Lee turret press- do spent primers go everywhere?

Elkins45 · July 10, 2010, 09:08 AM

I use a Lee turret press for some of my pistol loading and it throws primers everywhere. I also have a Pro 1000 (which is based on the same frame) and it captures all the spent primers in the base. Not so with the turret press---some are captured by the base but at least 50% end up in the floor. Do I need to just slow down at the very end of the sizing stroke so the primer pops out more gently or is there some part I'm missing that is supposed to deflect the spent primers downward?

TIA for any advice.

Brian Pfleuger · July 10, 2010, 09:10 AM

Do you have the primer seating arm installed? It somewhat keeps them from bouncing out the side of the ram, though I've deprimed without it and never lost one, until last night, when I lost ONE even with the arm installed.

Farmland · July 10, 2010, 09:13 AM

I have the same problem with my Lee Classic Cast press. If I don't have the primer arm installed primers go everywhere.

snuffy · July 10, 2010, 11:13 AM

Elkins, it sounds like you have the older version "deluxe" model of the Lee turret. There's almost nothing that can be done to solve your problem. The only solution is to buy the new classic turret.

The older turret suffers from that problem. Some have made a deflector to help direct the errant fired primers into the base. Do a search on here, you might find some that works.

Don P · July 10, 2010, 01:28 PM

Post 2 and 3 answered and solved the problem.

rtpzwms · July 10, 2010, 02:07 PM

Well mine fly all over. I have a trashcan that gets placed under the ram and most (95%) end up in the bucket. If anyone has a better device for catching the primers let us know...

Elkins45 · July 10, 2010, 02:53 PM

I'm definitely going to try purring the primer arm back into the slop, but I did find a post on another site where a guy described taking out the ram and installing it backwards so the primers fly out backwards. Wrapping a little duct tape between the back two support posts might be all the deflector needed in that case.

I'm going to try the primer arm first before I take it apart. Thanks for the input.

July 10, 2010, 09:08 AM	#1
Elkins45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Posts: 498	Lee turret press- do spent primers go everywhere? I use a Lee turret press for some of my pistol loading and it throws primers everywhere. I also have a Pro 1000 (which is based on the same frame) and it captures all the spent primers in the base. Not so with the turret press---some are captured by the base but at least 50% end up in the floor. Do I need to just slow down at the very end of the sizing stroke so the primer pops out more gently or is there some part I'm missing that is supposed to deflect the spent primers downward? TIA for any advice.

July 10, 2010, 09:10 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Do you have the primer seating arm installed? It somewhat keeps them from bouncing out the side of the ram, though I've deprimed without it and never lost one, until last night, when I lost ONE even with the arm installed. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

July 10, 2010, 11:13 AM	#4
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Elkins, it sounds like you have the older version "deluxe" model of the Lee turret. There's almost nothing that can be done to solve your problem. The only solution is to buy the new classic turret. The older turret suffers from that problem. Some have made a deflector to help direct the errant fired primers into the base. Do a search on here, you might find some that works. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

July 10, 2010, 01:28 PM	#5
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Post 2 and 3 answered and solved the problem. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

July 10, 2010, 09:13 AM	#3
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	I have the same problem with my Lee Classic Cast press. If I don't have the primer arm installed primers go everywhere.

July 10, 2010, 02:07 PM	#6
rtpzwms Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2010 Location: OTS Posts: 1,035	Well mine fly all over. I have a trashcan that gets placed under the ram and most (95%) end up in the bucket. If anyone has a better device for catching the primers let us know...

July 10, 2010, 02:53 PM	#7
Elkins45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Posts: 498	I'm definitely going to try purring the primer arm back into the slop, but I did find a post on another site where a guy described taking out the ram and installing it backwards so the primers fly out backwards. Wrapping a little duct tape between the back two support posts might be all the deflector needed in that case. I'm going to try the primer arm first before I take it apart. Thanks for the input.