Press Hack

[SSL]

I've used the Lee Classic Cast Press for years. It has handled my loading needs perfectly and has given no real problems. The only thing that bothered me was the likelihood that about half the spent primers would pop out the side-slot on the ram rather than make the trip down the hollow ram and into the rather ingenious tube that should empty into a jar or trash can. Those pesky primers would bounce around and exit the slot to end up on the floor of my loading area. It finally dawned on me that there might be a cure.

Running the ram all the way up, I carefully and thoroughly cleaned the slot of any residue or lubrication, I pressed some plain old modeling clay into the slot. Lowering the ram scraped any excess clay off of the outside of the ram for a perfect contour and a couple wraps of electrical tape finished off the part of the ram that extends above the frame when fully in the 'down' position. No more flying primers! The spent primers have no other place to go than down the ram and through the tube. The clay 'air-dries' and hardens somewhat. So far, at the 200 cases mark I have had no 'lost' spent primers. Once I'm sure this works to my satisfaction I will replace the clay with something a little more permanent; maybe JB or something similar.

 

[Cemetery21]

If it is made similar to their turret press, and if you don't use the primer arm, a section of large plastic straw will do the trick too.

 

[SSL]

If it is made similar to their turret press, and if you don't use the primer arm, a section of large plastic straw will do the trick too.
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You, Sir, are brilliant! Just tried it on my press and it makes a much easier and neater mod than mine. I was over-thinking the situation (a trait my wife often points out). A McDonald's straw works great. Maybe with those straws being used for the ChargeMasters and now this, perhaps McDonald's needs to get into reloading! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Cemetery21]

Cannot take credit - got it from the interweb years ago and yes, I think my straws came from Mickey D.

 

[Shooter13]

The only thing that bothered me was the likelihood that about half the spent primers would pop out the side-slot

That sir is why they make a dust pan!! LOL

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I still have my Lee classic cast press and only use it now for bullet pulling and depriming. I took mine apart and cleaned the ram slot and filled mine with epoxy right up to the shell holder. Never drops primers or dust now.

 

[SSL]

I still have my Lee classic cast press and only use it now for bullet pulling and depriming. I took mine apart and cleaned the ram slot and filled mine with epoxy right up to the shell holder. Never drops primers or dust now.

That was my original plan once I had proved to myself that the modeling clay would do what I wanted. After reading @Cemetery21 post, I tried the straw and it works great with no permanent modification to the press.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

This is what mine looks like with the epoxy filler. Wrapped the ram with electrical tape and just filled the slot, cleaned up the top near the shell holder with Dremel.