Just tried out a Lee Auto Prime 2

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A lunch it was delivered to the house so I got curious. Pretty straight forward set up, uses regular shell holders not auto prime one. Screws into the top of the press. Anyway, hating the priming system on my pro 1000 is what prompted me to order this product (and ultimately retiring it for a single stage). Anyway the auto prime 2 isn't perfect but I didn't crush any primers, it's cheap, effective and easy to use. I like it.
 
Bought it at wholesale sports for $21 + tax + ship. Might have been a bit cheaper at Cabelas but everything I wanted was in stock at wholesale and backorder at Cabelas.
 
It has recently disappeared from Lee's website and I wonder if it will be updated like the hand held Auto Prime was.
 
A lunch it was delivered to the house so I got curious. Pretty straight forward set up, uses regular shell holders not auto prime one. Screws into the top of the press. Anyway, hating the priming system on my pro 1000 is what prompted me to order this product (and ultimately retiring it for a single stage). Anyway the auto prime 2 isn't perfect but I didn't crush any primers, it's cheap, effective and easy to use. I like it.

Give it a shake every once and awhile and it works fine,
just watch when down to the last few primers as you have to either
reload the tray or chase the remaining primers with a tooth pic
or something similar.
 
When it breaks, I suggest either the Hornady or RCBS. I use the Hornady, and it is very well made and will last a lifetime.

Yup, you're right. My uncle just broke his Lee hand primer. Only used it for 30 years and he is out the $4 he spent to buy it! Now he has to cough up another $20 to buy another! Not worth it. Buy RCBS.


:HR:

I hope everyone understands sarcasm...

ETA: APS HAND PRIMING TOOL w/Universal Shell Holder

$ 61.95
 
I should mention the Auto Prime II the original poster mentioned is an on the press tool, not the Lee Auto Prime hand primer,,, lol.
 
Yup, you're right. My uncle just broke his Lee hand primer. Only used it for 30 years and he is out the $4 he spent to buy it! Now he has to cough up another $20 to buy another! Not worth it. Buy RCBS.


:HR:

I hope everyone understands sarcasm...

ETA: APS HAND PRIMING TOOL w/Universal Shell Holder

$ 61.95


He must not have loaded very many rounds on it then in those 30yrs :p
 
I have the RCBS and the ultra fancy (ultra expensive) Sinclair.

I also have the Lee hand held primer tool and it is my personal favorite. :p
Much of Lee stuff is junk, but I find this little tool to be a real jem.

IMHO the Lee has 90% of the feel of the Sinclair.
Not that I like throwing money away, but if the Lee breaks I will replace it with another new one....I like it that much.
I use the Sinclair if I'm running a few, but if its 50 or more I will get out the Lee.
I learned about the Lee primer tool over at Bench Rest central...If it works for those guys....Should work for me. ;)

FWIW the RCBS is my least favorite and seemed to offer the poorest feel.
I never use it.

Press mounted primer seaters are not the best way to go....The power of the press makes it way too easy to over seat or crush a primer.
Crushed primers don't help accuracy....At all.
 
...Much of Lee stuff is junk, but I find this little tool to be a real jem....

I got rid of my Dillon 550B and now only have Lee Classic Cast, Classic Turret (2 of these), Loadmaster, LoadAllII, various dies, resizing kits, 20 and 10 lb melting pots, various pistol caliber molds.

As well, my buddies use the older Lee Turret, pistol and rifle dies and other bullet molds. Not a single piece of junk in above mentioned equipment and tools.

The worst Lee piece of equipment is the Lee Pro1000 and it is not junk (close, though:D) because many users have been using it to their satisfaction. Finicky and high maintenance, the Pro1000 is not for everybody.

Besides, if the Pro1000 were that bad, it wouldn't be in continuous production for at least the last 22 years. I had one in 1989 and it was soon joined by a Hornady Projector and a couple of 550Bs. To be honest, the latter two presses were much easier to use, and the Pro1000 was retired after a short career on my bench.

So what Lee equipment is junk?
 
I, myself, have both the auto prime tools and really prefer the handheld Lee. I have used the RCBS when I first started reloading and I like the Lee better. Both for cost and feel. However, after 100rnds I have to change hands. I just don't like press mounted priming tools. Even though I used the little "flip-out" one on the rockchucker that primed the case on the downstroke after decapping. THAT was a pleasure.
Thanks, but I'll stick to my Lee Auto Prime. That way I can sit in the living room with the family and watch a movie while I prime 100 cases.
 
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I got rid of my Dillon 550B and now only have Lee Classic Cast, Classic Turret (2 of these), Loadmaster, LoadAllII, various dies, resizing kits, 20 and 10 lb melting pots, various pistol caliber molds.

As well, my buddies use the older Lee Turret, pistol and rifle dies and other bullet molds. Not a single piece of junk in above mentioned equipment and tools.

The worst Lee piece of equipment is the Lee Pro1000 and it is not junk (close, though:D) because many users have been using it to their satisfaction. Finicky and high maintenance, the Pro1000 is not for everybody.

Besides, if the Pro1000 were that bad, it wouldn't be in continuous production for at least the last 22 years. I had one in 1989 and it was soon joined by a Hornady Projector and a couple of 550Bs. To be honest, the latter two presses were much easier to use, and the Pro1000 was retired after a short career on my bench.

So what Lee equipment is junk?

Their powder measures and scale come to mind. All of their presses except the cast are too.
 
I am new to reloading, and have purchased a Lee Pro 1000. Now before you all start laughing and pointing fingers.... I reeeeaaaaaalllly wanted a Dillon 650! I may work toward that, but for the time being I will work with the Lee 1000. Many people on this site and several others seem to have sound advice on the common problems with this press. If I preprime my brass, will this make the press run smoother?
 
I got rid of my Dillon 550B and now only have Lee Classic Cast, Classic Turret (2 of these), Loadmaster, LoadAllII, various dies, resizing kits, 20 and 10 lb melting pots, various pistol caliber molds.

As well, my buddies use the older Lee Turret, pistol and rifle dies and other bullet molds. Not a single piece of junk in above mentioned equipment and tools.

The worst Lee piece of equipment is the Lee Pro1000 and it is not junk (close, though:D) because many users have been using it to their satisfaction. Finicky and high maintenance, the Pro1000 is not for everybody.

Besides, if the Pro1000 were that bad, it wouldn't be in continuous production for at least the last 22 years. I had one in 1989 and it was soon joined by a Hornady Projector and a couple of 550Bs. To be honest, the latter two presses were much easier to use, and the Pro1000 was retired after a short career on my bench.

So what Lee equipment is junk?

Yes, I have got myself in trouble for this before. :D

I had two old style challenger "O" presses fail on me. Both times were casting in linkage failures.
It was brought to my attention that Lee has a cast Iron press that looks like it will compete with any of the mainstream reloading presses( and then some). After a visual inspection in a store I have to admit that it looks like a great press for the money.

What else of Lee's do I think is "junk"?
The factory crimp die.
Anything Lee measuring powder.
The cheap "C" press (best for decapping).
The case length system and cutter.
The pro 1000 already mentioned (perhaps they have upgraded it since it first came out).

I admit that all of these are great for a guy just starting out or a guy that doesn't shoot a bunch.
 
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