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

Never tired using Federal in a LEE progressive, but I use them in Auto Prime all the time. It's easy to tell when something isn't seating correctly by feel, so I doubt it's a worry. I also point the tool away from my face.:)

I use Federals in my RCBS progressive (in the tubes) and don't see the difference between that and using a primer tube in a Rockchucker, as in both cases the primer getting seated is separated from the tube full of primers.

Looks like the LEE primer tray in thier progressives has all the primers sitting on top of the one getting pressed into the primer pocket, which likely makes "detonation" of many primers more a risk.
 
I started using Winchester primers in my Lee when I started using a progressive; I was planning on switching to Federalws when the 200 Winchesters were used up. After the first crunch of a primer and it coming out in pieces, I decided to avoid Federal. I was thinking about it again the other day; I am gald I saw this to remind me to leave the federal primers alone in the 1000.
 
Jarlath said:
Wow. On my history of Lee-1000 usage, I've sheared primers into unimaginable shapes, put primers in sideways into cases and everything, but never once used federal primers (Almost always Winchester). Maybe what Lee has been saying for years was true (about not using federals in their presses).

Worst I ever did was press too fast and hard on a hand primer (RCBS) and set off a primer. Loud.

Glad to hear that you are OK, Family Picture will have a story to tell for years and years.
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Same here, I have loaded multiple thousands of bullets. Primers upside down, squished, sideways. I have used mostly Winchester, a bit of CCI and a couple of boxes of Remington.

I think I will purchase a face shield though so as not to lose my good looks. LOL

Maybe a pair of gloves would be wise as well.
 
I use the Federals in my Turret press where I feed them in one at a time with no issue, won't be using the Feds in my 1000. I have been planning a shield for the primers, think I will move that project up the list.
 
I still think the lee1000 is a little loose though but I am sure tomorrow I will fix it and run some win primers and start saving for a dillion.
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I might be tempted to send the photos to Dillon & ask them if they can give you a discount. I hear that Mike Dillon is still at the plant & likes to get involved.

BTW. I use a Dillon SDB for pistol reloading. During the primer shortage all I could find was Federal. I think that your story tells me not to use them.
 
This happened to me. I believe it was winchester primer. Primers hit with enough force to crack my glasses. I contacted Lee precision. The owner of lee precision paid for the replacement of my glasses and the reloading machine.

This is what I learned from the experience

Always wear eye protection when reloading.

Never have children around when reloading

If you do use a lee pro buy the blast shield.


I loaded 20,000 or so rounds before this accident without any incident. I could happen to anybody.

While I still use lee tools and presses I went with a dillon for loading lots of pistol ammo. As mentioned before the primer tube assembly is steel, not plastic. Hopefully the force of the explosion would be contained and blown up the tube and out the top. However I feel that the main difference in design is that the lee has a chain of primers leading up to the primer resevoir. If one gets crushed in the machine the next one could easily light and the next till they all explode.

The dillon takes the primers out one at a time. If one exploded during seating it is about 3 inches away from the next primer.

I am not saying that everyone should switch, just be aware of the risks involved in using the lee pro.
 
fyi, lee offers a thing called a blast shield- i beleive this is EXACTLY why- and it's only about 5 bucks- i run 3 1000 and a loadmaster- which would suffer the same fate,as the priming mechanisms are all of the same basic design- however, just by luck, i've always found FEDERALS to be OVERPRICED by a couple of bucks compared to cci , winchester, or remington- and i'm dead cheap, so i don't buy them- and for the record, they make a lousy loaded round as well( puts on tin hat) in sofar as reloading is concerned- you have to ask yourself- why does a FEDERAL case weigh as much as 10 grains more than a winchester?
 
JBD said:
This happened to me. I believe it was winchester primer. Primers hit with enough force to crack my glasses. I contacted Lee precision. The owner of lee precision paid for the replacement of my glasses and the reloading machine.

This is what I learned from the experience

Always wear eye protection when reloading.

Never have children around when reloading

If you do use a lee pro buy the blast shield.


I loaded 20,000 or so rounds before this accident without any incident. I could happen to anybody.

While I still use lee tools and presses I went with a dillon for loading lots of pistol ammo. As mentioned before the primer tube assembly is steel, not plastic. Hopefully the force of the explosion would be contained and blown up the tube and out the top. However I feel that the main difference in design is that the lee has a chain of primers leading up to the primer resevoir. If one gets crushed in the machine the next one could easily light and the next till they all explode.

The dillon takes the primers out one at a time. If one exploded during seating it is about 3 inches away from the next primer.

I am not saying that everyone should switch, just be aware of the risks involved in using the lee pro.
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really good points.... especially about the kids. I sent mine away as soon as I was set up, as always. And thank god.
 
Yes, thank God you are safe. Sorry to hear of your accident. It could have happened to anybody, notwithstanding Lee's warning not to use Federals. I do it myself but will immediately change to another brand. Thank you for sharing.
 
pinnedclip said:
really good points.... especially about the kids. I sent mine away as soon as I was set up, as always. And thank god.
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My youngest loves helping me reload, but that is doing rifle rounds on a Lee Turret press as a single stage. He wears safety glasses at all times (as do I) and I don't let him near the primers. I hand prime all the cases with an Auto Prime while he stays back. I have used CCI primers exclusively and will continue to avoid Federal primers. He really enjoys seating the bullets and so far has done a great job under close supervision.

I also load .44 Mag and 9mm using the Turret press as a semi-progressive and will be keeping him out for that from now on. I do think it would be hard to crush a primer with the Auto Prime, but the press offers so much leverage that it could easily happen there.

Pinnedclip, glad to hear you made it out relatively unscathed and thanks for sharing the incident. We seldom learn something when everything goes OK, it is when things go sideways that experience is gained.

Mark
 
The only primer I ever had go off, was a Federal Primer in my Dillon 550. The 550 has them fairly well removed from the rest, so it is highly unlikely to have a multiple detonation.

I have, like others, had primers go in sideways, crushed etc, but the were CCI's or Winchesters, none of them ever went off like the Federal!

Glad you still have all your digits and eyes!
 
Seriously, OP!!!
You read the instructions on a piece of equipment and then disregard those warnings and BLAME THE PRESS MANUFACTURER??? HOW STUPID IS THAT?? That's like saying you get drunk and drive home, kill somebody and blame the car manufacturer.
Or you double charge a round, fire it, it blows up the action and you lose a thumb so it must be the gun manufacturer's fault??
Do you live in the real world??
Are you an American?? Should you sue Tim Horton's because you spilled hot coffee on yourself and it burned you??

Get a grip
 
Glad you're OK.

I'm really happy Dillon has a different system. After a bit of thought I can't see how a similar incident could happen with mine.
 
Hey, now your bench has more personality!

Thanks for the very good warning. I have a Lee coming in the mail any day now...
 
Glad to hear that you are ok. I have been reading the post for feedback and am impressed by the attitude of the guys here. We are all human. We make mistakes.

A reply like the one from rookie is a little over the top.

Just my .02

Ace
 
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