Lyman All-American 8 Reloading Kit Review

[@finalmidnight]

A very well put together video by a gentleman who knows how to wear a damn fine hat. This was a no-nonsense, nuts and bolts demonstration of how the press works and why it is recommended. Thank you!

[@alfaman105]

Very informative video. You showed me a new trick to rotate the case 180 deg while seating. Thank you.

[@HandloaderTV]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the video Thank you so much for watching we greatly appreciate it!

[@gerrymatheson4020]

This is a great kit...full of useful stuff. As I was researching, reading and learning I initially decided against getting a kit but figured I would buy individual pieces that based on my research were the best item. I figured I would end up with a very eclectic and diverse variety of tools from several manufacturers. But as I continued researching, watching reviews and learning I gradually realized that all the pieces I was leaning toward or settling on were Lyman tools and were included in this kit. I decided the sensible thing would be to just get this kit. There were only a couple small items that I probably wouldn't use and only one thing I feel should be replaced...the powder trickler should be their new Brass Smith one to match all the other items. When I was finally ready and in a position to start buying equipment (in March and April) I realized a lot of things were getting difficult to find, and nobody seemed to have this kit in stock. I really wanted the book so I could start reading it, and decided that with the unpredictable times I should just start buying what I could find as it came available. I bought the Lyman manual at my local Cabela's. I ordered their brass prep multitool from Amazon, and the Frankford Arsenal hand deprimer also, so I could start prepping the brass I'd been collecting for the past year or so. I gradually found and purchased just about everything in this kit, as well as a few other things. The only things in this kit I didn't buy are the lube and lube pad, and the primer flip tray. I use Hornady Unique applied with fingertips as I place each case in the press for resizing. I got a FA hand primer also. I prefer the idea of hand priming, and had heard that the priming system on the All-American 8 had issues, so did not install it and do not even use it. Over all I love this set up! I would have bought this kit if timing and circumstances had been different and it was readily available. As it played out I bought it "one piece at a time" but am very happy with it. I bought the Brass Smith beam scale and powder trickler that were not in the kit. I also bought the Lyman case trim Xpress and the case prep Xpress. (Nice to have the powered options, but one should always have manual options as a back up.) Absolutely love them and they make a great pair. Before I could find an All-American 8 turret press I did get the Frankford Arsenal Mpress coaxial single stage. Very happy with it also. I also got 2 extra turret heads for the AA8. I pretty much have all Lyman and FA tools. Someday I'd like to get the FA wet tumbler and the Lyman Gen6 powder measure, but those are a ways down on the wish list. My dies are Lee and I did buy a Lee Perfect Powder Measure (in addition to my Lyman Brass Smith one)...oh, and a Lee Load-All2 shotshell press. Now my learning curve is expanding to casting and powder coating...but I'm not quite there yet. What a rabbit hole!!

[@HandloaderTV]

Gerry, Thank you so much for watching. We are dedicated to helping folks just like yourself by providing honest reviews, videos and even our own experience with products. Times are certainly crazy right now and finding components and tools can certainly be challenging these days. We are glad to hear that you were able to piece together everything you needed to get starting in your reloading adventures. The Powder trickler certainly could be upgraded however all in all we agree it is a great kit for the cost. We also have used the Frankford arsenal hand primer quite a bit and it is an excellent tool. I personally am a big fan of handpriming as well. The Trim Xpress is really a great product and greatly speeds up the brass prep process. I also agree on having the manual backup. It sounds like you are well on your way to making lots of ammo. It can be quite a rabbit hole but we find that the ends justify the means. I would like to invite you to follow us on Instagram if you haven't already "handloadermgazine" We answer a lot of questions on there and it's a great way for us to interact with our audience. Thanks again and best of luck with all your Handloading!

[@gerrymatheson4020]

@@HandloaderTV no Instagram, no Twitter...only do Facebook and KZbin...lol

[@HandloaderTV]

@@gerrymatheson4020 We do have a facebook page Handloader magazine however getting through may be difficult as there are a lot of folks that message us lol.

[@walksfletcher]

The Chamfer/Deburr Tool is the very Best I've seen in 60yrs+ I use an old "shooter" marble to spread lube on a lube pad. What about lubing the inside of the case necks ?

[@HandloaderTV]

I am a big fan of the Lyman Chamfer/Deburr tool as well the electric powered ones are really nice if you are loading a lot of ammo as well. This kit does include some brushes for lubing the inside of the necks. lubing the outside of the neck did not seem beneficiary as you could see how easily the cases were resized. If we had any issues we would have simply rolled the necks on the lube pad. Thank you for watching and we appreciate the feedback!

[@walksfletcher]

@@HandloaderTV I guess I didn't watch close enough, I missed the case lube brushing of the inside of the case necks. Very Sorry. But I NEVER said anything about lubing the OUTSIDE of case necks. That would cause lube dents in the shoulder.

[@HandloaderTV]

@@walksfletcher No worries no need to be sorry that's why we always try to take the time to respond to our viewers. That is true you did not, and that is true also excessive amount of lube on any part of the case can cause dents in the shoulder.

[@migmagingenieria]

Great vid, thanks for sharing!!! For some reason many people try to make reloading process seem like a secret science and it's obviously not. I have to start reloading since good ammunition is retarded expensive,.. specially for my WinMag .300...

[@HandloaderTV]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you for watching we strive to provide accurate and honest reviews and information in all our videos. We are more than happy to share the knowledge! In my opinion handloading your own ammo is an easy and simple process that requires some caution and good habits. All ammunition seems overpriced and expensive these days! Be sure and give us a follow on Instagram Handloader Magazine and if you have any questions along the way send them over we are always happy to help!

[@dougi1967]

excellent video, I think I'm going Lyman

[@HandloaderTV]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed it! We are working on our how to handload video right now! I think the Lyman is the most complete kit that we tested and the turret press is a very nice press. Thank you for watching and for the feedback!

[@drake5560]

Outstanding video, cheers from Canada!

[@HandloaderTV]

Thank you very much for watching we are glad you enjoyed it!

[@glennrishton5679]

Just an additional opinion. If you are reloading for handgun only a kit doesnt seem to me to be the way to go. For handgun using carbide dies there is no need for the case lube pad. Unless one is being super meticulous there is no need for the case trimmer, in 50 plus years I have never trimmed a pistol case. Rifle cases, yes. By meticulous I do not mean careless, just not looking for match level or long range hunting accuracy, I also recommend the hand priming tool by Lyman as well as several other manufacturers. RCBS also makes a bench mounted priming tool which is excellent when priming cases in large numbers. I still have my first press, a Lyman Spar-T, a long discontinued turret press similar to this and it is still good as new.

[@HandloaderTV]

We appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion here in the comments and to do so cordially. We are always interested in hearing what others have to say. That is true Carbide dies eliminate the need for case lube in most cases and I have heard a lot of folks don't trim their pistol brass. I must admit that I do but mostly because I want uniform crimps and to eliminate as many variables as possible for video purposes. That is true though there are a few things you don't necessarily need for starting out loading handgun rounds. I am a big fan of hand priming tools as well I use the Frankford Arsenal one quite a bit. I also do like bench mounted priming tools as well. That is really cool that you still have your first Press, I like hearing stuff like that. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment we greatly appreciate it! --Jeremiah

[@glennrishton5679]

@@HandloaderTV Actually I am going to take your suggestion and get a case trimmer. I began reloading with 38 special and mostly wadcutters so case trimming never got on my radar. More recently I started loading 45 Colt and noticed the crimp position hasnt been consistent. After watching your Bullet Casting 101 video I decided to try the Frankford Arsenal flux I bought years ago, It works! No smoke either as with using pieces of bullet lube. I have the Lyman hand priming tool and also a bench mounted RCBS which works great.

