Anyone else get irritated with Federals Primer packaging?

[TheOtherZilla]

If I didn't have so many I'd switch brands.. Every time I load my Lee primer tools I have a mess. RCBS and Remington got it right.. Federal, not so much..

 

[BOB LEE SWAGGER]

I use credit card to get the flaps "up", greatly reducing the frustration.

 

[ShootDots]

I get aggravated at ANYTHING that does not work the way it should! Federal Primers are GREAT primers but the dispenser is horrible. CCI and Winchester got it right!

 

[LHSmith]

If you're using the old LEE Auto -prime with the round tray........the instruction manual FORBADE you to use Federal primers in that tool. : Seriously, if you dig out the manual ( yes one was in the box) it specifically stated NOT to use ANY Federal primers in the tool. Also they set a limit on Winchester primers -Large pistol = 20 max, LR std = 10 max ....etc.. I won't list them all because no one I know heeds their recommendation. I don't know if the redesigned LEE E-ZEE hand primer limits type of primer. FWIW I have a RCBS primer with a round tray and the same problem exists when filling with Fed primers. Pretty sure the big packaging was for litigious reasons ...but overkill for sure.
To be fair, I know of one BR shooter who claims to have had an auto-prime blow up in his hand due to a chain reaction after primer dust touched one off . Perhaps not the only incident since Lee replaced the Auto-Prime with the E-zee prime shortly after.

 

[ebb]

I read sometime back that Federal had an accident at the plant and a bunch tipped over and some went off. If I remember correctly the packaging was mandated by the ATF.

 

[Radar]

Federals large packaging is designed that way for a reason. If one goes off the other 99 won't but the flaps are kind of a PITA.

 

[NWnewguy]

It sure takes up a lot of room on the shelf too. Now that they are more available, selection isn't so limited anymore though and one can buy any kind out there. The question I have is why are the CCI bench rest primers so much when others are only slightly more than the non-benchrest variety?

 

[JohnKielly]

I have been told that CCI makes their BR primers on a separate line & applies a higher quality standard while Federal batch tests their primers and squirt wax onto the ones with higher consistency.

 

[LHSmith]

I have been told that CCI makes their BR primers on a separate line & applies a higher quality standard while Federal batch tests their primers and squirt wax onto the ones with higher consistency.

Could be true about the Federals, I've had instances (just a few) where they may have gotten double squirts because they FTF'd......and apparently the wax does little to make up for when they are missing anvils. ??? All in all good primers though.

 

[BULLET 05]

I have thought the same thing. I could never figure why they packaged theirs different.

 

[SmokinJoe]

FWIW, I now empty 1K at a time into a small plastic storage container using a funnel. Then I can dump a few at a time into the primer tray as needed. This seems safe (unless you can figure out a way to set one off in the little storage container) & I don't spill primers while loading the tray anymore.

 

[amamnn]

The answer allegedly from Federal direct:

From Federal.

Federal uses only basic lead styphnate. All other manufacturers use normal lead styphnate. The difference between the two forms is the pH (basic vs. neutral) at which the crystals are formed, the molecular makeup, and final crystal morph.

It is true that the Federal packaging is for DOT compliance. Specifically it is for the DOT-6C burn test compliance. All primer manufacturers use package spacing to comply with DOT sympathetic detonation requirements. Federal primers are known for being the best igniters in the industry. This is because they produce the highest level of hot particulate with the lowest gaseous overpressure, at the slowest rate.

Sincerely,
Federal Communications Team

But anyone who was around when they made the change to the bigger box, knows they did it just to piss off Richard Lee.

 

[rmist]

If you cut the end of the 1K box off about 3/4 inch from the end...then tape it all together (masking tape works best)...you now have a tray to put over the plastic container and flip over...then pour into the primer tool tray. Haven't spilled any in years. Can't remember who showed this to me. I know it was at a short range BR match. I still use it now and it's gotta be over 15 years old now !! If need be I'll post a pic later tonight if anyone wants to actually see it.
It works great !!!

 

[Link]

I wrote a rant letter to Federal and CCI = [ about the plastic boxed 22lr ]
For what it was worth LOL.

:

 

[lawman29]

How soon we forget---seems like just yesterday we were all begging just to be able to find primers.............

 

[TheOtherZilla]

FWIW, I also have an RCBS primer tool with the square tray. No problem there, but I also have 3-4 other primer tools that are the Lee' that I have had for probly close to 40 years..

As for the instructions for the Lee's they are long gone..

I for one would like to see a photo of the cut off box deal..

 

[ericbc7]

yea the big box can be a pain... I am more concerned about availability. I will put up with the big boxes if it means the primers get here when i need em.

 

[amlevin]

Irritated with Federal Primer boxes?

Not anymore. Quit buying them. Get the same or better performance from Tula primers at less cost.

For every problem there is a solution and sometimes the solution works better. 8)

 

[rmist]

End of 5K box taped. 100 package in end of 5K box. tray inside taped end...you place taped end box over the plastic tray hold with fingers turn over and primers are all in the end box. tilt end box pour into primer tool tray.

 

[fguffey]

Anyone else get irritated with Federals Primer packaging?

No I don't. I cut the sleeve of the large box to dump 25 primers at a time for the Lee Auto primer. I have the large brass Dillon flip tray for everything else. I like the primers setting on their sides.

Then there was R. Lee. My book on modern reloading says R. Lee never tested Federal primers. I decided Federal went to the large box to give R. Lee something to complain about. Then there was that story about a FedX driver blowing his tail gate off, I do not believe that happened.

F. Guffey