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Old 04-23-2018, 06:51 AM
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Default Lee XR Priming tool.

When I first started reloading for pistols, back in 1993, I bought a Lee XR priming tool, the one with the round primer tray.

I read somewhere here recently of someone who has been using one for well over 20 years. Mine lasted me until about 3 years ago when the handle sheared in half.

So I replaced it with one of the then square/diamond primer tray tools, But the little corner clips that held the tray cover on broke off one by one, so I bought another. Actually this gave me two complete priming tools, one for small and the other for large primers, without having to swap over the priming trays on a single handle..

Alas the corner clips on the new "large" tray cover also broke. I had seen some covers available online as replacement parts, but when I went to order them they were no longer listed.

I soldiered on until all the clips on the large cover broke, then used the small cover. But those clips started to break too.

A few weeks ago I ordered online a conversion kit to the new triangular primer trays. They arrived a few days ago and tonight I primed 200 .45ACP brass.

It took twice a long as usual, mainly because the two halves of the fitting that the riser sits in had been overtightened and the primers didn't always slide into the riser properly. It took me nearly 150 cases to figure out if I loosened the screws slightly it should work, and it did. The last 50 cases just primers just flowed as normal.

But the triangle tray is a lot smaller than both he square/diamond tray or the round one. 100 primers at a time simply do not flip over without a little human assistance on the last few.

One thing this setup does better than the last version is seat Winchester LP primers properly. The old one would seat Federal and WSP primers but the WLP ones would not seat below the primer pocket and I had to run them through a press mounted priming head to properly eat them. This new system seats WLP's perfectly.

But why, oh why, did Lee change the original design?

It worked so well for so many years!
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Old 04-23-2018, 07:59 AM
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I now use the Lee bench mounted primer. It is fast and saves your hand from pain when priming a lot of brass.
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Old 04-23-2018, 08:00 AM
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Lawyers.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
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Old 04-23-2018, 08:10 AM
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Because the original design was dangerous and detonations of multiple primers could and did occur. Lee did some controlled testing and ultimately recommended using only CCI and (I think) Winchester primers to lessen the chance of accidents.

I agree with you and so do many others; the original "dangerous" design was best. I tried several of the later models and found them to be junk.
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Old 04-23-2018, 09:19 AM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockquarry View Post
Because the original design was dangerous and detonations of multiple primers could and did occur. Lee did some controlled testing and ultimately recommended using only CCI and (I think) Winchester primers to lessen the chance of accidents.

I agree with you and so do many others; the original "dangerous" design was best. I tried several of the later models and found them to be junk.
Really?......Been using my round ones forever! Then need to stay greased on the cams and if the seated primer comes up a little shy you can peen the aluminum cam on each side. This will stretch it and compensate for wear.
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Old 04-23-2018, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter View Post
Really?......Been using my round ones forever! Then need to stay greased on the cams and if the seated primer comes up a little shy you can peen the aluminum cam on each side. This will stretch it and compensate for wear.
Maybe I didn't phrase my post well. No argument from me. I also had good luck with the original round models, but they finally wore out after many years of use.
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Old 04-23-2018, 10:20 AM
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What I read was that Lee has virtually declared war on Federal primers. At least Federal Match primers - the kind that come in the huge box that holds the primers far-separated and on their sides. Apparently, and according to Lee, these are so soft as to be dangerous - at least in the traditional "round" Lee priming tool. Hence Lee has come out with a "safer" alternative where detonation of the primer being rammed home will not detonate the remainder of those in the tray.

My new triangular "safe" Lee priming tool works about one-tenth as well as the old round model that I finally wore out. The new triangular tray model is a major pain the hind-end but it does work - sort of. Spilling primers as I'm loading this thing up is now a regular occurrence and it was pretty rare with the old, reliable, round job.

