Lee RAM-Prime

PolarFBear · May 13, 2017, 09:13 AM

Any one using this "old" Lee product, or even information? Doing an "inventory" of my gadgets I found a Lee Ram-prime. Don't remember where I got it and never have used it. I see it is no longer carried as an inventory item by Lee. Looking in a 2000 catalogue I see it is for priming on the press on the up-stroke; and a warning that some have reported primer explosions with it. I have no instructions but all the parts are there. I was thinking of using it for rifles only on a single stage press.

random guy · May 13, 2017, 09:36 AM

I started with one of these. It's probably still around somewhere. Never blew myself up but you can certainly mash the heck out of a primer with it. Probably best set up on a low leverage press, seating by feel.

IIRC, it is a bit cumbersome getting the loaded primer tray back into the press mounted unit. Doable but all in all, I prefer hand units including Lee's. The "old" Lee unit anyway. Haven't tried the current ones.

PolarFBear · May 13, 2017, 10:37 AM

I plan to use it on the little Lee "C" press. Light duty, yet very handy. I use it to deprime, "Bulge Bust", and size my cast loads. For $20, including shipping, it was a bargain in utility.

mikld · May 13, 2017, 10:55 AM

When I started reloading I used a Lee Loader to load my 38 Specials, and I had an occasional pop. I then thought I should get more "sophisticated" and bought a Lee hand prime. I didn't seem to fit my hand as I had to reset it every squeeze so I got a Hornady tool. Same thing, had to reset it after every squeeze. I happened on a Lee ram prime and successfully used one for mebbe 18 years. I had a very good "feel" and had zero problems priming any of the 11 cartridges I reload. Lyman manual states the ram prime is "the preferred method for obtaining correct and uniform primer seating depths...". I had one mounted on a Lee turret and one on a dedicated priming press.

I now have a Co-Ax press and the priming system is the same principle and it works quite well 99.9% of the time...

briandg · May 13, 2017, 10:18 PM

If you are talking about just the little stick doojie that you load by hand, I have two,one in each size primer, and there is no better way to load up small lots.

The one with a tray is far less useful than a hand primer. I use an Rcbs hand primer. I don't like the Lee.

random guy · May 13, 2017, 10:45 PM

Quote:

I plan to use it on the little Lee "C" press. Light duty, yet very handy. I use it to deprime, "Bulge Bust", and size my cast loads. For $20, including shipping, it was a bargain in utility.

Yep, I thought of using exactly the same press to turn the Ram Prime into a fulltime bench primer. Guess I shifted to hand primers before getting around to it. I'll have to try and locate that tool.

PolarFBear · May 14, 2017, 07:33 AM

I have also had an Autoprime for many years. Use it some, never had a mechanical issue with it but my hand tires after about 100 "pushes". I am leaning to off-press priming (except for the little Lee C-press). I am challenged by the Lee priming system on the Pro 1000 and Load Masters. Finally got the Pro going and working on the L/M with the revised priming devices. But, after 15+ years those fired primers are really dirty. Just going to "clean up my act".

skinnedknuckles · May 15, 2017, 05:44 PM

The Ram Prime is still part of the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit, http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press-kit.html, so it may be available if you call. Mine came with my hand press but I can't see why it wouldn't work on a small single stage press. Since I have the auto-prime on all my presses, I haven't had a need to actually use it but it's there if I need it.

chris in va · May 18, 2017, 12:56 AM

I've tried three different hand priming doodads, the RamPrime is by far my favorite. Using the Hand Press I can get a very good feel for primer seating and depth. Tens of thousands primed, no "explosions"...just the occasional sideways seated primer.

snakeye · May 18, 2017, 10:45 PM

I use the ram prime in the Lee small Breech Lock Reloader Press. I have primed thousands of rounds and I have never crushed a primer with this press, in fact you get a lot of feel during the seating of the primers and you definitely feel when the primer bottoms out. The press is also great for depriming. I have it mounted on the Lee Bench plate for quick change out and storing

donkee · May 19, 2017, 07:43 AM

I got lucky and picked up an old lyman spartan new in the box at an estate sale. I no longer use the LEE stuff to prime. I just picked up the RCBS primer assembly for the lyman and a bunch of tubes. I prefer priming on the press but the lee stuff was a bit more of a hassle to me. I also broke 2 of the hand priming tools. Kept them clean and lubed and never worked them hard.

lee n. field · May 19, 2017, 06:38 PM

It's been quite a while since I've used a ram prime die. I have 3, RCBS', Lyman's, and the Lee.

