Lee auto prime hand held vs II

czhead · March 25, 2002, 01:22 PM

trying to make up my mind whether to go with hand held auto prime or auto prime II. Can I get some advice here please?
thanks in advance....

Bogie · March 25, 2002, 03:40 PM

The hand held one with the tray. I don't like doing it on a press - you get better feel hand held. Keep the wear points lubed with a heavy grease (or vaseline), and it'll last a good long time. Replacement innards are only a couple of bucks.

Selfdfenz · March 25, 2002, 05:47 PM

What Bogie said.
Get the hand held unit and you can sit and watch TV through your safety glass and prime cases at the same time.

On second thought you might want to listen to the radio.

Mine is still going stong and its gotta be 15 years old. If it breaks now I will get another just like it.

S-

WESHOOT2 · March 26, 2002, 10:03 AM

Highly recommend the RCBS hand-priming unit; more robust (and safer) than the LEE unit (broke two during same session).

NOT opinion; actual manufacturing experience.

Bogie · March 26, 2002, 10:56 AM

The Lee has better feel, resulting in more accurate and consistent ammo. I see Lees at benchrest matches. I think I may have seen ONE RCBS priming tool.

Heck, I've broken one. I've also worn out one. I've got three more...

And a K&M primer, along with an antique "knewuler" tool. And I may be getting a Sinclair this summer.

Poodleshooter · March 27, 2002, 03:32 PM

I've owned both the Lee and the RCBS hand primers, and IMHO-
Lee is faster to change out shellholders for, and cheaper for the tool alone.
The RCBS is slightly smoother, and you don't have to buy new shellholders (saves money if you have many calibers).
Smooth feel or a quicker caliber change-your choice.
I've never used the press based auto prime II. I've always used a handheld, as I didn't like the only press based system I used (Lee turret press).

DAVID NANCARROW · March 27, 2002, 03:39 PM

I have the Lee press based, bought it last year when my RCBS hand held broke after 5 years of heavy use. The press model is not a bad deal, but it may take you time to develop a a feel for the seating. I use mine on top of an RL-5 RCBS and it does a good job. It certainly is not as portable, but it'll do.

coonan357 · March 28, 2002, 03:59 AM

I have both the rcbs handheld and the lee auto primeII , I use the handheld while watching tv or while at work , and lee when I have to preprime a load of shells ,(1ooo or more) or when my hands hurt from carpel tunnel ( which the hand tool agrivates ) , I have the lee mounted on a cheapie press I also use for decappin g and will be putting it on a B&D workmate this spring to make it portable, the only thing wrong with the APII is that you have to shake the primer feeder every so often to get them to slide .other than that no problems.

Johnny Guest · March 28, 2002, 11:49 AM

Seems stronger and less fatiguing to use.

I used Lees for many years--Wore out a couple and broke two.

One man's opinion.

Best,
Johnny

Bill Adair · March 29, 2002, 01:42 AM

Hey Folks,

Midway has the Lee Autoprime on sale for less than $8, in their latest catalog.

The shell holder set with box, is also on sale.

I'd buy another one, but I already have three.

Bill

czhead · March 29, 2002, 10:12 PM

I'll just have to get both !!!

444 · March 29, 2002, 10:21 PM

I prefer the Lee handheld unit. I have owned the same one since the late 70s. I have loaded 10s of thousands of rounds with it and it is still running fine. I bought another one not long ago just in case. I was surprised to see it advertised in the Sinclair catalog saying basically that it wasn't as good as theirs but it is very good. Sinclair doesn't sell junk.
They also didn't have the RCBS priming tool the last time I had one of their catalogs.

KP95DAO · March 30, 2002, 01:39 PM

I have gone through numerous Lee hand held priming tools. Then thought I would try the RCBS tool, didn't fit my hand, sent it back.

I prime all my cases with the Lee Auto Prime II using the Lee Hand Press. Just as easy as the Auto Prime tool with a positive stop and will not wear out.

czhead · March 31, 2002, 11:00 AM

Well, so far in my young reloading career I have found that the priming step takes all my attention. I have been using the tool that came with the Lee turret. But, I have to do it in seclusion.
The second my wife comes in and starts to give me her opinion on the latest something that I have not done to her standards and I'll put one of those rascals in backwards in a heartbeat....Really peeves me off if you know what I mean.

coonan357 · April 3, 2002, 07:57 AM

put a deadbolt on the reloading room door , can't hear peeves!

March 25, 2002, 01:22 PM	#1
czhead Member Join Date: February 12, 2002 Location: Plano, Tx Posts: 29	Lee auto prime hand held vs II trying to make up my mind whether to go with hand held auto prime or auto prime II. Can I get some advice here please? thanks in advance....

