.   

Boats
  
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JCHannum
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Re: Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Reply #2 - Sep 9th, 2011 at 10:05am
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According to Lyman, the #55 black powder powder measure has a brass sleeve for the measuring bars. This in addition to the aluminum powder hopper.

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Jim H.
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creedmoormatch
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Re: Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Reply #3 - Sep 9th, 2011 at 10:40am
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   Thanks Boats and JCH, that's helpful.

It wasn't so many years ago that all of the black powder that I bought came in metal cans with screw on tops, Goex, Wano, C & H, Swiss and yes, some Elephant now and again when I couldn't find the others.  There was a myth circulating that you never put black powder in plastic, the concern being static electricity.

Now that I know the iron body in the #55 for B.P. is sleeved with brass for the rotor to rotate in, I'm thinking that the smokeless rotor is brass turning in an iron body.  Doesn't that arrangement (the smokeless version) preclude sparking ?  My thought is that it will, but I may be wrong.

In the very old Lyman handbooks the #55 is advertised for Smokeless and black.

Creedmoormatch
  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Reply #4 - Sep 9th, 2011 at 12:21pm
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You would even be hard Put to create sparking with even a steel component rotating in another....  For me ,the BP measures are just a marketing gimmick to sell more.
And as it is extremely difficult to ignite BP with static electricity - enough said.    I'm using a steel and plastic Uniflow for BP, it has served me well for lots of years - and will continue to do so.  I wouldn't worry, and just use the measure.
  
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creedmoormatch
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Re: Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Reply #5 - Sep 10th, 2011 at 9:05am
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Quote:
For me ,the BP measures are just a marketing gimmick to sell more.


That's my assessment exactly !  But I didn't want to say that and start a controversy or be indited with a second laughable offense.

I can tell that you've been around the block a few times, just as I have.  Thanks for your response.

Creedmoormatch

« Last Edit: Sep 10th, 2011 at 9:12am by »  
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toolmkr
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Re: Lyman 55 Conversion to B.P.
Reply #6 - Sep 10th, 2011 at 12:50pm
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Back in the 60's Dupont came in 25# steel containers and these had plastic liner. I believe this was done to prevent moisture and rusting the container.
  
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