Blew up my Lee hand primer tonight

Onagoth

Onagoth

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While loading federal primers into a 9mm S&B casing. I've loaded dozens of S&B casings before (with this same primer), and they were always had slightly tighter primer pockets than standard.... but never really required so much force that I thought it would trigger a detonation, I really didn't believe I was using that much force.

Tonight, I found out even the slightest amount of extra pressure can do it. Had about 20 in the tray, so it was quite the bang. My hands really hurt, ears are still ringing, but otherwise I am okay. I always prime away from my face and wear safety glasses, so my mug is still intact.

As a FYI to anyone who is loading these casings without reaming the pockets first, be very leary of using extra pressure to seat the primer, learn from my experience...I know I did.
 
It says to only use CCI Primers, or only 20 Winchester Primers. It also says NEVER use Federal primers. You're lucky to have your eyes.
 
Ghostsaww said:
It says to only use CCI Primers, or only 20 Winchester Primers. It also says NEVER use Federal primers. You're lucky to have your eyes.
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I know of the warnings, even after tonight, I do not believe its dangerous to use fed primers in a lee hand priming device, many guys will tell you they have loaded 10s of thousands of rounds without incident. I think the real culprit here is the casing.

After experience difficulty with Fed NT casings, I decided not to load them anymore, it will now be the same for S&B. ( I can't be bothered to ream primer pockets, I have enough 9mm brass that I can just discard them)
 
daveg01 said:
Thanks for sharing, glad you're ok. Did you have to change your shorts after that? :D
I think I would have had to.
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No, but the bang was much bigger than I ever could of imagined, and I was in shock for a minute or two afterwards (shellshocked more like it).
 
Wookie316 said:
What's the reason to not use Federals? I've loaded 1000nds of 215's, 205's & 210's in my Lee hand primer?
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the ease of primer co-detonation or primer fratricide from what I understand.

EDIT: Actually, I think its more what Cyanide said below, I had heard that same thing from other loaders as well.
 
Wookie316 said:
What's the reason to not use Federals? I've loaded 1000nds of 215's, 205's & 210's in my Lee hand primer?
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Because Richard Lee had a fight with Federal years back. So his distaste for Federal rolled over into his warnings for his hand primer.

There is lots of info on this if you do a google search.

riley
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Missouri
Posts: 276
I remember one feud between Lee and RCBS when RCBS sued Lee for "patent infringement" to include that color of their product. The results were that Lee won and made sure that all RGB (really good buys) die sets came in green plastic cases. I believe the feud between Federal and Lee came about when Federal put out a warning that the use of the Lee Auto priming tool with Federal primers could cause a "chain fire" explosion due to the unsafe design of their product. Lee then retaliated by not recommending the use of Federal primers in their Auto Prime tool. About that time, RCBS and Hornady came out with their own "superior" designed tool that prevented the accidental detonation of primers from the tray to the "seater" for about twice the price. I've used Lee's first "Auto" priming tool since it came out (filling the tray) with every U.S. rifle and pistol primer brand distributed without a mishap. I take special precautions, since I know primers are the most dangerous component of the reloading process, but treat all brands the same. I am of the opinion that egos and, maybe, personal economic gain might have had more to do with the feud than facts regarding the quality of the product. My 2 cents, Riley
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CyaN1de's right on the money with his post. The whole CCI/Winchester/Federal primer issue is 99.9 % manufacturer politics. There's always that 0.1% chance they could be right by accident, and without knowing themselves :)

Glad to hear you're not missing any pieces, and haven't gained any new ones Onagoth. Yea, primers pack quite a punch for their size. En mass, things get interesting. Can't say I've ever had the pleasure. Even though I've crushed a dozen or so and cut a few pretty much completely in half, I've never had one go off that wasn't hit by a firing pin.
 
Hi

Glad your okay. Nothing like a big bang in a small room:eek:

Talking of feuds, does anybody remember when Lee came out the the factory crimp die. RCBS placed adds in magazines stating that it would only damage bullets that did not have a cannalure already on them. And gave Federal Match ammo as proof that Lee was "full of it". Back then, Federal wanted nothing to do with it, but now Federal,RCBS,Speer,and CCI are all ATK. Old feuds never die, they just simmer till the next opportunity:kickInTheNuts:
 
Good on the safety glasses and happy no permanent damage.

Is it possible that did a "partial" prime and then a second one - noticed if not careful can stack two primers on top of each other, little more resistance, little more pressure... figure if am going to explode it thats the way I'd do it.
 
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