Problem Lee Classic Turret Press

[FoundFather]

OK, I know lots of guys on here will tell me that my problem is that I bought a Lee press. Thanks for pointing that out.

I am very new to reloading. I was going along using the press in single stage mode with the index rod removed, and priming some cases. I felt like I had that operation going pretty well, and then I had a problem.

I was not able to remove a primed case from the shell holder. I am guess maybe the primer went in the pocket sideways or soemthjing, and cup of the primer bar went into the primer pocket of the case. I don't know. I am afraid to bang on it, because there is a live primer stuck in the case. I would like to be able to take the end of the ram off, or take the part that holds the shell holder off, but I have not been able to figure out how to do that. Haven't found anything on Lee's website or on YouTube.

Here is a photo:

IMG_2656.jpg

How do I get this out without setting off the primer? Anyone know how I can take the ram apart?

[Metal god]

I don’t know if it’s what you should do, but I can tell you what I would do . I would install my sizing die or a universal de capping die and just pop out whatever is jamming it up . I would first get everything flammable and explosive away from the area a few feet maybe . Then size the case or pop that primer out , I don’t think I would go for a full stroke. I’d just go down as far as you need or you think. And see if anything comes loose if nothing , go down a little more. If it goes off, it goes off wear some glasses and earplugs and don’t be looking down into the case as you do so lol .

[FoundFather]

I don’t know if it’s what you should do, but I can tell you what I would do . I would install my sizing die or a universal de capping die and just pop out whatever is jamming it up . I would first get everything flammable and explosive away from the area a few feet maybe . Then size the case or pop that primer out , I don’t think I would go for a full stroke. I’d just go down as far as you need or you think. And see if anything comes loose if nothing , go down a little more. If it goes off, it goes off wear some glasses and earplugs and don’t be looking down into the case as you do so lol.

You sir, are a man of action. I like that. But maybe I hang out a while and see if anyone has a more cowardly idea

[jetinteriorguy]

I used to have this happen, I just gave it a slight tap with a small hammer and it popped right out. The problem in my case wasn’t the priming arm stuck in the case, it s that the arm was catching in the slot of the ram. I took the arm and oiled up some 1000 grit sandpaper and laid the arm flat on it and polish it in a circular motion on both sides to smooth it up and remove any edges from cutting it out. I then took a small thin diamond knife sharpener and ran it along the edges of the slot in the ram to remove any edge from the manufacturing process. No more problems after this. I just thought of one more thing, you didn’t accidentally use the large primer cup and force it in with a small primer? If so, ignore everything I just said. If this is the case punching out the primer would be best but I’d definitely prepare for an ignition. As far as the Lee Classic Cast turret press goes, if I had to go back to just having one press it’s the one I’d keep and that includes my Dillon 550 and all my single stage presses.

[olduser]

I would take a small hammer and tap down on the primer arm. It should move down and release the case.

[tangolima]

I would avoid any impacting force, so no tapping or hitting. Decapping pin lowered slowly to push out whatever in primer pocket is way to go. The primer will not go off without impact. If I'm really desperate, I would consider prying, not hitting, the stuck brass sideways out of the shell holder.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Unclenick]

... and wear both eye and hearing protection, as well as getting anything flammable away from the possible sparks. I also slip on my welding gloves when faced with decapping.

[FoundFather]

Looks like the vote was three for decapping pin and two for hammering it.

I decided to go with the decapping route. After trying some different search terms, I found a lot of posts online and YouTube videos where they say this is perfectly doable, although occasionally one wil go off in the process. If you search "Decapping Live Primers" you will find a bunch. Here is a guy on YouTube who seems to know what he is talking about who says you can even re-use the primers after you push them out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDYzAAyUiSM

I was very careful - eye protection, ear protection, "armored" gloves, sprayed with WD40 to de-activate the primer and let tthat sink in. Came our with no drama

Now I am going to take the advice of jetinteriorguy and polish that primer arm real good!

[totaldla]

Just reef on the handle to seat the primer - my guess is that you have a crimped case. The extra force will mash it home. I've never had a primer detonate from being squished sideways.


The other thing you can do is raise the ram up an inch or two and see if you can twist the shell holder out of the ram end. You'll still have to pry the offending primer out of the case but it will be easier.

[tangolima]

Originally Posted by totaldla

Just reef on the handle to seat the primer - my guess is that you have a crimped case. The extra force will mash it home. I've never had a primer detonate from being squished sideways.


The other thing you can do is raise the ram up an inch or two and see if you can twist the shell holder out of the ram end. You'll still have to pry the offending primer out of the case but it will be easier.

That may work too. The primer probably wasn't seated below flush. Don't slam but firm and slow force.

