Lee hand priming tool - I’m getting pizzed

[TassieTiger]

So after cleaning and sizing some 250 x 223 cases, I settled in for some hand priming.
Couple days previous I had to do 100 x 30/06 and I had to pull the hand priming tool apart at least 5 times, so I figured the 223 is using small rifle primers so should be better.
Fark me. Every 5 bloody primes or less at times, the primer would get jammed and I’d have to pull shell holder, spring and lever and spring Mech - dislodge the primer, put all back together and hope to death, the next primer would feed...but yep. It was the most frustrating priming session ever. Is this just the lee tool in general or just mine or ? This is the second lee I’ve bought as previously, this jamming s**t happened once too often and it flew out of my hand...is there a fix for this ?

[Stix]

Yep...im hearing you...same same...

I primed 7 cases last week for a basic test & to use the last 7 in a batch of 50...

Pulled the cover off 4 times to un-jam the contraption, & in doing so dropped & lost 2 primers...each primer i lost i had to go back to another room & unlock cabinets for another primer...each time...

Im sure one day my lee priming tool will be picked up.on the radar at Adelaide airport...

[No1Mk3]

Something wrong with your methodology perhaps? Holding the tool down instead of up? I loaded 600 45 Auto Rim last month with only 1 sideways primer, and did 150 8x57 this weekend with only 2 faults. Perhaps check the feed ramp for burrs of plastic from the moulding process and use a small file or emery board to smooth off any edges. Best of luck.

[wanneroo]

I have a Lee priming tool I've used for tens of thousands of rounds. Check for any swarf from manufacturing or other debris.

[Blr243]

The lee handprimer I had 100 yrs ago was infallible "......but the new one I have is problematic when I use it in conjunction with the feeder tray. So now I don’t use the feeder tray and load each primer into the tool by hand. It’s slow but it works. I wish I had my old one

[JimTom]

Made that sounds somewhat frustrating. Unfortunately I don’t have a solution for the rectification of your Lee hand primer, however if you are in the market for an alternative, I have used the Hornady hand primer for a number of years and can say that to date it has been problem free. Quick and easy to use mate. Hope you get it sorted out.

[Sergeant Hartman]

Rcbs hand primers are good kit. Look into them... maybe if you want a few things get from brownells in usa. And save decent money... or get a 2nd hand one

I have a lee quick prime on my press and that works pretty good as well... but can't beat sitting watching tv while priming

[in2anity]

Do yourself a favor, and eject that piece of crap tool from your life - they are utter garbage. Indeed It's a waste that you've already purchased all of the shell holder inserts (I know, I have about ten of them for various calibers which I may as well throw in the bin) - but once you start using a superior tool, you'll regret not doing it sooner

+1 for the RCBS hand primers - I have the universal one (ending the need for shell holders) - and it works an absolute treat. Buttery smooth with a nice consistent feel to it - you instantly know when the pocket is cooked.

Lee mostly does adequate tools; that hand primer is not one of them.

[Sergeant Hartman]

Do you find any issues with printing 223 cases?

[in2anity]

Do you find any issues with printing 223 cases?

Who, me? Basically no. But the brand of the brass does effect how easy they go in. ADI is generally pretty good in this regard. Hornady and S&B factory on the other hand; yuck.

[Bill]

Yeap new one is a piece of FAR KING s**t

I have the old one but lost the SR primer insert.

I might box mine up and send it back to the Distributor with a message to stick it up their arse.

Who makes the best/reliable one now ??

[in2anity]

Yeap new one is a piece of FAR KING s**t

I have the old one but lost the SR primer insert.

I might box mine up and send it back to the Distributor with a message to stick it up their arse.

Who makes the best/reliable one now ??

RCBS, or Frankford Arsenal if you can BF waiting for it to arrive from overseas.

[deye243]

There's a reason I have 3 RCBS hand primers ......

[Sergeant Hartman]

My universal rcbs one has trouble with 223 slipping out... maybe ill send rcbs an email... apart from that its very good

[in2anity]

My universal rcbs one has trouble with 223 slipping out... maybe ill send rcbs an email... apart from that its very good

Have you tried cleaning and lubing the two shell holders?

[Stix]

There's a reason I have 3 RCBS hand primers ......

Because you have 3 arms...?...

[Sergeant Hartman]

I can understand why three

1 for the days he wants to do small rifle primers

1 for the days he wants to do large rifle primers

1 for those days he doesn't want to do any priming.

Hehe

[SCJ429]

I have a RCBS bench mounted priming tool, it has given decades of good service and the customer service from the lovely folks at RCBS is second to none.

I also have a fancy K&M hand held priming tool but I hardly ever use it.

[bigfellascott]

I've got the round Lee Hand Priming Tool - it's been great, never had any issues. I liked it that much I bought a 2nd one as a spare for when this one finally gives up the ghost.

[GQshayne]

I only ever use my press. It gives good feel, so I have never had reason to change. But I only do limited loading compared to many. Usually only 50 or 60 rounds at a time.

[No1_49er]

Do yourself a favor, and eject that piece of crap tool from your life - they are utter garbage. Indeed It's a waste that you've already purchased all of the shell holder inserts (I know, I have about ten of them for various calibers which I may as well throw in the bin) - but once you start using a superior tool, you'll regret not doing it sooner

+1 for the RCBS hand primers - I have the universal one (ending the need for shell holders) - and it works an absolute treat. Buttery smooth with a nice consistent feel to it - you instantly know when the pocket is cooked.

Lee mostly does adequate tools; that hand primer is not one of them.

I guess I've had a somewhat better run with my Lee primer then. It's been in use for something like 40 yr so far and still going strong after I don't know how many thousands of primers. It can get a bit tough on the thumb after a while though.
To fix that problem I got one of the Lee Auto Bench Prime tools #90700. Increased leverage makes it so much "lighter" to use. Easy to switch primer trays for small/large primers too. But the old one is staying in the kit.

[deye243]

There's a reason I have 3 RCBS hand primers ......

Because you have 3 arms...?...

Narh mate it's coz I'm too bloody lazy to change shell holder's......

That and they work perfectly......

[SCJ429]

There's a reason I have 3 RCBS hand primers ......

Because you have 3 arms...?...

Narh mate it's coz I'm too bloody lazy to change shell holder's......

That and they work perfectly......

What do you do if you want to prime 308 head stamp with small rifle primers or primers into something bigger than Magnum head stamp? Buy more RCBS Hand Primer units?

[bigfellascott]

So after cleaning and sizing some 250 x 223 cases, I settled in for some hand priming.
Couple days previous I had to do 100 x 30/06 and I had to pull the hand priming tool apart at least 5 times, so I figured the 223 is using small rifle primers so should be better.
Fark me. Every 5 bloody primes or less at times, the primer would get jammed and I’d have to pull shell holder, spring and lever and spring Mech - dislodge the primer, put all back together and hope to death, the next primer would feed...but yep. It was the most frustrating priming session ever. Is this just the lee tool in general or just mine or ? This is the second lee I’ve bought as previously, this jamming s**t happened once too often and it flew out of my hand...is there a fix for this ?

I take it it's the square shaped primer tool not the round one?

[YoungBuck]

I've got a Lee hand primer - loaded about 200ish rounds of .243 shells with it, not had a single fault.

[TassieTiger]

Mine works okay with large rifle primers...but small and magnum ?...ffs. Magnum have very little clearance in the feeder shoot so get hung up constantly, Small primers have too much clearance, they can and do flip over onto their edge and then get stuck.

[fenderstrat]

I've been using a new model lee hand primer for the last 2-3 years, small and large primers, thousands of cases, absolutely no problem.

[Oldbloke]

Use a punch and small hammer. The Lee classic uses that method

[trevort]

the best way yo fix your lee hand priming tool problem is to make it someone elses problem and get an RCBS. My first lee hand primer broke, tight pocket hard squeeze, handle snapped. I've now got two rcbs. I recently picked up two lee in a package deal from a bloke giving up. I thought I would set them up for a few different cartridges but used them twice and moved them on. You buy Lee for the price and thats it

[Zappa]

priming on a drill press , possible without fireworks ?