Due to some hurricane damage, I need to replace my old RCBS Partner reloading setup and have decided to upgrade. While the Hornady Classic, Redding, and the Rock Chucker are all good options, I always liked the Lyman Orange Crusher and Crusher II as well. I haven't kept up with reloading news too much over the years, and I noticed that Lyman has completely changed their reloading catalog. The Crusher and T-Mag are gone, as well as the old 310 and the 55 powder measure. The new line is called the Brass-Smith.

Does anyone know how these new presses stack up? Are they as good as the old Crusher and T-Mag? Or would another brand be better?

I like the looks of their 8 station turret press. I don’t know the name but it competes favorably with the Redding T-7. I’m still using a Lyman All American along with several other presses on my bench. I’ve heard the Brasssmith stuff is made in China!

I would love to get a straight answer on where many of these presses are made. To be honest, I love RCBS, but I often read online that many of their presses are made in China. If I remember correctly, the old Lymans were American made, but fact that they have changed their entire reloading lineup makes me wonder. From what I have read, Hornady and Redding are made in the United States. I hope that both Lyman and RCBS are as well.

Based on the equipment i have seen and owned, I would steer you away from Lyman in favor of RCBS or Redding.
edit to add: I had not heard that RCBS presses are being made in China. That would be unfortunate. They were bought out by one of those huge fund managers a few years ago and now are part of Vista Outdoors. Lyman has also been bought out. I could easily believe that Lyman presses are made in China from the ones I have handled lately.



I know if you bought a Redding you would never look back. They are a little pricey but it's a press you could leave to your great grand children. Then again, an "O" press from Lee would probably last as long. I even had one of the Lee four-hole turrets and I would have kept it if I had room on my bench for a third press.

Does it have to be new? There seem to be many used presses out there that can be quite good and can be had at advantageous prices. I can’t remember ever buying a new press, but have several… oh yeah, Dad bought a new RCBS Jr and a Dillon 450 sometime back in the late ‘70s or early ‘80s!
Presses don’t seem to wear out!
Froggie

Each site I’ve checked states country of origin as United States for the Brass Smith All American.

I picked up one of the Brass Smith measures a while back, I like it.

I’m no big fan of any particular color of loading product, but I do know what I like. Lyman and other presses I’ve owned and used cam over past the top have always been an irritant while adjusting dies. Regardless the Lyman have all been built like a tank.

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USA Shooting Supporter

Forster and Redding are still made in the USA, Lee also as far as I know!

is there no love for Hornady gear?

I have the Lyman 8 station turret press. I like it. Well built, solid, and works well. The primer feed needs some help though, jambs frequently. I’m going to modify a bit.

FWIW, I added a Redding ‘Big Boss II’ to the bench recently, so far very good.

Midway had a handful in stock. I could of saved $25 on the big boss buying elsewhere, but there was an assortment to the order, so I stuck with them.

Thanks for all the replies. I have to admit, RCBS has been very good to me. From what I have read, there seems to some confusion regarding where they are made. Apparently, some of the kits say made in the USA and China. This is understandable, as I figure the press is most likely made here, with the some of the smaller metal and plastic tools made overseas. I can live with that, as long as the press is made here. Of course, both the Hornady and Redding presses look nice as well. They are classics; I like the idea of buying a press that has a history.

I was just confused by Lyman's complete change up of their reloading line. Even the new kits come with the Lyman manual with the old Crusher on the cover!

Not here………I absolutely hate their dies and the “stupid” zip spindle!

If you want the best in terms of build quality and extremely tight tolerances, look at Prazipress from Germany.

Pr"azipress – CNC Turban

Here's a good video covering the details:

German Precision: Präzipress 120mm Reloading Press Overview by Turban CNC - YouTube

Yeah, they cost a "little" more, but you only live once....

Here's a "how they're made" video

Entstehung der Präzipress/ How it's made - YouTube

We like their bullets.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

I have been using the Lyman Brass smith press for a little over 3 yrs. now and like it a lot (was using 2 lee pro 1000, 1 lee turret and 1 lee O press for the last 25 yrs.) the only down side is the primer dispenser, got rid of it and hand prime. I really like the 8 hole turrets you can put 2 set of dies on one turret head, I have 3 heads 1 with 38 and 357 dies, 1 with 9mm and 45acp and 1 with 223 and 44. everything else I use the Lee O press for. also the Lyman is made in the USA.

I notice that RCBS specifies "Made in the USA" on their dies and progressive presses but not on their single stage presses. What a shame.

I have a Lyman Tru-Line Jr 4 station turret press. It's gotta be 70 years old. I had conversion turrets made to use ⅞ dies. I have one set up for each pistol caliber.

Hornady makes quality presses that are made in NEBRASKA for God’s sake. It should be on your list, in my view.

it has been a few years ,but i seem to remember reading.RCBS has their press made as a raw forging in China but machined and assymbled in the US, i could be remembering wrong on this

As you said..raw forging in China Line bored and finished here. A sshame really Redding is made here and not a lot more expensive than RCBS. Heck even Lee's classic cast presses are made here

Truth About Guns press release states Brass Smith Victory Made In USA


New from Lyman Reloading: Brass Smith Victory Press - The Truth About Guns

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I looked at the above cited "review" of the Lyman press on "Truth about Guns". It's the first (and last) time I'll consult that website.
What a joke.
The alleged "author" confesses he doesn't reload, rambles on about folks being overworked and diagnosed ADD, then proceeds to simply quote from the Lyman press release.
Nowhere does it say made in USA using American sourced raw materials.
To give the matter some context, read Peter Schweizer's new book "Red Handed" to see how opportunists in government, industry, and pop culture are selling out America for a quick buck.
I'm straying a little from the question posed by the OP, but if any of you are concerned about quality control and actual nation of origin issues of the supposedly "American made" products we buy, we really need to start holding these manufacturers accountable.
Yes, RCBS, last I heard, was indeed having the iron press castings for their Rockchucker made in China. Are they alone?
I doubt it.
They're not getting my money. Period.

Kinda drifted off topic a bit above.

Here's the content of the press release without the dastardly reviewers opinions.

Lyman Brass Smith Victory Press Specifications:

Heavy duty cast iron “O” frame
Designed for use with any standard 7/8″ x 14 thread dies
Accepts standard shell holders
1″ diameter ram
Comes with straight line primer feed with large and small primer tubes
Added safety with heavy steel shield surrounding primer tubes on primer feed
Ambidextrous operation
Durable powder coat finish
Weight 18.1 pounds
Proudly made in the USA at Lyman Products
MSRP: $199.95
Visit Lyman at Welcome to Lyman.

__________________
GOA
USA Shooting Supporter