I have a question about priming tools. I have done some reading on the importance of primer seating regarding accuracy. The consensus was that a person should seat primers with the same pounds of seating force to get the most accurate cartridges. My question is who makes a priming tool that measures force? Also reading the boards it seems that the old lee throw away (Auto Prime) tool probably has primed more cases then any other, why are these so good? My problem with these tools is I use Fed. 210 match primers and they say don't use Fed. with the auto prime tool. I have a RCBS hand tool and have used it for a few years. I am just trying to better my process. I am just wondering what you people use.

WS

I like the LEE Auto Prime because if you encounter any resistance while seating the primer, you notice it and can correct the situation. I load Federal primers in mine all the time.

NRA Life Member

"get busy living... or get busy dying"

Where did you hear not to use Fed. primers in the Auto Prime?

I've seated many with mine. No problems. I can't imagine what would be different about Federal primers that would make one particular priming tool unacceptable while the others would be fine. This makes no sense.

This is off their web site and on the package.

WARNING!

Users have reported that the primers in the tray of an Auto Prime can explode for various reasons, some of which include: a cocked primer, or an attempt to prime a case which has a primer already in place, or more than one primer on the punch, or priming a military case with the crimp not completely removed. Should an explosion occur, our tests have demonstrated that safety glasses will normally prevent serious injury to the user if CCI or Winchester primers are used, because the explosion is minimal. Other primers, however, can explode with sufficient force to seriously injure the user, or persons nearby. We do not take any position with respect to the quality or performance of primers available on the market. However, only those primers manufactured by CCI or Winchester are recommended for use in the Lee Auto Prime, and when loading those primers, safety glasses should always be used. No other primers should be used with the Lee Auto Prime.

Please keep in mind I have never used one. I was disappointed when I went to buy one and read this. Again I am just going off what they say.

WS

It sounds to me that CCI and Winchester have a deal with lee to try and sell more primers.

quote:

Originally posted by Whopper Stopper:
I have a question about priming tools. I have done some reading on the importance of primer seating regarding accuracy. The consensus was that a person should seat primers with the same pounds of seating force to get the most accurate cartridges.

Hey WS, Actually the idea is to Seat the Primer so the Anvil is just making contact with the bottom of the Primer Pocket. Once that happens, you want to stop so the Priming Pellet does not get "Cracked", which used to cause some misfires. This is easily accomplished by "feel".

quote:

My question is who makes a priming tool that measures force?

The Lee Hand Held Primer is a fine tool. I have two of them and have used them many years. You just need to "Lube" the Pivot on occasion and they do fine.

I believe someone does make a Seater with some kind of Measuring Device attached to it. Not sure where I saw it, maybe an old Sinclair catalog. Can't remember if it measures the Seating Depth(bad idea) or what.

quote:

Also reading the boards it seems that the old lee throw away (Auto Prime) tool probably has primed more cases then any other, why are these so good?

Don't know about a "Throw Away" Auto Prime. Never heard of them before.

The regular Auto Primes allow you to "feel" when the Primer(Anvil) Seats properly, against the bottom of the Primer Pocket, with a short Learning Curve. If you "Square" the Primer Pockets(a one time task done with an additional Tool), the consistency is enhanced.

quote:

My problem with these tools is I use Fed. 210 match primers and they say don't use Fed. with the auto prime tool.

Huuummm, I've used many tens of thousands of Fed Primers with mine and never had a problem. Sure doesn't mean that someone else has not had a problem with them though.

If you do not pay attention, it is possible for the Primers to occasionally get on their "Side" and I've crushed them into the Pocket without them firing. I don't recommend doing that , but so far none have ignited - from any manufacturer.

quote:

I have a RCBS hand tool and have used it for a few years. I am just trying to better my process. I am just wondering what you people use. ...

As long as you can "feel" the Primer make contact as it Seats, either one will do fine. Just make sure it Seats and do not crush it.

Best of luck to you.

Winchester (not so much) and CCI primers have relatively hard cups, especially CCI. Federal has the softest cup of all and that is probably the reason they say that. I'm with Two tone, I've loaded literally thousands of Federal 210, 215, 210M and 215M primers with nary a hitch. Do as you wish but, I think that's just a CYA disclaimer on LEE's part.

Yup, CYA for sure. Foolishness. Go ahead and use the Feds. You won't have a problem.

I have never had a primer go off in way over 50 years of loading everything, with every priming tool made. I have removed many live primers to change them too. I still grab the Lee a lot and use it for any primer but I use Federals most of the time.
My friend had one primer go off when he didn't see it on his bench. He was heating something with a torch and the flame hit it. Gave him a start! That is the only one he ever had go off.
I don't blame Lee for saying what they do, there are guys that seat primers like they seat boolits---full speed ahead, ram that handle and make as many bum loads as can be turned out in 30 minutes. I know a guy that works so hard and fast, half his boolits wind up on the outside of the brass. It takes a tremendous amount of pressure to cut the side of a boolit off! Does he seat primers like that? I don't know because I won't be near him when he does.
Lawyers make companies pay for people's stupidity.

I'm unsure of the origin of Lee's warning against using Federal primers in their priming tool. However, since it lacks much description or specifics of the reasoning behind it, it appears to be more likely a result of a business dispute than a genuine safety issue. Those who have followed Dick Lee's career would not be surprised to see a business dispute manifest itself in this way.

As those who regularly use Federals in their Lee tools have already attested, the warning seems to be baseless.

And yes, I regard the Lee priming tool as the very best on the market and also view it as "disposable" since it will have a limited lifetime (they wear out at the bearing surfaces quickly if not lubed with Vasoline regularly, and will wear out eventually even with lubrication.) Like other Lee products, they are cheap enough that you just go buy another when they wear out and are still money ahead compared to the cost of most competing products.

quote:

it appears to be more likely a result of a business dispute than a genuine safety issue. Those who have followed Dick Lee's career would not be surprised to see a business dispute manifest itself in this way.

I noticed there's a bit of a blurb about Speer bullets included with the factory crimp die. It would seem to be along similar lines.

Thank you for all the replies! I very much appreciate it. I knew you guys would know.

WS

Be warned, any primer can detonate the primer tray of a lee auto prime! I was at the Super Shoot BR match one year and this happened to one of the shooters.

The key is to make sure you do not double prime and don't put a lot of primers in the tray at once. Don't try to hurry the process and it will work fine.

Mike

I have a RCBS hand held priming tool. It is designed and works great. It always feeds the primers perfect not even a chance of any getting sideways

quote:

Originally posted by Whopper Stopper:
This is off their web site and on the package.

WARNING!

Users have reported that the primers in the tray of an Auto Prime can explode for various reasons, some of which include: a cocked primer, or an attempt to prime a case which has a primer already in place, or more than one primer on the punch, or priming a military case with the crimp not completely removed. Should an explosion occur, our tests have demonstrated that safety glasses will normally prevent serious injury to the user if CCI or Winchester primers are used, because the explosion is minimal. Other primers, however, can explode with sufficient force to seriously injure the user, or persons nearby. We do not take any position with respect to the quality or performance of primers available on the market. However, only those primers manufactured by CCI or Winchester are recommended for use in the Lee Auto Prime, and when loading those primers, safety glasses should always be used. No other primers should be used with the Lee Auto Prime.

Please keep in mind I have never used one. I was disappointed when I went to buy one and read this. Again I am just going off what they say.

WS

Great 20 years of using a Lee Auto Prime & Federal primers down the tubes!! This is bad JU-JU

If you're thinking about a new priming tool, to heck with the Lee, the new universal, (no shellholders) RCBS is the shiznit!

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
If you're thinking about a new priming tool, to heck with the Lee, the new universal, (no shellholders) RCBS is the shiznit!

shiznit????

What is a shiznit?

Yea , whats a Shiznit

I just went to RCBS site and didnt see a new universal no shell holder hand held tool

Russ Haydon sells a priming tool that has a dial indicator attached so equal pressure can be obtained each time. Spendy and slow but is designed for precession target loads.
Russ Haydon's Shooters Supply-253-857-7557

I use the RCBS Automatic Priming Tool no problems. It is easy and safe...