Lyman All American

[Ben]

Looks like Christmas in July here. My friend Bill in TX sent me a Lyman All American today.

I wanted one of these when I was a kid ( that's been MANY yrs. ago ) real bad, but there was no money for a press like this back in the early 60's. I spent a couple of hrs. cleaning, lubing, and I repainted the turret, the remainder of the press is original.

I count myself fortunate to find one in nice condition, many thanks to Bill for his willingness to sell me this one.

Today, I've ordered the J to X conversion shell holder from Midway so that I can use all of my standard shell holders and of course the turrent is threaded 7/8 X 14.









I've got it set up and mounted on my loading bench in this pic :

[hotwheelz]

Looks nice, I have seen the tool heads for sale that take the 7/8 dies but they sure want alot for the toolhead. I wasnt aware they had a diff. shell holders tho looks like you gonna have some fun with it.

[Ben]

This one is made for the J shell holder but Midways' $11.00 " J to X " conversion holder will allow me to use any modern shell holder in the press.

This is a nice one !

Ben

[jhrosier]

Ben,
I'm still using the Lyman AA that I bought back in 1960-something.
I couldn't even guess how many thousands of rounds that have gone through it since then.
I might get a Lee Classic turret press some day, just because, but the Lyman looks like it has at least another lifetime of use left in it.

Jack

[BruceB]

Another A-A fan here; mine has been in continuous and extensive use since 1967. It's as good as the day I got it, which is very good indeed.

All A-A presses are threaded 7/8x14, with some of the older ones having one larger hole for shotgun dies which is bushed to 7/8x14.

Be aware that the adapter for current-day shellholders requires a different priming stem if you intend to prime on the press. This is called the "Special T" priming stem, and Lyman has apparently stopped producing it. It may actually be easier to buy the specific "J" shellholders you need, because they are plentiful on Ebay while the Special T stems are rather rare.

Turrets for the A-A as separate parts are also rare; I probably haven't seen more than a couple of them on Ebay in the last several years. Also, it's not a really simple swap due to some fairly-finicky adjusting which may be required. True-Line Jr. turrets are quite common, but are threaded for smaller-diameter dies. They positively do NOT interchange on the A-A, anyway.

I just lock the rings on my dies once they're adjusted, and then put a note in the die box detailing WHAT bullet and rifle they're set for. Handgun ammo is usually loaded on my 550B, for which I do have separate toolheads for each cartridge.

[Ben]

Thanks Bruce,

That's some good info for me. I won't be priming on this one. I've always thought I'd like to have one of these, I don't regret buying this one.

Best,

Ben

[hotwheelz]

All A-A presses are threaded 7/8x14, with some of the older ones having one larger hole for shotgun dies which is bushed to 7/8x14.

. True-Line Jr. turrets are quite common, but are threaded for smaller-diameter dies. They positively do NOT interchange on the A-A, anyway.

.

OK I was looking at your press thinking it was a tru-line JR, they look alot alike thanks for the info BruceB

[unclebill]

ive got one i bought used also.
it has the small brass set screw that tightens into the modern shell holders.
what a great little press!

[85gl1200@gmail.com]

Good job, Ben. The old fellow looks just as spiffy as it did when it followed me home in '68.

[Ben]

Many thanks Bill,

I gave it a little " make-over", you're right, it looks just as good as new. Thanks again !

Ben

[Sprue]

Congrats Ben,

I friend of mine has one that I've tried to get off him but he won't let it go. I especially like the action on the AA's they are smooth as glass.

Nice machine!

[madcaster]

Ben,
Do you have the priming apparatus for it?If not let me know....

[Ben]

Bruce

I just rec. an Email from Randy Davis at the " 310 Shop ", he says that the special T stem is being made by Lyman now. I went to their web site , it is listed as follows:
__________________________________________________ ______________

Special T Priming Punch –Required when using J to X shellholder adapter to seat primers in older style presses. Includes both large and small punches and sleeves. Item #7095763 $8.25
__________________________________________________ ______________

Do any of you have any information about the history of the All American press. When was the 1st one made, what yr. did production stop ?

Ben

[Bret4207]

Bought on in a box of stuff. Still have to get the shell holder adapter, but since it came with on for 308 head size I've done okay. Nice job.

[floodgate]

Ben:

The AA Turret and Comet (single-station C-type) presses were first shown in Lyman's Ideal Handbook No. 41 of 1957; both were shown in HB #42 (1960); the AA-Turret only was listed in HB #43 (1964), along with the new Spartan C-type and Spar-T turret presses, which took standard shellholders and priming arms. The Handbooks were getting pretty spaced-out by then, so I can't pin the timing down any closer at this point (the Lyman annual catalogs focused mostly on sights at that time). Hope this helps.

floodgate

[HeavyMetal]

I've been looking fo a AA to add to my pair of Tru line's. Someday I'll find one at the right price.

I have seen a eight hole turret for these! Nice idea. I also have a six hole 7/8x14 turret on my Tru line, bought it from a guy on gun broker.

With the shell holder / primer conversion it's a nice ,portable range press.

[Ben]

floodgate:

Many thanks for the info. on the Lyman A - A turret press. I felt like it would go back to late 50's and early 60's.

I wonder at today's prices , if it was made again to the same specs as it was in 57' what the selling price would be today ?

Thanks again,

Ben

[unclebill]

floodgate:

Many thanks for the info. on the Lyman A - A turret press. I felt like it would go back to late 50's and early 60's.

I wonder at today's prices , if it was made again to the same specs as it was in 57' what the selling price would be today ?

Thanks again,

Ben

in my 1968 copy of HANDLOADERS DIGEST they were going for $54.50

i just used an inflation calculator.

What cost $54.50 in 1968 would cost $335.00 in 2007.

[unclebill]

[Ben]

billhedges

Now that looks REAL familiar ! !

Ben