By the way, I took a chance before I needed a new one, and loaded Federal Match primers on the old, circular, Lee priming tool, and never had an issue.
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Old 04-23-2018, 10:38 AM
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I have a Lee Auto Prime, that I have used for small primers since the mid 1970's, still going strong. With a new in the box backup on the shelf. I use a RCBS bench primer tool for large primers.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
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Old 04-23-2018, 11:21 AM
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I went with the triangular one for 2 weeks when my round one broke. That was long enough for me to get a Hornaday.
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Old 04-23-2018, 01:44 PM
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No problems with my new triangular shaped, press mounted Lee gizmo in both small and large. Used on both single stage and turret.I must be doing it wrong.
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Old 04-23-2018, 03:40 PM
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As the New Models of Lee priming tools came out I bought up all the new and used "round" tools I could find! I am down to six and use them for one primer brand/size per tool and usually leave a dedicated shell holder permanently in them! The 3 I use the most are for Fed 205M (223), Fed 210M (308), and Fed 215M (338 Lap). Also have one each for Sm. Pistol (any brand), Win WLR, and Remington 7 1/2 (for all those Bench Rest rounds!)

I found I couldn't keep the lid on the next model, with out a couple of the black spring clamps. The last model I bought is the "New and improver" model with the "ergonomic" handle that tears my hand up.

If Lee makes their priming tools any better, I may have to quit reloading!

Ivan
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Old 04-23-2018, 06:15 PM
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Yep, i’ve busted few. I’ve tried the X-R, the Ergo and the triangle tray. The solution is quite simple, go to e-bay and buy the original round tray version. There are always some for sale. I’ve bought several so I should have a life time supply of handles and many life times of other parts.
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Old 04-23-2018, 07:58 PM
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Lee never "declared war" on Federal primers. Sounds like typical unsubstantiated Internet information.

About 25-30 years ago, there were a number of primer explosions (and I think some minor injuries) with the original round tray priming tools. Lee did there own testing and re-created the explosions and determined that Federal and at least one other primer (maybe Remington?) shouldn't be used in the original Auto-Prime.

Details of the Lee testing was written up in at least one of the big gun publications of the time. I read the article, but have no idea which magazine it was in. I suspect it may have received coverage in other publications as well. Pretty big topic then, but seems it was at least several years before the tool was redesigned.

I never had any problems, but used CCI for just about everything at the time and continue to use more of them than anything else. (I know they don't fire for some people, but they still work fine for me).

Surely there is someone on this forum who can remember this stuff better than I can.
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Old 04-23-2018, 08:51 PM
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I bought one of the original (round) Lee hand priming tools back in the 1960's. I used it for probably 20 years when the handle wore enough that it wouldn't seat the primers all the way. I bought 2 replacement handles from Lee for a couple of bucks.

When the Lee Auto Prime II (round - press mounted) came out I bought one of them. I have been using that for maybe 20 years now, and not one part has broken or wore out. When I saw they came out with the square trays, I bought a complete set of replacement parts for the A-P II. I have yet to open the box. I just love this tool!
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Old 04-23-2018, 09:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ole Joe Clark View Post
I have a Lee Auto Prime, that I have used for small primers since the mid 1970's, still going strong. With a new in the box backup on the shelf. I use a RCBS bench primer tool for large primers.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
Matter of fact: I just finished priming another 450 hulls with it. My hand and wrists are hurting.
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Old 04-23-2018, 09:48 PM
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I gave up on Lee after my "no-tray" priming tool wore out and every new model Lee made required even newer shell holders. You get what you pay for with Lee.

I switched to RCBS that uses standard shell holders and never looked back.
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Old 04-23-2018, 11:49 PM
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I have had 2 of the original round tray Lee priming tools, one large, one small, and have used them since ca. 1970 when I bought them. The "small" has literally loaded probably 300,000 or more primers and I have never broken anything*** on either of them! I have always kept all the wear points of both well lubricated with LubriPlate or other high pressure grease. I did replace the original Zamak cast connecting rods once about 35 years ago with the sintered steel ones when one of them wore to the point the lever would bottom out on the tool body.

I did buy two of the "Improved" tools when they first came out a few years ago. The first time I used them both retaining tabs on one of the tray covers broke off! No problem, just use the other cover, right! Well, both tabs broke off the second tray the same session. Gave up and just keep those covers on with rubber bands! Solution? I just went back to the two old tools and rarely if ever use the square tray ones. What a ***! Won't buy the Ergo, too much money and no guarantee they will work as well as the original style ones!

