Lee Auto Prime

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen,
     I've now worn out two Lee Auto Primes over the years, and if I can't get replacement parts (Lee no longer offers them), I need to get a new priming system.  Has anyone used their Ergo-Prime?  If so, what do you think?  Any thoughts on other priming systems?  (I use a single stage press.)

[Delmonico]

The ergo part caught my eye, was and I mean was, going to offer if you bought one and didn't like it, to trade an almost new Auto-Prime, may be a good design for some, but it cramped my arm clear to the elbow looking at the picture.

[pony express]

Haven't tried the "ergo prime", but it looks basically like their "new, improved" auto prime with a fancy handle. In my opinion, the "new improved" auto prime feed system is a piece of junk, much more prone than the old one to seat primers sideways or drop them out on the floor. I bought one of the new ones and quickly gave up on it, and bought another used old style on line.

[Niederlander]

That's pretty much what I've been seeing in the online reviews.  I've worn out two small primer trays.  (The area where the ram moves is  somewhat wallowed out.)  I've got a bid in on a couple of them on e-Bay.

[Pitspitr]

  I've got a bid in on a couple of them on e-Bay.

If you don't get them let me know

[1961MJS]

Hi

I have the new Ergo prime and the ergo part is fantastic.  The priming part not so much.  I got mine a month or so ago and already broke both the small and large primer insert toys.  I was willing to eat the small one in that I didn't know how to use it and was kind of rough.  I broke the top of the clear plastic part that feeds the primer to the flash hole in less than 200 rounds.  I re-read the directions a few times and hooked up the large primer one and was able to carefully go 100 or so rounds of .45/70 and a couple hundred rounds of .45 ACP primed before the rock candy bit the dust.  I've ordered replacement parts from Grafs as well as an RCBS hand priming tool.  I sure hope one works. 

I have two of the old Lee Auto priming units and have gone through thousands of rounds of .45 ACP since I bought the first one in the 1990's.  The top plastic finally rotted off / wore off.  I need to write Lee a letter, I have literally loads of their stuff.  This new priming setup is a great idea implemented in Rock Candy. 

I prime off the progressive because it makes too big a mess and you have to clean the dang loader every 100 rounds or so.

later

[Delmonico]

The using the fingers instead of the thumb that I think most would like, is what would not work for me because most of the damage is on the tendons for the middle finger, ring finger and little finger.   Lets just say I am a dang decent 2 fingered typist and my Jr High typing teacher would whack me with a stick if she saw me today.


I can't even assume the start position on the middle letter row like I was taught.

[Niederlander]

I got the trays, and that will certainly help.  After inspecting my Auto Prime again I think the main culprit is the linkage between the lever and the ram.  From what I've seen online, it looks like those two parts for the new Auto Prime will also work in the old ones.  I'm going to order a couple of sets. If they work I'll have two Auto Primes, so I can set one up for small and one for large primers.

[1961MJS]

Hi

I don't remember where it says to oil, but be sure and oil where the directions say to.  It's a BIG help.

BIG BIG help.   

Later

[Baltimore Ed]

I don't use my auto primes so much anymore. Only when I reload my 30-40 Krag and .45-60. I do all of my priming on my Lyman T-2 presses for my cas match .45s and .38s. I've always thought that the lee stuff was made with pot metal. They will send you what broke but if the darn parts were make of steel they would last. I've read bad things about Lyman priming units but have found that if you remove the corners and edges of the primer cup, shell holders and check for burrs on the plunger the units run fine. What causes the primers to flip is when the primer cup hangs up on the inside edge of a shell holder and then breaks free. If you put a radius on the outside edge of the cup and remove the corner inside of the hole that the primer cup slides through the primer seats fine. When there's a burr in the detent plunger hole it can hang up and dump your primers.

[Niederlander]

They may be pot metal, but I've primed thousands and thousands of cases with them.  I've been quite pleased with them over all.  If a fifteen dollar investment keeps them running as long as they already have, they should last me the rest of my life.

[Baltimore Ed]

As you say auto primes are a cheap tool but I've broken maybe 4 of the handles and wore out a couple of the teardrop parts which Lee has replaced but making a product that is designed to fail either by breaking or wearing imho is bs. Ruger has been using cast steel to build their firearms for many years and you can't argue with success.

[Niederlander]

I would rather they made some of the parts of better material, but that's how they kept the cost down.  I figure most people never use them enough to come close to wearing them out.  Some of us tend to use stuff beyond what its designed life expectancy is.  They've lasted me long enough at this point they don't owe me a thing.  I've used Lee dies almost exclusively, and they have been nothing short of flawless.

[River City John]

Using the Lee Primer for 8 years now. Finally did what you are planning and got another primer for large primers. Don't have to change anything out. Had to replace the tray once because that plastic tongue that inserts into the feed slot got mightily stuck, and my "gorilla" solution of more force is better snapped the tongue off in the slot.

Now all I have to change out is the shell holder.


Ned, on another note, what is the source of your quote at the bottom of your posts. I'm guessing it's SpanAm referring to the First Nebraska Vol. Regt.?


RCJ

[Niederlander]

John, I got it from the Nebraska State Historical site, concerning the National Guard.  Yes, it's from the First Nebraska in the Philippines in 1899.

[Charles Isaac]

   I use the Lee priming tools too. I only ever primed with a press or a Lee. Was told early on by an avid lead bullet shooter/reloader that it was the best all around priming tool, even if it was kind of cheaply made.

[Bat 2919]

My first progressive loader was a Lee.  I think I learned about every part that could break on it over the years.  They were always happy to SELL me another part to fix their machine. 

I was never so happy as the day I broke my first part on a Dillon machine.  Thanks to their no BS guarantee they sent me the new part for free.  They even continue to support their outdated products.  Sold the Lee soon after that and bought another Dillon.  Never looked back.

[Drydock]

I too have used the Auto Prime for years.  ALong with their turret press.  While Lee Progressives are problematic, for most loading I just cannot find better than that Lee 4 hole turret press.  And I have a Dillon as well.

Lee still makes the Auto-Prime BTW, with an updated feed system:  http://leeprecision.com/new-auto-prime.html

[River City John]

Looking at that picture it hurts my arthritic thumbs!

I have to use both thumbs when pressing now, just to ease the wear on my right hand. 

The other primer I use is a Hornady that you squeeze the handle with your palm. MUCH more forgiving of the thumbs. All rifle brass gets primed on the Hornady and pistol is primed only on the Lee.
RCJ

[Delmonico]

Looking at that picture it hurts my arthritic thumbs!

I have to use both thumbs when pressing now, just to ease the wear on my right hand. 

The other primer I use is a Hornady that you squeeze the handle with your palm. MUCH more forgiving of the thumbs. All rifle brass gets primed on the Hornady and pistol is primed only on the Lee.
RCJ

It's just the opposite for me.

(makes note to thumb wrestle John at the muster.)