[@HandloaderTV]

@@glennrishton5679 I have noticed that very same thing over the years, I love handloading .45 Colt and it's on the list to do a video on in 2023 since it will be 150 years old and it's still quite relevant today! Trimming the cases to uniform length should greatly increase the consistency of your crimp. I appreciate the feedback, we test and use everything we show here on the channel and a lot of folks don't get that or understand that. It is great to hear that other folks are having success with our techniques and tools!! Thanks for sharing that with us! --Jeremiah

[@kracksmith4ejm1]

in step 2, what's the purpose of sizing the case?

[@HandloaderTV]

Great question, when the cartridge is fired the brass expands and shrinks, running it through the sizing die ensures that the case is returned to chamber specifications so it can be fired again safely without getting stuck and over expanding the next time it is fired. It also ensures that the case will properly "grip" or hold the bullet in place and provide adequate tension so that it doesn't move under recoil or cycling of the action. That is often referred to as neck tension. We did a reloading 101 video that walks you through all of the steps covered here in greater detail and I would encourage you to check it out! The link is pasted below, thank you for watching! --Jeremiah kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoKZkpqXjdxjqqM

[@traceywalker2887]

Can one reasonably expect to be able to purchase reloading supplies in California? Presses galore but no brass,.etc.

[@HandloaderTV]

That is why we are in Arizona! However last we heard (so don't quote us) we heard that you could have brass and reloading components shipped to you easily in California.

[@traceywalker2887]

@@HandloaderTV Thanks,..appreciate the feedback. Great video by the by!

[@HandloaderTV]

@@traceywalker2887 No problem thank you very much for watching!

[@wasachevyguy]

Why not put the powder measure right on the press as well?

[@HandloaderTV]

You certainly can put the powder measure on the press if you wanted to and perhaps we should have demonstrated that. I don't usually do that for my own personal reloading process but everyone seems to do their reloading a little differently and that is okay so long as it works and it's safe. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! --Jeremiah

[@a.k.4363]

Great video.

[@HandloaderTV]

Thank you very much!

[@regularguy9043]

Was all of this included with the kit, excluding dies

[@HandloaderTV]

Yes everything was included in this kit unless otherwise mentioned, so you would need dies for the cartridge you want to load for and you would need a good caliper and you would be all set. You may also want to consider upgrading the scale it leaves a little to be desired but all in all this Kit includes the most accessories out of any we have tested thus far. Thank you for watching.

[@regularguy9043]

Thank you

[@HandloaderTV]

@@regularguy9043 You are very welcome! Thanks for the question!

[@Vizeroh]

Forgive me for being dumb, but how many different calibers does this thing load as a kit? Or how does one load like a 308 compared to a 762, or even a small little .22 LR with this thing?

[@HandloaderTV]

No worries a great question we are here to help everyone learn, better ask and know then never ask and never know! So this Kit is capable of reloading all centerfire cartridges, such as .223 Remington/5.56Nato, 308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor etc. You just need to purchase the correct dies for the cartridge you wish to load for. If you want to reload rimfire cartridges there are certain options on the market but this kit would not be used for reloading any rimfire cartridges such as 22 LR and 17HMR etc. I hope that this clears the air if you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask!

[@Mike-xi4zt]

What happens to the spent primers?

[@HandloaderTV]

Great question there is a little plastic cup that attaches to the front of the press and catches 90% of the spent primers. occasionally one will bounce out but it's rare. Thanks for watching! --Jeremiah

[@Mike-xi4zt]

@@HandloaderTV I have a RCBS turret press. The spent primer catching system is not very good and I was trying to figure out if Lyman might be better.

[@HandloaderTV]

@@Mike-xi4zt I would say it is better than the RCBS turret press by a bit but it's still not perfect. Then again though I can't recall any press that is perfect. Even my Area 419 misses the primer catcher from time to time. --Jeremiah

[@poopymcface9792]

Why are you wearing a cowboy hat indoors?