Lee auto prime hand priming tool ?

FullCry · March 3, 2010, 11:56 PM

I saw this tool mentioned in an earlier post and did some research on it for cost etc. The ad on the site where I was looking said auto prime shell holders had to be bought separately. What does this mean? Thanks in advance, FullCry

Waldog · March 4, 2010, 12:01 AM

You have to have a separate shell holder to hold each case in the priming tool. A 30.06 is a different size case than a 223. It requires different shell holder.

88KEYS · March 4, 2010, 12:11 AM

I’m not Lee bashing they make good products at a good price, I have some dies they sell, really like the Lee factory crimp die for 223. The Lee hand priming tool had one many years ago, they could have changed. The one I had required shell holders for each caliber you wanted to use the tool for. It broke and replaced it with the RCBS hand priming tool, it cost more but will hold up much better. Also takes standard shell holders that you use in the press. Also RCBS is very good about warranty and will replace products if they fail to hold up.

I like a hand primer use it for my better stuff; you can feel the primer seating.

Scorch · March 4, 2010, 12:28 AM

I have a Lee Auto Prime I have used for 24 years. Works great. Lots cheaper than the RCBS one, you could buy several of the Lees for the price of the RCBS, but the RCBS is stouter. Other than that, they are pretty much the same design. I say pick one or another and go for it.

Mike1 · March 4, 2010, 01:14 AM

Not sure that the answers so far are clear enough. The Auto Prime uses different shell holders than the ones used in the reloading presses. The Auto Primes are flat on the bottom, and can't be used in the presses.

jmortimer · March 4, 2010, 01:38 AM

Yes - you get a set of 11 which covers 115 cartridges. Auto Prime is a great value. I've got two - one set up for small pistol and one for large pistol. If you grease it as recommended it will last a long time - especially for a $12.00 tool.

Tim R · March 4, 2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Yes - you get a set of 11 which covers 115 cartridges. Auto Prime is a great value. I've got two - one set up for small pistol and one for large pistol. If you grease it as recommended it will last a long time - especially for a $12.00 tool.

I don't have the set of 11 but I do have the shell holder for what I reload. The shell holder the Auto Prime uses won't work in anything else and are less then $3.00 each, last time I looked. And yes grease it where you need to grease it. The Hand held Auto Prime is the only Lee product I will use......I like the feel when the primer seats.

darkgael · March 4, 2010, 06:22 AM

I like the Lee Auto prime tool. I have three of them. I also have to RCBS tool.
As noted, keep the Lee tool clean and lubed a bit and it will last for......a long time. Mine have. While the RCBS tool is a heavier, stronger, nicely made tool, I find that it's a bit of a pain to change shell holders. With the Lee tool, you can just pop a shell holder out and pop a different one in.
Pete

rbernie · March 4, 2010, 08:42 AM

I bought the pack of shell holders for the AutoPrime about 25 years ago, and they still work just fine.

I love the AutoPrime. You will break levers and eventually the body will crack, but only after priming tens and tens of thousands of rounds. Lee sells parts for everything that they make, and I've gotten to the point where I just keep a spare AutoPrime laying about.

For the cost and utility, it's a great deal and highly satisfying.

F. Guffey · March 4, 2010, 09:05 AM

I could say something like, "think about it" yes think about it before jumping on the key board and typing, then I would have to say "That has never worked before" so I will try and take some back in time when one shell holder was required in the press, automatic primer, trimmer etc., With one shell holder that is 3 changes meaning two shell holders for time sake was a must, then Lee comes up with the Lee automatic hand primer with a set of shell that would not fit anything else meaning the shell holders were dedicated to the auto primer and affordable. there was a time 9 shell holders for the press cost $45.00, at the same time the Lee auto primers was $15.00 in the 'little red box'.

F. Guffey

rwilson452 · March 4, 2010, 09:26 AM

I also have the Lee Autoprime. In fact I have two. One for small primers and one for large primers. I have know people that have broke theirs. Two reasons for the breakage are common. They didn't grease it and they tried to force primers into crimped primer pockets. I recall one persons account of breaking one. He said he had to use both thumbs to get it to close all the way. I suspect he crushed a few primers before the autoprime broke.

Some people just have an aversion about reading the directions.

I have been using the autoprime for decades. I did break one by dropping it and stepping on it. Snapped the primer chute right off. Rather than order a replacement I just bought another.