I have pushed out and reused primer countless time. Never have had any one go off. Slow is the key. It needs impact (power=energy / time) to ignite. But unexpected do happen. Wise to protect yourself.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Aguila Blanca]

I'm glad the decapping die worked. My solution would have been to grab the case with a pair of ViseGrips and mangle it until it came out.

FWIW, I have loaded many thousands of rounds of handgun ammo on a Lee Turret press with zero problems -- but I prime by hand, using a Lee hand primer rather than priming on the press. It's a bit slower but I feel it gives me better control over the priming operation.

[FoundFather]

I'm glad the decapping die worked. My solution would have been to grab the case with a pair of ViseGrips and mangle it until it came out.

THe thought did occur to me, of course. My problem is that I am fresh from reading the Lee reloading manual and all of its safety warnings, and I couldn't get past the live primer and its "explosive" potential.

FWIW, I have loaded many thousands of rounds of handgun ammo on a Lee Turret press with zero problems -- but I prime by hand, using a Lee hand primer rather than priming on the press. It's a bit slower but I feel it gives me better control over the priming operation.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am actually very happy with the Lee Classic Turret so far. I bought it in a kit that was very complete. Even if I eventually change out most of the components, I feel like it is a great start.

[glider]

I've had the same problem with my Redding T7 more than once, It's not the Lee press. Lee makes some decent stuff at very reasonable prices.

[Unclenick]

FoundFather,

As a side note, a number of folks have tested putting WD40 and other solvents in primers to deactivate them, and while the results have varied, it has always taken a matter of days to a couple of weeks to work. It's not an instant effect when the primer is intact. It might have helped in your instance if the primer was mangled, exposing the priming mix directly to you WD40, rather than it having to work its way through a seal.

[berettaprofessor]

OK, I know lots of guys on here will tell me that my problem is that I bought a Lee press.

Don't apologize. I have a Lee BreechLock and a Lee Classic Turret and have loaded tens of thousands on both. I also prime on the press and have no regular issues. As others have said, likely just a primer not completely seated. Safest to use the decapper and push it out slowly (I've done that for lots of rounds and never had one go off while decapping and I've then reused them without issue). You can also just reseat slowly and carefully...but don't do it after the round is fully loaded!

[FoundFather]

Yeah, I'm actually pretty happy with the Lee Turret. It has required some tweaking. The Lee Safety Prime was spitting primers out on the floor left and right. I saw a YouTube with the solution, and it worked for me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx1uC...eUZWOu&index=4

The guy does not get around to the secret fix until 4:13 into the video, but it stopped my primers going out onto the floor.

I find that the way you push the button on the Safety Prime has a big effect as well. If you don't get it right, no primer comes out, but no primer is better than primer on the floor. Having great fun with it!

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by FoundFather

Thanks for the encouragement. I am actually very happy with the Lee Classic Turret so far. I bought it in a kit that was very complete. Even if I eventually change out most of the components, I feel like it is a great start.

Change out what components? What is there that can be changed out, other than the dies?

The Lee Turret Press makes fully functional ammunition. I use mine with auto-indexing, and it's fast enough for my modest needs. If I ever find that I need to increase my output, the next step won't be to change out any components, it will be to move to a progressive press. A progressive press won't make better ammo than my Turret Press, it'll just allow me to load more, faster.

[olduser]

The Lee turret press is a sound design with no design faults. It works just as it is supposed to. I use mine much more than my Dillon 550. It is much easier to load small batches (100-200) rounds on the Lee than go through the process of setting up the Dillon.

[FoundFather]

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

Change out what components? What is there that can be changed out, other than the dies?

The Lee Turret Press makes fully functional ammunition. I use mine with auto-indexing, and it's fast enough for my modest needs. If I ever find that I need to increase my output, the next step won't be to change out any components, it will be to move to a progressive press. A progressive press won't make better ammo than my Turret Press, it'll just allow me to load more, faster.

Found Father: "I bought it in a kit that was very complete." Talking about changing out / adding components of the kit, not the press itself. The kit I got came with a way to do pretty much everything so I was able to get started, but I'm not convinced they are all the best way to do everything. Time will tell.

Really happy to see the fans of the Lee Turret Press here. I was expecting to catch a lot of flack for economizing. I am on some forums where Lee products are disparaged. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I am enjoying it a lot so far.

[FrankenMauser]

I was very careful - eye protection, ear protection, "armored" gloves, sprayed with WD40 to de-activate the primer and let tthat sink in. Came our with no drama

WD40 does not deactivate primers within a useful timeframe.
Always consider them live.
Always.

Just be careful, and you'll be fine.
I've decapped primers that seated upside-down. If you are smooth and careful, it is fine.