good priming tool

[rockquarry]

Lee's own experiments and testing of various primers in their Auto Prime is well documented and quite credible; not Internet YouTube stuff. There's something about this in their manual and I recall seeing at least one article in a gun publication that included photos.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of Lee products, it's probably best to heed their advice on primer selection if you're using one of these tools used in their testing. Granted, the old round tray "dangerous" model Auto Prime worked better than any subsequent safe models, but I think they advised against using anything but CCI or Winchester primers in the earlier priming tools.

I can't remember when Lee did the testing, but I'm pretty sure it's been at least twenty or more years ago.

 

[Sevens]

There is simply nothing that the Lee Auto Prime II does that is different than other priming tools -- it takes a tiny little explosive button and presses it in to a cup with force. In the case of this tool, force that you can modulate with extreme precision and a looooooooong press handle that you cannot get with a hand-held tool and four-inch handle.

The round tray is quite specifically far less prone to catastrophe and chain-fire explosions than the extremely well documented Dillon and Hornady system that stacks primers in a metal tube.

There was a small but publicized industry squabble between Lee and CCI/Speer/RCBS and other Omark products, and this pre-dates the ATK conglomerate purchase of same.

 

[rockquarry]

There is simply nothing that the Lee Auto Prime II does that is different than other priming tools -- it takes a tiny little explosive button and presses it in to a cup with force. In the case of this tool, force that you can modulate with extreme precision and a looooooooong press handle that you cannot get with a hand-held tool and four-inch handle.

The round tray is quite specifically far less prone to catastrophe and chain-fire explosions than the extremely well documented Dillon and Hornady system that stacks primers in a metal tube.

There was a small but publicized industry squabble between Lee and CCI/Speer/RCBS and other Omark products, and this pre-dates the ATK conglomerate purchase of same.

Certainly not worth arguing about, but you might read about Lee's testing. It will provide you with some helpful insight into all this.

I think the "squabble" (or at least part of it) had to do with Lee's crimp dies allegedly damaging bullets and causing inaccuracy.

 

[Sevens]

Agreed on both accounts!

I'd find the testing interesting but I'll absolutely defer to my own hands-on experience beyond anyone's testing, even if it were Richard Lee himself. (it may very well have been) I think we've all seen "lowest common denominator" kinds of product/safety management. I'm sure that a tool that gives me almost limitless mechanical advantage over a primer can be misused and will indeed detonate a primer. I also have no doubt whatsoever that old-school Federal 100 will be the first to do it if I'm careless enough to allow that to happen.

If random discussion thread warnings keep other folks away from used or NOS Lee Auto Prime II tools for sale, this hurts only the folks who might be adept at their use.

 

[Green Frog]

If Jake Simmons were still living, I would call him and get as many different shell holders for his Pope-style re- and decapper as I could. I used those as well as a couple of other specialty type units when I was active in Schützen. For most of my pistol loading I like the original Lee priming tool with screw-in shell holders. I've also used the short lived Lyman priming tool that came with their kit for loading wax bullets. They work well too, but use the discontinued J-type shell holders. It's really a matter of what's comfortable for the user.

Froggie

 

[rockquarry]

Agreed on both accounts!

I'd find the testing interesting but I'll absolutely defer to my own hands-on experience beyond anyone's testing, even if it were Richard Lee himself. (it may very well have been) I think we've all seen "lowest common denominator" kinds of product/safety management. I'm sure that a tool that gives me almost limitless mechanical advantage over a primer can be misused and will indeed detonate a primer. I also have no doubt whatsoever that old-school Federal 100 will be the first to do it if I'm careless enough to allow that to happen.

If random discussion thread warnings keep other folks away from used or NOS Lee Auto Prime II tools for sale, this hurts only the folks who might be adept at their use.

I had several of the original round tray models; they were all that I used for priming pistol and rifle cartridges for about twenty years or so. Eventually, all of them wore out. I used CCI primers and a very few Winchester and never had a problem. Bought two or three of the newer model and was disappointed to the point that I threw them away.