Inspector3711 · March 4, 2010, 09:36 AM

I bought a Hornady... I love it. It's ergonomic and will accept either Hornady or RCBS press shell holders. It has a black tray and a green tray. The green tray is the one you use for RCBS shell holders.

twice barrel · March 4, 2010, 02:56 PM

What's $25 for the very best hand primer for the money; period. Someone produces a high quality hand primer that also uses the Lee autoprime shellholders (I forget who) but its a one-at-a-time deal, no primer tray.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...&prodTitle=Lee Auto Prime

+

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...&prodTitle=Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set

TB

johnjohn · March 4, 2010, 07:58 PM

I have 2 auto primes also and am very well satisfied.

amamnn · March 4, 2010, 08:04 PM

Get the Lee autoprime, wrap some adhesive tape around the wide flat handle and never look back.

palabman · March 4, 2010, 08:05 PM

Pick up the auto prime with the shell holder kit and don't look back. It's great for the price.

BigJakeJ1s · March 4, 2010, 09:41 PM

I started with the Lee Auto Prime, and it works ok, but it is actuated entirely by the thumb, which gets old if you're sitting down to prime a couple hundred or more.

I switched to the RCBS Universal hand primer, since it uses the entire hand, and is much less tiring. It has universal shell holder jaws that fit any cartridge, with no swapping or adjustments required. It also has a large square tray that is much easier to fill and use than the smaller, round tray on the LAP. The primer punch is a bit of a pain to switch sizes, so for a while I kept my LAP set up for small primers (I use less of them). Then my wife bought me a second RCBS UHP, and the LAP gathers dust now.

The square trays are not particular to primer size, so I can load up both trays and prime for a long time. They detach from the handle easily, and lay flat on the bench for loading. A factory sleeve easily lays flat in the bottom of the tray, making it simple to transfer the primers to the tray without flipping them. The tray will actually hold two sleeves (200 primers), so I can prime 400 cases without having to stop and load trays again.

BTW, RCBS offers the square tray as an upgrade for their other hand primer too.

Andy

FullCry · March 4, 2010, 10:18 PM

I ordered a Lee turret press kit. It says every thing included to reload. On the list I didn't see anything about priming so I assume when I get it here soon that I bet I'll need a priming tool. If so I will go with the Lee and shell holder kit. If anyone knows if the loader I'm getting has some priming device please let me know. Thanks for all the info on the Lee primer and any info on the loader will be appreciated. FullCry

jmortimer · March 4, 2010, 10:48 PM

You prime right on the press - there is a T-shaped metal togle that lifts and and reverses for large and small primers. Works just fine. I just like the Auto Prime.

FullCry · March 4, 2010, 10:54 PM

Thanks a lot sir. If it doesn't work out for me I will sure get the auto prime. FullCry

March 3, 2010, 11:56 PM	#1
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	Lee auto prime hand priming tool ? I saw this tool mentioned in an earlier post and did some research on it for cost etc. The ad on the site where I was looking said auto prime shell holders had to be bought separately. What does this mean? Thanks in advance, FullCry

March 4, 2010, 12:01 AM	#2
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	You have to have a separate shell holder to hold each case in the priming tool. A 30.06 is a different size case than a 223. It requires different shell holder. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

March 4, 2010, 12:28 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have a Lee Auto Prime I have used for 24 years. Works great. Lots cheaper than the RCBS one, you could buy several of the Lees for the price of the RCBS, but the RCBS is stouter. Other than that, they are pretty much the same design. I say pick one or another and go for it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 4, 2010, 06:22 AM	#8
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Lee I like the Lee Auto prime tool. I have three of them. I also have to RCBS tool. As noted, keep the Lee tool clean and lubed a bit and it will last for......a long time. Mine have. While the RCBS tool is a heavier, stronger, nicely made tool, I find that it's a bit of a pain to change shell holders. With the Lee tool, you can just pop a shell holder out and pop a different one in. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

March 4, 2010, 08:42 AM	#9
rbernie Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2004 Location: Plain Ol', TX Posts: 713	I bought the pack of shell holders for the AutoPrime about 25 years ago, and they still work just fine. I love the AutoPrime. You will break levers and eventually the body will crack, but only after priming tens and tens of thousands of rounds. Lee sells parts for everything that they make, and I've gotten to the point where I just keep a spare AutoPrime laying about. For the cost and utility, it's a great deal and highly satisfying. __________________ -A conclusion is not a destination, it's simply a convenient place to stop thinking.- -Reading a thing doesn't automatically make it so; repeating it doesn't necessarily make it any truer.- -Every Texan should be a member of the Texas State Rifle Association.

March 4, 2010, 12:11 AM	#3
88KEYS Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Posts: 145	I’m not Lee bashing they make good products at a good price, I have some dies they sell, really like the Lee factory crimp die for 223. The Lee hand priming tool had one many years ago, they could have changed. The one I had required shell holders for each caliber you wanted to use the tool for. It broke and replaced it with the RCBS hand priming tool, it cost more but will hold up much better. Also takes standard shell holders that you use in the press. Also RCBS is very good about warranty and will replace products if they fail to hold up. I like a hand primer use it for my better stuff; you can feel the primer seating.

