Here it is! The last in a line-up of three unboxing and setup videos covering all of the new Brass Smith reloading presses from Lyman. This story is all about the Lyman Brass Smith Victory Single Stage press with on-press priming. Be sure to check out the Brass Smith Ideal and Brass Smith All American 8-Station Turret uboxing/setup posts as well! In this story, I’ll cover unboxing and “what’s in the box”, setup, sizing 6.5 Creedmoor brass, and give some impressions.
What’s In the Box?
The Lyman Brass Smith Ideal includes everything you’ll need to get your press setup to use with standard 7/8″ x 14 TPI reloading dies, and everything needed to load and prime on-press with either large or small primers. Here’s everything that’s included in the box, as well as the tools and Inline Fabrication Ultramount I used to get this press mounted:
Above we have:
- Victory press body and core components
- Spent primer catch tray
- Manuals
- Priming system components
- Press handle and nut
- [not included with press] Ultramount quick change plate and hardware
- [not included with press] Tools for press assembly and mount plate install
- [not included with press] Inline Fabrication Ultramount with quick change system
Assembly for this press is rather easy and involves only the following:
- Install press handle (for either left or right hand operation)
- Install priming system block, slider, spring, and knob
- Drop in primer tube and shield
- Slip on spent primer catch tray
It should only take about 10 minutes to setup this press for the first time. Very straightforward!
Next comes mounting the press. You can bolt the press directly to your reloading bench, or use some sort of mounting system. I use the Inline Fabrication Ultramount system, so all I had to do was to attach the quick change plate to the press with the included screws, nuts, and washers.
Facts and Figures
The Lyman Brass Smith Victory is a cast iron O-frame single stage press with on-press priming. This press uses standard shellholders and dies with 7/8″ x 14 TPI threads. Here are some additional features and specs:
- Powder coated frame
- 1″ diameter ram
- Comes with straight line primer feed with large and small primer tubes
- Precision fit and smooth operation
- Large 5″ frame opening, works with the largest cases
- For added safety, the primer feed comes with a heavy steel shield which surrounds the primer tubes.
- Right or left hand operation
- Weight 18.1 pounds
First Operations with the Victory
For my first “sea trials” with this press, I thought I would full-length size some 6.5 Creedmoor brass. I’ve sized this kind of brass on many different presses recently, so I thought this would be a good comparison. Everything went smoothly including the sizing process (a bit less effort than typical due to the long press handle) including priming. The priming system is actually the same as what’s included with the Brass Smith All American 8-station press. Using the Victory feels identical to using the All American 8 with one exception: there’s no indexing of the turret head. You simply lock your lock rings, and spin dies in and out.
I’m just getting started with the Victory, but can tell this press is a lifetime investment. It’s solid, it has precision construction, and also great fit and finish (the orange is awesome, just like the other Brass Smith presses). Be sure you’re subscribed because next I’ll be comparing all three of the new Brass Smith presses side by side! If you want to purchase you own Victory press, head on over the Midsouth Shooters Supply!
Do you have a Brass Smith Victory? How are you liking yours? Please leave a comment!
Thanks,
Gavin
Gavin,
I meant to give you this feedback when I first saw this post, but time got away from me. I am left-handed, and my comment is about the “ambidextrous” handle on the Victory and other O-frame presses. In the video, you point out that the frame is offset to the right, which makes access very easy on the left. Guess what happens if you move the handle to the left? That’s right, you block that access, making the press much harder to use in that configuration. So, while the press handle can be switched to the other side, the press is not truly ambidextrous. I’m sure other southpaws simply keep the handle on the right, and cycle it with their right hand like I do. You are a growing voice in the shooting and reloading community, and I encourage you to let the press manufacturers know that they’re not fooling any of the left-handed population when they claim their o-frame presses are “ambidextrous.”