wwillson Posted September 14, 2010 Report Share Posted September 14, 2010 All,I was at our local trap range recently and one of our members had a press for sale. He said he didn't know what it was or how he got it, but thinks it has been in his garage since the mid 50's. Nobody there seemed to have ever heard of a Spar-T nor did anyone know what it was for. I have been looking to purchase a turret press recently and when I opened the box I knew exactly what it was. I looked everything over and believe that the box had never even been opened before he brought it to the club. The box contained a complete reloader including the priming kit. There was no rust, corrosion, or anything visibly wrong with the press or accessories. I asked how much he wanted and he said, "Ah, give me $10 and it's yours". I could hardly hide my excitement and said, "sold" immediately. The only item not included in the kit is the used primer catch cup. I called Lyman and the woman I talked to said one of their customers just found a bunch of them in their warehouse and sent them back to Lyman. Lyman sold me a primer catch cup for $4.95! I asked when they discontinued the Spar-T and they believe the last year of production was 1969. She didn't know what year the Spar-T was first produced. Pretty cool aye!Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_in_Utah Posted September 15, 2010 Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 Okay, since now I've seen a photo of it I'll up my offer to $30 AND Wait for it.... I'll PAY for shipping! I know, I'm way too nice but I always want to be fair! Nice find! Really would love to score something like that. Next time I'm over at my Uncles I'll take a pic of his old press that he uses all the time. Its prob close to 60-70 years old. What was it covered with to keep it in such great condition? Take care, bill PS: Lee dies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwillson Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Quote:What was it covered with to keep it in such great condition? It must have been up on a shelf in a dry area... since 1955!I really like the Lee dies - they are one of their best products.Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_in_Utah Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Pretty well the only dies that I USE are the Lees. I've got a few others but don't use them since I have the same in Lee. Their presses are excellent. Esp the "Classic Cast" series. As good as ANY other brand and better than most. bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwillson Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 I have the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press. It's a good press and it's handy to be able to quickly change dies, but you'll never get the die to be completely stationary when you stroke the handle. I wish I had the "Classic Cast" as it doesn't have the "moving die" syndrome..Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtell Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 Wayne,After a lot of hard use over the years, the aluminum toggle link on my Challenger press broke, I sent the two pieces back to Lee and they upgraded it to a steel link (it cost me $14.00 - they did have the origional aluminum links for $4.00). That seems to be the only weak part on this particular press. Other than that it has been a good press. I stll have my Classic Lee Loaders that, when working up a new load, I take with me to the range. The brass is already resized and primed. All I have to do is weigh out the powder charge, tap in the bullet and check the OAL with a caliper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwillson Posted October 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 I've resized and decapped about 1,000 pieces of .223 Rem brass with the Spar-T press. It's really handy to adjust the dies one time and just turn the turret when you're ready for the next operation. I hope the priming mechanism works as well as the rest of the press.Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwarde. Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 do you still have this press lyman spar t never mind i read the comments dates sorry to bother you. my ram is worn and doesn't always line up to the dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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