Lyman Grand American Shotshell press help needed

[Earl Brasse]

I picked up a Lyman Grand American Shotshell 12 ga. press that I would like to get into working order.
I found a copy of the instruction manual.

It needs the crimp inner rod that crimp arm presses on for the crimp.

Anyone have one of the presses & willing to share pictures & dimensions of the rod (or happen to have one lol) or able to make one?

Next, anyone happen to know :
Good source of glass replacement powder/ shot jars or the size-brand?
Are there any other powder/shot bushings that would interchange or be a good starting point to cut down?

Other than sitting & gathering dust for umpty odd years.

Thanks in advance

[Pressman]

Check if a pint Ball jar will fit those threads.

[Green Frog]

Over on the Antique Reloading Tool Collectors Association (ARTCA) Forum somebody discussed rebuilding one of these within the last year or two. You might want to go over there and ask around. BTW, I’ve always thought that the Lyman Grand American shot shell press looks like the illegitimate brother of the Lyman All American metallic press and the early examples of this would even load shot shells. That is one stout design!

Froggie

[Earl Brasse]

Pressman ,
Thanks, even though the "lids" on the press look short, a "regular" Mason/Ball jar lid fits.
I have some vintage clear ones that are even older than the press that are pretty good sized.

Froggie that sounds like a good place, thanks.

[Green Frog]

You might also check out the 1# Mayo jars made of plastic. They should also fit and will add a safety factor. I think glass was original, but I’ve never been a big fan of glass jars on reloaders... too easy to break. Besides, how many well used units still have their glass jars present?

Froggie

[dsh1106]

PM me

[Earl Brasse]

Scott, pm sent

[Green Frog]

Earl, you will find Scott to be one of the good guys and a great source of information. Once he gets onto a topic he follows it doggedly until every possible lead is exhausted. You should now be able to find any information you could possibly need. Please keep the rest of us informed with your progress. I skipped past an almost complete Grand American many years ago when I didn’t know what it was... I’ve regretted that many times since!

Froggie

[Earl Brasse]

Updates,
Big thanks to Scott for taking time to send me great pics & dimensions of the missing final crimp inner plug.
Bad news, my pre-crimp assembly is also missing,
good news, Scott said his has a old steel style MEC pre-crimp unit & works. (even has the same threads)
More good news, I found one of the old Mec pre crimps in my parts box complete with the correct brass insert.
Also happen to have a couple 1940's 1950's clear large Mason jars.

Anyone know of another brand / model of powder / shot bushing that would interchange or cut down to fit or do they just have to be made from scratch?

[dsh1106]

Earl - none of the current shot or powder bushings are convertible to my knowledge.
These bushings are 1-1/4 long, and I believe the shot bushing is .750 OD, I don't recall what the OD of the powder bushing is.

I can measure it if you'd like.
Scott

[Earl Brasse]

Scott, thanks but I do have the 2 in the press, just wondering if any other old or new loaders had brass bushings that could be trimmed down to fit.

[dsh1106]

Here is the data for what was available for this press:
1 - 21 grains of Unique
2 - 23 grains of Unique
3 - 25 grains of Unique
4 - 30 grains of AL-5
5 - 32 grains of AL-5
6 - 21 grains of Red Dot
7 - 34 grains of AL-5
- 22 grains of Red Dot
8 - 36 grains of AL-5
- 36 grains of AL-7
- 23 grains of Red Dot
9 - 32 grains of Herco
- 37 grains of AL-7
10 - 33 grains of Herco
11 - 34 grains of Herco
12 - 36 grains of Herco

A - 1 1/8 ounce
B - 1 1/4 ounce
C - 1 3/8 ounce
D - 1 1/2 ounce

Presses were sent out with
Powder Bushing #2
Shot Bushing A

Scott

[skeettx]

https://www.lymanproducts.com/media/...ding_press.pdf

[Green Frog]

Now I'm kicking myself even more for leaving that Grand American sitting in a thrift shop in Rolesville, NC back in 1992. I wonder whether it's still there?

I've always thought the Grand American resembles the illegitimate offspring of a Lyman All American metallic press and a MEC 600 Jr, but the design is really growing on me. I have the All American already and they sure would look good on the bench together.

Froggie

[dsh1106]

Now I'm kicking myself even more for leaving that Grand American sitting in a thrift shop in Rolesville, NC back in 1992. I wonder whether it's still there?

I've always thought the Grand American resembles the illegitimate offspring of a Lyman All American metallic press and a MEC 600 Jr, but the design is really growing on me. I have the All American already and they sure would look good on the bench together.

Froggie

Frog Man !!!
Do you want to finish the project I started???
http://www.antiquereloadingtools.com...=7553&start=10 - last post page 2
I imagine you and I can work something out.

Scott

[Green Frog]

Frog Man !!!
Do you want to finish the project I started???
http://www.antiquereloadingtools.com...=7553&start=10 - last post page 2
I imagine you and I can work something out.

Scott

It looks like it is finished. It’s drop dead gorgeous and the shell you loaded on it looks right, so I’m wondering. Why are you thinking of getting rid of it?

Froggie

[Markopolo]

what exactly does the black lever accomplish?

I just love the look of the press...

[Green Frog]

what exactly does the black lever accomplish?

I just love the look of the press...

Are you asking about the lever that controls powder and shot drop??

Froggie��

[Markopolo]

i am not sure.. the large lever does the crimp and advances to the next stage correct? so you are saying that the smaller black lever does the powder and shot drop...

[dsh1106]

It looks like it is finished. It’s drop dead gorgeous and the shell you loaded on it looks right, so I’m wondering. Why are you thinking of getting rid of it?
Froggie

Froggie
There are a handful of pieces missing to make this complete. You said you wished you had picked that one up ..... There's plenty to do on this, it will keep you busy looking or fabricating the missing pieces.

what exactly does the black lever accomplish?
I just love the look of the press...

Markopolo - The black lever is pulled down to complete the crimping process.

i am not sure.. the large lever does the crimp and advances to the next stage correct? so you are saying that the smaller black lever does the powder and shot drop...

This press is not a auto progressive press, it advances manually by hand.