Federal Primers and the Lee Hand Primer

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Norinco45

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I bought 2000 Federal primers because the local gun shop was out of the usual CCI ones that I use. In looking through my Lee manual, it says not to use Federal primers in their hand primer as they will explode!!!!! The manual goes on to describe a virtual nuclear explosion should I be foolish enough to use them.:eek:

I know that any sane reloader should pay careful attention the the manual, but is this really the case? Is there any safe way to use these primers with my hand loader?
 
Federal Primers are, in my opinion, the most sensitive primers you can get. So I suppose it is possible. However I have used them in the Lee handprimer before with no issues, but if Lee doesn't recommend them, I wouldn't chance it.
I much prefer the RCBS hand primer that uses the primer strips, it's got a universal shell holder, and each primer is individually stored in the strip. If one goes off it won't set off the others.
 
Federal are all I use and I use a Lee Hand Primer, but am now using the RCBS bench priming tool. I reload the strips with Federal primers.

I've had zero problems with either.

RePete.
 
I just looked in my Lee manual, and sure as #### it says Federal primers can explode. I have been using Federal primers with my Lee hand primer for some time now, and some 3000 rounds later, still no explosion.:cool: I buy my primers in bulk, so I have a lot to go through to use them all up. Guess I'll pay extra attention to not squeeze to hard.:eek:
 
I have used Federal 210M primers in a Lee quick prime without a problem for years. Also tried them in my Dillon 550 where there was a problem with them going off. Called Dillon, they told me not to use Federal. So I went back to the Lee quick prime for the priming operation.
 
If using the Lee priming hand tool with the round primer tray, there is a way to avoid possible "sympathetic explosion":
-Put a case in the shellholder and apply just enough pressure to hold the primer in place, TILT the tool back so the rest of the primers back away from the ram and complete the insertion.
-With the tool still in the tilted position, release tension and the shell will slide out and fall into the cardboard box you put at your feet (sitting position).
Tilt the tool towards you so a new primer slides into place (always check if it is correctly placed) and put another case in the shellholder.
Repeat until bored or all the cases are primed.
Have fun!
PP.:)
 
I've used Federal with the Tool, never had a single blowout, but it may be luck.

However I found Federal primers (large pistol, that's what I use) to be quite safe even if completed crushed. I remember this one time when a primer fell in a .45ACP casing sitting in the sizing-decapping position of my Dillon 650 while I was reloading the primer magazine, and I didn't noticed it. When I sized/decapped, the decapping pin went right through the primer that was in the casing (was decapping military cartridges, so I didn't pay attention to the extra resistance). When I pushed the handle back, the primer was 'impaled' on the decapping pin. No blowout...
 
The Federal - Lee issue first started with the 2 companies at odds on component sales. If ever there was gonna be a problem with the primers it would probably be Winchester and there new soft cup. Or how about CCI - they are the most resistent to seating pressure of all the commercial primers manufactured.
The Lee tool is as good or better than any of the rest when used properly and carefully.
Carry on!
 
Great "heads up" Norinco 45 ! I consider myself pretty diligent when it comes to reading manuals but I missed this one. Just last week I ordered primers through our gun club,,,Fedral,,,,5000 of em. Hope I can offset the risk by being careful.
 
This topic seems to come up a lot...

Federal primers are JUST FINE in the auto-prime. Federal and Lee have a bit of a snit with each other...
 
Yeah, What do we large-volume reloaders know, anyway?? ;) I have been using the Lee Auto-Prime practically since it came on the market. I have used practically every primer in it that is available, including several thousand Federals of some type or other. Never had an "incident" of any kind. Like Dan, I have worn out or broken several Auto-Prime units [Lee has always replaced the broken ones] :) I have at least 5 of these at the bench, and I really like the system. Regards, Eagleye.
 
prosper said:
This topic seems to come up a lot...

Federal primers are JUST FINE in the auto-prime. Federal and Lee have a bit of a snit with each other...
Click to expand...


Thats kinda the impression I got while reading the Lee Manual.

I just started using federal primers(a few older rifles with ligt primer strikes on cci's), but I havent had a problem and dont predict any either.
 
I had the same concern few weeks ago. I talked with my gunsmith and he told me he used those primers for many years in Lee primer seater and he never had any problem.

I tried and for now I'm still alive !
 
I use mostly CCI primers in my Lee autoprime. I do use small rifle federal primers sometimes in my 223. The only thing I find is they flip over way more often than the CCI's. I also don't like the packaging.
 
I have used Fed primers in mine . Be carefull , don't fill the primer tray. I just put 10 in and when they are done I put in another 10. Only primer I had go off was a WW , pounding them in with a Lee hand tool. Exciting the first time, but you get used to it.
 
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