The Lyman All American Press Turret is a popular choice among reloaders, known for its robust construction and versatility. This in-depth guide will explore its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you decide if it's the right press for you.
Understanding the Lyman All American Press Turret
The Lyman All American Press Turret is a single-stage reloading press, meaning it performs one operation at a time. However, its key differentiator is its turret, a rotating head that holds multiple dies. This allows you to quickly switch between different reloading steps without changing dies, significantly speeding up the reloading process. This makes it ideal for high-volume reloading projects.
Key Features and Benefits
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Robust Construction: The press is built from heavy-gauge steel, providing excellent stability and durability. This minimizes flex and ensures consistent results even during high-volume reloading sessions. This is crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing damage to your dies or cases.
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Turret Design: The rotating turret is a major advantage. You can set up four different dies (or more with some modifications) and quickly switch between them with a simple rotation. This dramatically reduces setup time compared to single-stage presses requiring manual die changes. Imagine switching between sizing, powder charging, bullet seating, and crimping with ease!
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Versatility: The press accommodates a wide range of calibers and cartridges with the use of different dies. Simply change the dies, and you're ready to reload a different cartridge. This adaptability is a significant advantage for reloaders who work with multiple calibers.
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Ease of Use: While being a robust piece of equipment, the Lyman All American Press Turret remains relatively easy to use. The operation is straightforward, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced reloaders alike. However, proper training and understanding of reloading procedures are still crucial for safety.
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Affordable Price Point: Compared to some other high-end turret presses, the Lyman All American Press Turret offers a good balance between quality and price. This makes it an attractive option for those on a budget without sacrificing too much in terms of performance and reliability.
Potential Drawbacks
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Single-Stage Operation: While the turret improves efficiency, it remains a single-stage press. This means you still perform each step individually, unlike progressive presses that automate the entire process. This can be a limiting factor for extremely high-volume reloading needs.
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Size and Weight: The press is relatively large and heavy, requiring a solid workbench for support. Its size may not be ideal for users with limited space.
Comparing to Other Reloading Presses
| Feature | Lyman All American Turret | Progressive Presses | Single-Stage (Non-Turret) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Moderate (faster than single-stage) | Fastest | Slowest |
| Cost | Mid-range | High | Low |
| Complexity | Moderate | High | Low |
| Versatility | High | High | High |
| Space Requirement | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
Case Study: High-Volume Reloading with the Lyman All American Press Turret
A competitive shooter, John, needed to reload 1000 rounds of .223 Remington weekly for practice. Using a single-stage press without a turret, this would have been an incredibly time-consuming task. By switching to the Lyman All American Press Turret, John significantly reduced his reloading time. The ability to quickly switch between dies allowed him to complete his weekly reloading needs efficiently, leaving him more time for practice and competition.
Conclusion: Is the Lyman All American Press Turret Right for You?
The Lyman All American Press Turret offers a compelling blend of speed, versatility, and affordability. Its robust construction ensures reliability, and the turret design greatly improves efficiency compared to standard single-stage presses. However, if you need to reload extremely high volumes, a progressive press may be a better option. For the average reloader who wants a significant upgrade from a basic single-stage press without breaking the bank, the Lyman All American Press Turret is a fantastic choice. Consider your reloading needs, budget, and available workspace to make the best decision for your specific requirements.