Lee's sucks, compared to the others. Unless something has been changed, the body is too short to use a lock ring, which you kind of need to be repeatable.

Berserker · May 19, 2017, 07:26 PM

I bought a replacement 2 or three years ago. I am pretty sure it is still used, maybe the number changed. I have thought about getting one of the primer feeders, rather than putting each one in by hand.

Never heard anything bad ever happening. No different than priming by hand, either way pushing it in. This may be safer, holding the primer in your hand can put it near your face, and nothing really covering it.

I like hand priming cause I do it in my recliner, and I can look at each one to make sure not upside down. But I have thought about getting the feeder, for when I do handguns.

I think the it has changed since they went to 4 hole. Which may be why I am not using mine.

snakeye · May 19, 2017, 11:36 PM

Quote:

lee n. field

Lee's sucks, compared to the others. Unless something has been changed, the body is too short to use a lock ring, which you kind of need to be repeatable.

I don't know what kind of Lee Ram Prime you think you are using but the Lee Ram Prime goes into a shell holder on the press ram. Maybe that's why you think it sucks because you think it is a die.

PolarFBear · May 24, 2017, 08:40 AM

Mentioned I had found one on my "back shelf". Just finished 55 .303 British with it. The old piece works great. Easy to seat a primer, good feel, low effort. Primed 'um up real fast. Only caveat is to keep a sufficient number of primers in the round tray to keep "pressure" in the trough. Glad I have it.

HankC1 · May 24, 2017, 06:23 PM

How do you guys feed primers to the Ram Prime? Finger feed?

PolarFBear · May 24, 2017, 06:55 PM

Just keep sufficient primers in the round tray to keep downward pressure on the primers in the trough. If I am "finishing up" I use a small paperclip to push the last few primers in. Easy.

May 13, 2017, 09:13 AM	#1
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Lee RAM-Prime Any one using this "old" Lee product, or even information? Doing an "inventory" of my gadgets I found a Lee Ram-prime. Don't remember where I got it and never have used it. I see it is no longer carried as an inventory item by Lee. Looking in a 2000 catalogue I see it is for priming on the press on the up-stroke; and a warning that some have reported primer explosions with it. I have no instructions but all the parts are there. I was thinking of using it for rifles only on a single stage press.

May 13, 2017, 10:37 AM	#3
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	RandomGuy: I plan to use it on the little Lee "C" press. Light duty, yet very handy. I use it to deprime, "Bulge Bust", and size my cast loads. For $20, including shipping, it was a bargain in utility.

May 13, 2017, 10:55 AM	#4
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	When I started reloading I used a Lee Loader to load my 38 Specials, and I had an occasional pop. I then thought I should get more "sophisticated" and bought a Lee hand prime. I didn't seem to fit my hand as I had to reset it every squeeze so I got a Hornady tool. Same thing, had to reset it after every squeeze. I happened on a Lee ram prime and successfully used one for mebbe 18 years. I had a very good "feel" and had zero problems priming any of the 11 cartridges I reload. Lyman manual states the ram prime is "the preferred method for obtaining correct and uniform primer seating depths...". I had one mounted on a Lee turret and one on a dedicated priming press. I now have a Co-Ax press and the priming system is the same principle and it works quite well 99.9% of the time... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

May 13, 2017, 10:18 PM	#5
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	If you are talking about just the little stick doojie that you load by hand, I have two,one in each size primer, and there is no better way to load up small lots. The one with a tray is far less useful than a hand primer. I use an Rcbs hand primer. I don't like the Lee. __________________ None.

