The Lyman All American Turret Press has been a staple in the reloading community for decades. Its robust design, reliable performance, and versatility make it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced reloaders. This in-depth review will explore its features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you determine if it's the right press for your reloading needs.
Understanding the Lyman All American Turret Press
The Lyman All American is a turret press, meaning it uses a rotating turret to hold multiple dies, allowing for quick changes between operations like sizing, powder charging, bullet seating, and crimping. This significantly speeds up the reloading process compared to single-stage presses, making it ideal for high-volume reloading.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Robust Construction: Built from heavy-gauge steel, the All American is known for its durability and ability to withstand the rigors of consistent reloading. This translates to a long lifespan and reliable performance, even under heavy use.
- Easy-to-Use Turret System: The turret system is intuitive and easy to operate, making it a great choice for beginners. Changing dies is straightforward, and the indexed turret ensures consistent shell alignment.
- Versatility: The All American accommodates a wide range of calibers and cartridges, making it a versatile option for reloaders working with multiple firearms. With the right dies, you can handle nearly any cartridge.
- Precision and Accuracy: While not as precise as some progressive presses, the All American delivers excellent accuracy, ensuring consistent and safe ammunition. Proper die setup and technique are key to achieving optimal results.
- Upgradeability: The press offers several upgrade options, including auto-indexing turrets and various accessories, allowing you to customize your setup to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Comparing the Lyman All American to Other Presses
The All American sits comfortably in the middle ground between single-stage and progressive presses. It offers the speed advantage of a turret press without the complexity of a progressive press. This makes it a great stepping stone for reloaders who outgrow a single-stage press but aren't ready for the investment or complexity of a progressive system.
Compared to Single-Stage Presses: The All American offers significantly faster reloading speeds due to its turret system. This efficiency becomes increasingly valuable as you reload larger quantities of ammunition.
Compared to Progressive Presses: The All American is simpler to operate and maintain than a progressive press. Progressive presses offer even faster reloading speeds but require a steeper learning curve and more involved setup.
Potential Drawbacks
While the Lyman All American Turret Press is highly regarded, it's important to acknowledge some potential drawbacks:
- Size and Weight: The press is relatively large and heavy, requiring a sturdy workbench for stable operation.
- Initial Cost: While not the most expensive press on the market, it represents a significant investment compared to single-stage presses.
- Limited Capacity: While faster than a single-stage press, the All American's turret capacity is limited compared to progressive presses. This might be a limiting factor for individuals who reload extremely high volumes of ammunition.
Is the Lyman All American Turret Press Right for You?
The Lyman All American Turret Press is an excellent choice for reloaders who want a balance of speed, versatility, and ease of use. Its robust construction and reliable performance make it a worthwhile investment for both beginners looking to upgrade from a single-stage press and experienced reloaders seeking a reliable and efficient turret press. Consider your reloading volume, experience level, and budget when making your decision. If you anticipate reloading significant quantities of ammunition, a progressive press might be a better long-term solution. However, for many reloaders, the All American strikes the perfect balance between performance and practicality.
