Bought that new Lee Auto Prime XR today

chris in va · November 7, 2010, 01:27 AM

I've just been using the ram prime doodad that came with my Hand Press but got tired of losing primers, especially SP for my 9mm. So today I broke down and bought this thing after people raved about it.

I can see how the square tray is better than the round design when flipping those primer trays over. It's definitely quicker than the ram prime.

Problem though, not near enough leverage. I have to use both thumbs for it to seat properly, and even then I get a couple high primers that need reseating.

Which brings up my next point, you can't do that with this thing, at least not like the manual one. Once it's seated, a fresh primer is waiting in line. I'd hate to prime rifle cases with this device, such as my 30-06 for the Garand that requires a primer below flush. If I turn it around and use my fingers it won't seat all the way as you need every bit of leverage to press the top of the handle.

I'm still getting used to it though, just have to get around the way it feeds. Several times it gave me two primers and jammed the works up.

Bottom line, it's alright...probably worth the $20+shellholder cost if you're trying to save time. Otherwise something press mounted would give better feel and leverage for more critical priming.

mehavey · November 7, 2010, 08:05 AM

Since the mid`80s, the old/new/whatever AutoPrime is the machine I turn to in all cases. (pun intended

)

I also turn it so the lever is facing toward me and use both thumbs to press the primer home. (If think God designed it for that technique regardless of marketing phots.) It works first time every time and I get that exact feel of primer fit to the pocket -- when it seats home and how tight/loose it is as case firings progress..

If you get resistance/high primers, I highly recommend you get/use a primer pocket uniformer. That goes double for any gas gun loading -- especially Garand designs.

grumpa72 · November 7, 2010, 09:00 AM

I do all four primers, SR, LR, SP and LP in my Lee Auto Prime. Because I use the LR for my M1 in 30.06, I need to seat below flush and it does it without any excessive pressure. For rifle, I keep one of the spots on my turret empty and do the primer seating there. No issues at all.

rwilson452 · November 7, 2010, 09:07 AM

Chris,

May be a silly question, Did you lube it?

TXGunNut · November 7, 2010, 09:16 AM

To re-seat a primer when you already have a fresh primer over the ram simply turn the loader so the ram is above the tray and depress the lever just enough so that the primer can slide back into the tray. Then you can finish seating the primer. Once you get the feel for it you won't need to do that maneuver very often.
I've been using the original Auto Primes for over 25 years but was priming some rifle cases yesterday and was thinking about that handy square tray. Think I'll add one to my Midway order.

Maybe not, just read the reviews on the Midway site. Owners of the original Auto Prime like the old one better. Think I'll wait for more input before I replace a proven machine that has years of use left in it.

swmike · November 7, 2010, 11:41 AM

I have two Lee Auto Primes. One for large and one for small primers. Both were stiff and took extra pressure to fully seat primers when they were fresh out of the box. I put some anti-seize compound on the pivot points and they've been great ever since. No more than single thumb pressure required.

jmortimer · November 7, 2010, 11:56 AM

+1 "Did you lube it ?" I just use my old (over tens years old) Auto Prime and I keep it lubed and it keeps going. It does take some effort to fully seat primer but not that much - there is no "strain"

November 7, 2010, 01:27 AM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Bought that new Lee Auto Prime XR today I've just been using the ram prime doodad that came with my Hand Press but got tired of losing primers, especially SP for my 9mm. So today I broke down and bought this thing after people raved about it. I can see how the square tray is better than the round design when flipping those primer trays over. It's definitely quicker than the ram prime. Problem though, not near enough leverage. I have to use both thumbs for it to seat properly, and even then I get a couple high primers that need reseating. Which brings up my next point, you can't do that with this thing, at least not like the manual one. Once it's seated, a fresh primer is waiting in line. I'd hate to prime rifle cases with this device, such as my 30-06 for the Garand that requires a primer below flush. If I turn it around and use my fingers it won't seat all the way as you need every bit of leverage to press the top of the handle. I'm still getting used to it though, just have to get around the way it feeds. Several times it gave me two primers and jammed the works up. Bottom line, it's alright...probably worth the $20+shellholder cost if you're trying to save time. Otherwise something press mounted would give better feel and leverage for more critical priming.

November 7, 2010, 08:05 AM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	Since the mid`80s, the old/new/whatever AutoPrime is the machine I turn to in all cases. (pun intended) I also turn it so the lever is facing toward me and use both thumbs to press the primer home. (If think God designed it for that technique regardless of marketing phots.) It works first time every time and I get that exact feel of primer fit to the pocket -- when it seats home and how tight/loose it is as case firings progress.. If you get resistance/high primers, I highly recommend you get/use a primer pocket uniformer. That goes double for any gas gun loading -- especially Garand designs. Last edited by mehavey; November 7, 2010 at 08:12 AM.

November 7, 2010, 09:07 AM	#4
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Chris, May be a silly question, Did you lube it? __________________ USNRET '61-'81

November 7, 2010, 09:16 AM	#5
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	To re-seat a primer when you already have a fresh primer over the ram simply turn the loader so the ram is above the tray and depress the lever just enough so that the primer can slide back into the tray. Then you can finish seating the primer. Once you get the feel for it you won't need to do that maneuver very often. I've been using the original Auto Primes for over 25 years but was priming some rifle cases yesterday and was thinking about that handy square tray. Think I'll add one to my Midway order. Maybe not, just read the reviews on the Midway site. Owners of the original Auto Prime like the old one better. Think I'll wait for more input before I replace a proven machine that has years of use left in it. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights. Last edited by TXGunNut; November 7, 2010 at 11:12 AM.

November 7, 2010, 11:41 AM	#6
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	I have two Lee Auto Primes. One for large and one for small primers. Both were stiff and took extra pressure to fully seat primers when they were fresh out of the box. I put some anti-seize compound on the pivot points and they've been great ever since. No more than single thumb pressure required. __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

November 7, 2010, 09:00 AM	#3
grumpa72 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Posts: 487	I do all four primers, SR, LR, SP and LP in my Lee Auto Prime. Because I use the LR for my M1 in 30.06, I need to seat below flush and it does it without any excessive pressure. For rifle, I keep one of the spots on my turret empty and do the primer seating there. No issues at all.

November 7, 2010, 11:56 AM	#7
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	+1 "Did you lube it ?" I just use my old (over tens years old) Auto Prime and I keep it lubed and it keeps going. It does take some effort to fully seat primer but not that much - there is no "strain"