 

[tlawler]

Timely thread

When I started loading, I was using the priming system on my Lee Classic Turret. It worked ok, but out of a hundred primers, I'd drop four or five on the floor out of the primer dispenser(reminds me of a PEZ dispenser). I bought a bunch of used stuff along the way and came across a Lee Autoprime with the round tray in a box of stuff I bought. I loved that thing! I could prime to my hearts content while watching TV or otherwise spending quality time with the family in the Air Conditioned house. The other day it finally gave up and the handle snapped right off. It was probably pretty old to begin with, and I did several thousand rounds with it, so it lived a good life. So I look on Amazon and pick out a new Lee priming tool with the triangular primer tray and it got delivered in less than 24 hours. Soon as I unpack it, I didn't like the look of the two plastic inserts, one for large and one for small primers. Sure enough, after priming around 400 rounds, I got one sideways and jammed it up good. It was so tight, I had to disassemble the metal part to get the plastic part out, then take apart the plastic plunger assembly. I buggered up the plunger assembly pretty well. I'll give it a try with the undamaged large primer plunger assembly, but I think I'll end up returning it and getting one of the ones mentioned in this thread.

 

[scotthickoryky]

Hmmm. Is it the tool or the operator?

both,,,,LOL,,,,,
i get them right side up in the tray,,, as i am priming cases have many that turn sideways or turn upside down,,,,,,
ok,,ok,,,ok,,,,, i need to stay off the hooch,, that would help,,,,,

 

[scotthickoryky]

Lee's own experiments and testing of various primers in their Auto Prime is well documented and quite credible; not Internet YouTube stuff. There's something about this in their manual and I recall seeing at least one article in a gun publication that included photos.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of Lee products, it's probably best to heed their advice on primer selection if you're using one of these tools used in their testing. Granted, the old round tray "dangerous" model Auto Prime worked better than any subsequent safe models, but I think they advised against using anything but CCI or Winchester primers in the earlier priming tools.

I can't remember when Lee did the testing, but I'm pretty sure it's been at least twenty or more years ago.

now that you mention it,,,,,, i have more problems with winchester then cci primers,,,, but still have some problems with the cci"s
so it may be true on the brand

 

[scotthickoryky]

When I started loading, I was using the priming system on my Lee Classic Turret. It worked ok, but out of a hundred primers, I'd drop four or five on the floor out of the primer dispenser(reminds me of a PEZ dispenser). I bought a bunch of used stuff along the way and came across a Lee Autoprime with the round tray in a box of stuff I bought. I loved that thing! I could prime to my hearts content while watching TV or otherwise spending quality time with the family in the Air Conditioned house. The other day it finally gave up and the handle snapped right off. It was probably pretty old to begin with, and I did several thousand rounds with it, so it lived a good life. So I look on Amazon and pick out a new Lee priming tool with the triangular primer tray and it got delivered in less than 24 hours. Soon as I unpack it, I didn't like the look of the two plastic inserts, one for large and one for small primers. Sure enough, after priming around 400 rounds, I got one sideways and jammed it up good. It was so tight, I had to disassemble the metal part to get the plastic part out, then take apart the plastic plunger assembly. I buggered up the plunger assembly pretty well. I'll give it a try with the undamaged large primer plunger assembly, but I think I'll end up returning it and getting one of the ones mentioned in this thread.

thas the exact 1 i have and had the same problems but worse,,,,,i could understand once in a while it happening then yea things would be ok but i have at east 10 out of 50 and sometimes more that i have to spend time getting straightened out,,,,

 

[scotthickoryky]

ok,,,,, been doing research on the lee that i have,,,,,,, i think the problem was found,,,,, see if i can explain this plain enough,,,,,,,,,, wait,,,,,,,,,, ok,, finished that shot of hooch,,,,,,,,, when the primer slides into the primer in the shaft right under the case,,,,, in the hole on top of plunger,,,,,,, the hole is to big causing the primer to turn on its side or turn upside down,,,,,,the more i think about it i have to agree,,,,,, the other day i was doing 9mm and had 3 that i put in anvil out,,,, i was using cci,,,,,,,
why cant companies make a simple too simple and well made instead of plastic,,,,,,,,

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I too wore out one of the round model Lee first brought out.I then tried the new one,the RCBS one and ain't satisfied with either(come to think of it,this is the first RCBS product I'm not satisfied with...and I have a lot of them).
Maybe Lee should start making publicity about a ''new and improved model''and bring back what they first came out with.
In this case,the old saying:''they don't make'em like they used to''still applies!

