Lee Pro 1000 not feeding the primers
- Thread starter JB
- Start date
The primers are just sitting there not moving :?:
OneBarfly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That was the only problem that I was able to fix on my Lee. I disassembled the little primer ram assembly at the bottom of the shell holder, cleaned it and stretched-out the spring to offer a little more resistance. You should also make sure that the black plastic area where the primers slide down is clean.
I really can't say that I was happy with the Lee 1000 and sold it shortly thereafter - maybe mine was just a dud.
I really can't say that I was happy with the Lee 1000 and sold it shortly thereafter - maybe mine was just a dud.
Primer feed seems to be the weak link in my pro1000. Following advice others have given me:
-make sure the case is triggering the primer feed as it advances.
-spray some teflon lube on a pipe cleaner and run it down the primer trough.
-always keep primers in the tray. this miniscule bit of weight seems to be required to advance the primers.
there's some experts on these things here who I'm sure will chime in.
Good luck!
-make sure the case is triggering the primer feed as it advances.
-spray some teflon lube on a pipe cleaner and run it down the primer trough.
-always keep primers in the tray. this miniscule bit of weight seems to be required to advance the primers.
there's some experts on these things here who I'm sure will chime in.
Good luck!
PerversPépère
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Shawinigan (Quebec)
All what Kev said and also try this trick, already stated in a previous thread: find small butyl O-rings and stretch them in the three or so grooves that are found on the right rear steel pillar.
There is a pin that is fixed on the primer through and travels along that shaft; while sliding, it falls into the grooves and this vibrates the primer through. With small O-rings, it bumps on them and the vibration is bigger.
Also, you have to make sure the spring pushing on the primer ram is OVER its collar so the ram snaps DOWN to admit a primer every time a case triggers it.
Good luck!
PP.
There is a pin that is fixed on the primer through and travels along that shaft; while sliding, it falls into the grooves and this vibrates the primer through. With small O-rings, it bumps on them and the vibration is bigger.
Also, you have to make sure the spring pushing on the primer ram is OVER its collar so the ram snaps DOWN to admit a primer every time a case triggers it.
Good luck!
PP.
you also have to keep the feed tray at least full- that means about the last 10 or so as it depends on gravity and the weight of the primer pushing against it to feed- incidentally, i got a autoprime in the same caliber as i'm loading handy just in case it doesn't feed, tips , or whatever- if there's no primer, just prime it with the auto-prime- i've also added a forward tilt to feed the primers better
tilting the press forward about 5-10 degrees sure helps the primers slide better. Also you might have to tweak the little paperclip looking thingyunder the shellplate carrier that lets the primer pin down to allow a primer to slide into place.
the tilt thing works alright for pistol cartridges, but don't use it for the 223- it throws the alignment off as the case sits in the plate and won't feed properly into the die- crushes the neck and tries to decap through the shoulder if it'll feed at all-probably has something to do with the bottleneck - if it was a straight case no problem
I have 2 Lee 1000's and like them alot, but the prime issue is a bit bothersome. All of the above tricks are valid. What worked for me was installing the o-rings in the "vibration grooves", making sure the primer tray is at least half full and keeping the primer trough and pin clean. A little spilled powder in there can ruin your whole day. Fortunately, if you are careful, you can feel if you are seating a primer on the up stroke. If I don't feel it I pull the handle back down slightly and shake it, then try again, works 99% of the time on a mis-prime. One day I will buy a Dillon, but for now and for the money the Lees serve me well. And BTW, I use Federal primers all the time and have never had a problem. I suspect that whole issue probably arose from some slight that Richard Lee got from Federal years ago...
I agree with t-star, keep the primer tray full and I also disassembled the entire shell plate carrier and primer feed tray. Degreased it all and on the moving parts applied a very small amount of dry graphite. It works great now, I use Federal primers in my 1000 without a problem however Lee warns against this so procede with caution. I noticed on some primers if the anvil of the primer is a little proud of the primer cup it won't seat properly. You can feel it when you go to seat it, so I just rotate the case a little and it drops in everytime. You definately have to "finese" this press you can't be rammy with it.
Have four LEE 1000's, all work great after some tinkering. The "LEE Precision" web-site now has some realy great trouble shooting advice. I also found if I cover the machine when not in use it cuts down on the primer feed problems. Also I clean the primer tray and trough with a clean patch often. I may try the silicone spay but so far clean and dry has worked well.The adjustment of the shell plate is critical to the timing of the primer rising through the shell pate. I have noticed when it's not set properly the primers can flip over.
Federal primers WILL kaboom in a Lee (or any press given the right set of circumstances) In my case it was a WCC military case, and all I did was "lean" on the handle a little. The trough was barely full so about 10 or so primers, but the bang was VERY loud, the primer feed chute was history, I had a couple of cuts on my cheek, but once my ears stopped ringing, I was fine.
I use Federals in my Dillon now (even though Dillon says not to) because a. my revolver needs them and b. the Dillon will only blow a hole in my ceiling if 100 or so go off
The difference between my old Lee 1000 and new Dillon 650 is that with the Lee, there can be 100 Federal primers encased in plastic right in front of you, and in the Dillon, they are enclosed in a steel tube/barrel facing the ceiling.
As for keeping a Lee 1000 feeding primers reliably, you've heard most of the answers, and a few new ones I have three, learned over a lot of years and well over a hundred thousand rounds:
1. Replace the primer trough every 10,000 rounds. They're cheap and once they lose that "shininess" they just don't work as well.
2. Keep a can of compressed air nearby and at the first sign of trouble give everything a good dusting off.
3. A spent primer trapped under the primer feed mechanism can and will squish the slot that holds the hairpin type sping closed. Disassemble and open up the slot until the spring moves freely again.
Regards
Gunnar
www.armco-guns.com
I use Federals in my Dillon now (even though Dillon says not to) because a. my revolver needs them and b. the Dillon will only blow a hole in my ceiling if 100 or so go off
The difference between my old Lee 1000 and new Dillon 650 is that with the Lee, there can be 100 Federal primers encased in plastic right in front of you, and in the Dillon, they are enclosed in a steel tube/barrel facing the ceiling.
As for keeping a Lee 1000 feeding primers reliably, you've heard most of the answers, and a few new ones
I have three, learned over a lot of years and well over a hundred thousand rounds:1. Replace the primer trough every 10,000 rounds. They're cheap and once they lose that "shininess" they just don't work as well.
2. Keep a can of compressed air nearby and at the first sign of trouble give everything a good dusting off.
3. A spent primer trapped under the primer feed mechanism can and will squish the slot that holds the hairpin type sping closed. Disassemble and open up the slot until the spring moves freely again.
Regards
Gunnar
www.armco-guns.com
