Lee Auto Prime hand priming tool

[Wallyl]

I am one of the few that still uses an RCBS Rock Chucker one station press....never have tried or used a progressive press. So I use a hand tool to prime my cases. When I started out I had a Lee cast zinc tool that had screw in shellholders (2nd picture below)...I graduated to an RCBS single "station" model (had two handles break on that one--they were of cast zinc) ....then eventually to a Lee Auto Prime #90230. With the later I had to use Lee style shell holder specifically made to be used with it. It broke on me twice; the second time Lee advised they have a New model and parts for the old one were unavailable...so I bought the new model. I've had it for a few months and primed thousand of cases---last night the "ears" on the plastic insert that guides the primer up into the shellholder broke off. The plastic used is a brittle polystyrene--same plastic used on a crystal Bic stick pen. IMHO a poor design as the "ears" are very thin and certainly not "beefy" enough top hold up with continual usage. Lee will replace it, but I am required to return the broken one to them. Or they will send me a free one, but I have to pay $8.00 for shipping. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[Ian]

I have never broken or worn out a priming tool. When I hand prime, and often I do for big batches on the turret presses and sometimes the progressives, I use the old Lee hand priming tools with the die-cast parts and special shell holders. I use moly EP grease on the moving parts and don't force it if the primer doesn't want to go.

 

[Wallyl]

Ian My 1972 Lee old hand priming tool was used so much that the shell holds will now slip when used--IOW the fine zinc threads are worn so much that when you depress the handle the shell holder will cock to the side. A hack is to use a small strip of masking tape on the threads. I do use a light film of grease on all moving parts.

BTW Lee just e-mailed me--they are sending me a replacement part.... (B Large)

 

[Spindrift]

Another Rock chucker here, @Wallyl!

For hand priming, I use the RCBS with universal shellholder. It works well with most cartridges, but I found the process of switching primer size a bit annoying. So I bought a Lyman ram prime, that I found at discount prize (dirt cheap). I liked it so much, I bought another one- so I have two Lyman ram prime units, set up for small and large primers. The ram prime uses standard shellholders, and it is very precise- even slightly troublesome primer pockets work well.

Most of my priming is now done on a Lee reloader C-press (sidekick press). I do case neck expansion on the RC, move the cartridge over to the C-press and prime it. The RCBS- unit is dedicated to CCI LRP, that I use for my jacketed bullet loads.

 

[462]

I started with the round Lee hand primer and used it for many years till the thumb lever broke. Lee replaced the entire unit with the new-at-the-time curved lever and square tray model, but the lever and my thumb could never come to terms, and getting primers to enter the little feed alley required a certain hand movement that I couldn't master. A Hornady hand primer was a quick replacement, and its squeeze-action is easier to operate.

I much prefer the ram prime method, and after testing both Lyman and RCBS units settled on the RCBS.

 

[popper]

Get the Hornady unit, standard shell holder, aluminum parts, etc. Tray is good plastic and sturdy. Been through maybe 10 bricks of primers without fail.

 

[Wallyl]

Spindrift... I enjoy doing my priming chores while watching something on TV. I also have an RCBS 90200 that works well however it is a PITA to change from Sm to Lg primers and some of my shellholders are not RCBS so I had to make a brass sleeve so that the center rod is centered in them. So I use the Lee the most often.

 

[RicinYakima]

Like Ian, I still use the metal original Lee priming tool. I buy every one I can for less than $10 at flea markets and junk stores. The back up is a stainless Sinclair tool made for the benchrest crowd that uses modern Lee slip in shellholders. But it weights twice as much, or more, and doesn't do a better job than the Lee's. But it sure is pretty to look at!

 

[Wallyl]

RicinYakima

Do you mean this Lee priming tool?

 

[JonB]

While all my pistol priming happens on the Lee turret press and their Safety Prime (I've broken the internal spring on those several times). I do some rifle priming with the Lee hand held Round tray Auto-Prime (and I really like it). I found a spare at a gunshow, so I should be good for life, as I have never broken one of those yet. I see a gouger on flea-bay has a complete kit, looks like new, comes with one shell holder, only $129 plus $13 shipping

 

[Ben]

I like many Lee's products.
Lee priming tools are not in my list of " Lee Likes. "

Ben

 

[Wallyl]

Ben....I can appreciate your feelings about Lee Priming tools...they probably work out well for reloaders that don't reload all that much.

 

[RicinYakima]

RicinYakima

Do you mean this Lee priming tool?

View attachment 12740

Yes. Keep it clean, keep it lubed and it will last many thousands of primers.

 

[Bret4207]

I went through several Lee units, maybe 4, probably because I'm a "get a bigger hammer" kinda guy and didn't own a real pocket cleaner till maybe 12 years back. Then I bought an RCBS. It's pretty nice, but IIRC they changed the design about a month after I got mine and the newer style looks like it'd work better. I actually found the Lee to be smoother in some cases than the RCBS. But, the RCBS will probably last me till I kick off.

I saw one some time back I really wanted but the thing was about $250.00! Sure looked like it would have worked nice though.

 

[Wallyl]

I have one from 1972...the zinc body has fine threads which I find now will not hold a shell holder tightly when used. A strip of tape tightens it up so that I can still use it. Over the years I have made good use of it. On 7mm Rem Mag the primers cannot be seated all the way with it. I fixed that by milling down the top of its' body by about 0.5mm. Btw I never ever cross threaded it.

 

[Wallyl]

I have two of these and have broken two handles (both replaced by RCBS).....it works quite nicely but you have to insert a primer one at a time with it.

 

[Ian]

I don't get how anyone is breaking these tools. Trying to force primers in crimped pockets?

The wear and out of tolerance conditions of cheap, pot-metal tools I can understand, but having primed tens of thousands of pistol and rifle cartridges with my old Lee tool (with the flat, slip-in shellholders), I'm just not seeing it. Broke the handles on two RCBS units? How?

 

[Wallyl]

Ian,

Nope..seems that over time they weaken at a weak spot and eventually crack & break. The RCBS tool has a weak spot that anyone could see it not good...it is 3" from the tip of teh handle in an area that takes the most stress. Pot metal zinc is a crappy material for a handle IMHO.

 

[fiver]

not when your the one selling new tools.

 

[462]

I don't get how anyone is breaking these tools. Trying to force primers in crimped pockets?

Ian,
In my case, the rectangular, pot metal thumb lever broke just above the pivot point, as they were wont to do, which prompted Lee to come out with the new and improved, reinforced and curved lever.
In those days, I was not using any crimped primered brass.