Lee Auto Primer question... - The Firearms Forum

bluesea112 · 05-24-2008, 08:12 PM

After weighing the pros and cons of my cartridge priming method, I decided to retire my wooden mallet. Although I have primed thousands of cartridges with no accidents, I decided that the .000001% chance of losing an eye was not worth the expense of a Lee Auto Primer. (Just for the record I am not cheap, I am frugal.) Anyway, I parted with my hard earned $15.00 and received the Lee Auto Primer in the mail the other day. The problem I am having is that the case holder from my press does not seem to work with the Auto Primer. The cartridge case holder from my Lee press slides into the Auto Primer, but the piston rod in the Auto Primer is not long enough to travel through the case holder to seat the primer in the cartridge case.

Question: Is there a special cartridge case holder that I am suppose to use with the Lee Auto Primer, other than the one from my Lee press?

Thanks for your help.

Bluesea112

Popgunner · 05-24-2008, 08:27 PM

Yes the holders are specialized. luckily if you buy the whole set they're pretty cheap: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...058&t=11082005

bluesea112 · 05-25-2008, 10:13 AM

Thank you for the information Popgunner. I appreciate your help.

Bluesea112

Contenderizer · 05-25-2008, 12:49 PM

Popgunner is correct, the auto prime requires special holders. I choose not to use the Lee auto prime due to the limitation on primer brands that can be used (see their safety warning). Instead, I use the Lee ram prime - despite it being much slower. In any case, be sure to use eye protection with any brand.

USMC-03 · 05-25-2008, 01:36 PM

Everything said about the Lee Auto-Prime tool is correct. The shell holders are specialized and it's on the spendy side. It is however the best priming tool I've ever used and I highly recommend it.

BigJakeJ1s · 05-25-2008, 06:15 PM

I've used the Lee autoprime and the RCBS universal hand primer, and prefer the latter. It is more expensive, but it does not need separate shell holders. It also has a large detachable square tray that is easier to load from factory primer packages. It uses the whole hand to activate, rather than just the thumb on the Lee.

Andy

ryan42 · 02-26-2012, 06:35 PM

I use the lee single stage press with the primer feeder mounted on to the press.with the case in the holder I pull the lever and run the case up into the die ,while I have it up I swing the primer loader over and it rests on the primer arm and I just click the button and it pops the primer in the insert and then I bring the lever up and press it in.Slicker than a whisle

Clipper · 02-26-2012, 06:56 PM

I also use the Lee hand primer and the RCBS hand primer. I keep the RCBS busy with .45 cap large pistol primers and two Lee units, one with shell holder for .38/.357 and one for 40 cal. I used to use the RCBS press for priming, but decided it is faster for me to use hand primers. I have a Lee Turret press, and the priming system Lee sends with those, but it is too iffy, prefer hand priming, I can do that inside at my computer desk.

BlackEagle · 02-26-2012, 07:44 PM

I've used the Lee auto Primer consistantly. The primer system on my RCBS progressive press doesn't work all that well so I hand prime. It gives me an extra chance to check the brass and clean the primer pockets. RCBS would probably help me sort the priming station on the press; they have a great customer service policy.

The worst problem I had with the primer was when I was trying to prime military cases without having swaged out the primer pocket crimp well enough. I got a new hand primer.

05-24-2008, 08:12 PM	#1
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	Lee Auto Primer question... After weighing the pros and cons of my cartridge priming method, I decided to retire my wooden mallet. Although I have primed thousands of cartridges with no accidents, I decided that the .000001% chance of losing an eye was not worth the expense of a Lee Auto Primer. (Just for the record I am not cheap, I am frugal.) Anyway, I parted with my hard earned $15.00 and received the Lee Auto Primer in the mail the other day. The problem I am having is that the case holder from my press does not seem to work with the Auto Primer. The cartridge case holder from my Lee press slides into the Auto Primer, but the piston rod in the Auto Primer is not long enough to travel through the case holder to seat the primer in the cartridge case. Question: Is there a special cartridge case holder that I am suppose to use with the Lee Auto Primer, other than the one from my Lee press? Thanks for your help. Bluesea112 -->

05-24-2008, 08:27 PM	#2
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... Yes the holders are specialized. luckily if you buy the whole set they're pretty cheap: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...058&t=11082005 Last edited by Popgunner; 05-24-2008 at 08:29 PM..

05-25-2008, 10:13 AM	#3
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... Thank you for the information Popgunner. I appreciate your help. Bluesea112

05-25-2008, 12:49 PM	#4
Contenderizer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North-Central Florida, USA Posts: 599	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... Popgunner is correct, the auto prime requires special holders. I choose not to use the Lee auto prime due to the limitation on primer brands that can be used (see their safety warning). Instead, I use the Lee ram prime - despite it being much slower. In any case, be sure to use eye protection with any brand. __________________ NOTE: The information herein is provided free of charge. In some instances, you may actually be getting your money's worth. Author of: The History and Guns of Simson & Co., Suhl www.cornellpubs.com

05-25-2008, 01:36 PM	#5
USMC-03 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,825	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... Everything said about the Lee Auto-Prime tool is correct. The shell holders are specialized and it's on the spendy side. It is however the best priming tool I've ever used and I highly recommend it. __________________ Let not the rifles of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots. - Fortes Fortuna Javat -

05-25-2008, 06:15 PM	#6
BigJakeJ1s V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 121	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... I've used the Lee autoprime and the RCBS universal hand primer, and prefer the latter. It is more expensive, but it does not need separate shell holders. It also has a large detachable square tray that is easier to load from factory primer packages. It uses the whole hand to activate, rather than just the thumb on the Lee. Andy

02-26-2012, 06:35 PM	#7
ryan42 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: marion indiana Contributor Posts: 1,549	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... I use the lee single stage press with the primer feeder mounted on to the press.with the case in the holder I pull the lever and run the case up into the die ,while I have it up I swing the primer loader over and it rests on the primer arm and I just click the button and it pops the primer in the insert and then I bring the lever up and press it in.Slicker than a whisle

02-26-2012, 06:56 PM	#8
Clipper V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 381	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... I also use the Lee hand primer and the RCBS hand primer. I keep the RCBS busy with .45 cap large pistol primers and two Lee units, one with shell holder for .38/.357 and one for 40 cal. I used to use the RCBS press for priming, but decided it is faster for me to use hand primers. I have a Lee Turret press, and the priming system Lee sends with those, but it is too iffy, prefer hand priming, I can do that inside at my computer desk.

02-26-2012, 07:44 PM	#9
BlackEagle Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Posts: 3,154	Re: Lee Auto Primer question... I've used the Lee auto Primer consistantly. The primer system on my RCBS progressive press doesn't work all that well so I hand prime. It gives me an extra chance to check the brass and clean the primer pockets. RCBS would probably help me sort the priming station on the press; they have a great customer service policy. The worst problem I had with the primer was when I was trying to prime military cases without having swaged out the primer pocket crimp well enough. I got a new hand primer.