Lee Auto-Prime WARNING???
- Thread starter Underthegun
- Start date
Lee has had a falling with Federal hence the warning
I've been loading thousands of Federal primers with the auto-prime
Even more so, newer auto-primes have a square tray that accommodate the Federal primer pans (trays, ???).
I've been loading thousands of Federal primers with the auto-prime
Even more so, newer auto-primes have a square tray that accommodate the Federal primer pans (trays, ???).
I just bought mine, but it has a round tray. I guess it must have been older stock.
- Location
- West Quebec
Lawyers..they may have had a claim when using Federal primers that some say are easier to ignite
There's also a warning about a certain brand of bullets in the Lee collet size die box. I have 'read on the internet' that both warnings were put there merely to deter people from using these brands because of a falling out between them and Lee. If half the people that read that warning actually heed it, that's a lot of bullets and primers not being sold.
- Location
- Fort St John BC
Looks like another reason why I couldn't be bothered to buy Lee products. There is No room for grudges and child like antics in business That's sad that they would be that pathetic. (Assuming the reason is truth of course)
Well, I would be willing to wager I have seated over 20,000 Federal primers with my lee hand tools, and nary a problem.
I think that there is little real substance in that warning, personally.
Regards, Dave.
I think that there is little real substance in that warning, personally.
Regards, Dave.
coldestcanuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- lower mainland bc
I own 2 presses, a Lee and a Dillon 650. The Dillon primer system is extremely well engineered compared to the Lee. (Not knocking the Lee, just pointing out a fact.
I shoot a lot of PPC and in my revolver loads I will only use Federal primers (typical of most PPC shooters). This is because Federal primers are softer and EASIER to detonate than any other brand I've tried. This allows us to use a much lighter trigger.
And, having said all that, It was in my Dillon that I strong armed the lever a little too abruptly, on what I believe was a crooked primer. When it detonated, I was extremely proud of my bladder and bowel control to say the least!
I've used never used Federal in my Lee, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on their warning.
I shoot a lot of PPC and in my revolver loads I will only use Federal primers (typical of most PPC shooters). This is because Federal primers are softer and EASIER to detonate than any other brand I've tried. This allows us to use a much lighter trigger.
And, having said all that, It was in my Dillon that I strong armed the lever a little too abruptly, on what I believe was a crooked primer. When it detonated, I was extremely proud of my bladder and bowel control to say the least!
I've used never used Federal in my Lee, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on their warning.
The priming compound used in the Federal primers can readily contribute to sympathetic detonation
of other Federal primers in a tray priming system if a single primer is "triggered"
Less so for other primers.
That's the background to Lee's warning.
of other Federal primers in a tray priming system if a single primer is "triggered"
Less so for other primers.
That's the background to Lee's warning.
Incidentally, if you're having problems with a Lee on-press priming system, switch to CCI primers - they're slightly thicker, which translates to heavier - I've reloaded thousands of rounds without a single primer problem since I switched (doesn't work for PPC guys - I know, but if you're reloading for a non-custom gun or autoloader, it's amazing)
Federal use a different priming compound and it is easier to fire.
If you fire a primer in your priming tool, will all the others go off, too? With federal, maybe.
I use the Lee Autoprime. Over the last 30 years I have worn out several. And blew up one. Federal Large Pistol. It did not set off the others.
Blew the tool to pieces and blew a fragment through my shirt into my gut.
If you fire a primer in your priming tool, will all the others go off, too? With federal, maybe.
I use the Lee Autoprime. Over the last 30 years I have worn out several. And blew up one. Federal Large Pistol. It did not set off the others.
Blew the tool to pieces and blew a fragment through my shirt into my gut.
You guys are making me think about using heavy leather gloves with my hand primers now....
My method for using hand primers had me frequently staring down the mouth of the casing as I was pressing the primer home. It didn't take too many stories of this sort to suggest that I was possibly staring into a potential "event". So I've since altered my method so that the whole tool is pointed away and held out fairly far from my delicate parts "just in case". But after reading Ganderite's story I'm thinking that stout leather work gloves might not be a bad idea as well. If nothing else it would give me a better grip on the slippery chrome plated tool which would help avoid slipping around in my hands.
