Primers not falling into tube

dlburns · March 17, 2012, 12:05 AM

I am a newbie to reloading and just decapped 20 22-250 cases to reload. On my new Lee Challenger press there is a slot cut into the ram that allows the spent primers to fall into the clear tube attached to the bottom of the press. My problem is that the primers fly out of the slot in the ram rather than funneling down into the tube! Am I doing something wrong?

Vance · March 17, 2012, 12:09 AM

There should be a primer installing arm that fits into the slot in the ram. That should be left in because it helps keep the spent primers going where they should.

dacaur · March 17, 2012, 01:45 AM

+1... with my deluxe turret press, without the primer arm in the primers end up all over the floor, with it installed they go 95% where they should...

ScottRiqui · March 17, 2012, 08:27 AM

Vance and dacaur have nailed it. It took me a few minutes with my first Lee press to realize that even if you're not priming, you have to keep a primer seating arm (either the large or the small - it doesn't matter) installed in the ram to route the primers correctly.

Ethan.G · March 17, 2012, 01:40 PM

same thing happened to me dont feel bad, just keep that primer seater in there

hounddawg · March 17, 2012, 03:03 PM

+ 1 for the screwed it up when I first started with it also crowd

dacaur · March 17, 2012, 04:29 PM

The only problem I have had is sizing cases that have been tumbled without a primer (decapped before tumbling). The media stuck in the flash hole gets pushed out, and after a while the primer arm starts to stick and eventually gets flung out on the floor. I have just started removing it and wiping it and the ram down every time it starts to stick and all is well.

PawPaw · March 17, 2012, 07:00 PM

I don't worry about those spent primers coming out of the priming arm slot. I figure that's what God made brooms for, and if you've ever seen the clutter under my bench you'd know that I don't even use brooms that often.

I have thought about taking the ram out and having that slot welded up. I've got two sons that own a welding shop and they could probably fill that hole and file everything down one slow afternoon. Plus, they get the benefit of the reloading in free ammo.

dlburns · March 17, 2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the info guys..I was wondering what I was gonna do with those two arms?
Dave

dacaur · March 17, 2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

I have thought about taking the ram out and having that slot welded up.

I was thinking about just buying a spare and cutting off anything that sticks outside the slot for use only when depriming.... just in case you want to prime on the press sometime...
Also, thinking about the amount of heat that will go into the ram during welding, might end up looking like a banana.... even a little warping will be a really bad thing considering the clearances...

as for the broom.... I have to wonder how much lead comes out of a primer as it impacts the floor and is subsequently swept around with a broom... of course it couldn't be much, but over the course of thousands of primers.... who knows... I have a 3 year old that likes to hand out with me while I reload , she will "help" me or just play on the floor.... scary thought eh?

Romeo 33 Delta · March 17, 2012, 10:11 PM

Just take a piece of a LARGE Mickey D straw, cut a length of it and insert it in the upper end of the ram (by the shell holder area. This will keep the primers from getting away from you.

I also did this with my Rock Chucker (and drilled a hole in the plastic catcher tray and stuffed a piece of clear tubing into it ... make it a TIGHT fit and run it down to a milk jug. I don't have problems with primers flying all over the place.)

poline · March 18, 2012, 01:42 AM

Can someone show a picture of this primer seating arm?

ScottRiqui · March 18, 2012, 07:13 AM

Here's two of them, side-by-side (the one on the left has a broken hook, though):

poline · March 18, 2012, 07:54 PM

( ScottRiqui )................thank you, very much.

ScottRiqui · March 18, 2012, 08:03 PM

You're welcome!

carprivershooter · March 19, 2012, 09:52 AM

I to had the problem of spent primers not going where they should, I took a plastic water bottle and cut it to size and uses wire ties to hold it in place. This keeps the 5 % that don't drop into the collector from getting away. I also had a problem with the ram dragging and the primer arm sticking. I use a bit of silicone spray of the ram. It runs smooth for a long time. Hope this helps.

