Lyman All American 8 Turret Press and 8-Caliber Die Setup

You want to load 8X57 or 8mm Krel on a turret press without buying four separate two-die sets every time. This page clarifies how the Lyman All American 8 handles eight-caliber dies and which options work best for your bench.

What the All American 8 actually does for 8-caliber loading

The Lyman All American 8 is a cast-iron turret press. It is not a single-caliber press; it is a platform. The large eight-station turret lets you mount two complete four-die sets at once. For 8-caliber work, you are looking at standard four-die sets: deburr/flash-hole, deprime, resize/expand, and bullet seat. There is more on setting up rock chucker priming arm in a separate guide.

When you search for “Lyman All American 8 turret press review,” the consistent note is the frame rigidity. The heavy base keeps the ram aligned. This matters when you are applying high seating pressure to long cartridges. For 8X57, the round is short, but the principle holds.

You do not get 8-caliber dies in the box. You buy them separately. The press is the tool; the dies are the interchangeable parts. This setup allows you to load 8X57 on one station and, say, 7.62×39 on the next, without swapping turrets.

Which 8-caliber dies fit the Lyman turret

Most 8-caliber handgun and rifle cases use two-die sets, but the Lyman system prefers four-die sets to maximize turret slots. You have two main paths:

• Lyman-made dies: These are the native fit. They often include bushing-style seating stems for precision. They screw directly into the turret plates.
• Hornady or RCBS dies: These work fine if you use the correct die shell size (usually 1-1/2 inch for rimless rifle cases). You will need standard die shells that screw into the turret head.

For 8X57, a dedicated two-die set is common because the case is short. However, if you have the space, a four-die set keeps the workflow smooth. Check the thread pitch.

Lyman turrets use standard 1-1/2 inch or 1-1/4 inch threads depending on the caliber and case type. Always verify against the current Lyman spec sheet for your specific caliber before buying third-party dies.

Setting up the trueing tool and headspace

“Trueing” is the most searched keyword for this press for a reason. You must ensure the die is perfectly parallel to the base of the case. A crooked die stretches one side of the case head, causing headspace issues. Loaders in this spot often ask about rcbs 6.5 creedmoor dies as well.

Use the Lyman Turret True-up tool. Clamp it to the press. Rotate the turret to the station with the 8-caliber die. Adjust the die height until the true-up tool slides smoothly under the die body. Do this for every station.

Headspacing 8X57 is tricky because it is a bottlenecked military case. The chamber taper can be slightly loose. Set the headspace at minimum. Back off the sizing die one full turn after your initial test, then adjust for your specific brass. Always consult published load data for headspace limits. Do not guess.

Common mistakes when loading 8-caliber on a turret

Loaders often think the turret makes it “easy,” so they rush. Here is where it goes wrong:

1. Skipping the flash-hole tool: On the first station of a 4-die set, you must clear the flash hole. If you don’t, the primer can blow out during firing.
2. Using the wrong lubricant: For 8-caliber bottlenecked cases, use a light coat of wax or dry lube. Heavy grease gets into the expander die and fouls the bullet.
3. Ignoring die alignment: If the turret is not trued, the bullet will crimp unevenly. This causes inconsistent velocity and poor accuracy.

Myth: “Turret presses are faster.” Fact: They are only faster if you have multiple calibers on the same turret. If you are loading only 8X57, a standard two-die setup on a single-ram press might be faster because there is less turret rotation.

When to choose the All American 8 over a Lee or RCBS

The Lyman All American 8 sits in the premium tier. The Lee Classic Turret is budget. The RCBS Rock Chucker is mid-price. The difference is the frame. Lyman uses a heavier cast-iron base. If you are loading magnum calibers or heavy cast bullets, the weight prevents drift. It helps to understand an alternative to the classic primer tool before going further.

For 8-caliber, you do not *need* the extra weight. But if you are already building a high-precision rifle bench, the All American 8 handles the rigidity well. It also has a larger turret diameter, which makes die swapping easier. If you have smaller hands or arthritis, the extra turret space is a significant ergonomic win.

Compare it to the RCBS. The RCBS has a more modern trigger mechanism. The Lyman uses a classic manual trigger. Both are reliable. Choose based on the feel of the trigger you prefer. There is no mechanical advantage for 8X57 specifically; it comes down to bench size and budget.

Buying the right 8-caliber die set

Do not buy “8mm” dies without specifying the exact cartridge. 8X57, 8mm Krel, 8mm Mauser, and 8mm Remington are all different cases. 8X57 and 8mm Krel are interchangeable in many chambers, but the bullet diameter can vary slightly. Check your specific bullet maker’s specs.

For the Lyman All American 8, buy a four-die set if you want the full workflow. If you are mixing calibers, a two-die set (resize/seat and bullet seat) saves turret slots. You will need a separate de-primer. The Hornady set (P2) is a solid two-die option. Lyman also makes four-die sets for specific 8-calibers. Check availability in your region.

The bottom line

Frequently asked questions