For all these reasons I'm also not a fan of any on press system that has the supply of primers located right at the pressing location. The Lee "ski slope" style used on their Classic 1000 progressive presses being a good (or bad) example of this.
My method for using hand primers had me frequently staring down the mouth of the casing as I was pressing the primer home. It didn't take too many stories of this sort to suggest that I was possibly staring into a potential "event". So I've since altered my method so that the whole tool is pointed away and held out fairly far from my delicate parts "just in case". But after reading Ganderite's story I'm thinking that stout leather work gloves might not be a bad idea as well. If nothing else it would give me a better grip on the slippery chrome plated tool which would help avoid slipping around in my hands.
For all these reasons I'm also not a fan of any on press system that has the supply of primers located right at the pressing location. The Lee "ski slope" style used on their Classic 1000 progressive presses being a good (or bad) example of this.
- Location
- Fort St John BC
Wow glad I don't use hand primers
I certainly find myself tilting the Autoprime away from my face as I prime. I still use federal in some applications because I have to, but they are not my primer of choice, since I use the Autoprime for everything.
It is not my hands I worry about. My eyes and the crown jewels are of concern.
The big danger is one primer firing and setting off 100 or more others. Dillon use a heavy gauge steel tube to surround the light steel primer magazine tube, so that if they do chain fire, the blast goes straight up.
Federal primers are a little more apt to detonate, this is a fact.
Lee priming systems (on press) leave much to be desired (opinion) as they are pointing the tray at you (think shrapnel).
Hand priming systems create ergonomics where the operator looks down the barrel of the cannon (Wiley E. Coyote comes to mind).
Priming is the most dangerous part of reloading no matter what brands are used or equipment. Proper procedures and usage allows it to be safe.
If your using Federal on a Lee stationary wear a faceshield and more than a T-shirt.
If your using a handheld wear similar PPE and point it away from you- no matter who made the components. The case is a tube and your pressing an explosive into it- do you really need to look at it when priming is done by feel?
I've loaded at least 10 to 20 thousand Federal primers on Lee Pro1000's before I read the warning, all without issue. I had many that went in backwards, caught up on a edge, went in sideways and got squished, etc...Making one let go isn't easy- but it is possible so wear protection.
I only know two guys who detonated a primer while loading. Both were on Dillon's and both detonated the whole tube. Design made it a non issue as the force was directed straight up away from the operator. Honestly I have no idea what brand of primers they were using.
Lee priming systems (on press) leave much to be desired (opinion) as they are pointing the tray at you (think shrapnel).
Hand priming systems create ergonomics where the operator looks down the barrel of the cannon (Wiley E. Coyote comes to mind).
Priming is the most dangerous part of reloading no matter what brands are used or equipment. Proper procedures and usage allows it to be safe.
If your using Federal on a Lee stationary wear a faceshield and more than a T-shirt.
If your using a handheld wear similar PPE and point it away from you- no matter who made the components. The case is a tube and your pressing an explosive into it- do you really need to look at it when priming is done by feel?
I've loaded at least 10 to 20 thousand Federal primers on Lee Pro1000's before I read the warning, all without issue. I had many that went in backwards, caught up on a edge, went in sideways and got squished, etc...Making one let go isn't easy- but it is possible so wear protection.
I only know two guys who detonated a primer while loading. Both were on Dillon's and both detonated the whole tube. Design made it a non issue as the force was directed straight up away from the operator. Honestly I have no idea what brand of primers they were using.
Pretty easy to avoid that sort of issue with the handprimers, if it doesn't feel right, stop and see what is occurring. I have installed a few primers sideways, and upside down, and used plenty of Federals in the Lee. Nothing went boom. Not something I'll get in to a sweat about. I've put in upwards of 25-30,000 with the Lee over the last 35 yrs.
