I had the same thing happen to me about 20 years ago with a Lee 1000. I just had a few burns on my forehead, above my saftey glasses. Ordered a Dillion Square Deal a few days later. Loaded 1000's of Fed. primers with no issues. I replaced the Square Deal a few years ago with a Dillon 650. I load all my Revolver ammo with Fed. primers and my Auto ammo with either Win. or CCI primers, and have never had another primer go off.
Lee 1000 auto prime blew up about an hour ago *PICS*
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I am glad to hear that you were not seriously hurt.
I had a Lee Pro 1000 for a short time and it was either Winchester or CCI primers that I was using at that time and I thankfully I only had around 4 or 5 primers go off. I think that the primer had got turned sideways or it wasn't lined up with the primer pocket correctly, it sure made a loud noise and startled me. The press was not damaged and a short while later I got rid of it and got an RCBS turret press, I like the idea RCBS uses in that there is only one primer near the cartridge so if it does go off it will not set off the others. If Lee could design their press so that the primer feeder would only let one at a time down from the primer holding tray maybe it would stop this from happening.
Don
I had a Lee Pro 1000 for a short time and it was either Winchester or CCI primers that I was using at that time and I thankfully I only had around 4 or 5 primers go off. I think that the primer had got turned sideways or it wasn't lined up with the primer pocket correctly, it sure made a loud noise and startled me. The press was not damaged and a short while later I got rid of it and got an RCBS turret press, I like the idea RCBS uses in that there is only one primer near the cartridge so if it does go off it will not set off the others. If Lee could design their press so that the primer feeder would only let one at a time down from the primer holding tray maybe it would stop this from happening.
Don
Glad to hear that you are OK.
I hope those that are quick to blame Federal primers read this important tidbit of information........
I knew someone was going to say this as soon as I typed that remark. You are somewhat correct. Like I said I have done thousands of reloads on this machine before using the Federal primers. Trust me, the OP and many, many others including Lee Precision themselves, the Federal primers are still dangerous on the LEE 1000! When I was a newbie at reloading I put 100 times more force getting other brands of primers to seat compared to the force I used yesterday. None of those primers went off. I did this hundreds of times in the past if not over a thousand. This was the first time I had to do this with the Federals and the first time I ever had a primer go off. When I am talking a little extra force it means a couple of inch pounds not pounds of force. Anyone who uses the Lee 1000 knows that when the casings get primed you barely feel the pressure required to seat the primer. I have a hand chamfering tool for military brass and it doesn't always open the pockets up as big as factory but enough to get the primers in. You can't tell me that the first time I try this with Federal it was just coincidence? Especially after the person selling them to me said they did this three times in his Dillon.
Anyway, I just don't want you to be one of those people I listened to who told me don't worry, just use Federal. It's not worth it.
I don't want newbies to get hurt! Please I have no endorsements from any primer company!
Don't use Federal primers in the Lee Pro 1000!Trust me, the OP and many, many others including Lee Precision themselves, the Federal primers are still dangerous on the LEE 1000! When I was a newbie at reloading I put 100 times more force getting other brands of primers to seat compared to the force I used yesterday. None of those primers went off. I did this hundreds of times in the past if not over a thousand. This was the first time I had to do this with the Federals and the first time I ever had a primer go off. When I am talking a little extra force it means a couple of inch pounds not pounds of force. Anyone who uses the Lee 1000 knows that when the casings get primed you barely feel the pressure required to seat the primer. I have a hand chamfering tool for military brass and it doesn't always open the pockets up as big as factory but enough to get the primers in. You can't tell me that the first time I try this with Federal it was just coincidence? Especially after the person selling them to me said they did this three times in his Dillon.
Anyway, I just don't want you to be one of those people I listened to who told me don't worry, just use Federal. It's not worth it.
I don't want newbies to get hurt! Please I have no endorsements from any primer company!
More tidbits.
FWIW, I had a Federal primer go off in my 550 once, priming 6.5x55. Know what happened? You got it. Tight primer pocket, so I just pushed a little harder and it went off.
I still don't blame the primer.
More tidbits.
FWIW, I had a Federal primer go off in my 550 once, priming 6.5x55. Know what happened? You got it. Tight primer pocket, so I just pushed a little harder and it went off.
I still don't blame the primer.
It's a tough call on whether to blame the primer. I know, I think we can agree that there is a much smaller margin for error with the Federals. Therefore, why take the chance. Especially for a newbie.
Sure, federal primers are softer, and more sensitive perhaps. I believe they are also slightly larger in diameter often giving a more snug fit in the primer pocket. But used properly, they cannot be blamed for any primer mishaps at the bench, no more than the reloading equipment used.
I don't have a Lee 1000. I do have a Lee autoprime. All priming equipment uses the same principle I'm pretty sure; the primer is gently pressed into the pocket. Or does the Lee 1000 do something different? Does it give the primer a "slap in the ass" to make sure it's seated fully?
What do you think the Lee does to make it more dangerous to use Federal primers than any other primer or priming device?
Anyone?
I don't have a Lee 1000. I do have a Lee autoprime. All priming equipment uses the same principle I'm pretty sure; the primer is gently pressed into the pocket. Or does the Lee 1000 do something different? Does it give the primer a "slap in the ass" to make sure it's seated fully?
What do you think the Lee does to make it more dangerous to use Federal primers than any other primer or priming device?
Anyone?
Sure, federal primers are softer, and more sensitive perhaps. I believe they are also slightly larger in diameter often giving a more snug fit in the primer pocket. But used properly, they cannot be blamed for any primer mishaps at the bench, no more than the reloading equipment used.
I don't have a Lee 1000. I do have a Lee autoprime. All priming equipment uses the same principle I'm pretty sure; the primer is gently pressed into the pocket. Or does the Lee 1000 do something different? Does it give the primer a "slap in the ass" to make sure it's seated fully?
What do you think the Lee does to make it more dangerous to use Federal primers than any other primer or priming device?
Anyone?
Just noticed this on the Lee Precision site. The new Lee Auto-Prime hand primer allows any primer to be used unlike the older version. I think I might just buy one of these and prime all my casings ahead of time. I'll just remove my decapping pin. I have thousands of Federal primers now so it might be the best choice.....
The Lee Auto-Prime the original automatic hand held priming tool patented and introduced in 1979 has been improved. Ask any old hand the best way to prime and guaranteed, Auto Prime will be the first words from their lips. The Auto-Prime had just one limitation; only certain brands of primers can be used because some brands could chain fire if used improperly.
Anyone buying primers today knows finding your favorite brand of primer can be difficult if not impossible. If you have been loading for a few years you also know that the packaging has become larger. The new Auto-Prime XR eliminates the primer brand restriction so any brand primer is now usable.
The new Auto-Prime XR features a patent pending elevator pin. This pin safely separates a single primer from the others and presents it for priming reducing the likelihood of a chain fire. The new tool also has a new unbreakable comfort curve lever and large and small primer trays with slide on covers that comfortably accepts all brands of primer boxes.
Some more tidbits from the Lee site...
WARNING!
Users have reported that the primers in the tray of an Auto Prime can explode for various reasons, some of which include: a cocked primer, or an attempt to prime a case which has a primer already in place, or more than one primer on the punch, or priming a military case with the crimp not completely removed. Should an explosion occur, our tests have demonstrated that safety glasses will normally prevent serious injury to the user if CCI or Winchester primers are used, because the explosion is minimal. Other primers, however, can explode with sufficient force to seriously injure the user, or persons nearby. We do not take any position with respect to the quality or performance of primers available on the market. However, only those primers manufactured by CCI or Winchester are recommended for use in the Lee Auto Prime, and when loading those primers, safety glasses should always be used. No other primers should be used with the Lee Auto Prime.
WARNING!
Users have reported that the primers in the tray of an Auto Prime can explode for various reasons, some of which include: a cocked primer, or an attempt to prime a case which has a primer already in place, or more than one primer on the punch, or priming a military case with the crimp not completely removed. Should an explosion occur, our tests have demonstrated that safety glasses will normally prevent serious injury to the user if CCI or Winchester primers are used, because the explosion is minimal. Other primers, however, can explode with sufficient force to seriously injure the user, or persons nearby. We do not take any position with respect to the quality or performance of primers available on the market. However, only those primers manufactured by CCI or Winchester are recommended for use in the Lee Auto Prime, and when loading those primers, safety glasses should always be used. No other primers should be used with the Lee Auto Prime.
Well, after all this discussion I just ordered the new Lee hand primer that is even recommended for Federal primers, a universal decapper, a single stage press just for decapping and the single stage shell plates for my press and hand primer. 
Nothing like the anticipation waiting for the mailman to come with a package for you!
P.S. I put my spare small primer trough in my shell plate carrier and switched to the last 1000 Winchester primers I have left. Pumped out 100 rounds straight with no issues so no other damage to my press.
Going to hand prime all my Federals.
Nothing like the anticipation waiting for the mailman to come with a package for you! P.S. I put my spare small primer trough in my shell plate carrier and switched to the last 1000 Winchester primers I have left. Pumped out 100 rounds straight with no issues so no other damage to my press.
Going to hand prime all my Federals.
Sure, federal primers are softer, and more sensitive perhaps. I believe they are also slightly larger in diameter often giving a more snug fit in the primer pocket. But used properly, they cannot be blamed for any primer mishaps at the bench, no more than the reloading equipment used.
I don't have a Lee 1000. I do have a Lee autoprime. All priming equipment uses the same principle I'm pretty sure; the primer is gently pressed into the pocket. Or does the Lee 1000 do something different? Does it give the primer a "slap in the ass" to make sure it's seated fully?
What do you think the Lee does to make it more dangerous to use Federal primers than any other primer or priming device?
Anyone?
loose sloppy tolerances
Same thing just happened to me this morning! I got lucky, no injuries and all I need to do is replace the small primer trough as it snapped right off. Lucky I happen to have another trough in my spare parts. I have put thousands of rounds through this press using Winchester and CCI primers. Recently I bought Federal primers from a friend. He did warn me that they blew up on his Dillon three times.
I had reloaded about 300 rounds so far with the Federals when this happened. What I do know is that I had a tight primer pocket and put a little extra force to seat the new primer when the explosion happened. I did have safety glasses on. The horrible thing was that my oldest daughter was playing in my gun room about five feet behind me at the time. That is the last time she will be in the room when I am reloading!
holy ####. glad you are ok
I love my Lee's and will stick to CCI as always, I once pushed a primer into an old primer (somehow it did not get punched out) and i heard a crunch, stopped and looked, the new CCI was "crunched" into the old factory Fiochii 9mm primer.
NO BOOM, i was lucky i guess. Maybe i will install a blast shield around all my loaders.
glad to see you are ok.
NO BOOM, i was lucky i guess. Maybe i will install a blast shield around all my loaders.
glad to see you are ok.
762Russian
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Hey, can I still get in on the free LEE stuff?
Yeah, there's some guy out there somewhere who did something real stupid with his .45-70 Gov't die set. Totally blew off his fingers. Obviously, it was entirely the Die set's fault and nothing at all with him being an idiot and not reading the manual to know how to reload the rounds safely and properly. Anyone with those .45-70 LEE die sets should send them to me for safe disposal.
Of course, I'll pay the shipping; this is a public service, after all.
Yeah, there's some guy out there somewhere who did something real stupid with his .45-70 Gov't die set. Totally blew off his fingers. Obviously, it was entirely the Die set's fault and nothing at all with him being an idiot and not reading the manual to know how to reload the rounds safely and properly. Anyone with those .45-70 LEE die sets should send them to me for safe disposal.
Of course, I'll pay the shipping; this is a public service, after all.
