Lee 1000 auto prime blew up about an hour ago *PICS*

I have loaded several 1000 primers with an Autoprime and never had a problem. Also never had a problem shooting 1/4" groups with ammo primed with one either.
 
Looks like Federal primers are good to go with a Lee Safety Prime.

http:// forum.pafoa.org/ammunition-reloading-25/86629-federal-primers-lee-safety-prime.html

I'm going to build a blastshield out of lexan for my Pro1000 now. Pics to follow.

I'm loading a lot of S&B large pistol primers in my Pro 1000 for .45. I've loaded quite a few 9mm as well. No problem yet, and I always wear gloves, long sleeves, and glasses when I reload (think I'll invest in a face mask after seeing this).

Just picked up a Lee Safety Prime to set up with the New 50th Lee Anniversary Kit that I wanted for reloading my .38's & 9's When I read the Ad it stated "and is safe to use with all brands of Primers"

Now I'm confused my New Lee Manual states that Federal Primers should never be used?

Taking advice I wrote the following question to LEE and got a immediate response;
QUESTION,

I received the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit for Christmas. Anxious to start I began reading the Literature that came with the Kit. I read about the Lee Safety Prime and read "and safe with all brands of Primers". At this time there was a shortage of all re-loading supplies and the only deal I could get was 5000 Federal Primers on Gunbroker. Now I order your Lee reloading manual only to read that the Lee Safety Prime should not be used under any circumstance with Federal Primers warning of dire circumstance and even Death?

RESPONSE FROM LEE;

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Precision" <info@leeprecision.com>
To: edhallor@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 9:34:27 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: Lee Safety Prime and Federal Primers

Mr. O'Halloran:

"The Safety Prime inserts the primer into the shell while completely isolated from the primer feeder by distance and a lot of steel. Now any brand of primers may be used." This quote is taken from page 86 in our Modern Reloading-Second Edition. Federal Primers are safe with our Safety Prime, but should not be used with our Auto Prime.

Please tell me what page you read that the Safety Prime should not be used with Federal Primers as this is something I need to have changed.

Thank You,
Lee Precision

MY REPLY TO LEE,
Firstly Sir,

Let me thank you for your quick response, On page 50 of the Second Edition the exact quote is " Federal brand Primers are the most dangerious when used in the Lee tray fed Priming systems". To the average person the word "systems" is to the plural and would seem to indicate, to a person like myself that the notation "Lee tray fed priming systems" would also include the "Safety Prime" which is also a tray fed priming system. It's funny how something so small as an (S) could cause so much confusion, but it did.


Even if I had made it to page 86 I may still have had some confusion over what I had read.
I belong to several Gun Boards and most everyone loves Lee Products. However even from reloaders there is a lot of mis-information about this subject.
I checked the LEE FAQ but still could not find a clarification that put my mind at ease, thus my writing you.
I'm glad I don't have to single feed 5000 Primers, and feel much better now in using them, I did notice with the Federal Primers that all do not like to go belly up on a shake and I need to flip some carefully with a tooth pick, maybe it will just take some practice.
I will be posting your reply to the Gun Boards in the Maryland Pennsylvania area.
Again, thank you for your quick response,


Thanks To All
Click to expand...
 
I had a primer go off in my 1050 last week.

I was actually surprised it popped...given that the press has a 900 round per hour PW auto drive (relativly slow cycle rate and very smoothe). I've cycled rounds by hand faster then that and had primers get crushed with no issues...but this one went off.

I broke the press down to investigate and found that one primer had gone in upside down and attached itself over the primer seating pin...that created extra pressure when it tried to seat the next primer.

No harm to the press...but it certainly was a surprise.

The primer was an S&B small pistol...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom