Lee Auto Prime Question

[Sid]

In his loading manual, Lee warns readers never to use anything but CCI or Winchester primers in the device for safety reasons. Is this really an issue? Has anyone here had any problems using other brands of primers. I ask because I now have a chance to buy Remington primers from a local store.
TIA

Information

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[MEHavey]

I had never heard of that, having owned a half dozen of these things over the years, cannot even faintly imagine why. I did look up the manual in question though...

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data...uct/PT1023.pdf

...and it does say that. Why, I cannot imagine as all the driving parts are plastic (and therefore have 'give' far beyond the metal of bench or loading press priming systems), and are hand pressure only.

[limazulu]

In his loading manual, Lee warns readers never to use anything but CCI or Winchester primers in the device for safety reasons. Is this really an issue? Has anyone here had any problems using other brands of primers. I ask because I now have a chance to buy Remington primers from a local store.
TIA

They said the same thing with their progressive press when I got it a long time ago...not to use Federal Primers...without the safety shield. With that plastic primer feeding system on the progressive they would jam up without warning and then... POP!!

The plastic survived but there were little bits of primer all over the place. I loaded thousands of rounds and after the third time it happened I got the Lee Auto Prime for better control. Never had any problems with it but haven't used federals in it and I always tilt it away from me with each seating of a primer.

[MarkB]

As I recall, the issue with Federal primers isn't so much that a single primer might detonate, but rather that the detonation of a single primer might set off the whole tray.

If you look at the way Federal primers are packaged, I'd say there is probably some truth to it. The packages are much bigger than those for Remington, Winchester and CCI, presumably to keep the primers separated.

I wouldn't be so concerned about using Remington primers. I quit using them because they seat a little bit easier than I'd like, but I think they're safe in the Auto-Prime. Just don't load a full 100 at a time.

[Rick S]

I had one of the Lee Priming tools blow up in my hands. Was seating a primer and it ignited the whole tray of a least 100 as I had just loaded it.
Sounded like a cherry bomb going off and it blew the horns off Santa's reign dear that was across the room on my wife's nick knack shelf.

Was wearing safety glasses, didn't lose any fingers, but my ears rang for a few days.

Have loaded thousands with the tool and this was my only incident. Wearing safety glasses and hearing protection isn't a bad idea. Was using Winchester primers.

[Gun Surfer]

Wow! Have loaded all primer types without incident for years in the Autoprime. However, lately as they get older, or the newer ones get cheaper, I have noticed more hang ups and harder to get the plastic cover on and off. Sometimes causes me to be less than delicate and patient with the rig. After hearing this story, will be MUCH MORE cautious for sure, prob have to wear eye protection now. Thanks on that story!

[MEHavey]

Rick, was there any "feel" that the offending primer was different going in?

[Sid]

In the second edition of his book, Lee has revised his recommendations for use of the Auto Prime. Here is what he recommends;
THESE SIZES MAY BE USED WITH 100 PRIMERS IN THE TRAY:
Remington Small Pistol
All sizes of CCI brand primers
Winchester Small Pistol
Remington Large Pistol

LIMIT TO ONLY 20 PRIMERS IN THE TRAY OF THESE TYPES
Winchester Large Pistol
Winchester Magnum Pistol
Winchester Magnum Rifle

ONLY 10 PRIMERS IN THE TRAY
Winchester Large Rifle

[Rick S]

No. Things were going as normal. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just exploded the whole try. I now only load twenty max in the tray. I have had them jam , pick up two, or feed sideways with no explosions. Currently use two of the tools one set up for small and the other large.

I cannot get the nerve up to use a progressive loader that has primers and powder on the bench at the same time.

Can't stress enough to always wear safety glasses when reloading or working on guns. Primers can go, bang and spring can get away from you.

[Jim Tarleton]

In 40 years of reloading, I have only had two primers pop while seating. Both were in sideways. They were loud, and I can only imagine what a tray of those sucklers would sound like.

I use Winchester primers a lot, because that is what my local supplier sells. No problems to date, except they are a tad tuff to get into a military case, even after pocket reaming/deburring, etc.

Jim