*** I did break a tool body just a few years ago, the top rim that holds the shell holder broke off. I had ordered a couple of tool bodies, which are the same for both the round and square style tools, so I just swapped the parts from the old tool and kept going. Still using both old tools with all the old parts I have had for nearly 50 years. Sorry so many of you experienced so mann broken and worn out parts over the years, its amazing what periodic cleaning and lubricating any mechanical device will do to improve its longevity!
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:09 AM
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My old Auto Prime that I use all the time has worn until it won't seat primers to the bottom of the pocket. I solved that problem with some blue painters tape on the TOP of the shell holder. Stick it on and trim with a razor knife. Works like a charm.

No, I am not smart enough to solve that on my own, I saw it on the net.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:59 AM
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[QUOTE=rockquarry;140012110]Lee never "declared war" on Federal primers. Sounds like typical unsubstantiated Internet information.

I never said they declared war. I said they "virtually" declared war. And please do not accuse me of spouting unsubstantiated internet information. I read the same stuff you did and Lee and Federal stopped just shy of accusing one another of producing dangerous products. Lee was unabashed about Federal primers going bang too often in priming tools and Federal indicated the fault, if any, was with Lee's tools. Lee even went so far as to point out the "special packaging" Federal used (uses) for their match primers as indicative that Federal knows they are more sensitive than other brands of primers. Lee also issued an "advisory" that recommended against using Federal primers in their priming tools (before the "improved version" was introduced).

Lee no longer publishes this explicit warning but about 10 years ago the firearm chat rooms were buzzing about Lee's published warning. Google "Lee versus Federal primers" and the warning is reprinted in the many of the hundreds of forum discussions on the subject that come up. I remember seeing it on websites for reloading supplies like Midway, Graf & Sons, etc. Anytime one popular supplier recommends against using another's product, or taking extra precautions, it's worthy of note - doesn't happen all that often.

Lee's own website, this morning, warns that all Federal primers must be fed one at a time with the Lee Auto Bench Prime tool. That cannot be anything but a safety issue as far as Lee is concerned.

One thing seems fairly plain; Lee's newer priming tools have less fans than their old priming tools.
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Old 04-24-2018, 01:10 PM
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I've said it before and I'll say it again. I would hate to be a design engineer at Lee because I think they have designed some very good products. Sadly, when its transfers over to the production department they muck it up by using the cheapest materials possible. If those handles that snap were made out of something other than pot metal they would probably last a lifetime. Also, those plastic tabs that break off the square tray lids are just ridiculous.
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Old 04-24-2018, 04:03 PM
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Seems like some quick thinking techno geek with a 3D printer would be wanting to make replacement parts for all us old perfectly happy round tray users ...he could make some easy money.
My old round tray priming tool is on it's last legs. I bought the new hand tool with the square tray that folds into a triangle....that thing is so Mickey Mouse flimsy I'm afraid it will break just looking at it .
Anyone out there have any children or grandchildren that can 3D print us some replacement parts ? Or is that even possible ? I would buy one of every part they can reproduce.
3D printer Clueless
Gary

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Old 04-24-2018, 04:22 PM
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When my second square top Lee broke all the tabs off I gave up and moved to the Lyman EZ Prime. Uses standard shell holders and can change primer sizes without dismantling the entire tool.
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Old 04-24-2018, 05:34 PM
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I've been using a 21st Century priming tool for about six months. Expensive, but I do a lot of priming. It's one primer at a time and I didn't think I could go back to that, but it's only slightly slower than a tool with a primer magazine. I think 21st Century now offers one that uses a Lee magazine, but I can't see the need.

An all metal, machined, adjustable depth tool with no-slop shellholders is a long way from many of the tools available today. When my Lees gave out, I bought two of the RCBS Universals; lots of effort to seat primers and they didn't always seat fully. I've been an RCBS customer for a long time, but I had to return these. Out of frustration, I bought the 21st Century priming tool and have no regrets.

Last edited by rockquarry; 04-24-2018 at 10:57 PM.
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:57 PM
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When I first got into reloading back in the early 70s I used the old metal Lee primer tools that used the screw in shell holders. No tray to mess with, just a single shot. Worked great until I dropped it and broke the handle where it pivots. Bought their new version at the time which had the round tray. Broke it too. Now I have their newest version with a rectangular tray. A piece of plastic junk! Bought the red box with all the shell Holder’s too. In my frustration, I went out and bought a RCBS hand priming tool-what I should have done to start with. Works great! Pay more-get more.
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