Primers

[RickV]

I know that Lee says to only use CCI and Winchester primers with their auto-primers. It is getting hard to find these 2 brands of primers has anyone used Remington or Federal primers with Lee auto-primers. I am using a Lee Pro 1000. I am getting ready to order a bunch of powder and was going to order a bunch of primers but both Powder Valley and Graf's are out of the CCI and Winchester small pistol primers and I don't want to have to pay a Hazmat fee for primer from somewhere else.

 

[RickV]

I know that Lee says to only use CCI and Winchester primers with their auto-primers. It is getting hard to find these 2 brands of primers has anyone used Remington or Federal primers with Lee auto-primers. I am using a Lee Pro 1000. I am getting ready to order a bunch of powder and was going to order a bunch of primers but both Powder Valley and Graf's are out of the CCI and Winchester small pistol primers and I don't want to have to pay a Hazmat fee for primer from somewhere else.

 

[Dale53]

I use mostly Federal primers. I shoot a lot of revolver and they seem to have the softest cups and give me 100% reliability with tuned revolvers.

I have a Lee Pro 1000 but seldom use it these days (I now have two Dillon 550B's so I no longer have to change primer sizes). Lee tests, as I remember, show that CCI's and Winchester primers have less combined explosive force if the whole priming set goes up.

However, the Lee Pro 1000 is configured to rather easily allow an operator to create a simple "blast shield" to protect the operator in case the whole primer magazine was set off. I envision this made from a sheet of polycarbonate.

The Lee priming set up is somewhat less than stellar on the Pro 1000. If you are a mechanical person (I am) then it is of little concern. Keep it clean and watch it from time to time. The components are plastic and from time to time they seem to want to separate. That sometimes causes problems. It is NOT a press for the non-mechanical person. However, I had mine dedicated to .32 S&W L and loaded thousands of cartridges on mine with only minor "fiddling".

If the primer thing worries you, then install a blast shield to keep the blast away from you (a simple sheet of clear polycarbonate between the operator and primer magazine is all I am talking about).

Dale53

 

[Skip Sackett]

Great advice from Dale as usual.

I'll tell you what I have done Rick. Switched to Wolf for everything. They are cheaper and tighter in the primer pocket than anything else but they go off every time one of my hammers fall.

I have used Remington primers in both small pistol and small rifle with no issues but I use mostly Dillon equipment too.
I have used Federal primers in the Lee hand priming too as well as the Safety Prime that comes with the Classic Turret in 4 hole without issue.
FWIW

 

[VonFatman]

Wolf!

 

[Paul5388]

I don't know that I've ever used a Federal primer other than in a factory load. I have depended on CCI and Remington (with some Alcan/RWS and Winchesters) for the majority of my reloading chores. I use two Lee Auto Primes and never have any problems, other than what I create on my own.

I'm pretty sure the issue with Lee was the thin/soft cup on the Federals increasing the likelihood of setting one off in the priming tool.

 

[240grJHP]

I have loaded thousands of rounds of 9mm, 40 S&W, 45ACP, and .223 on a Lee Pro 1000. I have only used Remington primers (1 1/2, 2 1/2, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2). I have never had a failure to fire or a problem with seating the primers when I do my part.

 

[RickV]

Thanks Guys,

I feel more comfortable now using other brand primers. I still have about a 3000 Winchester primers but, like I said above getting ready to order stuff and rather then pay another Hazmat fee later I am going to order more primers.

 

[Rule3]

In the Lee 2nd edition he is talking about the Lee Auto Prime (hand hold thumb operated model) and states to not use Federal primers. Remingtons are OK as well as Winchester but limited to 20 or 10 large rifle.
I do not kow if the warnings also apply to the Auto Prime II. But as posted a shield and safety glasses would prtect you in the unlikely event of a big bang.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Wolf primers are only $90/5000 from Powder Valley and only $87/5000 from Widener's.

 

[AzShooter]

They are even less if you buy 10000 from Widners.

Federal work great in my Dillon but LEE does not recomment using them in their priming systems at all. They say the cup is too soft and may cause detonation of all the primers.

I've never had it happen in the Dillon.

I'm doing a lot of experimenting now with heavy bullets and although I'm no were near showing pressure signs, primers are coming loose, meaning the loads are not hot enough. I'm going to switch to Wolf to see if they will solve my problem.

 

[31 Pump]

Being new to reloading I never really thought about primers detonating. I am using an RCBS hand held priming tool and if one went off it would be right in my face. I need to be extra careful to keep that thing pointing away from me.

Glenn

 

[TSQUARED]

I use only Federaal primers for my revolver loads since most all of my revovers have a lightened DA trigger pull. Federal primers are the only brand which will provide reliable ignition with the lightened DA pulls.

For my remaining pistol loads I have always ysed either Winchester or Remington primers. I had a bad expereince with some CCI primers many years - lack of dimensional uniformity. From what I hear that problem appears to have been resolved. Howver CCI primers have the hardest primer cup and are the most difficult to ignite.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Federal all the way

.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

DAMN, Wedener's just jumped the price of Wolf primers from $87/5000 to $95/5000 and $97/5000.
Hate that!!!

Powder Vally's prices for Wolf primers are still the same for the moment so if you need to order you should probably do so now.

 

[RickV]

Originally posted by ArchAngelCD:
DAMN, Wedener's just jumped the price of Wolf primers from $87/5000 to $95/5000 and $97/5000.
Hate that!!!

Powder Vally's prices for Wolf primers are still the same for the moment so if you need to order you should probably do so now.

I ordered 10000 Wolf primers from PV on Sunday I also ordered 17 #'s of powder. I looked at the website yesterday and the price of powder had gone up a little. Get it while you can!!!!!

 

[22lover]

Do you really think the costs will continue to increase ad infinitum, or is this just a frenzy? Just asking for opinions....I have no idea!

 

[RickV]

Received my order from PV yesterday. Loaded 100 rounds for my 40 M&P using the Wolf Primers will try them out at the range tomorrow. One thing I noticed with the Wolf's they seemed to seat easier with my Pro 1000 then the Winchesters I have been using. Or maybe I was just being more careful