Lee Auto Primer
- Thread starter DennisH
- Start date
Brians356
Gold $$ Contributor
I still use my original Lee Auto Prime thumb exerciser w/ the round tray. Works great. Then they changed the tray to a diamond shape with a baffle to improve feeding, still black plastic, and a friend gave me one but I've never used it. Now only a couple of years later they have this "XR" with the white fan-shaped tray. Why?
Here's the "interim" version of the XR:
http://www.brownells.com/reloading/...uto-prime-xr-hand-priming-tool-prod34047.aspx
Why do some outlets still sell this interim XR?
I do recall there was a static buildup problem with the original version and Federal primers, maybe the lawyers are still freaked out about that, and of course want to justify their fees.
Here's the "interim" version of the XR:
http://www.brownells.com/reloading/...uto-prime-xr-hand-priming-tool-prod34047.aspx
Why do some outlets still sell this interim XR?
I do recall there was a static buildup problem with the original version and Federal primers, maybe the lawyers are still freaked out about that, and of course want to justify their fees.
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I wore out my original Auto Prime and bought the new version with the square primer plate. Works better than the original, but every once in a while it would mis-feed and I would have to remove the cover and re-arrange the primers. a real P I T A! Also, to feed properly, I had to hold it at a precise angle.
So, two things happened, 1. I noticed they now sell the new one I bought with the new triangular primer pan, and 2. they have a 1/2 price deal for the new bench mount version when you send in your old one. My new bench mount is on its way and my old broken auto prime is in the hands of LEE.
I think they re-designed the square primer pan due to the problems I was having and ended up with the triangular pan. My guess is the bench mount pan will fit my latest generation hand primer?
Any way, I still like LEE and think they still do the best for the buck! And with the best engineering creativity.
So, two things happened, 1. I noticed they now sell the new one I bought with the new triangular primer pan, and 2. they have a 1/2 price deal for the new bench mount version when you send in your old one. My new bench mount is on its way and my old broken auto prime is in the hands of LEE.
I think they re-designed the square primer pan due to the problems I was having and ended up with the triangular pan. My guess is the bench mount pan will fit my latest generation hand primer?
Any way, I still like LEE and think they still do the best for the buck! And with the best engineering creativity.
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
I take it that you would not recommend to a friend!
I had several of the original round tray Lee Auto Prime tools. I wanted to have more to dedicate tools for both rifle and handgun primers. The new unit at that time were with square trays. I thought finally they figured out that the tray needed to be larger to easily take the dump of the primers out of the package.
But, I quickly discovered that the feed from the square tray was faulty. Primers would flip when they moved from the tray to the guide into the seating part of the tool. Also, if I didn't have the tool at just the correct angle the next primer would pop out of the gap at the junction of the tray to the seater and fall on the floor. After the loss or 12-15 primers in one loading session, I gave up and switched back to the round tray tool.
I am making an effort to build up a reserve of reloads and checked out the reviews of the "new" triangular shaped tray. What the heck, it is even more difficult to load the primers into the tray and the tray feed also tends to drop primers if you don't hold your mouth just right. I am currently trying to find the old round tray Tools. Well, the people who have them for sale know what they have and bids are getting as high as $75 for the complete original unit!
But, I quickly discovered that the feed from the square tray was faulty. Primers would flip when they moved from the tray to the guide into the seating part of the tool. Also, if I didn't have the tool at just the correct angle the next primer would pop out of the gap at the junction of the tray to the seater and fall on the floor. After the loss or 12-15 primers in one loading session, I gave up and switched back to the round tray tool.
I am making an effort to build up a reserve of reloads and checked out the reviews of the "new" triangular shaped tray. What the heck, it is even more difficult to load the primers into the tray and the tray feed also tends to drop primers if you don't hold your mouth just right. I am currently trying to find the old round tray Tools. Well, the people who have them for sale know what they have and bids are getting as high as $75 for the complete original unit!
Just buy the K&M priming tool and be done with it. Best upgrade I have made, and very reasonably priced for an all steel tool.
Paul
Paul
Ccrider
Gold $$ Contributor
The round tray model is adequate. Not adjustable but adequate to prime with. I have one that I bought back in 2007 but never used until I started reloading this past year.
If I were buying now, I would get the 21st Century. I have one and it is a nice tool. Fully adujistable and good feel.
If I were buying now, I would get the 21st Century. I have one and it is a nice tool. Fully adujistable and good feel.
Brians356
Gold $$ Contributor
I love the original round Lee Auto-Prime! I have two of 'em. It pays to occasionally clean and grease where the base of the ram meets the curved end of the transfer bar. Someone also gave me one of the "improved" square tray version, but I gave it to yet someone else, with my blessing. I think it's in Argentina now.
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Wore out one of the old Lee round type and bought another one and they work like a charm. Heard nothing but bad things about the new triangle one. I bought a RCBS hand primer just to have a back up. Learned that you can only use RCBS style shell holders with this tool. Lee shell holders will not work. RCBS shell holders have a bevel on the underside of the hole and the Lee does not and will not work. I wish I could find another old style Lee.
I have alsways used the bench press mounted one but have starting using the hand primer. Then a buddy of mine today at the range, showed me a picture of a friend of his that had a hand primer, not sure of the make, blow up in his hands. There were primers in the ceiling and he was badly burned on his legs and hands. How rare is this?
Brians356
Gold $$ Contributor
Rarer than teats on a boar hog. Lee issued a warning to not use Federal primers in their Auto-Prime. That's no problem for me since I've never used Federal.
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CCI BR2 here.
Spook
Captured too late to be fully domesticated.
wkdickinson
Gold $$ Contributor
I have two of the originals with the round tray, one set up for small primers and the other for large. I have found them to work great and have used the exclusively for probably 25+ years. Like all tools there is a technique involved in using them, but the the learning curve is short.Has anyone used the Lee Auto Primer? Report?
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