March 25, 2002, 03:40 PM	#2
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	The hand held one with the tray. I don't like doing it on a press - you get better feel hand held. Keep the wear points lubed with a heavy grease (or vaseline), and it'll last a good long time. Replacement innards are only a couple of bucks. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

March 25, 2002, 05:47 PM	#3
Selfdfenz Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: The Gas Tax State Posts: 949	What Bogie said. Get the hand held unit and you can sit and watch TV through your safety glass and prime cases at the same time. On second thought you might want to listen to the radio. Mine is still going stong and its gotta be 15 years old. If it breaks now I will get another just like it. S- __________________ Selfdfenz

March 26, 2002, 10:03 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	AFTER CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE Highly recommend the RCBS hand-priming unit; more robust (and safer) than the LEE unit (broke two during same session). NOT opinion; actual manufacturing experience. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 26, 2002, 10:56 AM	#5
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	The Lee has better feel, resulting in more accurate and consistent ammo. I see Lees at benchrest matches. I think I may have seen ONE RCBS priming tool. Heck, I've broken one. I've also worn out one. I've got three more... And a K&M primer, along with an antique "knewuler" tool. And I may be getting a Sinclair this summer. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

March 27, 2002, 03:32 PM	#6
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	I've owned both the Lee and the RCBS hand primers, and IMHO- Lee is faster to change out shellholders for, and cheaper for the tool alone. The RCBS is slightly smoother, and you don't have to buy new shellholders (saves money if you have many calibers). Smooth feel or a quicker caliber change-your choice. I've never used the press based auto prime II. I've always used a handheld, as I didn't like the only press based system I used (Lee turret press).

March 27, 2002, 03:39 PM	#7
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,761	I have the Lee press based, bought it last year when my RCBS hand held broke after 5 years of heavy use. The press model is not a bad deal, but it may take you time to develop a a feel for the seating. I use mine on top of an RL-5 RCBS and it does a good job. It certainly is not as portable, but it'll do.

March 28, 2002, 03:59 AM	#8
coonan357 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2002 Location: in a state of confusion and disbelief ! Posts: 726	I have both the rcbs handheld and the lee auto primeII , I use the handheld while watching tv or while at work , and lee when I have to preprime a load of shells ,(1ooo or more) or when my hands hurt from carpel tunnel ( which the hand tool agrivates ) , I have the lee mounted on a cheapie press I also use for decappin g and will be putting it on a B&D workmate this spring to make it portable, the only thing wrong with the APII is that you have to shake the primer feeder every so often to get them to slide .other than that no problems. __________________ N.R.A. Lifer and proud of it ! You can't argue with a .357 Mag. Well, you can try, but you'll end up bleeding an aweful lot. -GEORGE HILL 4-08-2002 My Coonan is Not For Sale please do not ask!

March 28, 2002, 11:49 AM	#9
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	I prefer the RCBS, myself. Seems stronger and less fatiguing to use. I used Lees for many years--Wore out a couple and broke two. One man's opinion. Best, Johnny

March 29, 2002, 01:42 AM	#10
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	Hey Folks, Midway has the Lee Autoprime on sale for less than $8, in their latest catalog. The shell holder set with box, is also on sale. I'd buy another one, but I already have three. Bill

March 29, 2002, 10:12 PM	#11
czhead Member Join Date: February 12, 2002 Location: Plano, Tx Posts: 29	That settles it... I'll just have to get both !!!

March 29, 2002, 10:21 PM	#12
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I prefer the Lee handheld unit. I have owned the same one since the late 70s. I have loaded 10s of thousands of rounds with it and it is still running fine. I bought another one not long ago just in case. I was surprised to see it advertised in the Sinclair catalog saying basically that it wasn't as good as theirs but it is very good. Sinclair doesn't sell junk. They also didn't have the RCBS priming tool the last time I had one of their catalogs. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

March 30, 2002, 01:39 PM	#13
KP95DAO Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2000 Posts: 699	I have gone through numerous Lee hand held priming tools. Then thought I would try the RCBS tool, didn't fit my hand, sent it back. I prime all my cases with the Lee Auto Prime II using the Lee Hand Press. Just as easy as the Auto Prime tool with a positive stop and will not wear out.

March 31, 2002, 11:00 AM	#14
czhead Member Join Date: February 12, 2002 Location: Plano, Tx Posts: 29	Priming Well, so far in my young reloading career I have found that the priming step takes all my attention. I have been using the tool that came with the Lee turret. But, I have to do it in seclusion. The second my wife comes in and starts to give me her opinion on the latest something that I have not done to her standards and I'll put one of those rascals in backwards in a heartbeat....Really peeves me off if you know what I mean.

April 3, 2002, 07:57 AM	#15
coonan357 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2002 Location: in a state of confusion and disbelief ! Posts: 726	put a deadbolt on the reloading room door , can't hear peeves! __________________ N.R.A. Lifer and proud of it ! You can't argue with a .357 Mag. Well, you can try, but you'll end up bleeding an aweful lot. -GEORGE HILL 4-08-2002 My Coonan is Not For Sale please do not ask!

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