Lyman All-American Press Turret. This thing good? Advice?

[MGMphy]

As you may guess, I am a complete newbie at rifle reloading. I have been doing shot shells for years, but never rifle. My father gave me a Lyman All-American Press Turret (what is says on the side of the machine). It has four stations, a powder measure...etc. No papers. It must be 30 years old, but is in outstanding condition. I doubt he reloaded 200 rounds through it.
Anyway, I was thinking of going out and getting an RCBS kit to start re-loading. However, I realized I have this reloading press (as well as a scale, and some other basic tools). I recently got an 8x68s an have a hard time getting good ammo, so I figured I would learn to reload it.

So my questions are:
Is this a good, accurate press?
Would I be better off with the RCBS?
What else would I need (I assume the two set of dies and a good manual)?
ANY advice is greatly appreciated. I am a little apprehensive about starting, and want to make sure I do things correctly, accurately, and safely!

 

[Funshooter45]

Heck yeah, it's good. Use it and don't worry about it. Granted, they have made some improvements in turret presses in the last 20 years, but the improvements are mainly for convenience, not necessarily for accuracy. You have a good base to start reloading metallic because of your shotshell reloading experience. Sure, the techniques and mechanics are different, but the mentality regarding attention to detail is pretty similar.

This would be a good cheap way for you to get your feet wet loading metallic cartridges. Maybe you won't like it and that's fine. Maybe you'll love it and eventually get some different equipment, but the All American will get you going just fine.

You have a scale and presumably know how to use it. You already know the importance of getting a couple manuals and really studying the intricacies involved. You have a powder measure too. Yep, you need a set of dies of course. Get a good hand priming tool, either RCBS or Lee, they both work well. A set of calipers is pretty important, but the cheapest Harbor Freight or Frankford Arsenal digital will only cost about $20 and they work fine. Oh, and a funnel if you're doing rifle cartridges.

Just read the manuals first, then buy those items and you'll figure it all out. But no need to go out and buy a brand new press right now.

Incidentally, for some reason I don't know why, but those All Americans seem to be getting popular as collector items. Not outrageously expensive yet, but for some reason, the old ones are fetching prices nearly the same as the Lee Classic Turret, which is probably the best value on the market these days.

 

[Blackrock]

I started out on a well used hand me down Lyman All American. They are a heavy beast and work real well.

 

[Clark]

I got one when some guy's uncle died.
I got a standard shell holder adapter from Lyman for it.
I don't use it much because there is no easy way to spin it.
I keep thinking I will mount a handle on it.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome and thanks for asking our advice.

You have the major expense of a kit given to you. Unless you have money to burn, I would not get another press unless this one has something wrong with it. At least, not until you decide you don't like it. Pretty much everything you get to work with this press will also work with any other.

Keep in mind that any pre-made kit is a bunch of items some marketing genius put together for what HE THINKS will serve the largest customer base. Your needs are very specific. There will very likely be a number of things in the kit which you do not need or will be unhappy with. There will also be a number of things you would like to have that are not included in the kit.

You have the press. Get some REALLY GOOD dies and a decent scale, a couple of loading blocks and a lube pad (maybe a set of .001" calipers). And don't get anything else until you decide you need it. Provided, of course, that you live close enough to a store that you don't have to wait a week for delivery. That opens up another set of questions.

But, before you do ANYTHING else. Get a copy of "The ABC's of Reloading". It is a well-written, very accessible description of the process of reloading metallic cartridges. Almost every loading manual also has descriptions of the process in the early chapters, and load recipes in the latter chapters, and ballistic data at the far end. You want to get a couple of those, too and read those early chapters. Each set of editors or author has a different style and emphasizes different aspects of the process. You want as varied and complete an exposure as you can get. Then you will be equipped with enough knowledge to know the vocabulary and concepts to do the store research.

The "sticky" thread at the top of TheFiringLine's reloading forum is good, entitled, "For the New Reloader: Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST "
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230171

The "sticky" thread at the top of TheHighRoad.com's reloading forum is good, entitled, "For the New Reloader: Thinking about Reloading; Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST"
http://www.thehighroad.org//showthread.php?t=238214

You can read my post "10 Advices for the Novice Handloader" in this thread entitled "Newby needs help."
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430391
My post 13 is "10 Advices for the novice handloader"

Good luck. Be safe, always, all ways.

Lost Sheep

 

[MGMphy]

I really appreciate all of this advice. It looks like the shell holder part is different from whatever the standard is. I guess I will email Lyman and see if they have a part/solution. Turns out I also have the lube pad and a funnel, so that is good. I found dies (I assume I just need a two die set???) from Midway, Huntington's..etc.
Brass seemed to be a problem, however, my cousin in Germany just got me 100 RWS brass cases, unfired (nice guy). The problem that I see is trying to find a load for this round (8x68s) for a 200 grain Barnes TSX. I shot a great elk with this rifle in Utah last year, with factory Hirtenberger 200 gr nosler partition. What a round. Bull went about 5 yards after getting hit with that at 250 yards. Unfortunately, shot every last factory round I had on that trip by first shooting a pronghorn, and then a coyote. And, well, a whole bunch of prairie dogs. I see Barnes has a book, but I don't want to buy it if they don't publish anything for an 8x68s in it. If they do, I will order it. Anyone happen to have this and can let me know if the cartridge is listed in there?
Turns out just researching all this reloading info is a whole lot of fun!

 

[Blackrock]

Must have been six years ago but I am pretty sure I just went to the Lyman website and found the shell holder adapter I needed.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Mphy -
Welcome aboard.

Click HERE to get a shell holder cross reference. I sometimes use an older Lyman turret and it's a hoss. Just lube it up with a couple of drops of motor oil and you'll be ready to go.

All the best!

 

[threefeathers]

It is an excellent press, I use the Lyman T Mag which I think superceeded it, but you have a great piece of work. Use the heck out of it.

 

[ranger335v]

"So my questions are:

Is this a good, accurate press?

It's a good press. Accuracy comes from how the tools are used rather than the tools themselves.


"Would I be better off with the RCBS?"

No, not a bit. (And I do have a Rock Chucker and RCBS dies on my bench.)


"What else would I need (I assume the two set of dies and a good manual)?"

Get the manual from Lyman, Hornady, Lee or Sierra. In their sections of beginner info you will get a look at everything needed.


ANY advice is greatly appreciated. I am a little apprehensive about starting, and want to make sure I do things correctly, accurately, and safely!

If your dad is around I would advise you to talk with him a little bit.

Do a web search for MidwayUSA, Natchez Guns, Mid-South Shooters Supply, Sinclair Int. and ask them of freebie catalogs, you can learn a lot about the tools from them.

 

[cheygriz]

Excellent reloader. One of the best.

 

[MGMphy]

Mr Mphy -
Welcome aboard.

Click HERE to get a shell holder cross reference. I sometimes use an older Lyman turret and it's a hoss. Just lube it up with a couple of drops of motor oil and you'll be ready to go.

All the best!

I took a look at that shell holder guide. It seems the only one who makes one for the 8x68s is RCBS. Will that work in this older Lyman All-american turret press? If not, is there an adapter? I have not had any luck getting a response yet from Lyman.
The puzzle keeps getting closer together for me. thanks!

 

[mbopp]

I've had a RockChucker for years but wanted something dedicated to 38/357 loading. I picked up a used Lyman 6-station turret and have 5 dies in it. No muss, no fuss, and I don't have to screw and unscrew dies all the time anymore. I'm happy with it.

 

[bonza]

MGMurphy, once you have the J to X shell holder adaptor from Lyman, the RCBS (& most other brands) shellholder will fit.