Forgotten Equipment

[inspector_17]

Got into reloading years ago when I traded for a press. Used it for my 300 win mag and AR-15. worked fine, life came along and had to sell both rifles to a family member. Told him he could use the press and I would get it later (I was in the army and didn't want to drag it around the world.) 30 years later on a visit home he asked me if I wanted that old press. Surprised, I said sure I'll take it. Memory isn't what it used to be. I remembered it being a turret type press, correct, but remembered it being green. WRONG! It was RED and looked like he had never used it. Ram would hardly move and not surprisingly both sets of dies badly rusted. Got it home both sets of dies came out easily. Dug out wifes sewing machine oil, liberally sprayed it on and using a lot of force got it to move. Really surprised me. It is a Lyman All American "Turret" (Quotation marks are on the press.) Passing it to my son who is tired of only having a single stage. Anybody have any info about this press? Thanks

[mold maker]

Somewhere, in a 40mm ammo can I have its sister, that was a part of a trade over 30 years ago. At the time I didn't need it, and until I saw your post with the picture I had totally forgotten it.
I'll be interested in what you find out, and in the meantime, I'll
hunt for mine.

[Artful]

You can use the search Function and find quite a few threads on your press
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/google.php?cx=partner-pub-6216953551359885%3A1942134700&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Lyman+All+American+%22Turret%22&sa.x=3&sa.y=9&siteurl=castboolits.gunloads.com%2Fsearch.php%3Fse archid%3D3576039%26pp%3D%26page%3D5&ref=castboolits.gunloads.com%2Fsearch.php%3Fsearch id%3D3576039%26pp%3D%26page%3D4&ss=

This is a fine, compact and sturdy press; the only problem is it takes a non-standard shell-holder, original shell-holders are the "Type J", and they can often be found on Ebay. But Lyman sells an adapter (Cat. No. 7095762, $10.95) to take their standard RCBS-compatible shellholders.

If I remember right the primer stem was from their Junior press. Their semi-automatic priming system, though, was pretty "Mickey-Mouse" and the priming stem adapter to use with the extended shellholder adapter is no longer in stock at Lyman. So you may just want to use an off press primer system.

None of the press extends below the bench, and does not block access to drawers or shelves. You can set it for up-stroke or down-stroke operation. When you take the turret off, be certain that the detent ball and spring don't fall out from the underside of the turret. The Detent ball is ball it is .3105 " so easy to loose.

I think CH/4D sells a universal adapter also...for the shell holder. You might check with Pressman who collects presses and is a source of much information - And I think Ben refurbed one and uses it.

[salpal48]

I have 4 on my Bench. Great machine . will handle most rifle and pistol. Original shell Holder are always available on Ebay
10-415.00 . I have them all.
you can use adaptors But Originals are better. Free up the ram with Kroil and use It. you will enjoy It. Mine are 40 years Old and still industructable

[Lloyd Smale]

one of those was my first press.

[Green Frog]

I had the good fortune to buy the early Lyman All American that was sent to John Amber for testing when they were first released... it's the one with an oversized hole at one station so it can load shot shells or be used with a bushing to take standard 7/8 X 14 dies. Of course it had seen very little use in testing, then sat around at Amber's place until the auction after his death. Mine mostly stays set up for 327 Fed Mag with a Lyman die set and the through-the-die powder drop with an old Lyman Accu-Measure. As I've stated before, I like to set up a "dedicated" press for each caliber I load a lot and leave it alone so it doesn't need constant adjustment, so this was the one that won the lottery for 327 FM.

Froggie

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Great press! Mine sits proudly on my bench and is dedicated to loading the mighty 500 SW.

[inspector_17]

Thanks for all the info. My son is looking forward to using it.

[gwpercle]

I just got through rescuing one just like that.

CH4D has adapters for snap in shell holders if needed.

Mix up equal parts acetone and Dexron ATF for the cheapest and best penetrating oil ever.
Soak the rusty parts and keep cleaning and soaking with the stuff. I placed mine in an aluminum pan, standing the press upright I would spray the parts and work them gently untill I got things moving. Mixed up a gallon of Ed's Red Bore Cleaner ( Google search for a recipe) and used it to clean, degrease and derust all the parts and dies and shell holders that came with mine. Laid the press down in the pan and would soak for a week, turn over and soak that side a week...finally got all the rust removed.
With enough soaking and flushing I didn't have to remove the top turret and middle part that moves up and down. I was afraid to take those parts off.
The soaking and cleaning got her back in business and I'm loading 38/357 ammo on it.
Sweet little press.
Gary

[Adk Mike]

I enjoy mine. It mostly seats 30-06 bullets. Bullet seater dies are in year round along with a Lyman M die. I use a Rock Chucker to size the cases.

[wrench man]

My grandmothers brother had one that I learned to reload on, lots of 30-40 and '06 got loaded on it!, I picked one up for myself at a swap meet a few years ago, got the shell holder adapter mentioned above and just recently picked up a #55 powder measure to mount in the turret head.