Lee Priming Tools: Ugh - Page 2

TexasSeaRay · June 23, 2008, 10:40 PM

I'm not getting what's up with all the "sore thumbs"--how are you guys holding the tool?

I hold with the main frame piece in my palm and use four fingers to squeeze the lever. No pain on the thumb and have never broken the lever, ever.

Jeff

Sevens · June 23, 2008, 11:09 PM

Andy-- totally correct, it is the Auto Prime II. I had the wrong name.

Ranger61 · June 24, 2008, 12:20 AM

My experience is much like AZREDHAWK44. I have had the Lee hand primer for about 20 years. The first one I got the dumb bell shaped part was too soft and the cup end of the priming punch wore a groove in it. After Lee made the part out of a harder material, I wore out two cross bars were the lever slot fits over the cross bar. I'm on my 4th and 5th ones now. I also find that the thumb lever cracks off between 2000 and 3000 primers. So I just order them 4 at a time from Lee, when I get down to my last spare I order 4 more. I have two of the RCBS hand priming tools but have always had a lot of trouble getting them to feed primers and I hate the fact that if you turn it upside down the primer rod falls out then I waste a lot of time trying to find where it has rolled to. They are downgraded to being used for calibers that I don't have the Lee holders to fit like 45 Auto Rimmed.

lee n. field · June 25, 2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

I am back to using the Lee handheld Auto Prime after battling with the Auto Prime 2, Lee Safety Prime, and the Lee Ram Prime Priming Unit for Single Stage Press.

Glutton for punishment, aren't you.

If you like the ram prime die, get one from RCBS or Lyman. Much better than the Lee.

**Mike Irwin** · June 25, 2008, 11:58 AM

I'm loving the Lee Safety Prime on my Lee Classic Cast press.

You have to get into the habit of pushing at a certain angle with a certain amount of force, but I'm finding it to be very reliable.

Inspector3711 · June 25, 2008, 12:10 PM

I picked up a Hornady hand priming tool awhile back at Sportsman's Warehouse. I have an RCBS press and the priming tool came with an additional tray that accepts RCBS shell holders so it saved me some money. The lever on this tool is more ergonomic than the other brands that I looked at. It looks like it will last for years and doesn't cost much more than the Lee.

**Mike Irwin** · June 25, 2008, 04:14 PM

"The number of "Help me....Lee...." threads proves it."

Actually, it proves only that when it comes to product documentation and instructions, Lee is FAR behind the curve set by everyone else. Far too often the purchaser is left to guess as to the meaning of what is being said in the documentation.

I had that discussion with Richard Lee when I was on staff at American Rifleman magazine.

June 23, 2008, 11:09 PM	#27
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Andy-- totally correct, it is the Auto Prime II. I had the wrong name. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 25, 2008, 11:58 AM	#30
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	I'm loving the Lee Safety Prime on my Lee Classic Cast press. You have to get into the habit of pushing at a certain angle with a certain amount of force, but I'm finding it to be very reliable. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 25, 2008, 04:14 PM	#32
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	"The number of "Help me....Lee...." threads proves it." Actually, it proves only that when it comes to product documentation and instructions, Lee is FAR behind the curve set by everyone else. Far too often the purchaser is left to guess as to the meaning of what is being said in the documentation. I had that discussion with Richard Lee when I was on staff at American Rifleman magazine. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 23, 2008, 10:40 PM	#26
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	I'm not getting what's up with all the "sore thumbs"--how are you guys holding the tool? I hold with the main frame piece in my palm and use four fingers to squeeze the lever. No pain on the thumb and have never broken the lever, ever. Jeff

June 24, 2008, 12:20 AM	#28
Ranger61 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2004 Posts: 213	My experience is much like AZREDHAWK44. I have had the Lee hand primer for about 20 years. The first one I got the dumb bell shaped part was too soft and the cup end of the priming punch wore a groove in it. After Lee made the part out of a harder material, I wore out two cross bars were the lever slot fits over the cross bar. I'm on my 4th and 5th ones now. I also find that the thumb lever cracks off between 2000 and 3000 primers. So I just order them 4 at a time from Lee, when I get down to my last spare I order 4 more. I have two of the RCBS hand priming tools but have always had a lot of trouble getting them to feed primers and I hate the fact that if you turn it upside down the primer rod falls out then I waste a lot of time trying to find where it has rolled to. They are downgraded to being used for calibers that I don't have the Lee holders to fit like 45 Auto Rimmed.

June 25, 2008, 12:10 PM	#31
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	I picked up a Hornady hand priming tool awhile back at Sportsman's Warehouse. I have an RCBS press and the priming tool came with an additional tray that accepts RCBS shell holders so it saved me some money. The lever on this tool is more ergonomic than the other brands that I looked at. It looks like it will last for years and doesn't cost much more than the Lee.