March 17, 2012, 12:05 AM	#1
dlburns Member Join Date: September 10, 2011 Location: San Jose CA Posts: 17	Primers not falling into tube I am a newbie to reloading and just decapped 20 22-250 cases to reload. On my new Lee Challenger press there is a slot cut into the ram that allows the spent primers to fall into the clear tube attached to the bottom of the press. My problem is that the primers fly out of the slot in the ram rather than funneling down into the tube! Am I doing something wrong?

March 17, 2012, 03:03 PM	#6
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	+ 1 for the screwed it up when I first started with it also crowd __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

March 17, 2012, 07:00 PM	#8
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	I don't worry about those spent primers coming out of the priming arm slot. I figure that's what God made brooms for, and if you've ever seen the clutter under my bench you'd know that I don't even use brooms that often. I have thought about taking the ram out and having that slot welded up. I've got two sons that own a welding shop and they could probably fill that hole and file everything down one slow afternoon. Plus, they get the benefit of the reloading in free ammo. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

March 17, 2012, 07:08 PM	#9
dlburns Member Join Date: September 10, 2011 Location: San Jose CA Posts: 17	primer mess Thanks for the info guys..I was wondering what I was gonna do with those two arms? Dave

March 19, 2012, 09:52 AM	#16
carprivershooter Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Michigan, Upper Pennsula Posts: 396	same problem I to had the problem of spent primers not going where they should, I took a plastic water bottle and cut it to size and uses wire ties to hold it in place. This keeps the 5 % that don't drop into the collector from getting away. I also had a problem with the ram dragging and the primer arm sticking. I use a bit of silicone spray of the ram. It runs smooth for a long time. Hope this helps. __________________ CarpriverShOOter Finch, I don't like guns. Reese, Me either but if someone has to have guns I'd rather it be me. (Person of Interest). No trees were destroyed in the posting of the this message

March 17, 2012, 12:09 AM	#2
Vance Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2011 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 743	There should be a primer installing arm that fits into the slot in the ram. That should be left in because it helps keep the spent primers going where they should.

March 17, 2012, 01:45 AM	#3
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	+1... with my deluxe turret press, without the primer arm in the primers end up all over the floor, with it installed they go 95% where they should...

March 17, 2012, 08:27 AM	#4
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Vance and dacaur have nailed it. It took me a few minutes with my first Lee press to realize that even if you're not priming, you have to keep a primer seating arm (either the large or the small - it doesn't matter) installed in the ram to route the primers correctly.

March 17, 2012, 01:40 PM	#5
Ethan.G Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2012 Posts: 127	same thing happened to me dont feel bad, just keep that primer seater in there

March 17, 2012, 04:29 PM	#7
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	The only problem I have had is sizing cases that have been tumbled without a primer (decapped before tumbling). The media stuck in the flash hole gets pushed out, and after a while the primer arm starts to stick and eventually gets flung out on the floor. I have just started removing it and wiping it and the ram down every time it starts to stick and all is well.

March 17, 2012, 10:11 PM	#11
Romeo 33 Delta Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 315	Just take a piece of a LARGE Mickey D straw, cut a length of it and insert it in the upper end of the ram (by the shell holder area. This will keep the primers from getting away from you. I also did this with my Rock Chucker (and drilled a hole in the plastic catcher tray and stuffed a piece of clear tubing into it ... make it a TIGHT fit and run it down to a milk jug. I don't have problems with primers flying all over the place.)

March 18, 2012, 01:42 AM	#12
poline Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 292	Can someone show a picture of this primer seating arm?

March 18, 2012, 07:13 AM	#13
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Here's two of them, side-by-side (the one on the left has a broken hook, though):

March 18, 2012, 07:54 PM	#14
poline Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 292	( ScottRiqui )................thank you, very much.

March 18, 2012, 08:03 PM	#15
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	You're welcome!