March 4, 2010, 01:14 AM	#5
Mike1 Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 178	Not sure that the answers so far are clear enough. The Auto Prime uses different shell holders than the ones used in the reloading presses. The Auto Primes are flat on the bottom, and can't be used in the presses.

March 4, 2010, 01:38 AM	#6
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Yes - you get a set of 11 which covers 115 cartridges. Auto Prime is a great value. I've got two - one set up for small pistol and one for large pistol. If you grease it as recommended it will last a long time - especially for a $12.00 tool.

March 4, 2010, 09:05 AM	#10
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	I could say something like, "think about it" yes think about it before jumping on the key board and typing, then I would have to say "That has never worked before" so I will try and take some back in time when one shell holder was required in the press, automatic primer, trimmer etc., With one shell holder that is 3 changes meaning two shell holders for time sake was a must, then Lee comes up with the Lee automatic hand primer with a set of shell that would not fit anything else meaning the shell holders were dedicated to the auto primer and affordable. there was a time 9 shell holders for the press cost $45.00, at the same time the Lee auto primers was $15.00 in the 'little red box'. F. Guffey

March 4, 2010, 09:26 AM	#11
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	I also have the Lee Autoprime. In fact I have two. One for small primers and one for large primers. I have know people that have broke theirs. Two reasons for the breakage are common. They didn't grease it and they tried to force primers into crimped primer pockets. I recall one persons account of breaking one. He said he had to use both thumbs to get it to close all the way. I suspect he crushed a few primers before the autoprime broke. Some people just have an aversion about reading the directions. I have been using the autoprime for decades. I did break one by dropping it and stepping on it. Snapped the primer chute right off. Rather than order a replacement I just bought another. __________________ USNRET '61-'81

March 4, 2010, 09:36 AM	#12
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	I bought a Hornady... I love it. It's ergonomic and will accept either Hornady or RCBS press shell holders. It has a black tray and a green tray. The green tray is the one you use for RCBS shell holders. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

March 4, 2010, 02:56 PM	#13
twice barrel Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Posts: 98	What's $25 for the very best hand primer for the money; period. Someone produces a high quality hand primer that also uses the Lee autoprime shellholders (I forget who) but its a one-at-a-time deal, no primer tray. http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...&prodTitle=Lee Auto Prime + http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...&prodTitle=Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set TB

March 4, 2010, 07:58 PM	#14
johnjohn Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2009 Location: Baton Rouge La. Posts: 122	I have 2 auto primes also and am very well satisfied.

March 4, 2010, 08:04 PM	#15
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Get the Lee autoprime, wrap some adhesive tape around the wide flat handle and never look back. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

March 4, 2010, 08:05 PM	#16
palabman Member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: SW PA Posts: 80	Pick up the auto prime with the shell holder kit and don't look back. It's great for the price.

March 4, 2010, 09:41 PM	#17
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	I started with the Lee Auto Prime, and it works ok, but it is actuated entirely by the thumb, which gets old if you're sitting down to prime a couple hundred or more. I switched to the RCBS Universal hand primer, since it uses the entire hand, and is much less tiring. It has universal shell holder jaws that fit any cartridge, with no swapping or adjustments required. It also has a large square tray that is much easier to fill and use than the smaller, round tray on the LAP. The primer punch is a bit of a pain to switch sizes, so for a while I kept my LAP set up for small primers (I use less of them). Then my wife bought me a second RCBS UHP, and the LAP gathers dust now. The square trays are not particular to primer size, so I can load up both trays and prime for a long time. They detach from the handle easily, and lay flat on the bench for loading. A factory sleeve easily lays flat in the bottom of the tray, making it simple to transfer the primers to the tray without flipping them. The tray will actually hold two sleeves (200 primers), so I can prime 400 cases without having to stop and load trays again. BTW, RCBS offers the square tray as an upgrade for their other hand primer too. Andy

March 4, 2010, 10:18 PM	#18
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	I ordered a Lee turret press kit. It says every thing included to reload. On the list I didn't see anything about priming so I assume when I get it here soon that I bet I'll need a priming tool. If so I will go with the Lee and shell holder kit. If anyone knows if the loader I'm getting has some priming device please let me know. Thanks for all the info on the Lee primer and any info on the loader will be appreciated. FullCry

March 4, 2010, 10:48 PM	#19
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	You prime right on the press - there is a T-shaped metal togle that lifts and and reverses for large and small primers. Works just fine. I just like the Auto Prime.

March 4, 2010, 10:54 PM	#20
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	Thanks a lot sir. If it doesn't work out for me I will sure get the auto prime. FullCry