May 14, 2017, 07:33 AM	#7
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Random-Guy: I have also had an Autoprime for many years. Use it some, never had a mechanical issue with it but my hand tires after about 100 "pushes". I am leaning to off-press priming (except for the little Lee C-press). I am challenged by the Lee priming system on the Pro 1000 and Load Masters. Finally got the Pro going and working on the L/M with the revised priming devices. But, after 15+ years those fired primers are really dirty. Just going to "clean up my act".

May 13, 2017, 09:36 AM	#2
random guy Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2017 Posts: 272	I started with one of these. It's probably still around somewhere. Never blew myself up but you can certainly mash the heck out of a primer with it. Probably best set up on a low leverage press, seating by feel. IIRC, it is a bit cumbersome getting the loaded primer tray back into the press mounted unit. Doable but all in all, I prefer hand units including Lee's. The "old" Lee unit anyway. Haven't tried the current ones.

May 15, 2017, 05:44 PM	#8
skinnedknuckles Member Join Date: March 30, 2015 Posts: 43	The Ram Prime is still part of the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit, http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press-kit.html, so it may be available if you call. Mine came with my hand press but I can't see why it wouldn't work on a small single stage press. Since I have the auto-prime on all my presses, I haven't had a need to actually use it but it's there if I need it.

May 18, 2017, 12:56 AM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I've tried three different hand priming doodads, the RamPrime is by far my favorite. Using the Hand Press I can get a very good feel for primer seating and depth. Tens of thousands primed, no "explosions"...just the occasional sideways seated primer.

May 18, 2017, 10:45 PM	#10
snakeye Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2013 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 127	I use the ram prime in the Lee small Breech Lock Reloader Press. I have primed thousands of rounds and I have never crushed a primer with this press, in fact you get a lot of feel during the seating of the primers and you definitely feel when the primer bottoms out. The press is also great for depriming. I have it mounted on the Lee Bench plate for quick change out and storing

May 19, 2017, 07:43 AM	#11
donkee Junior member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Mid-Michigan Posts: 449	I got lucky and picked up an old lyman spartan new in the box at an estate sale. I no longer use the LEE stuff to prime. I just picked up the RCBS primer assembly for the lyman and a bunch of tubes. I prefer priming on the press but the lee stuff was a bit more of a hassle to me. I also broke 2 of the hand priming tools. Kept them clean and lubed and never worked them hard.

May 19, 2017, 06:38 PM	#12
lee n. field Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2002 Location: The same state as Mordor. Posts: 5,569	It's been quite a while since I've used a ram prime die. I have 3, RCBS', Lyman's, and the Lee. Lee's sucks, compared to the others. Unless something has been changed, the body is too short to use a lock ring, which you kind of need to be repeatable. __________________ "As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

May 19, 2017, 07:26 PM	#13
Berserker Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2015 Location: WI & UP Posts: 284	I bought a replacement 2 or three years ago. I am pretty sure it is still used, maybe the number changed. I have thought about getting one of the primer feeders, rather than putting each one in by hand. Never heard anything bad ever happening. No different than priming by hand, either way pushing it in. This may be safer, holding the primer in your hand can put it near your face, and nothing really covering it. I like hand priming cause I do it in my recliner, and I can look at each one to make sure not upside down. But I have thought about getting the feeder, for when I do handguns. I think the it has changed since they went to 4 hole. Which may be why I am not using mine.

May 24, 2017, 08:40 AM	#15
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Lee Ram-Prime Mentioned I had found one on my "back shelf". Just finished 55 .303 British with it. The old piece works great. Easy to seat a primer, good feel, low effort. Primed 'um up real fast. Only caveat is to keep a sufficient number of primers in the round tray to keep "pressure" in the trough. Glad I have it.

May 24, 2017, 06:23 PM	#16
HankC1 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 531	How do you guys feed primers to the Ram Prime? Finger feed?

May 24, 2017, 06:55 PM	#17
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	HankC1 Just keep sufficient primers in the round tray to keep downward pressure on the primers in the trough. If I am "finishing up" I use a small paperclip to push the last few primers in. Easy.