I have 4 of the Lee Auto primes, and one RCBS unit. I have never had an issue with any of them, and together, they have probably primed 40,000 rounds of ammo, in many different chamberings. The earliest versions had weak shellholder stops at the top of the body, but Lee replaced them at no cost, and since then.....no problem. I take mine apart every 500 or so rounds and re lubricate all pivot points. Eagleye.
Lee auto primers = junk
- Thread starter AKD
- Start date
kenneth carlson
Regular
- Location
- thunder bay on
just finished loading up 700 .45 acp brass, right now on mine.not a single problem with it yet(already had about 2k primers through it so far)mines the new xr series. i love it might get another just for small primers so its a little faster plus have 2 primer trays.
My handle broke the other day and to be honest it looks like a pretty weak casting and not the quality needed to last a long time.
I borrowed 762shooter's old Lee single primer tool and it seems to be better quality in the handle construction.
I found a replacemnt handle at the gun store but will send a messge to Lee.
I have also found when priming with small rifle primers fairly often two primers seem to load into the "slot" however this doesn't happen if I am using large rifle primers??
I borrowed 762shooter's old Lee single primer tool and it seems to be better quality in the handle construction.
I found a replacemnt handle at the gun store but will send a messge to Lee.
I have also found when priming with small rifle primers fairly often two primers seem to load into the "slot" however this doesn't happen if I am using large rifle primers??
- Location
- Central Alberta
And Lee will send out free levers. Ask me how I know.... But seriously folks... I finally gave it up and ordered 3 replacement levers as spares when I was ordering other Lee products.Then I bought the new XR model, and have 3 working models, the XR, and one of the old style for both primer sizes, plus a fair sized box of parts.Still a great tool, even with the weak lever.Though the XR has a beefier looking lever, they must have had a pile of complaints on the old design.
- Location
- Sudbury, On
I have two of the Lee Auto-Prime XRs that haven't given me any issues. Thousands of rounds have gone through one of them. Not sure why anyone would buy the old round one brand new anyway. The XR is square and fits the primer boxes fine so you can just dump the primers comfortable unlike the old round one. The XR can also be used with Federal primers.
The new Auto-Prime XR eliminated the primer brand restriction so any brand is now usable.
The new tool shares the body from the original tool, the rest of the components have been improved
or replaced. The new tool features an unbreakable comfort cure leaver, large square trays that nicely
Accept all brands of primer boxes with slide on covers for small and large primers, most important,
The tool features a patent pending "elevator pin". This pin safely separated a single primer from the
Others and presents it for priming reducing the likelihood of a chain fire
Technical Information
Do want!
(dammit where's my drooling smiley? )
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Lee used to make a really good hand priming tool, but if you remember them your hair is probably grey or gone. These had no feed trey and the shell holder thread into the body of the tool which came with both a small and large primer stem. The neat thing about these is that you could adjust the depth the primer was seated by threading the shell holder in or out. Naturally this product was dropped, because it didn't meet Lee's drive for mediocrity. I'm sure the other Lee products which are on the verge of excellence well share a similar fate, so get them while you can. These include Lee's nifty single stage C press, their Factory Crimp Pistol Die, and their Universal Neck Expander.
The Lees work just dandy but I too have broken my fair share of the handles. They are the weak link and a stubborn primer and brute force is the enemy. I also believe the increase in the number of crimped primers seen contributes to the number of broken handles. Rather than stop at the first sign of resistance and check the case we want to think that we can manhandle it in only to find out it was a crimped pocket. That additional stress has got to have some impact of the cast piece and eventually it will let go. I think it continues to be a great loading tool and I also applaud Lee Customer Service for their willingness to rectify the problems.
dB
dB
- Location
- 42 Band of Eight Central
My hair is neither grey nor gone... but I do remember that.... it was a friends dad that had it many many many moons ago....
TargetNorth
Regular
- Location
- Southern Alberta
My handle also broke. I'll try emailing them and see if they send me another one. I really like it as I can prime while watching a movie etc. I don't have to be at my reloading bench.
"Lube the pivot points,it will last forever."
No it won't. After about 100,000 cycles the arm will wear down enough that the primers won't seat. Then you have to phone the for a new arm.
Real men don't read instructions about lubing the the rotating joint before assembly and put up with heavy priming action and broken parts.
No it won't. After about 100,000 cycles the arm will wear down enough that the primers won't seat. Then you have to phone the for a new arm.
Real men don't read instructions about lubing the the rotating joint before assembly and put up with heavy priming action and broken parts.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Or just add a spacer like I did the other night, and keep going for another 100,000...
Ive broken the handle off them 3 times now. pretty frustrating.
just using normal pressure. primer pockets reamed and clean.
If anyone is looking at them I recommend you dont buy it. They work fine, just the handle is weak.
Hmm. Been using mine for more at least 10 years. Juging by the bullet boxes I have hoarded, 10,000 primers seated in the last 3 years alone. I'm happy with mine, but there are many good choices out there.
Ditto... I have a few of them - more than 15 years of use and no issues at all...
I own 3 of the older round ones. 2 of them i purchesed new like 25 or so years ago & the last one at a gun show for 2 or 3$ about 10 years ago. So far i've never had an issue with any of them. I'm always priming hundreds of brass shells every week, watching the boob tube. Yes i do have some white/silver hair on my head.
LIVE EVERY DAY, AS IF IT'S YOUR LAST DAY TO LIVE.
LIVE EVERY DAY, AS IF IT'S YOUR LAST DAY TO LIVE.
- Location
- 42 Band of Eight Central
Well that settles it.. instead of doing any new reloading learning etc etc etc... you can just do it for me!
