Federal primers in Lee Safety Prime...safe??

[saskgunowner101]

So it seems my supply of CCI small pistol primers is about up. I've only been able to find Federal primers here in town. I'm using a Lee turret press, with a Safety Prime attached.

When I look in my Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, it mentions not to use these brand of primers. So if I can't use them with the safety prime, or the auto prime hand held deal, what's a guy to do?? I'm not quite bored enough to place them one by one on the primer arm in the turret press ram.

Are they ultra sensitive, or does Lee hate Federal?

 

[Gatehouse]

Been doing it for years regardless of LEE's warning.

 

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

I put a brick through Lee and didn't have a problem however, they say that Federals are more sensitive than CCI or Winchester.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Fortune favors the brave....will give it a try.

 

[Bruiseleee]

I used to do them 10 at a time with no problems. Now I put in more.

 

[martinbns]

I load them with my autoprime, most is OK, the federals have a way of flipping over sideways as they feed into the slot. Some get crushed.

 

[R. Pennock]

Don't use Fed. Small pistol primers in the Lee Equipment, give or sell them to me They will ony work in Dillon Equip

 

[saskgunowner101]

Don't use Fed. Small pistol primers in the Lee Equipment, give or sell them to me They will ony work in Dillon Equip

Why do I doubt your sincerity....

 

[chris1974]

Someone told me at a gun store that Federal bought out CCI if that is true would the primers be the same

 

[sunray]

Changing primers means you should work up the load again.

 

[colinjw]

Although Federal primers are softer, they work fine in the Lee.

This myth goes back about 20 years ago when Dillon & Lee got into a very heated advertising war with each other. Lee said that the primer tube on Dillon's was a grenade & Dillon responded with the " exploding " Federals.

Later, they kissed & made up.

 

[The Cold Lake Kid]

Switch to a RCBS Hand Primer.

 

[.Ben]

it says in my instructions not to use them but i would guess as long as your careful it should be ok....don't take my word for it tho.... ive jsut started relaoding and to keep things simple i only use Winchester primers so far....so many choices on primers, powder, loads, crimp, ETC.....

 

[stubblejumper]

I have loaded several thousands of Federal Primers in my LEE Autoprime,and I will continue to do so.In fact I just loaded some 210s today.If they don't go off when loading them into the tight primer pockets of Lapua brass,I am certainly not worried about them in any other brass.

 

[blacksmithden]

You're good to go....now....could you send some of those Federal primers our way ????

I've gone though at least 5000, and probably closer to 10,000 Federal primers in the past 3 years using Lee equipment. No problems.

 

[downwindtracker2]

You will get a lot of replies of guys wearing out Lee Hand Primers with Federal primers. But Federal are bit toucher,thus you get a lawyer proofing.

 

[daBear]

I am going to take the opposite stand on the use of Federals in the Pro1000. After having one detonate at the priming station, a bit of a chain reaction, and taking out the trough, and blowing apart the trayI stopped using Federals. Now this was 22yrs ago and I am sure things have changed but I can tell you that it was not a myth as Lee had numerous reports of this happening, according to them when I contacted them. In fact it was a bit of a design hiccup but it was easy to blame Federal. I use Federals in my other stuff but I no longer use them in the Pro1000, but then again I dont use the Pro1000 for priming anymore. I prefer the reliability and feel of using the hand priming method. Asa for using them in the Safety Prime, never had a problem, still use them on occasion.
Just my .02
dB

 

[saskgunowner101]

Ran a batch of 50 9mm through the press, and happy to report all fingers, eyebrows or other body parts still attached.

I notice they do seem a touch smaller as they seat a bit easier.

 

[Missing Something]

I have loaded several thousands of Federal Primers in my LEE Autoprime,and I will continue to do so.In fact I just loaded some 210s today.If they don't go off when loading them into the tight primer pockets of Lapua brass,I am certainly not worried about them in any other brass.

+1

I have used Federal primers in LEE for 20 years and never had an issue.

 

[formerfarmer]

Lee says the federals "may" explode. Just like Every gun manufacture says Never use reloaded ammo in their firearm.