 

[6string]

I've heard good things about the Forster tool. I wish Redding made a priming tool.
Where are Frankford Arsenal products made? I don't want to make a big deal out of it, but I try not to buy stuff made in China when possible, specifically anything I might use for shooting or reloading.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[BC38]

A guy on our local gun board repaired the broken handle on his old Lee hand primer.
Here is his description of how he did it...

I, being a cheap old penny pincher, decided to "Fix" the AUTO-PRIME unit instead
of buying a 'new' one for $35......

Here is my "fix" - YOU could do it easily.

I milled off the curved upper surface (you could file it in a vice) to make it FLAT. Then I found a strip of Iron and drilled holes in one end. See the three photos. I filed a taper in the end that has the screws to fit the Auto-Prime 'handle's' slot...

I cleaned the two metal pieces with solvent (Mineral Spirits, then 91% Rubbing Alcohol), scratched the matching surfaces to make them very rough and Gorilla Glued the metal pieces together overnight. Then I drilled thru the two holes in the Iron strip into the Cast Aluminum Lever. I tapped the holes for 4-40 threads and screwed two short 4-40 screws (with Blue Thread Lock). It works fine ! Back to new.....
Hope this helps someone save money !

Here are a couple of pictures

Seems to be working for him. YMMV

 

[Jellybean]

I have a Lee Auto Prime II also. The problem with mine is it won't let all the primers feed by gravity due to the curvature of the plastic tubes. The last few have to be pushed into place with a toothpick or paper clip. I've never detonated a primer but I have crushed several. Another issue with it was when using it on their hand press the cover would come off and primers would fly all over the place. I saw the "new and improved" model in their catalog, it looks like it may have been changed to feed the primers better, and to be a lot cheaper for them to make.

It was replaced with an RCBS APS bench mounted unit. My RCBS Piggyback II progressive conversion has the old tube type primer feed on it which works just fine, but I'd rather have the newer auto progressive PB with the APS primer feed. Maybe when I strike oil in the backyard.

 

[SMSgt]

Love this tool and I think the idea of priming cases in front of the TV is terrible.

I'm sorry, I was priming cases in my La-Z-Boy. Did you say something?

 

[Papaw]

I used the Lee auto prime for many years and just wore it out. I recently got the Frankfort Arsenal hand primer and it works very well and seems to be very sturdy. Even though the Frankfort comes with shell holders my old Lee shell holders work great in it.

 

[mikld]

One of the best priming tools, but often passed over for being "too slow", is a ram prime. I had 2 set up in Lee turrets and I used one in my old Pacific "C" press dedicated to priming. I cannot remember a problem with any brand primer, with any size, with any case, and "feeling" the primer seat was easy. Lyman calls a ram prime the "best, most positive priming method"...

 

[Fishslayer]

i have been reloading for 25 years,,,, the older rcbs was fantastic with 0 issues,,,, i have a lee auto prime i bought last year and i am far from happy with it,,,,,, i am looking at the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool at midway for 62.00,,,,
just wondering if anyone is using it or what the better 1 is,,, i sure am not happy with the lee

I share your dissatisfaction with the new Lee Safety Prime. The old one worked great, the new system is trash.

I blew up the Lee hand primer the first 100 cases.

Now I'm using the Frankford Arsenal hand prime & couldn't be happier. Buy once, cry once.

I haven't given up trying to get my old Lee Safety Prime to work. Hand priming is at best a PITH. "Pain In The Hand." The new square primer tray is as useful as teats on a bull.

 

[nedlate]

.I then tried the new one,the RCBS one and ain't satisfied with either(come to think of it,this is the first RCBS product I'm not satisfied with...and I have a lot of them).

Are you talking about the new RCBS Universal hand primer that doesn't need a shell holder? My neighbor has one and so far it doesn't work for him!

I have 2 of the older ones that take the shell holder. I use one for large primers and the other for small primers. I have never had a problem with them. I am kind of surprised that there isn't more positive feedback here on the older RCBS?

Ed