Lee Autoprime upgrade?

[targaflorio]

I know a lot of people swear by the Lee, but I'm not one. I find that as I'm seating a primer another one sneaks in under the shellholder and causes me to take it all apart, often with primers spilling out. I'm thinking RCBS, K&M, Sinclair. Anyone use the K&M with gauge?
Thank you!

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

IF I could get the primer to work right I'd love my Loadmaster, but right now I am running 12-20% f'd up rounds every time I try to load.
I've tried all the fixes and new parts from Lee, but its pretty much shit if I have to size, then prime, then fedd the rest through....

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

I think there are maybe 5 here who could actually shoot the difference a k&m with gauge will do, I also have a Lee and compared to my RCBS I perfer the later by a wide margin.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

On the LEE Autoprime, I put a small rubber band around the primer tray and the cover. Keep the cover pointed up at about a 45* angle. When you put the unprimed case in the shellholder squeeze the handle all the way. Don't release the handle until you're ready for the next case. Momentarily bring it up level and change the cases. If that doesn't work ... I've worn out 3 or 4. I've never had that problem. I'm at a loss as to what to tell you.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

Oh crap, I was thinking of the primer on their progressives.

The Lee Autoprimes are good to go until you try to squish primers into crimped holes by mistake-I've broken the little pot metal paddle more than twice....

Other than a weak handle I like the Lee's feel better than my RCBS.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

After half a dozen LEE PRO 1000s I gave up and finally bought a Dillon XL650. One crimped military primer and the timing on the LEE is toast. I would be hard pressed to be happier with the Dillon. I've probably had it 12 or 15 years ... ? I wish I had the money at the time to get the 1050. I was shooting a LOT of 45 acp at the time. But I've really been happy with the one I have.

 

[theogre_52]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

If you are talking about adding the auto prime to your press. I really don't like it, I bought an RCBS hand primer, the one with the universal shell holder, so you don't have to put individual shell holders in it. Don't remember the model.

I am sure that it is personal preferance, but I find the hand primer for me works 2x faster the the auto prime. I had an auto prime on my RCBS single stage.

Hope this helps

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> One crimped military primer and the timing on the LEE is toast. </div></div>

That's probably what happened, because I had it tweaked and running good for a few hundred rounds, then all of a sudden I've got a bin with a bunch of sideways or missing primers.

I need to go blue one of these days....

 

[zuke]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> One crimped military primer and the timing on the LEE is toast. </div></div>

That's probably what happened, because I had it tweaked and running good for a few hundred rounds, then all of a sudden I've got a bin with a bunch of sideways or missing primers.

I need to go blue one of these days.... </div></div>

Try this forum for your Loadmaster http://forums.loadmastervideos.com/forums/

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

Thanks zuke, been there done that.
While I like Lee's simple and efficient engineering with most things I think they missed the mark on the LM's priming.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zuke</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> One crimped military primer and the timing on the LEE is toast. </div></div>

That's probably what happened, because I had it tweaked and running good for a few hundred rounds, then all of a sudden I've got a bin with a bunch of sideways or missing primers.

I need to go blue one of these days.... </div></div>
Try this forum for your Loadmaster http://forums.loadmastervideos.com/forums/

Sorry for the loadmaster hijack...
</div></div>

 

[groovebus]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

The primer feeder on the Loadmaster is crap. The newly redesigned AutoPrimer with the square tray is good to go though.

 

[badbot]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010...-seating-depth/
this looks like a great upgrade to the lee autoprime

 

[2ndamendfan]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

The Lee load master is a love/hate relationship. at first i was really dissapointed with it, but i have worked the bugs out and 95% of the time I am happy. the primer setup can be a pain. I would agree that if a better priming system could be used the press would be AWESOME, hated the chain so i converted to a rod also.

The Loadmaster is NOT a friendly press, at least at first. I had loaded approx 10k rounds on a single stage press, before getting a loadmaster. I really really think it helps to fully understand every step before getting a load master (maybe others are different).

I probably spend over an hr setting up a caliber (load 357mag,44mag,45acp, 50 beowulf,) and I have turrets for each. make sure each step is working before next.

I can do about 500 45 acp an hour with the load master.

I also use a pro 1000 for .223, but i do it different. i have two turrents, and removed the priming system. 1st tumble clean, lube cases run through resizing/depriming as fast as i want, retumble clean, then chamfer primer pockets (some crimped primers) and hand prime. then back to press, first station drops powder, second seats bullet and last uses lee factory crimp die.

In case you can't tell Most of my stuff is lee and 99% of the time I am happy. have to admit the priming systems on the progressives leave a lot to be desired. after Getting the loadmaster to work, i didn't have the time to mess with the priming on the pro 1000, also wanted to use the factory crimp die.

having said all that, and being a tight ass. I would LOVE to try a hornady LNL progresive.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Lee Autoprime upgrade?

Great feedback. First, I just found out Black Hills is crimping their 308s. I thought it was generic winchester brass. Secondly, I was trying to release pressure,rotate the case 180 and press again. From now on I will just press the handle through one full stroke. I will give the Lee Autoprime handtool another go.